Oundle to Wadenhoe
4 miles, 3 locks
The day dawned bright, warm and sunny. We did not have far to go, so we were in no great rush. Ken did the newspaper run into town, whilst Monty escorted me round the Country Park again. By the time we had watered up, got rid of rubbish etc it was getting on for midday. Our timing was diabolical! Just as we emerged from the marina (it is a tight fit), not one, but two boats came along going our way. We let them pass us as Cleddau had yet to emerge. Once at Upper Barnwell lock we discovered there not just two but six boats ahead of us!
By the time we were in the lock there were another three waiting to come up behind us!
Just before our second lock of the day (Lilford) we passed Lilford Hall, a Jacobean Mansion built around 1635. There used to be a Saxon village here, but the first Lord Lilford had it demolished in 1755 when the hall grounds were landscaped to create a 240 acre parkland centred on the house. The house is noted for its unique double chimney stacks.
We had caught up with the two boats ahead of us before we reached the next lock.
Waiting our turn
Just before the final lock of the day we came across this - some sort of Archimedes screw we assume?
The journey had taken 3 hours instead of the expected 2, however we were not in a hurry, the sun was shining - our only worry was whether we would find a mooring at the King's Head, Wadenhoe. Today was Sue's birthday and we had a table booked for 7pm, so we really had to stop.
From the lock we could see that there might be enough room for us to breast up with our sterns on the pub land. The bows sticking out would not be a problem. And then just as we were about to leave the lock a cruiser arrived and took the space!
What were we to do? Well we moved forward and then reversed around the corner, but the only space there was taken. The pub garden was very busy - the patrons were certainly getting some good entertainment with more to come.
The cruiser saw our dilemma and kindly offered to pull back leaving just enough room for our sterns. To get at line from our bow to the shore meant me either climbing a very wobbly fence or walking up the pub garden, round through the car park and down the other side! I chose the latter. A line was thrown, a stake and hammer sourced and a kind young man offered to hammer the pin in for me - I am not known to refuse such thoughtfulness. So we were in, not tidy, but safe.
After a couple of hours the cruiser left and we were able to pull back a bit. The bow was still in a bush (and a prickly one at that), but at least we did not have to go over the fence or up and round to get to the bow pin.
Just before we were going to get ready to go out, the other two boats left meaning a decent mooring for both of us.
Washed, suited and booted (well as tidy as we ever get on the boat) we walked up through the garden to the pub for our celebratory dinner. Was it worth all three moorings? Yes. The food, wine and service were all excellent.
It was back to ours for coffee and the only downside of a hot day - a mass of midges both inside and outside. This spider was in for a night of plenty!
Monday 3rd September 2018
Wadenhoe to Islip
4.5 miles, 1 lock
An unusual sight first thing in the morning
Maybe this is a daily ritual - note the ladder just to the right of the middle of the picture
Sue and I went to have a quick look at the Church of St Michael and all Angels in Wadenhoe whilst Chris exercised Monty. The church stands on top of a hill with commanding views across the countryside.
Outside there is a sundial with the names of five churches visible from that spot
It was a Millenium project unveiled on 8th July 2000. The Millstone does come from a local mill, but not Wadenhoe as the stone was not suitable. The slate is Kirkby Blue from Cumbria. The carving was done by Quin Hollick, a letter cutter and sundial maker.
Of the five churches we were only able to spot three - Wadenhoe
Achurch (it was a hazy morning!)
Moving inside - the font dates back to the 13th century
We were told that the church was used as a backdrop for the opening scenes of the 1999 version of "A Christmas Carol". This was the only part of the inside that is seen.
There is a Memorial tablet in the church tells of the tragic death of a young couple from Wadenhoe. Thomas and Caroline Welch Hunt had been married for just 10 months when they were shot by bandits in Italy near the town of Paestum in December 1824. He was nearly 29 and she was just 23. The Welch Hunts were the 'Lords of the Manor'. Wadenhoe remained in the 'Hunt' family until the last of the line - George and Edna Ward Hunt. George had inherited the estate from his father (he died in WWI) when he was just 3. He and Edna had no children and were determined that the village should remain a living village and not a selection of second homes for the wealthy, so they set up a trust, which survives and thrives to this day.
We caught a quick glimpse of the main street, but further exploration was curtailed - we had boats to catch.
Our timing today was spot on!
First we passed a Friends of the River Nene (FOTRN) mooring just outside Wadenhhoe - it looks excellent
Just the one lock today (Titchmarsh), with no queue. It is by the HQ of the Middle Nene Cruising Club
Thrapston Church was the first indication that we were nearing our target
Then comes the inevitable question - would there be space for us both? Yes we had the mooring to ourselves.
The neighbours across the way were pretty quiet except for the occasional surge into the water, especially when
a lady and
her dog went past
Chris, Monty and I headed off to see what Thrapston had to offer. It is a gentle and pleasant stroll - well it would have been if this had not come thundering past us - Monty was not amused and worse was to come....
you have to go past a skate board/scooter park - another of Monty's pet hates. We think it is the noise the wheels make that upsets him.
Once in town almost the first thing we spotted was a Barber shop (I took the picture Wednesday morning). Would Chris be able to get a haircut and beard trim?
We think he did and excellent job and all for just £12. It is the first beard trim since the accident with the cafetiere on the 22nd of July. He has still not decided whether it will stay or go.
I have to say it was a pretty fine side hatch view as the sun started to go down.
Tuesday 4th September 2018
Islip to Irthlingborough
8 miles, 6 locks
A long day for us today, but first things first. Sue and I headed into Thrapston to get the papers and have a little look round.
We found a very small market - just three stalls - bread, eggs, pies and cakes; fruit and vegetables and one with various household bits and bobs. Small, but worth visiting.
Thrapston has a good feel about it with a good range of shops - nothing large, but definitely all basic needs are well catered for including a pet shop and vets for those in need. There were some interesting looking gift and gallery shops - it may have been a good job they were closed.
As we made our way up to the large Co Op at the far end of the main street we came to Coronation Gardens
The home of their rather different war memorial
with several benches to allow those who wish to sit, contemplate and remember
Round behind the gardens is the church
We both remembered the gravestones lined up against the walls from when we were here 4 years ago,
but would the church be open - it wasn't when Chris and I tried the night before? We were in luck - there was a coffee morning which had just started and we were welcomed. A very kind lady came to tell us a bit about the church and it became apparent that it is a vibrant place that hosts events from an upcoming Barn Dance to the children's pancake races on a rainy Shrove Tuesday (plastic frying pans and pancakes for the sake of cleanliness!).
There are no pews - just rather comfy looking chairs making it easy to clear. There are occasions when the rather unusual gallery is packed.
Without a doubt the most impressive part of this church is the window above the altar. It is stunning and very large.
The lady who was showing us round told a rather hair raising tale. A few years ago they were expecting a new Vicar and decided they should give the church a bit of a spring clean before he arrived. From ground level it looked as though the very top of the window was covered in a film of muslin. What to do? Well when no one was around to worry about H & S, three ladies, a step ladder and a very long handled feather duster came to the rescue. Picture the scene if you will:
Behind the altar (I do love the altar cloth) is a shelf. A step ladder was placed on the shelf. One lady held the ladder whilst the lady who was showing us round (I am sure she would not mind me saying that she is no spring chicken) climbed the ladder with the feather duster. The third lady was stood at the front of the altar and directed proceedings, so the lady with the feather duster did not have to look up. 'Right a bit, up a bit, down a bit' and so on until she had hooked her prey. Apparently it was huge and looked like a large rat, but it was, in fact a mass of spiders' webs and dead insects.
Just a couple more pictures in the church
We were invited to go up into the gallery and even stay for a cup of coffee, however, we felt we should not tarry for too long with several hours of boating ahead of us. Thrapston is a nice town.
We hastened back to the boats and we were off - four years ago the footbridge before Islip lock was very low and the river rather high. We had ensured the water tank was full, the cratch was taken down and Monty, Sue and I were standing in the bow and were told to 'think heavy' and we only just made it. Thankfully the bridge has been replaced and there is now plenty of headroom.
Just past that lock is some more FOTRN moorings which do look good, but probably only room for one narrow boat and it is land locked with no access to Thrapston.
On under a rather spectacular viaduct with the A14 in the background
We hardly saw any boats moving; the only boats at any lock were waiting to go up as we left which saved us having to close the v-gates and raise the guillotine gate (to empty the lock) before leaving. Three locks had electronic gates and three wheels which Ken is now an expert at spinning around.
Woodford Church is huge.
There are FOTRN moorings just past the village which look good. It is a 20-30 minute walk to the village, so maybe we will get to that church one day.
The river is very bendy and you get use to trusting there is nothing round blind bends, but imagine our consternation as we approached one bend when there was a booming noise. Chris put the boat into reverse, I went to the bow and we inched carefully forward. The cause of the noise - this great beast bellowing for all he was worth.
On past another FTRN Mooring at Stanwick Lakes near Little Addington.
I zoomed in to the wooden structures in the background
I guessed it was some sort of play equipment, but from the website it far surpasses anything I had imagined. Makes me wish I was a few years younger! The Website is worth looking at as there is a lot for young and old. It certainly looks as though it is a good mooring with time to spend to make the most of what they have to offer.
We arrived at the last lock of the day at Irthlingborough. We could just see the moorings from there, but it was impossible to see if there were any spaces. Once again we timed it right and there was room for two at the lock end.
Not much of a side hatch view tonight, but by using the wheel barrow tyres we did manage to hold the boat off sufficiently to allow us to open it to let some air in. The mornings and evenings are getting chillier, but the days are still quite hot and very pleasant.
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