We meet “our” hurricane again!

On Monday morning we left our blissful mooring on the Buckby lock flight and continued to the bottom of the flight in lovely bright sunshine.

The M1 follows the canal for a good mile and a half around the Buckby locks and beyond but it was a hollow pleasure to look across and know that we were travelling infinitely faster than the stand still traffic.

After passing through Weedon Bec and the pretty little hamlet of Flore Lane we got to Bugbrooke where fellow bloggers Yvonne and Roger on nb “Fizzical Attraction” were moored.  We’re sorry it was only a quick ‘hello’ as we had another boat on our heals. (we also forgot to mention previously that we had another quick ‘hello’ with a fellow bloggers nb Ewn ha Cul at Braunston the other day).

Junctions on canals don’t come along that often and, even though deserted, Gayton Junction added a little extra ‘something’ to the journey.

Another highlight along this stretch of canal is the handsome Blisworth Mill. Some very nice cottages have been built on the opposite side and are well in keeping with the area.

The blue brick entrance to Blisworth’s 3076 yard tunnel heralds another bit of excitement on our journey.  Having seen just a handful of boats all day we met three of them inside the tunnel!  

On the other side of a very wet Blisworth tunnel we arrived in Stoke Bruerne where we made the rapid decision to do the Stoke flight of 7 locks before mooring up at the bottom.  After a nice walk back up the flight in the evening we had a pint in The Boat Inn (very unwelcoming barman!) and then a superb meal in the “Spice of Bruerne” Indian restaurant opposite. (20 year old Kaiser, one of the waiters, is a real hoot!)

Today our old hurricane friend from the Atlantic last week caught up with us again.  We stayed on our moorings until 12:30 as the winds were too strong for comfort but then decided to try our luck along the lockless 6 1/2 miles to Cosgrove.  Doug did a bit of walking while James “crabbed” his way along the less protected stretches of water.

Captions welcome!

The view across the fields at Cosgrove belies the windy conditions.  Getting through the lock was a matter of precise timing – Doug jumped off and ran ahead to set the lock while James took it as gently as the wind would allow, only to arrive at the precise moment Doug opened the gate. Lucky!  Being pinned against the lock landing by the wind wasn’t a pleasant thought. 

We’re now moored between the lock and the River Ouse Aqueduct with the wind still blowing hard.  We’ve walked into Wolverton and back for some supplies and are now back on “Chance” cosy and warm for the night.  A very good day all told.