Back to Lapworth with Roy and Ady on Sunday evening (29/9)-sadly Annie not with us yet -maybe later in the week.......
Both boats ok so after unpacking we walked to the Navigation Inn. At first I thought the curse of the foodless pub was still with us as they stopped serving at 7pm, (the pattern for this trip has been one of the pub stopping food about 10 minutes before we ask for some) but our luck was in. The landlord(who is from Huddersfield but nobody's perfect) and Landlady
came up trumps with probably the best steak pie I've had in years
and we rewarded their kindness by forcing ourselves to drink at least two.
possibly three, pints of Timothy Taylor's Landlord. Alright we had four. It
was very good steak pie..
To bed. (Perhaps it was five zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz)
Monday morning and we set off in watery sunshine at 9 am and headed south
down the Grand Union to Hatton Locks.
21 Locks without Annie so we were pleased to see a couple of CaRT Volunteers but after
one lock they decided we were either too stupid or too experienced to warrant
their attention and buggered off to help a young couple with a baby on a hire
boat. Moral-when working locks- get a baby and look incompetent-I only qualify on one count.
The Hatton flight is double width so we were soon in a rhythm improved
considerably by my adeptness at lassooing a stud on Panther's stern whist Roy
showed Adrian how to work locks.(Only joking Ady)
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| Following Roy through Shrewley Tunnel |
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| Waiting at the top of the Hatton flight |
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| All 21 of the buggers |
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| This way Roy |
Through Warwick and Leamington Spa and moored for the night at Radford Semele where we walked into the village for dinner at the White Lion, a Chef and Brewer with a rather fine sign
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| Yes-they served Pride,we ate from the Mane menu (what elsa)and my steak was roar. Ho Ho Ho |
It was good-and a gentle stroll afterwards to aid digestion. Another early night
Tuesday was an 8 a m start-a misty morning but pleasant enough as we headed for Braunston through Radford, Bascote, Stockton and Calcutt locks-another 23 lock day
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| Ady sets Radford lock-our first of the day |
Arrived Braunston 6ish and after a jar in the Boathouse enjoyed a very fine Salmon Curry on board Panther
We are on the home strait now and head for Whilton where Roy has his car as he must return to London for Thursday . The run to Whilton is good, through Braunston Locks,the tunnel and along the lovely stretch between the south of the tunnel and Long Buckby. We moored at Long Buckby for a naughty boys' breakfast and waterlooing. While I cooked breakfast Ady did the mucky jobs returning to find the centre rope by which he had secured the boat had come undone and I was floating out to sea. Don't worry Ady-we wont mention it again.
A lunchtime pint in the New Inn and down Buckby Locks.
A farewell to Roy as we carried on to Weedon for the night dining on duck. The following day was a day off as we awaited Roy's return and we set about some of those jobs we hadn't got round to since we left in July. Then a healthy walk and dinner in the Crossroads Hotel. No sign of Benny but by the end of the evening the scenery was beginning to move about a bit (If you're under 50 none of the forgoing will mean anything to you)
Friday and Annie has rejoined the team. Panther arrives at Weedon by 10 a m and we head for Stoke Bruerne arriving about 2 o'clock. Obviously we could have gone on for a few more hours but the Siren call of the Bruerne Spice was too strong. Although the moorings at Stoke B were very quiet with only one boat moored between the tunnel end and the top lock the pubs and restaurant were busy as there were in excess of 100 bikers camped down the road. They were a great bunch, members of the AJS and Matchless club, all of mature years and a great example of how a good time can be had when the nuisances are elsewhere.
An excellent curry in a packed curry house
In the morning I had a date with Jules Fuels to fill up at with diesel at Stoke Bruerne bottom
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| Ady ties onto Towcester for diesel. Is that knot ok Ady? |
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| Roy comes looking fo gas |
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| We are indeed and heading fo the delights of Milton Keynes |
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| Past the sheep at Grafton Regis that were my companions during my stay there in July. Don't knock it -ewe never know |
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| And here comes Panther with Roy, in hot pursuit |
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| A heron does a passable impersonation of Concorde |
We do 9 hours to The Globe at Leighton Buzzard where we dine on sea bass. Marvellous
The next day is Sunday and it's Roy's birthday so we head for the Red Lion at Marsworth. The weather is glorious and though the trip is nearly over we are in good spirits
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| Annie is back in lock-wheeling mode |
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| Ady ruminates. Disgusting! |
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| I see no ships |
On arrival at Marsworth we have Bubbles and Cake and sing Happy Birthday with gusto.
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| Happy Birthday, Roy |
A pint in the Red Lion and back to Panther for Chicken Curry, Aubergine curry and Kohl Rabi curry. All very yummysome.
The last day is a sunny one as well and we head for Cowroast in the sunshine.
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| The Last Lock |
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| Hey ho.-nearly over |
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| Through Bulbourne where the two CaRT craft havent moved off the Visitors' Moorings since I went away in July despite having their yard opposite. |
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| Panther through the Cutting on Tring Summit |
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| and on to Cowroast....... |
The end of a wonderful trip setting off on 12th July and returning on 7th October. Of course, we've been back and forth by car in between times but in that three months Panther and Independence have managed over 440** miles and 342 locks during a total of 52 days (inc car shuffles (#see below), a day out in Chester and detours to pubs, churches and chandlers) The official time for the trip is 44 days. Pacific with John single-handed did 152 miles and 108 locks in 7 days.
LOGISTICS
**Panther 448 and 4.5 furlongs/ Independence 442 and 1.75 furlongs (The difference being that Panther went to the Coventry basin from Hawkesbury and I went from Barbridge to Hurleston Junction to collect John P-plus the .25 of a furlong being when I floated adrift at Long Buckby)
No boaters were injured during the making of this trip apart from me banging my head in Stone (Staffs) and my knee going crock for the last two days but the following casualties were recorded.
Independence:
1 chimney
1 cb aerial
2 flowerpots
1 fender
innumerable paper plates
1 pair of gloves
(all the above from the roof)
1 hat (from my head) (Br 107 between Napton and Braunston and bearing the title Tug Master. If returned copious draughts will be provided-especially as it was a copious draught that removed it)
1 Fire extinguisher
1 whisky tumbler
Panther:
1 fuel pump
The total distance travelled (off boats) was
Cars 2985.97
Cab 13
Train 896.2
Total (off boat) travel 3894.99 milesThe total for the three boats was 1042 miles 6.25 furlongs.
A Grand total of 4937.5 miles
Given that you could drive to Tripoli and back and still have 468.5 miles in hand for days out for picnics and sightseeing whilst you're there I think this may well be the plan for next year. And you wouldn't have to work all those locks except on the Panama canal and I think they are manned. (Oh and take a spare fuel pump and spare engineer with you) Did I just say Panama? Silly me I meant Suez Canal-still thinking about my lost hat....
A great trip. My thanks to all concerned for their many kindnesses and lock working and well done Independence-33 years old with a 53 year old engine and a 66 year old failed male model in charge.
Supporting spreadsheets, pie charts and minutes are available should your life be totally unfulfilled. Alternatively please feel free to stick your head in a bucket of custard and pretend you are...well, not barmy ...just a trifle
1 comment:
Wow. Well done chaps on completion of such an epic waterway voyage.
Ollie
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