Escape from Islip Island!!

Wednesday 20th April
On Monday afternoon the levels were still too high for us to proceed down through Islip Lock and Kev kept checking the Environment Agency website. As we were sat on the boat we heard a noise outside and it was another boat coming to use the lock, so Kev went out to explain to them why we were moored on the lock landing. They tied up alongside of us and The man & woman went with Kev to look at the state of the water levels, they too said they wouldn't get under the bridge and the water was flowing quite fast. They decided to stay overnight and see what Tuesday would be like, as it seemed that the EA were letting water down at intervals and it was probably done electronically.

This squirrel had been on this wire for ages calling to another squirrel

This cat belongs to Graham & Mel Nb Dragonfly moored next to us.

Finally we were able to leave our Island!

 Waiting to go in Titchmarsh lock

It was a lovely cruise in the sunshine and we were soon at the moorings outside the Kings Head pub Wadenhoe, I managed to get the washing hung out, I had done it before we left Islop Lock. We went for a meal last night in the Kings Head and it was very nice but a little pricy! 

On the Kings Head mooring with Nb Dragonfly

Looking towards the rear of the pub

Graham & Mel also ate in the pub last night and then they came on board R&R for a drink and a chat. 

This morning when we got up there was a slight frost (-1deg in the cratch) and it was a bit misty on the river but it wasn't too long before the sun was out and it was lovely. Kev & I took Jaz for a walk around Wadenhoe village , it is a beautiful place and if anybody hasn't been here before it is well worth it. We took a few photos.....

 The entrance to Kings Head car park

The front of the pub & looking up the street

Walking up to the church, a lady told us the mounds on the right was where the original village was a long time ago!

Good views up here.

Plenty of thatched cottages.

The Barn on the right sells tea, coffee & cakes etc

The Mill

Part of The Wadenhoe house grounds

Wadenhoe House is open for weddings and functions and also conferences too

Another cottage getting a new thatch done

The post box is still in use but unfortunately not the shop

The new war memorial

Looking down towards the Kings Head

Nb Dragonfly moored behind us.

What a lovely walk around this very picturesque village, we have thoroughly enjoyed it.

Water levels stop play!

Sunday 17th April

On Friday morning Tim decided to leave so Kev went to set Irthlingborough lock for him.

Tim approaching the lock, raining again!

Tim heading for Wadenhoe

We stayed put but had a walk with Jaz into Irthlingborough to post a letter, we wasn't very impressed with the place, there were a few takeaways, Tesco express, a post office & a few other shops and a couple were boarded up! It is ok to get a few bits of groceries though but a bit of a walk to carry much.

Yesterday morning we decided to leave and head for Wadenhoe, we put our wet gear on as it was raining but not heavy it was the fine rain that soaks you! It was very cold & when we got to Woodford lock as there wasn't any other boat a boat we moored on the lock landing and Kev took Jaz for a short walk to stretch her legs etc, I made us a cuppa and Kev had a sausage sandwich while I had a cuppa soup, we were soon warmed through enough to continue and by the time we were at Denford Lock the rain had stopped and it wasn't too bad but still cold. When we got down Islip lock & Kev was leaving the lock there wasn't a lot of headroom and the TV Antenna got snapped off, it usually folds down but Kev had tightened it up as it kept blowing down in the wind. I went down to the floating lock landing and as I got to the steps the bottom step had a good couple of inches of water  covering them. Kev noticed the level marker opposite the landing & also the marker at foot bridge just a bit further on showing about 1.6m and we are 1.8m air draught! Which meant that we wouldn't be able to get under the bridge & there was a pretty fast flow from the weir. We made the only decision we could which was to reverse back into the lock and go back on the floating lock landing upstream of Islip lock. So that is where we are now and Kev has been on the Environment Agency website and the water has risen but seems to be levelling off now, it is dropping fast further upstream but all that water needs to get down here so we will have to sit tight for now. At least we can get Jaz off for his business  but we can't go anywhere as it is a bit of an island. Here are some photos Kev has taken, although earlier this morning everywhere around was covered with frost but the sun is out and it is lovely.

Looking back from the landing

The lock just to the right

The water marker & footbridge ahead

The lock landing downstream

There we are!

A lovely view opposite us

The weir at the other side of our little island!

And here we are again!

When Kev had just come back in and given me the camera he heard a splash in the water just at the bow then he saw a Mink climb out onto the bank and into the bushes that you can see that are next to where we are moored.

Moored next to Rushden & Diamond football ground

Thursday 14th April
Yesterday morning we left the 48 hour moorings just before Weston Favell lock about 9.30am, Kev had been to get the lock ready, he had a radio with him & told me when the lock was ready and so  Tim set off on his boat first & Kev came back to me and we set off into the lock too.

Leaving Weston Favell lock

It turned out to be a nice day with the sun shining it was a nice journey through the next 5 locks and as we were close to White Mills lock we moored for the day. There is a new marina which has only been open 10 days and the new owners came over to talk to us and gave us their card, they told us they were hoping to have their diesel delivered in a couple of days and also the footbridge that goes over the entrance should be in place shortly. There had been a couple walking past us and were a bit cross that they had been walking on the footpath here for 25 years and couldn't carry on but I am sure the bridge will be in place soon. We couldn't get moored close enough to the bank for Jaz to get off and Kev used the gangplank for the first time since we bought R&R! Jaz is a real scaredy cat and won't walk across so Kev has had to carry her each time!

No fear when Kev carries her!

Lazy Daisy moored ahead of us

The new White Mills Marina

You can see the support piling ready for footbridge

This morning we were away at about 8.45am it was drizzling a bit but didn't last and we were soon through White Mills lock.

Ponies at Earls Barton Lock

Kev had to help a woman passed these ponies, she was jogging and when she got here she was afraid to go passed, there was a foal with the mare directly in front of the picture and it is the first foal I have seen this year.

After we had done Upper Wellingborough lock there were some 48 hour moorings where the park is and a water point too, we topped our tank up and then moved back to let Tim get his boat alongside the water point to fill his tank too. I had a short walk to the Tesco for some odd bits and then when I came back we had a bite to eat and then both boats headed off once again. the weather had improved and the sun was out which I was glad about as I had done a wash before we left White Mills this morning.

Jaz is like Buster, she loves sitting here!

Approaching high rail bridge & just missed getting a photo of a train "typical"

The A45 runs close by at one point

Approaching High road bridge (A6) & just beyond is another bridge

The next bridge is an arched bridge and you need to go through the largest arch and it took us a bit by surprise as you go through it you turn quite sharply to the left.

Tim coming through just after us

Rushden & Diamonds football ground

We are now moored here and will stay a couple of days but Tim will head off tomorrow, I have managed to get my washing outside in the sunshine! There used to be a water point here but it is no longer here

Back Aboard & onto the River Nene

Wednesday 13th April

Firstly I want to wish Kev's son Lee a happy birthday, who is at work offshore at the moment.
On Monday morning I arrived back at Gayton Junction & Kev met me with Jaz we were moored not far from Maffi on Nb Millie M and we stopped for a chat with him on the towpath.

Kev took this photo but only got Molly & Jaz waiting for Maffi to give them a treat & not Maffi's head! Later on Kev & I took the hire car back to Northampton station and the girl from Enterprise car hire brought us back to Gayton.

On Tuesday morning we left our mooring about 8am, no sign of Maffi to say goodbye, we turned left at the junction onto the Northampton Arm and stopped at the services to fill the water tank, get rid of rubbish and empty the cassette. Once all of that was done we made our way to the first of the flight of 17 locks down to Northampton.

There was a couple on a smaller narrowboat towing a small cruiser ahead of us in the second lock and   the woman told Kev they were new to boating so she let us go ahead, so as we left a lock Kev set it for them, as we got a couple of locks ahead of them we decided not to set any more in case any boats came up.

This sculpture of man & woman are beside one of the locks

Plenty of graffiti on this bridge!

Finally lock 17!

And out onto the River Nene!

As we left the last lock this Carlsberg building faces us!

We didn't go too far before we moored close to a footbridge that Sue on Nb No Problem had wrote about on her information on the River Nene. There is a Morrisons close by so we could top up our groceries. We moored behind a boat called Lazy Daisy, Kev had met the man on this boat over the weekend while I was at home. His name is Tim and is a single hander so he said he would share some locks with us as we have never been on the Nene before. We wanted to go to the marina close by for a key for the locks but Tim had a spare one so we bought it from him. We had been into Gayton Marina before we left to buy one but they no longer sell them.

Once we had our shopping put away and had a bite to eat we the followed Tim to the first lock Beckets park lock which was just around the bend from where we were moored, there was a boat just about to leave so were able to go straight in, we then did the next 2 locks, Rush Mill Lock & Abington lock and then the sky was getting very black so we moored at the 48 hour moorings before Weston Favell Lock and just as both boats tied up the heavens opened and it rained very heavy. 

Kev had a walk this morning and took a few photos

Weston Favell lock

Looking down at the 2 boats, R&R at the rear

As the mist cleared we had a visit from this lone swan

Tuesday 5th April

While we moored at Stowe Hill Wharf  Nb Muleless passed us, they are hanging about waiting for Nb OakApple to join them. 

A quick hello to Gary & Della

On Sunday morning we decided to move and so we left Stowe Hill and had a short cruise to Bugbrooke and we moored after bridge 36 not too far from the Wharf pub. We had a walk with Jaz into the village and found the small shop there, it is another lovely village with lots of good footpaths for taking Jaz for walks.

These lambs are not shy at all!

On our way back from the village we walked over bridge 36 and went to the Wharf Inn and sat outside in the sunshine, I went to the bar and asked for a bowl of water for Jaz as she isn't allowed beer! Kev & myself however are! 

When we returned to the boat we were passed by another blogger on Nb LillyAnne and we managed to get outside to have a quick chat with Pip & Mick but I didn't have the camera to get a photo!
Yesterday we left Bugbrooke and made another short journey to Gayton Junction so we could fill the water tank, get rid of our rubbish and empty the cassette. We then  reversed & turned and moored after the 24 hour moorings facing back towards Bugbrooke. Kev took Jaz for a walk while I hung some washing at the stern, it was like Widow Twanky's in there! When Kev came back I had a shower & washed my hair and as I came out of the bathroom I could hear Kev talking to someone. It was Della & Gary Nb Muleless who we had passed on our way here, they were moored not far away from Gayton Junction. I dried my hair and got dressed and went to the stern to say hello it then started to rain so Kev invited Della & Gary on board for a cuppa. It was nice to have a chat with them    properly instead of having a quick wave as either of us are on the move passing each others boat.
We are hanging about too really as I have a hire car booked for Friday at 12pm picking me up at Gayton marina & I am going home for the weekend to see my mam, have my hair done, and a few other things too. Kev & Jaz will stay on board and meet me back here on Monday!

First time this way!

Saturday 2nd April
On Thursday we had a walk to the shop in Braunston village and took Jaz with us, it was quite a good walk and then we walked down towards the canal and crossed Butchers bridge & back on the towpath then across the bridge at the bottom lock so Kev could pop into Wharf House Narrowboats, he bought a tin of cream paint & a tin of black paint too. When we got back to the boat we had a cuppa and then got ready to go over to the Admiral Nelson for some lunch. Kev had a beef pie & I had the fish & chips, it was really nice.

We sat outside to finish our drinks

R&R moored above the lock

Yesterday were ready to leave about 7am and Kev went to set the next lock for me and we were  soon through the last lock and heading for Braunston Tunnel.

Just entering the tunnel

I stayed down below with Jaz while Kev took the boat through the tunnel and we never passed another boat until we were through it, and it wasn't long before we arrived at Buckby Top lock where there was a CRT work boat coming up.

Buckby Top Lock

In the lock & alongside is the New Inn

One of the first properties we saw after leaving the lock!

We have never been this way before so it was all new to us, and we were looking forward to seeing different places. As we got to the second lock and I was waiting for Kev to fill it we were joined by a hire boat with aSouth African woman and her husband who was Belgium, Kev was pleased to have them share the double locks so it would be easier but unfortunately the woman couldn't open & close the lock gates on her own so Kev was having to help with each one. The man told me that she couldn't manage to steer the boat so she was doing the locks instead with his help I presume before now. They were a lovely couple though and were heading back to Gayton to take the hire boat back.

As we got to the bottom lock it was full but we could see a man starting to open the paddles to empty it so Kev walked on to speak to him as we should have been able to got straight in. He was from the workshop next to the lock and told Kev that his workshop had been flooded the other day as there is too much water coming down and he told us to leave the gates open when we left to let some water down. When both the boats were in the lock The water from behind poured in and we were stuck in there as it was filling back up quicker than emptying. The man at the workshop rang CRT but said the water would slow down soon.

This is the water pouring over the gates!

It did slow down after what seemed forever and we were soon able to make our way out of the lock! Once we were clear of the lock & the marina there we pulled over for a bite to eat & let Jaz out for a short walk and then we set off again. As we passed through bridge 25 we notice a familiar boat with a lot of washing out blowing on the clothes airer at the stern it was Nb Muleless, so we managed a wave as we passed. As we passed through bridge 26  Stowe Hill Wharf we decided to moor up and are just passed the boatyard. There are some good walking around here for Jaz so we will stay put over the weekend.