Day 4 - Tuesday July 4th - Stoke Bruerne to Crick 21 miles 4 furlongs, 16 locks, 11 hours 25 minutes
I knew that the remaining two locks in the flight were empty, as I had checked them on the way back from the pub. So the plan was for an early start to take advantage of them and the cooler weather. 6.15am was not early enough though, as while checking the oil and water I felt the boat move. Sure enough, there was a boat coming down the second lock. Could have been worse though, could have been a couple of boats passing me to go up the locks! Into the tunnel at 7.05am, and past Gayton Junction at 8.20am. I decided not to stop for water there, as I wanted to be sure of getting up the Watford flight today. Through Weedon by 11am, and into the bottom lock by midday. The last bit of this pound is arrow straight for about half a mile, and I could see a boat by the lock and the lock being emptied. I was through the last bridge, before the gates were opened, and I was flashing the headlight to attract their attention as it was only a single boat going into the lock. Fortunately they saw me, and a few moments later I saw the other gate opening. Top marks to the hire boat crew for observation. Most other times when I have been in this situation, the boat crew have (possibly deliberately) failed to notice me, and I have had the whole flight against me. Strapped the two boats together and worked them up the flight that way, the other chap doing the driving. He was very competent, and only had one less than perfect entry. This freed me to go and help with the locking, and allowed two from his crew to do the lock wheeling - we were following two other boats up the flight. Cleared the top of the flight at 2.10pm, and went our separate ways. They were heading to Braunston to find a pub to watch the football match - two of his crew were German.I turned right at Norton Junction and arrived at the bottom of the Watford flight at 3pm. A walk up the flight to find the lock keeper elicited the information that I would be the third boat up in the next batch. There were two still in the staircase, and two waiting to come down. I used the downtime to refill the water tanks, as I was tied up by the water point just below the bottom lock. Into the bottom lock at 3.50pm, and out of the top at 4.40pm. Chugged slowly around to the Crick tunnel, and tied up by the road bridge in Crick at 6pm. Had a lie down for a bit, then showered and walked into town to visit the Red Lion for a nice piece of Steak. So much for the forecast for today, the biggest shower I got was in Crick tunnel! Weather - Sunny Forecast - Thunderstorms Terry Streeter NB Arun - Crick ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Great things are happening at Yahoo! Groups. See the new email design. http://us.click.yahoo.com/TISQkA/hOaOAA/yQLSAA/ygtolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
