Thur May 29th - 21 miles, 2 furlongs, 14 locks - Stoke Bruerne to Crick Total cruising time 9 hours.
Set off from Stoke Bruerne at 6.45am after rebuffing the man trying to flog me an engine room clock (4" oil pressure gauge with all the guts removed and a cheapo battery powered clock silasticed into the back). Through the tunnel by 7.20am and on the water point at Gayton Junction at 7.50am. All tanks topped off and under way by 8.50am. After a brief stop for provisions from Weedon we arrived at Buckby bottom just before 1.00pm. Two boats coming down but rather ominously a widebeam moored on the offside just below the lock. Fortunately when the two boats had left the lock there was no sign of action from the widebeam so we nipped in smartly before anyone said anything. Very good run up the flight with all locks either empty or with boat(s) coming down in them. Cleared the top of Buckby by 2.50pm and turned right at Norton Junction for the Leicester Arm. Through Watford locks by 4.30pm and Crick tunnel by 5.10pm. Moored for the night by Crick Wharf bridge. Planning to eat in the Red Lion tonight, although we may also venture as far as the Royal Oak as it was recommended to us yesterday. Terry Streeter NB Arun - Crick
