Retirement with No Problem

Elton to Wadenhoe, River Nene, 13.5 miles 8 locks

A brilliant night with Debbie and Kevin on Saturday, although when we walked over to the Crown we were disappointed that the kitchen was shut for refurbishment.. Normally I phone to book a table whenever we eat out, but I wasn’t quite sure what time our friends would arrive.

We bought the beer and a selection of nuts and crisps and sat outside.. we would have a sandwich later…

Back on board after a couple of pints and the No Problem bar was open, that is never shut for refurbishment!

So on Sunday morning after our heads had cleared we pulled the pins on Elton for this year and cruised in some glorious weather towards Fotheringhay..

We didn’t stop at Fotherinhay this time, preferring to cruise on as it was such a lovely day.  Passing through Cotterstock Lock this sign is in your face as it is with all the locks on the Nene..

Soon we will all have to wear lifejackets travelling on the river, I can see it coming.. and talking about bureaucracy, I read a piece in the news.scotsman about graffiti on the bridges.. it is going to stay there for a long time apparently because cleaning it would be too damaging to the bricks and wildlife.. these bridges are on the Union Canal…

“The stonework on the historic bridges has become covered in graffiti tags in recent months, but the operator, British Waterways, says it is unable to do anything about it.”

“Using chemicals may contaminate the canal and be harmful to aquatic life. Abrasive and chemical systems also have the potential to damage the surface and may leave it more vulnerable to the elements. Our conservation specialists have offered to visit the site with British Waterways staff to look at the best way forward.”

Well I never…

Aston backwater was our overnight mooring last night.. it seemed really spooky there for some reason and Lucy and Meg growled every time they stuck their heads out.   I was pleased to get away this morning!

Lower Barncroft lock is another very attractive part of the river, the mill house is now a restaurant, but it is well up market.  I am sure the food must be very good in there, but they have no moorings although they do have some river frontage.  A lot of these riverside pubs and restaurants are much the same, I am surprised to be honest, they would get a lot of trade from the river in the summer if they did…

We had almost got to Wadenhoe when narrowboat Sammy past, and a late hello from the crew shouting across that they enjoyed the blog.. I did manage to shout back.. It’s always nice to meet blog readers..

A boat caught us up at the lock at Lilford going upstream, so we waited for them to appear at Wadenhoe lock before dropping the guillotine, and once the lock was full we both pulled over onto the lawns of the Kings Head pub.  Now here is one place where there is plenty of moorings for the boats.

Out for lunch we met and chatted to the narrowboat crew we had shared the lock with earlier.  Malcolm and Sandra are interested in purchasing an electric boat.  So to you both, firstly it was nice to meet you and secondly, here is the website of Paul Balmer of Waterway Routes who has an electric narrowboat.  I am sure Paul would give you the answers to your many questions..  I sure Paul’s site would also be of interest to others thinking about going green on the canals!..

I had better tell you… Vic caught a huge pike at Elton, I was on catch net duty.. and although I got him, I checked to see where the dogs were so I could land it and while doing so he kicked and spun and went straight out of the net and plopped back into the river.. That sure was one that got away.. it was that big too!