Peterborough

Fotheringhay was an excellent stop.  Moored next to the bank, close to the exquisite village church.  Fotheringhay was made famous because of the incarceration of Mary Queen of Scotts, who was then beheaded in the village castle in 1587 and laid to rest in Peterborough Cathedral. 

Fotheringhay Mooring

Fotheringhay Church

Chugged to Peterborough Monday and tied up on the town quay. 

Town Quay

We have now changed our plans and intend to move onto the Fens (Middle Levels) and visit Whittlesey and March before starting our return trip.  Today (Tuesday) was spent sightseeing,  specifically the Cathedral and surrounding area.  The bad news is that the Beer Festival was last week.

Peterborough Cathedral

Tomorrow we move onto the Fens.

Heading Down the River Nene to Peterborough

Monday, 22 August, saw us setting off for Crick once again, to start a short trip to Peterborough.  Not that we are tight but having bought a Gold Licence this year we planned to make the most of it.  This time however we have a time scale to work to, Tasha goes to Birmingham Uni mid September so we have to be back for the farewells.

Low water, I know unbelievable after the summer we have had, means that restrictions are in place on most of the canal locks, so we chugged down to Watford Flight Monday afternoon expecting to have to hold off until Tuesday morning only to be told to go straight through.  One hour top to bottom, and in sunshine, never done it so quick before.  Moored up a couple of hundred yards after the lock.

Tuesday was a chug down to Gayton Marina area, we moored up near Bridge 41.  On the way down we saw nb Dee Jay.  They were very helpful to me (Flo) on our very first trip on a hire boat 2 years ago, which we used as a trial run when deciding whether to buy a boat.  It is certainly a very small community this canal village.  One thing that kept Ken muttering all day was the £10 charge for the flimsiest of keys to operate the electric locks and water points along the Nene.  Originally the plan was to buy two, in the expectation that I would almost certainly drop one in the river, but decided at £10 my love of snorkelling could well be used in that event.

Wednesday we went down through the Northampton Flight.  We picked up friends Tony and Jean at the bottom for a short ride and a few glasses of wine.  Ken did not plan that well as an extra pair of hands would have been a great help down the locks.  Still as the saying goes “wear the old ones out first”.  After dropping them off we went on to Cogenhoe.  We were lucky enough to find a nice meadowside mooring spot about 6pm.  Next morning saw us pass Welllingborough, Rushden, Higham and the Addingtons before stopping for the night by St Mary the Virgin church at Woodford. 

Whitworth's flour mill Wellingborough

Rushden's railway viaduct

Our mooring at Woodford

Friday the weather finally realised that we are out and about so it hissed down most of the day.  Left Woodford for Wadenhoe but only made it as far as Thrapson before giving up for the day.   Tomorrow is Fotheringhay and Peterborough the day after.

Journey's End

Lunch at The Butcher’s Arms in Priors Hardwick was excellent.  If you don’t know it give it a try, you won’t be disappointed, but be aware, it’s a restaurant rather than a pub and the price reflects this fact.

Had spoken to Justin (JG Marine Services) about the continuing issue with the water pump/water pressure and he’d agreed to cast an eye over the problem on Monday in Braunston. As it was forecast to be a warm and sunny weekend we decided to moor off Flecknoe for a few days and move to Braunston Monday morning.  It was the right decision, a little walking, much lazing around, the odd drink the Hungarian grand prix and test cricket against India.  What more can one ask for?

Braunston, Monday morning, and it took Justin 5 minutes to decide the new pump he’d installed on the 4^th June was the problem and needed replacing. Phil, from Wharf House chandlery arranged a special delivery of a new pump for next day and on arrival was fitted by Justin in minutes. Presently it seems to be working perfectly – the first time in 2 months, fingers crossed.

We had a lovely surprise whilst waiting for the pump on Tuesday morning.  We were moored in Fred’s pound just above the bottom lock when who should pass by but Sue, Tony, son David and grandson, out for a few days on nb Pendragon.  So while they moored up we made sure the refreshments were in order.  Pleasant hour or so followed in very warm sunshine – the novelty of good weather has not yet worn off!!

Chugging up to Crick next day we entered Crick tunnel in sunshine and left it in pouring rain, arriving in our marina ten minutes later.

We left for Bristol on the 1^st June and arrived back 3^rd August. We’d travelled 394 miles, negotiated 342 locks, and opened/closed 60 lift/swing bridges.

All in all it’s not been a bad trip.  We’re planning travelling to Peterborough down the river Nene in September, so for now we’re signing off – see you then, bye.