Sunday 20th July

Newbold to Brinklow Marina

Very short morning, just to get back to the marina. Was presented with my electricity bill on arrival. Car started OK.

Stopped on the A45 in Willoughby to see what was left of the Braunston and Willoughby station on the old Great Central Railway. Stopped in Rushden to visit the Rushden Transport Museum at the old station. The bar was very busy and the barman was not very friendly because we'd come in the wrong door and not passed the signing in book. We eventually got served when there was no one else that he could serve instead. Although I wasn't expecting to get food there, they do normally in a carriage outside, but not this weekend. We were also disappointed to find that none of the indoor exhibits were open. So we had a look round the outdoor exhibits and left, glad that that we hadn't made too much effort to get there.

Drove down to Luton where I dropped Peter off at Luton Parkway station. Then to finish off my holiday I went to Someries Castle which is threatened by the expansion of Luton airport.

Saturday 19th July

Long Buckby to Newbold

8am start today. Because it was early in the day we could see right through Braunston tunnel, and we only met one boat coming the other way.

After that it started to get busy going down the locks at Braunston, and for the rest of the day.

Moored for lunch right outside the Royal Oak, Hillmorton. It's now a Hungry Horse pub but does have Cask Marque accreditation so the beer was good even if it was only Green King IPA and Abott.

Shortly after lunch we passed Kyamanzi from Brinklow marina, so the school holidays must have started in the area.

Moored for the night at Newbold. Due the nature of the bank I had to use the two 'tyre' fenders as spacers and springs at both ends.

Went to the Crown for a meal, which was disappointing compared to their sunday lunch, and especially after some excellent meals we've had elsewhere.

Friday 18th July

Gayton to Long Buckby

Late start this morning. Stopped at bridge 32 to fill up with fuel at Fred
Tarrys, only 88p/l!

Stopped for lunch at The Narrowboat, Stowe Hill, where we had a two course meal.

After lunch carried on and up through Bucky locks but moored for the night in the pound below the top lock. Had a snack on board then watched some of the first nights prom before going to the New Inn which now has Cask Marque accreditation.

Thursday 17th July

Billing Aquadrome to Gayton

Set off at 840. When we got to Billing lock there were 2 boats just going up. The pound above the lock which was quite low yesterday had now filled up. By the time we were in the lock Orchid II appeared and joined us. We shared locks as far as the sanitary station in Northampton where they stopped.

Went through the first lock onto the canal to moor and went for lunch in the Malt Shovel.

After lunch we set off up the locks to Gayton junction where I emptied the loo and then turned north on the Grand Union.

Moored near the footpath to Gayton. Walked into Gayton for a very good meal in the Queen Victoria. After that we tried the Eytyn Arms which is more of a locals pub and only had GK IPA.

Wednesday 16th July

Irtlingborough to Billing Aquadrome

Set off at 8am. When we got to Wollaston lock there was an insurance inspection going on, so we were held up for half an hour. By this time Lady Mary appeared and we shared locks for the rest of the day.

We had lunch on board on the move and went as far as Billing where we moored on the visitor moorings in the Aquadrome.

Walked to Weston Favell to the Bold Dragoon where we had good food and beer. We got a taxi back to the Aquadrome.

Tuesday 15th July

Wadenhoe to Irthlingborough

Set off at 915am, not long after Star. Caught them up at the next lock and we shared locks until Woodford where we moored below the church as before.

Went to the shop first this time before it closed for lunch at 130. Then to the Dules Arms for lunch.

Today was hot and sunny all day for a change.

Carried on as far as Irtlingborough where there is plentiful mooring space by the Doc Martins leisure centre and Rushton Diamonds ground.

Walked into Intrlinborough where several pubs had been turned into Chinese or Indian restaurants. We only found 2 pubs and we had some London Pride in the Oliver Twist. Then we went to Tesco Express to get provisions for tomorrows lunch. Then back to the boat for a light meal.

Monday 14th July

Fotheringhay to Wadenhoe

Left at 9am, just after the boat that had been moored in front, so that we could share locks.

Moored above Ashton lock again and walked to the Chequered Skipper for lunch.

When we got back to the boat Lodestar was moored behind us. This will probably be the last time that we see them.

On the way upstream we saw a Red Kite.

At Wadenhoe where we had to back down the millstream to the end of the garden of the Kings Head to the last free space.

Walked round the village to find the post office which was shut, for a year we later discovered.

Went into the Kings Head to eat.

Sunday 13th

Wansford Station to Fotheringhay

Went to have a look round the Nene Valley Railways base at Wansford.

Back tothe boat to let out the boat that was moored inside of us. Then back to the station and caught the 1140 to Yarwell then back through Wansford to Peterborough and finally back to Wansford.

Had a snack in the tea bar then set off up river. Moored for the night at Fotheringhay castle mound and went to eat in the Falcon. Unfortunately being a Sunday in summer they were only doing a barbeque, but it was good.

Saturday 12th July

Whittelsey to Wansford Station

Slept well till 5am when hordes of youths went by on the towpath.

Set off at 830 to be at Stanground lock for 1000.

When we got to the Nene we turned to go downstream to go as far as Dog in a Doublet lock where the Nene becomes tidal. Turned round there and back up to Peterborough. Here Paul and Andrew had brought Peter by car.

Went for a Thai lunch with real ale in Charters barge. After that John and Gavin left with Paul and Andrew, and Peter joined me for the final week.

We headed upstream for Wansford. There was canoeing activity below the first lock so that made getting into the lock interesting. The second and third locks were overflowing so much that we did not need to open any paddles to fill them.

At Wansford station there was one narrowboat, Maybe, on the new pontoon so we went alongside them.

Went to the station where there was a private party goung on, but they allowed us to buy sandwiches which we took back to the boat to eat.

Later we went for a walk to explore Stibbington and to look at the possibility of getting to the Sibson Inn on the other side of the A1. However we decided this was not a good idea.

Friday 11th July

Stonea to Whittelsey

Unfortunately there were trains all through the night so our sleep was rather disturbed.

Set off after 830am and went all the way down the Twent foot as far as where Old Pophams Eau goes off to Nordelph. This looked very narrow and weedy and navigation down the rest of the Twenty foot to Mullicourt Aqueduct is not advised so we turned round and back to the new bit of Pophams Eau to get back onto the Link Route and head for March.

Moored in March and went for lunch in the Acre. After that we emptied the loo at the sanitary station and the called in Foxs marina for fuel and water. They wanted to charge £1.10/l but because I'd been quoted £1.00 on the phone I got away that that.

Ashline lock was against us as a hire boat had just gone through. They moored by another boat on the official mooring but I decided to carry on and moor where we had coming the other way.

Had a snack on board then we went to the Bricklayers Arms and then on to the Boat which we had visited 3 weeks ago.

Thursday 10th July

Holme to Stonea

Set off at 830 and passed Monks Lode and Great Raveley Drain, then at Nightingale Corner we turned towards Exhibition bridge. The air draught guage said 1.5m and we need 1.8m so we turned and backed up to it just to prove that we couldn't get through. We saw 3 MLC weed control boats heading that way.

Back through Lodes End lock where the water levels were equal ,then at Wells Bridge we turned onto the Forty Foot Drain.

At the third attempt we moored so that we could walk into Chatteris and go to the Walk the Dog pub. Here they had two good beers and we had a snack to go with them.

On the way back to the boat we popped into the Co-Op. Then we carried on along the Forty Foot to the junction with the Sixteen Foot Drain. I had been hoping to go down as far as Horseway Lock but it was too narrow to turn and also shallow and we had difficulty backing out.

So we went down the Sixteen Foot and managed to moor by the railway bridge at Stonea. Here the Golden Lion had 2 ales and food so we ate there.

Wednesday 9th July

March to Holme

Went shopping in Tesco Express first thing then set off at 7.45.

At Floods Ferry we carried on the old course of the River Nene through Benwick. Then we turned up High Lode to Ramsey where we turned round and backed up beyond the turning place as there was already a narrowboat on the one mooring. Went to the Jolly Sailor for a pint, then bought lunch in the bakery opposite and took it back to the boat.

Set off again and turned left at the end of High Lode and through Lodes End Lock. Then at Nightingale Corner we turned off the old course of the River Nene and up New Dyke to Holme. We initially stopped at the point where the OS map shows the end of navigation, but after consulting the other information we carried on almost as far as the east coast mainline. Here there was room to turn and we moored.

Walked to the Admiral Wells where I had booked a table for 7pm. They had 5 beers on but they were all quite similar. We all ordered the Guinea Fowl but they only had one left, so two of us were unlucky.

Tuesday 8th July

Denver to March

Walked to Denver windmill and had a look round.

Narrowboat Potjie moved across to the lock mooring. We went round past the sailing club to empty the loo, then back round to join Potjie.
The high tide was late today and Potjie went into the lock just before 1pm. They crossed with another narrowboat coming from Salters
Lode. After they were through the sluice it was our turn to go. Made an almost perfect turn and entry to Salters Lode.

Pressed on through Outwell and Upwell and through Marchmont Lock to get to March for the night.

There was plenty of room to moor in March. Two boats did arrive after us but had dissappeared later on.

Checked out the menu in The Acre pub but decided to try the Oliver Cromwell Hotel instead. They had 4 interesting beers in good condition, we tried all of them between the three of us, and the food was excellent. After that we went to the Rose and Crown only to find that it has closed down since my visit less than three weeks ago! So we went for a final drink in the Acre.

Monday 7th July

Brandon Creek to Denver via Whittington

Left the Ship moorings at 7.20. Turned off the Ouse and into the River Wisseyand soon passed Lodestar moored on the GOBA moorings.

The Wissey is unusual in that it starts narrow, then after Hilgay it widens. We turned round at the limit of navigation using Stingside drain. Then we moored at the Whittington caravan park. Walked into Stoke Ferry and to the Blue Bell Inn. Unfortunately they weren't doing food, despite the sign outside which applies from next week. So we just had a drink and headed back for the boat.

Set off as soon as we got back to avoid having to pay £4 for staying more than an hour and had lunch on the move.

Moored at Hilgay. Went to check out the 2 pubs and restaurant, but now there is only one pub which only does Sunday lunch. So we set off again for Denver.

Moored on the EA moorings near the Jenyns Arms and which we had checked was doing food. Had a good meal there then had a look at the sluice at low tide.

Sunday 6th July

Cambridge to Brandon Creek

Left Cambridge at 705am. The first lock was with us but the second was against us.

Stopped to try to get fuel at Bridge Boatyard in Ely but they were shut. Carried on to Ely marina instead. There were some raft races on, but they were further downstream. After topping up with fuel and water we went back upstream to the vacant mooring we had seen. However this was taken up by a plastic boat so we moored alongside another narrowboat.

Went to eat in the Cutter. They were busy but they squeezed us in. After that Gavin and John went up to the Cathedral in the rain and I went back to the boat to listen to my CDs of the Organ.

Set off downstream again at 1620, stopping to empty the loo then on to the EA mooring by the Ship, which is shallow.

After watching some of the Wimbledon mens final we went to the Ship to eat.

Saturday 5th July

Cambridge

Dave left to catch a bus to the station at 9am to start his long journey home.

John arrived with Paul by car at 11. Steam narrowboat President arrived and moored below the lock. Later John and Paul went off to collect Gavin, and when they returned we had lunch in the Boat House pub nearby.

Walked into town to do some shopping. After returning to Jacob I had a look round the exhibition on Georgina, mainly as a chance to look round the boat.

After watching Doctor Who we went for a snack in the Boat House then on to the Castle.

Friday 4th July

Reach to Cambridge

Left Reach shortly after 7am and back down to the Cam where we turned upstream for Cambridge. We were surprised to find all the locks fully push button operated. Saw President and Kildare moored at Waterbeach.

In Cambridge there was plenty of mooring space left below Jesus Lock. Went for lunch at the Castle pub then on to the Champion of the River.

In the afternoon I went for a swim in Jesus Green pool, which claims to be the longest open air pool in the country at 100 yards.

For dinner we had booked a table at Loch Fyne where we had the 2 course meal with a glass of wine for £11.

After that we went to the Live and Let Live and later to the Cambridge Blue.

Thursday 3rd July

Littleport to Reach

Left Littleport at 715. Stopped to empty the loo at Ely.

At Popes Corner we took the left branch onto the River Cam and up to Upware. Here we turned off and into Reach Lode lock. This a short lock, 63ft max.

After that we turned off Reach Lode into Wicken Lode. As we were about to turn a cruise came out of it, and was able to tell us that there were no other boats up there. Wicken Lode is narrow and lined with Water Lilies. Turned round at the junction and back to Reach Lode.

Then we turned back up Reach Lode and then off onto Burwell Lode. The moorings at Burwell were full so we did not stop. We turned round and headed back to Reach Lode, which we followed to the end at Reach. Here we managed to moor on what were supposed to be GOBA moorings, but the only evidence of that was one sign.

After 6pm we walked into the village to the Devils Dyke pub which has its own brewery. It was a good job that we were early as everyone that arrived after us was told that they were fully booked for food. The menu looked very good and the food was excellent, so we had a three course meal. We were also able to try two of their own beers. Unfortunately the seasonal IPA ran out before we could try it.

Wednesday 2nd July

Ely to Littleport via Judes Ferry

Left at 7am and headed downstream to the River Lark junction where we turned onto it. Made it as far as Judes Ferry where we winded and headed back. We had lunch on the move.

When we got back to the Ouse we turned right to to Littleport. After checking all the moorings we ended up on the Black Horse pub moorings. We went in to check the beer but they only had Adnams which wasn't perfect. However the menu had some interesting Austrian dishes.

Went back to eat there early evening. I had Austrian Liver Dumpling soup and a Beef Goulash.

After that we wemt to check out the other two pubs. The one in the town centre was shut and the roadhouse pub only had mediocre GK IPA. So it was back to the Black Horse for a final pint, admiring the Harley Davidson sculpture on the way.

Tuesday 1st July

Stretham to Ely

Another hot and sunny day, I even put my shorts on first thing! Left at 8.25 for Ely. Stopped for fuel at Bridge Boatyard, which is only £1 a litre, but they don't take plastic.

Moored in the park again.

Went to the Prince Albert for lunch. Andy left us here to catch a train home.

After lunch we did the Cathedral. I paid £11.80 for the full monty, Cathedral, Lantern tower and stained glass museum.

The tour of the Lantern Tower was very good with spectacular views.

In the evening we went to eat in the Minster Tavern, then to the Town House, West End House, and finally the Fountain.

Monday 30th June

Huntingdon to Stretham

Left at 815. Made very good time through St. Ives and stopped at The Pike and Eel hotel for lunch.

After a short lunch we carried on downstream through Earith lock onto the Old West River. This was much slower and we did not get to Stretham till gone 5pm. Fortunately the mooring there, which only had space for one long narrowboat, was free.

Had at look at the outside of the Stretham Old Engine, which is only open once a month.

Walked into Stretham to the Red Lion. After a very good two course meal we walked through the village to find the windmill, which is now a house.

Sunday 29th June

Great Barford to Huntingdon

Left Great Barford and headed downstream to St. Neots. We arrived here early so that we could get some shopping in Waitrose. Then we went to the Lord John Russell. Unfortunately they were weren't serving food till 1pm. However it was worth waiting for, fresh veg and a very thick piece of roast lamb.

Carried on down to Huntingdon where we were due to pick up Dave. Today was very busy with boats at every lock, so we did not get to Huntingdon till after 6pm. Fortunately the mooring that we had used going upstream was free.

The first pub we came to, the Samuel Pepys was doing food and had 4 real ales, so we ate there. We then wandered up the High Street to the George Hotel, but they only had 2 Green King beers. So we went to the Old Bridge Hotel.