We’d had a notice about a widebeam passage through Blisworth Tunnel this morning, so when I took Macc for his early walk we went up to see what was going on. Vaughn, one of the CRT volunteers was there to see the widebeam through, the widebeam was there with the engine running, but there was apparently no-one on board. Emily, the boat mover, came back from a dog walk a few minutes later, but then discovered the headlight didn’t work. Macc and I headed up the hill for our walk, but on our way back we got to the point where the path overlooks the tunnel portal at just the right moment. Macc was very interested.
It was about 7.45 when the widebeam went into the tunnel. We set off at about 8.30, not long after a hire boat had also left from in front of us. I’d hoped we’d given them enough of a head start, but when we got to the tunnel mouth, just round the corner, they had stopped for some reason to check there was nothing coming through the tunnel. I knew we’d be faster than them, so just kept going straight into the tunnel.
As we entered, it looked as though the widebeam was still in the tunnel, so it must have taken them an hour at least. We went through in the usual half hour.
The mill as Blisworth was looking lovely in the sunshine.
When we got to Gayton Junction we turned right onto the services to fill the water tank.
It was ages before the hire boat came past, heading down to Gayton Marina. A Black Prince hire boat also went through the junction but stayed on the mainline. We were just untying when the widebeam came through the bridge (we seen it pausing in Blisworth); we followed Emily very slowly along the moorings there, but she kindly waved us past as soon as she could. We chugged on in very pleasant conditions, seeing very few other boats. It wasn’t until Bugbrook that we saw a boat coming the other way, then a boat ahead turned at the winding hole. It might perhaps have been easier for him if he hadn’t been towing a little inflatable that got in the way.
As we went slowly past the moorings at Furnace Wharf, we caught up with the Black Prince. But it soon became clear that they were following a slow boat. And slow doesn’t even begin to describe our progress. The front boat possibly reached one mile an hour in open sections, but passing moored boats he almost stopped. We drifted faster than he boated. I turned off the engine and switched to electric after a while, as we weren’t going fast enough to generate anything, and most of the time we weren’t under power anyway. I have no problem with people going slowly if they want to, but they really should get out of the way occasionally to let other people pass. The final mile took the best part of an hour, and we were relieved to get to Standing Barn Bridge, find a nice space opposite the camp site, and get moored up. There were even perfectly placed bits of rope through the rail to tie to, so we haven’t had to get the stakes and mallet out.
We have cousin Catherine and Nigel coming to see us this evening, so this afternoon I’ve been preparing dinner and Adrian has been cleaning. We’ve also been reminded that there’s a massive fishing match taking place tomorrow, all the way from Cosgrove to Buckby — so we’re probably in for another slow day then.
10 miles, 0 locks. (179 miles, 123 locks)