We’ve always really liked the moorings along from the Wolverton Aqueduct, so it was nice to have made a return visit. This morning, Macc and I went to the other side of the Ouse Valley Park — so we went down by the aqueduct and through the tunnel. There was a field of sheep, but it was fenced off so Macc could still go off the lead.
We set off at about 9, with Adrian walking up to set the lock. A hire boat had already been past, but we weren’t ready enough to go with them. Adrian also talked to a lady who crossed the lock with two Border Terriers, which were their fourth and fifth, so they must really like them! We were soon up Cosgrove Lock as it’s only a shallow one.
The village moorings weren’t busy, and then comes Solomon’s Bridge, which I must have dozens of photos of. The boat moored just beyond has been there for years; they’ve even made a garden by the bridge and give every indication of permanence. So much for moving every 14 days.
We were soon passing our former home, Thrupp Wharf Marina, but couldn’t quite see who had our berth.
The farm round the corner has an impressive stack of hay bales. And the former on the other side (possibly the same one) has made a lovely job of cutting and shaping the towpath hedges.
This is a really lovely pound, with very pleasant countryside and views. Maybe it feels extra special because we know it so well. A boat moored just before Baxter’s told us that there were at least six boats in front of us. We knew about two of them because we could see them, but not the others. “It’s like the Llangollen in August!” the man on the stern said. At Grafton Regis, Adrian thought Macc needed a loo break, so they got off for a little walk while I crept along behind. In fact, we now think Macc just didn’t want to be having a nap!
The moorings at the bottom lock at Stoke Bruerne had only a couple of boats on them, so we picked a nice spot and tied up. We were in time for the locks, which are still on restricted hours, but will do them tomorrow. After lunch I took Macc for a walk along a footpath we haven’t explored before, which goes up from the lock landing. It uses the edge of fields and there was no-one about, which meant more off-lead time for Macc.
When we got back, Adrian went for a walk up to the village while I stayed behind with Macc who needed a sleep. It turned out our friends Andy and Tara on Flutterby were up at the top, and they persuaded him to join them at the pub for a drink. Meanwhile, CRT have issued the notice we’ve been hoping for: Atherstone locks are re-opening on Friday. There will be time restrictions, but that’s fine. We won’t actually be there for another week or so, but at least it means we won’t be hanging around waiting for the update (which was scheduled for 30th), and we won’t have to climb all the way up into Birmingham either. Now we just hope that all the other people who’ve been waiting for Atherstone to open don’t use all the water before we get there!
6 miles, 1 lock. (168 miles, 116 locks)