There was one more interview I wanted for a future podcast, and which I’d been chasing yesterday. It finally happened at 9.30, so we got away at 10. Coincidentally, it had been pretty rainy up to this point but was dry as we left. A boat went past as we prepared to set off and said they’d wait for us at the bottom lock — however it turned out there was already a boat there waiting for them, meaning we were on our own. The volunteer lock keepers had quite a discussion about whether we should go up alone or wait for another boat, but there was nothing else moving so we went into the lock.
At the second lock, a hire boat set off from the moorings above. As we came up, the crew had lots of questions about KV and about living on board. They seemed generally envious! When we got to the next lock the two boats ahead were still in the lock, having been asked by volunteer lock keepers to wait for a pair coming down. Where the downhill pair had been we have no idea, but it took them ages to appear. And because we then had to wait for them to come down the third lock as well, we must have been hanging about for half an hour — so long that another single boat caught us up, which at least meant we could pair up.
The lady from this boat told me the lock keepers at the bottom lock had a full-scale row about whether to let a single boat up the locks, to such an extent that they even swore at each other! Once we were on the move we made decent progress and the top lock was soon in sight.
It was 12 by the time we were leaving the top lock, so the flight had taken two hours which is pretty slow by any standards. Our locking partners had told us they’d come through Harecastle Tunnel on tickover, so we were keen to be in front of them through Braunston Tunnel.
This is probably my least favourite tunnel, not least because of the kinks. Of course we met a boat right at the worst kink near the far end, and then another one right by the portal. We’d been pretty lucky with the weather while doing the locks, but once through the tunnel there was a significant downpour.
We’d hoped to moor just before Norton Junction, but all the moorings there were completely full. So we went round the corner onto the Leicester Line and spotted a space in front of Amy Jo that had a nice outlook. We just about fitted in, but it’s pretty much button to button. This afternoon Chris and Steve came round for a cuppa and to look at KV, and we had a really nice couple of hours chatting to them. It’s been quite a long time since we’ve seen them properly. It’s rained on and off the whole afternoon, and when it’s rained it’s really gone for it.
4 miles, 6 locks. (60 miles, 121 locks)