17 locks to Northampton

Today was always going to be hard work.  After setting off at 8:55 we travelled the short distance south on the Grand Union to Gayton Junction where we turned left on another on the GUs branches, this one being the Northampton Arm.  Despite connecting the wide-locked Nene to the wide locked Grand Union this is a single width canal as the proprietors could not raise sufficient money in 1815 to do the job properly.

The canal drops about 100 foot in 17 locks known as the Rothersthorpe Flight over a distance of 5 miles. There are few satisfactory moorings on the route so one has little choice but to do the whole journey in one day. We reached the top lock at 9:45 and were in the flight working the locks for the following 4.5 hours.  For the majority of the locks it was necessary to fill them first before we could enter.  The only boats coming up we met were a couple of small narrowboats travelling together on a trip to Oxford each being single handed.  For most of their trip they would be able to share the wide locks but on the Northampton Arm each had to operate every lock individualy.  

Rothersthorpe Top Lock

Leaving Rotherstorpe Lock 2

Denise passing an on-coming boat

Canalside orchid

M1 Bridge shelters Lock 12

The locks themselves were in good condition and the area surrounding them well kept, I believe by local volunteers.  The first 13 locks are closely spaced and the scenery was pleasant with good views over the surrounding cuntryside.  Lock 12 is almost under the M1 where the motorway builders have provided an impressively large chamber for the waterway.  Near here I was pleased to find a few wild orchids growing by the canalside. Beyond lock 12 the locks become well separated and the canal becomes more like a reed-fringed river.  The water is clear and shallow and one can see very large numbers of small fish.

We descended lock 17 down to the River Nene and moored at 3 pm in Northampton Marina where we intend to stay for the following 3 nights.  This will gives us a chance for a rest, wash 2 weeks worth of dirty clothes, and stock up for the next phase of our journey where shopping opportunities will again be limited.

Today: 6.16 miles, 17 locks 5 hours 55 minutes travelling