Wellingborough and back (a bit)

The Nene near Higham Ferrers

We set off from Irthlingborough at 9:40 in brght sunshine although the temperature was a little chilly.  With half a mile we went through Higham Lock which, unusually for the Nene, had mitred wooden gates at both ends with standard paddle gear.  Beyond the lock the scenery improves as the river enters a couple of miles of woodlands with high trees and dense overhanging vegetation.  At times it was more the Amazon than Northamptonshire.

Radial gate at Ditchford Lock

This ended too quickly as we approached Ditchford Lock.  This is of interest in having the only radial gate on the Nene.  The lower gate consists of a quarter cylinder that rotates through 90 degrees on a horizontal axis.

We arrived at Wellingborough at 12:40, had lunch on board, and then walked to the nearby Tesco to buy sufficient groceries to ensure we wont need to shop again until Oundle in 5 days time.

On returning to the boat we  turned the boat around and then moored again to fill our water tank and empty the waste tank at the useful but sadly rare facilities before setting off back down the river.  We have moored about a mile out of Wellingborough on a short stretch of countryside FOTRN moorings.

Statistics: 7.25Mile, 4 locks,3 hours 55 minutes cruising