Fotheringay

The rain has gone now and boating is a real pleasure, especially as the scenery is very attractive. We set off from Wansford Station at 9:45 a few minutes in front of Indigo Dreams, a 60 ft narrowboat, who shared our mooring last night. At first we were making a good speed of 3.2mph but after a mile or two this had slowed to around 2.2mph.  There is a noticable flow on the river which increases as the river shallows as one appoaches a lock upstream.

We arrived at Wansford Lock and had to stop on the lock moorings as a very large broadbeam narrow boat - perhaps 12ft wide and 70 foot long was descending in the lock.  Soon after, Indigo Dreams turned up shortly followed by another narrow boat. Fortunately there were no problems when the broadbeam left the lock despite the congestion and we and Indigo Dreams were able to enter.  They left the lock first as they have a larger engine and we did not want to slow them down. Fortunately another boat was waiting to come down so we did not need to stay to reset the lock - on the Nene one is required to empty locks after ascending.

Then onto Yarwell Lock, where again the flow of the river slowed us down to 2.2 mph.  Indigo Dreams were in the lock waiting for us with some ice creams which we gratefully accepted.  At the top we agreed that they could go ahead whilst we stayed behind to empty the lock.
Then onto the final 2 lock at Elton and Warmington both of which we did on our own.  Denise had operated all the locks upto Warmington so I volunteered to work this one.  Very generous I thought as this is our first manual lock of the trip and is very hard work.  Luckily after I lowered the gate and opened the top paddle  a small boat arrived carrying about 9 young men who offered to close up the lock for us.

Moored at Fotheringhay Castle

1.5 miles later we arrived at our planned moorings next to the earthworks of Fotheringay Castle.  Indigo Dreams had also chosen the same spot but there was plenty of room for us both.

9.18 miles 4 locks  4 hours 35 mins.