Irthlingborough

After breakfast we walked the half mile into the small town of Thrapston.  The range of shops was limited but fortunately it was the day of the monthly farmer's market.  So we bought some sausages and cauliflower for dinner this evening.

Returning to the boat we set off at 10:40 continuing our journey upstream on the Nene. Although the wind had died down the journey was unexciting and slow as the river was narrow in places as it meandered through the wide agricultural flood plain.

Mike raising the guillotine gate at Denford Lock

3 of the 6 locks were manualy operated.  As the photo shows we did take turns in rotating the flywheel perhaps 100 times to raise or lower each guillotine gate.

We arrived at Irthlingborough moorings at 15:40.  These are situated in a depressing area, formerly Nene Park, the base of Rushden & Diamonds football club which went bankrupt in 2011.  The former arena and practice ground are still both derelict and the large carparks completely empty.

After mooring we walked to the nearby Aldi where we stocked up for the next few days.

We did not get very far

When we awoke this morning the weather was cold and windy.  We tried to set off at around 10:00 but as soon as we untied one end of the boat the wind blew it away from the bank and we had quite a struggle to pull it back in.  We could not see any easy way of untieing both ends and us being able to get back on so we gave up, lit the stove and waited for conditions to improve.

By 13:00 the wind appeared to be a bit less strong so we tried again.  First tieing the centre rope to a convenient tree we were able to safely undo the ropes at each end.  Then with Denise on the boat steering the stern into the bank I  untied the centre rope from the tree and quickly leapt aboard.

Waiting at Titchmarsh Lock

Once on our way there were no further problems from the wind and half an hour later we arrived at Titchmarsh Lock.  There was a boat waiting to ascend but the guillotine gate was down.  On talking to the waiting boat's skipper we discovered that the lock was broken and the Environment Agency were sending someone to have a look.

 Two EA guys have now been working on the mechanism  for the past 1.5 hours - one drive shaft has become separated from another and they did not have a replacement part.  And of course we have just had a heavy rain shower.  So we may have to stay here on the lock moorings overnight.

Statistics 1.14mile 0 lock 35 mins travelling

Edit 18:00:00
EA completed a partial fix to Tichmarsh Lock by replacing the guillotine gate electric drive with a manual flywheel.  We set off again at 16:45 arriving at Islip Mill moorings at 17:55.

Total Statistics: 3.11 mile, 1 lock, 1 hour 45 mins travelling.

Peartree FOTRN Moorings

Last night  we ate the The Falcon in Fotheringhay.   The menu was based on traditional pub food but the specials included some more adventurous dishes.  Denise had steak and Kidney Pie whilst I enjoyed brown shrimp and crab linguini.  Both were very good,and  were well complemented by a couple of glasses of local beer.

Fottheringhay Church gfom the river

Denise operating Perio Lock

We knew today was going to be a long journey as there are few moorings in this stretch of the Nene.  Fortunately yesterdays wind had died down and the weater was sunny but cool as we left our moorings at Fotheringhay Castle. We passed by the church and took a photo as we do every time we visit and cruised on to Perio Lock which is manually operated.  The photo shows Denise turning the large flywheel used to raise and lower the heavy guillotine gate.

Then onwards past Oundle through the agricultural scenery of the Middle Nene, pleasant though t not as attractive as the Lower Nene near Peterborough.  After 6 locks we arrived at Wavenhoe where in previous years we have moored at the excellent Kings Head.  Sadly this has now closed and its future is unclear. 

Add captionMoored at Peartree FOTRN Moorings

A mile beyond Wavenhoe we moored at the Peartree Moorings run by FOTRN.  Friends of The River Nene are a memebrship organisation set up to work with local land ownerst to create new moorings for boaters travelling on the Nene.

Statistics: 11.97miles, 7 Locks, 6 hours 10 mins cruising

Fotheringhay

Entering Wansford Lock

It was raining when we awoke and did not clear until around 10am.  We left Wansford Station moorings at 10:25 and cruised steadily in intermittent sunshine and a strong blustery wind through Wansford Lock and onto Yarwell Lock where we were able to fill up with water again.  Then through Elton Lock and Warmington Lock, the first with no power assistance, to arrive at the historic village of Fotheringhay.

Moored at Fotheringhay

Fotheringhay Castle Mound

View from castle mound

 We are moored right next to Fotheringhay Castle where Richard III was born and over a centuary later Mary Queen of Scots was executed. Sadly all that remains is a large mound and other earthworks.  From the top of the mound there are extensive views over the surrounding countryside and over the village to the amazing church.  You will have to wait until tomorrow for a good picture, though there are others from previous years in the blog.

Statistics: 9.45 miles, 4 locks, 4 hours 20 minutes travelling

Up the Nene to Wansford Station

After a couple of nights in Peterborough we are on the move again.  First job though was to empty our waste tank and top up with water.  The facilities are free at Peterborough and not widely provided elsewere on the Nene so best to take advantage before moving.

On the Nene, outskirts of Peterborough

Milton Ferry Bridge

Water Newton Lock

We left Peterborough at 10:20 travelling west.  Quickly leaving the city centre the river took us through glorious and isolated scenery under a blue sky with little sight or sound of the busy roads and suburbs that surround Peterborough.  Three locks on the journey, Orton, Adwalton  and the very pretty Water Newton Lock overlooked by the church and a large mill, now converted to flats.

We arrived at our destination, Wansford Station, at 14:15 where we were lucky to find the short length of moorings empty.  They are situated  next to the terminus of the Nene Valley Railway where there are engine sheds and sidings.  Often one can see working steam engines which are used to provide a passenger service to Peterboough.  However old diesel engines wre being used and no steam engines were runninghnone had been started up when we visited, perhaps because their operation is restricted by the danger of cinders causing fires along the railway track.

Statistics: 8.61miles, 3 locks, 3 hours 50 mins travelling

A day in Peterborough

We are in no hurry this holiday so are spending the whole day in Peterborough for a bit of shopping and to stock up for the next few days as we will not be near any supermarkets.

Statistics: 0 miles 0 locks 0 time spent cruising

Peterborough

We left Whittlesey moorings at 9:20 and soon reached Briggate Bend, the tightest bend on the whole navigable waterways.  Last time here Denise managed to go round without stopping or hitting the sides.  Today I achieved the same feat.

At 11:15 we arrived at Stanground Lock which takes one up from the Middle Levels to a branch of the River Nene.  A failure here could divert the River Nene down the Middle Levels and flood the Fens so the lock can only be operated by the resident lock-keeper.  We had booked passage with her for 11:30 but as soon as she saw us she opened the gates and took us through. 

Selecting a mooring site at Peterborough

A mile further one we reached the main river at Peterborough where we will stay for 2 nights at the long stretch of moorings in the parkland near the Key Theatre.

Statistics: 5.40 miles, 1 lock, 2 hours 55 mins travelling