Quality time on the Nene

Tues 19th to Sat 23rd – Oundle to Elton, River Nene, 9.5 miles 4 locks

Some quality time with son Tony this week.  The last time he visited was at the beginning of last year.  We didn’t do much in the way of travelling as you can see, but spent time walking and talking, oh and of course visiting the local wateringholes!

We spent nearly a whole day at Blueberry Lakes near Perio Mill.  It was a gorgeous day too, not too many fishermen along the banks of the lakes.  I expect they were after the local inhabitant called Hector or was it Boris… can’t remember now, anyway this is a carp that has been caught 4 times in the last two years.  The last time he was caught he weighed in at a massive 55lbs!

Here is the young fella then….

There is a also a pike in this lake behind Tony weighing in at 56lbs!…. Can you imagine those two monsters coming face to face!!

Fotheringhay was passed during this week.  Fotheringhay, the place where Richard III was born, and Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded… I knew I had heard of it somewhere…. probably during my first history lesson at school!

This then from the top of the castle… only a mound now though, but superb views across the Nene valley..

The bus left from Elton at noon today to take Tony to Peterborough to meet his train home.  I was sad to see him go… Mum and son have had a brilliant week together… quality time!

I grabbed a spot of lunch soon after, and took Lucy on a very long walk visiting Nassington before going on to Yarwell Lock some 3 miles downstream from where we are moored.  I wanted to check if there was any water there you see.  There used to be apparently, but now there is a caravan park, and the facilities of rubbish, loos and waterpoint have been closed. I don’t think boaters are made very welcome in the area… pity the caravan site doesn’t recognise the Nene as a waterway for transport… they recognise that they can charge a lot for a caravan on a pitch riverside though!

This was lovely along the Nene Way.  It was shut though, obviously some of the stepping stones have been swept away down this stream… it’s a shame they don’t put one or two back so this unique crossing can re-open.  There is a 400yd detour over a bridge now.

Right then…. Vic says I should put on my glad rags and come out for a beer…. he is right.  It’s funny when my family leave it makes me a bit quiet and sad… Vic knows what cheers me up OK!

Looks nice anyway……. and all I have to hope for now is that this blog will actually post properly and not post twice!