And so to Bedford..

Gt Barford Old Lock to close to Cardington Lock, Gt River Ouse, 5 miles 2 locks

I was really sorry to leave our mooring of the last few days.. Pat and Kate of NB Shotley Shuttle left us to go to Bedford the other day, then arrived back yesterday to join us for an evening.  This morning they left before us making their way back down the river to explore Rivers Lark and Little Ouse before heading back to Northampton at the end of the summer.. A final wave from Pat..

A smashing couple are Pat and Kate, we have met up quite a lot over the last few months, first ‘bumping’ into them at Wadenhoe on the River Nene.. I will miss them both

We left not long after in the opposite direction making for Bedford… this a very nice part of the river indeed.  I didn’t like Castle Mill Lock though, and it brought back memories of our near disaster at Yarwell Lock.  The water fills from the side you see.. and this pushed NP onto the side where the water was going in, and totally pinned against the wall… I was very worried about the chains and the fenders.. was my decision to leave the fenders down.  The chains are thick, and after our Yarwell Lock experience I have used fenders since, being very careful to keep NP off the sides of the lock.  In this case I couldn't, such was the effect of the water, and it took all my strength to try to push off a bit to allow the fender to ride over the looped chains in the lock..

Vic wound down the paddle to half way, and then I could fend off the wall.. I think it’s just me, I am nervous in locks now after what happened.. for sure it will take me a long time to get over that awful day on the Nene..

We are moored tonight on the GOBA moorings just downstream of Cardington Lock.. I like it here too!