No Problem with Yarwell THIS time!

Today – Elton to Oundle, River Nene, 10.5 miles 5 locks
Tues 6th Sept – Wansford Stn Bridge to Elton, River Nene, 7 miles 3 locks

I need to go ‘dan saff’ next Monday, so plans had to change a bit on our way back up the Nene.  It is very difficult to get transport from this part of the world to go most anywhere south of London, and in any case, the family asked me if it would be possible for me to travel avoiding the underground.  I know life goes on, but they have asked the question which means that I will go via Birmingham and Southampton to get down to the Portsmouth area.

I am aware too in the back of my mind that the Nene could flood at any time now that the leaves on the trees are visibly turning from their vibrant greens, and then there is the matter of Titchmarsh Bridge to consider.. we only just squeezed under that on the way down in the spring having to take everything off the roof including the TV aerial.. any rain this weekend and we might be stuck for a while.

Decisions, decisions I just hate them, and I hate having to plan my days ahead to such a degree, but that is the way it is at the moment, and it took me all of four hours on the internet last night to find buses and trains to take me south.  In the end, Denford was chosen as the best point to start my 7 and half hour journey south on Monday.  Denford is on the upstream side of Titchmarsh, and an added bonus is that we should arrive there on Saturday or Sunday, and the Cock Inn does the most wonderful Sunday lunch I have ever tasted on the whole of the waterways, sooo …. a bit of a bonus that!

Yesterday then we pulled the pins aiming for Elton in the most glorious weather once again.  This river is a pure delight, and I have to say I am enjoying it even more going upstream than I did going down, and I sung its praises then!!..

Pulling into Yarwell Lock made me shiver even though the weather was hot… memories…. memories…

On the way up!

Here was the cause of all the problems back in April…

This is what poor NP sat on as the lock was emptied… there are a series of these all along the lock wall.  It is hard to believe that just these chain bolts coming out of the wall can nearly tip a 20 ton narrowboat over.. but they did!

No problems on the way upstream though, in fact we have both found it much easier going ‘uphill’ through the locks.  Elton church soon came up on the left, and once through the lock there we moored for the evening having to shift NP a couple of times to get a gap in the trees for the satellite dish to find the dot in the sky.  Well Vic couldn’t possibly miss Alfie telling Cat to shove off!!

Lucy and I spent the afternoon wandering around the countryside visiting Elton, Warmington and Fotheringhay on a round trip of some 7 or so miles.  The countryside around here is absolutely delightful, above is all that remains of Fotheringhay Castle with the Church in the background.  Mary Queen of Scots was executed here.

Today, pulling the pins early, we once again enjoyed simply beautiful weather and countryside..

We were hoping to reach Titchmarsh Bridge today and moor at Wadenhoe, but calling in at Oundle Marina changed our plans once again.  They are shut on a Wednesday.. hey and  me always checking ahead before pulling in anywhere for diesel normally!  On this occasion I didn’t phone them.  I really didn’t want to know the price of the diesel!  The reason being that whatever the price it had to be put in as it is the only place on the Nene to get it!

We will go back tomorrow to fill up, now having moored just outside on the visitor moorings of the Oundle Cruising Club.  It’s lovely here actually.  A nice grass bank area with picnic tables.  It is very quiet indeed though, we are the only boat here.  There is a club house.. looks too quiet to be open tonight me thinks!

Lucy is not talking to me this afternoon… We are on an island, the way out is through a gate onto a very busy main road.  I told Lucy there is no chance of a walk today.. so now I am getting the ‘cold look’ every time my eyes meet hers!

Gives me time to catch up on emails now and a few other bits and bobs..