No recycling at Gayton and we arrive at the Rothersthorpe Flight

Today Moored Gayton
Yesterday Bugbrooke to Gayton, Grand Union Canal, 4.5 miles 0 locks

It seemed easier to walk the four dogs along the towpath from Bugbrooke to Gayton Junction yesterday morning that trip over them on the back deck.  We had arranged to meet daughter Wendie and the family at Gayton Junction after their two hectic days at Alton Towers.

Just after 10am she phoned to say she was on the way, so we pulled the pins and Vic cruised No Problem while I walked.  I don’t normally like walking much along the towpaths, well they are like pavements to me.. I live by them all the time.  I prefer to disappear off into the countryside along footpaths and bridleways.  But I did enjoy stepping out yesterday, and at one point all the dogs rushed into a field of oil seed rape and started barking like fury at a scarecrow dressed in a white shirt and trousers!

Just as I went over the turn over bridge about 200 yards short of Gayton Junction, Wendie phoned to say she had arrived..

Now then, she left at the same time as us.. we arrived more or less at the same time at Gayton..  No Problem’s trip was just under 4 miles, Wendie’s was 79 miles!

I was annoyed to see that there were no recycling bins at Gayton.  I had saved up recycling all week in bags as I knew, or thought I knew, that there are bins at Gayton for cans etc.  One of the very few places on the cut where boaters can actually do something ‘green’.

I asked a local boater if he knew why they had been taken away, and was very surprised to hear him say that British Waterways wanted to charge the guy who puts the recycling bins at there.  For sure they were not in the way, and were not large.  Just an oil drum for each different type item.. I think there were about four of them.  I am very disappointed in BW for wanting to charge for that.  It is not that it was costing them anything to have them there and to be emptied.  Anyone know why BW wanted to charge the guy?

Picked up some water and turned onto the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal, and moored close to the top lock of the Rothersthorpe Flight of 17 locks.  In the evening we popped down to Arm Farm for fresh eggs, just across the road from the BW service area..

Here Wendie and granddaughter Kiera and, of course, the K9s.  The eggs are always superb from here, and at just £1.30 a doz must be the cheapest in the country.. mind the geese though if you go get some, they will chase you if they see you!

An over night stay last night, and after a hearty breakfast this morning it was goodbye for now to them, and two hours later they were home.

Tomorrow then we are off down to the Nene.. 21 locks, I think, to do tomorrow before settling at Weston Favell sometime tomorrow afternoon..