Such a lot seems to have happened in the last few days that I'm not sure where to start.
As already stated, we left Ditchford on Tues morning and had a long but relatively easy day getting to Northampton, which ended late thanks to Darren leading John astray at the pub and then bringing us a bottle of Malt to say thanks! Thanks Darren we say!!!!
Wednesday was fairly short as far as cruising goes because we wanted to get onto the canal but not to get on the staircase of 13 locks - so we settled for the first 4 (of 17) and then moored up in sight of the next one - also in sight of the M1! This was memorably Paddy's 4th birthday and I'd bought him a huge chew which he has pretty much ignored! He had all the crusts from Darren's pizza though and that pleased him!
Thursday we actually lost track of the time and day - John asked what it was and if it hadn't been for our phones we wouldn't have had a clue - we sort of lost a day somehow and thought it was Wed! We had a full morning of getting up the locks - they were single ones so it meant that we couldn't share the space which meant that each lock had to be done through twice. On about 3 of them another boat was coming through in the other direction so that made it easier and less wasteful of water. I felt much more relaxed with the boat being on narrow locks and the canal so took her through single-handed apart from one dodgy bit that John did. This is why I felt so indignant that Darren gave me L plates at the end of the day! Apparently he had wanted to put them on the boat first thing while I wasn't watching but didn't have time! Thank heavens!
We got to Gayton Marina at lunchtime and filled with diesel (180litres) then moored and went off in search of a pub for our final meal together since Darren in Nuggy B was going south at the junction and we were going north. Somehow we got the directions wrong and walked a couple of miles in the wrong direction! that meant going back and starting again for another mile or two to get to the right place. It was steaming hot and we all felt somewhat overheated when we finally arrived. However it was worth the walk and we had a really good meal and one or two or three drinks before walking back!
It was really quite emotional saying goodbye - we had been together over a week and Darren had spent every evening with us at Ditchford, eating, drinking and getting beaten at different games so he had become one of the family - even Paddy didn't take much notice of him once he'd got in the boat!
We got onto the Grand Union proper and it felt to both of us as if we were finally owners of our own boat and living on the canals! Despite being on the boat for 6 weeks now it needed the canal to make us feel we were finally home - lovely feeling.
We can't believe the weather - it is absolutely glorious and a bit too hot to be out in for too long. We have moored up today at 3 in a relatively shady spot, with another staircase of locks just around the corner but it's far too hot to start them today. The are doubles as well so if we are on our own it's a lot of work for John and not quite so comfortable for me - but I'm slowly getting used to handling her and I need the practice!
Just about to leave the river Nene (finally) and enter the Grand Uuion (Northampton Arm)
Our first canal lock - 1st of 17 on the flight!
Darren busy on the lock!
We had to moor amongst the reeds - the bridge in the distance is over the lock!
Just another evening on the canal!
Having a drink with Paddy for his 4th birthday!
Looking down from the top lock - it's quite a climb - amazing engineering when you think that the dates on these go back well over a century and they are probably replacements for the originals!
Very welcome drink at the Greyhound- many miles further than expected!
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