Through Crick and Yelvertoft

We didn’t go anywhere yesterday with the weather being pretty unsettled. There were quite a few souls more hardy than us though, out and about. Amongst them were Rog and Pip on NB Windsong. They blog as well, and gave us a shout as they passed. We’ve not met, but are looking forward to the opportunity. Have a look at their blog; it covers from conception through build to the present cruise. Interesting stuff. Sorry I didn’t come out and have a chat, guys, I was in the middle of something (and it was raining…). Next time.

Today promised to be a little better, less wet and a bit warmer, so we moved on.
We met and passed a couple of boats in Crick tunnel, without incident.

Passing in Crick Tunnel
Tunnel cutting at the Crick end.
We made a quick stop to empty a loo cassette at Crick Wharf, then pushed on to Yelvertoft.
There were quite a few boats on the move, a mixture of private and hire. At one point we met a convoy of 4, all line astern. Luckily, not at a bridge!

Follow my leader…. Napton hire boat, Canaltime hire, private, Canaltime.
We pulled on to the water point at Yelvertoft and filled the tank while I made a quick dash to the shop for milk and bread, then carried on for another couple of miles, to moor in a quiet spot near Mountain Barn Bridge.

Unusual sighting of a cormorant near Yelvertoft

With no locks to do, Meg hadn’t been off for a run around, so we had to have a 10 minute ball throwing session before I could get a cup of tea and a bite to eat…
Then, after 3, we went for a long walk. She didn’t do very well yesterday, each time we set off we were met with a heavy shower, and neither of us get much joy out of getting wet through.
So we walked up the canal to Elkington, then followed the ancient byway to Winwick, before rejoining the canal to return to the boat. A very enjoyable 5¼ miles.

On the Elkington to Winwick Byway
Winwick Hall

Bridge Cottage, Winwick.
On the way back we passed a stretch of repaired bank, where the dredged silt has been used to backfill new piling.
The drying silt has cracked into a miniature imitation of a limestone pavement, complete with plants colonising the cracks.
A pity they felt the need to use 200 yards of orange mesh fencing though. I’m not sure whether it’s to protect towpath users from the silt, or the other way round….

A lot of boats have their back cabin panels signwritten with the boat name and town or canal of origin.
The boat just down the canal from us has applied a superbly whimsical twist to the custom….

Locks 0, miles 7