Boats, bridges and a bosky* canal.

We’ve had a good weekend at Welford Junction, not doing a lot, just watching the boats go by on the canal and the planes and gliders go by just a little higher.
Moored in front of us on Saturday was a fine Mel Davis tug, NB Saul. We got chatting, as you do, shared a pot of tea and finally swapped numbers. We’ll probably meet up again later in the summer. Looking forward to it.

John and Helen, NB Saul, leaving on Sunday morning

Meg and I had a walk part way up the Welford Arm which carries water down from the reservoirs and terminates at Welford Wharf on the edge of Welford village.

Welford Junction

Welford Arm

The damselflies were out in the sunshine, flitting over the water and sunbathing on the foliage.

Today dawned sunny and clear, and although it’s clouded up a bit and we’ve had a couple of showers, it’s been generally pretty good.

Boats were on the move at 8 o’clock, but it was a good 2½ hours later when we untied and set off, crossing the border into Northamptonshire.

Northants doesn’t look much different to Leicestershire.

More damselflies, although these two are at the “cigarette stage”, having done the deed. The male (above) hangs onto the female for a while to make sure the flighty wench doesn’t go looking for another partner…

It was a lot busier than we’ve seen it before. A steady stream of boats were heading north, and with the heavily overgrown banks and an average of three bridges a mile, careful navigation was required.

Meg and I hopped off at one bridge for a leg stretch and comfort break, Mags had to manoeuvre carefully past a boat coming the other way.

Another “phew” moment safely passed…

The canal goes through there…somewhere!

We had planned to stop at Yelvertoft, but were enjoying the trip so much that we decided to press on to Crick instead.

The dome-shaped Crack’s Hill between Yelvertoft and Crick

We were surprised to see only two other boats on the long length of piling opposite Crick Marina.


We pulled in nearer the road bridge and after a brew I went up to the handy Co-op for the first of what will be two visits for supplies.

We’ll stay here tonight, then tomorrow we’ll be through the bridge, collect water etc. at the wharf on the other side, through the tunnel and down Watford Locks, mooring, all being well, somewhere near Norton Junction.

All go, init!

Hi Mike, thanks for the comment. I'd not heard that the Inclined Plane restoration project was shelved indefinitely due to H&S considerations, but I'm not surprised. A shame though, if it's so.
Just had a quick scan of your blog, seems like you enjoyed your extended trip, even though the Soar behaved as impeccably as usual! Interestingly, it's entirely possible that I was one of those pupils of Christine's at Lonslade in Birstall!

Locks 0, miles 10

 *Bosky, from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ -
1. Having an abundance of bushes, shrubs, or trees: "a bosky park leading to a modest yet majestic plaza"(Jack Beatty).
2. Of or relating to woods.

---

[From Middle English bosk, bush, from Medieval Latin bosca, of Germanic origin.]