Long Buckby Wharf to Watford

Monday 6th November

We had a nice weekend at Long Buckby Wharf and enjoyed a lovely dog walk over the fields and a very nice Sunday roast lunch at the New Inn. 

So Monday morning arrived and it was time to move on. John drove the car to a bridge near Watford locks and then walked Dex back. We set off just after 11am. Lovely sunny day but it was chilly. 

 We were turning right onto the Leicester arm of the Grand Union known as the Leicester section.

This meant we didn't have to go through the Braunston tunnel although we would come across other tunnels further along the section. We saw another Kingfisher today, the 3rd we have spotted in 4 days but almost impossible to photograph!

 John really liked this old narrow Dutch barge. Boat envy 😋

 We passed the Long Buckby marina and headed off towards Watford.

 Past yet another Marina at Welton Haven. The only snag here is you're so close to the main road as the A5 and M1 are only a few hundred yards away.

 Lots of windmills around here. We like them so no problem for us but appreciate they are very controversial!

 Soon we were passing under Watling Street bridge. I hadn't realised the historical importance of Watling Street! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watling_Street

 Later we passed right alongside Watford Gap services! Hard to believe when it was so tranquil on the canal.

 We stopped at the first lock on the Watford flight. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watford_Locks
You have to contact the lock keeper before starting this flight of 7 locks. I stayed with the boat whilst John went off with Dex to find the lock keeper.

 Soon we were able to enter the first lock. Up to me to steer today. They were narrow locks so only just wide enough for our boat. Not much scope for error!

I managed to get in the lock with just a few nudges at the sides. 

 After this first lock I had to make a sharp right turn to get into the next lock which was a set of stairway locks, they all join together so you come out of one set of gates and straight into the next lock. Hence the need for lock keepers to assist as only one boat can go up or down the flight at a time.

 John was happily chatting with the lock keeper. We had a laugh with him as he asked if I could feel anything scraping my bottom when I went through the first pound! It was really funny.. Apparently they often get so low on water the boats touch the bottom of the canal. John was winding him up.. I said I was quite disappointed that my bottom was left untouched! 😄

 

 Lovely views over the side pounds.

 Another boat was following us but they had to wait at the first lock until we had cleared the staircase.

 

Soon we arrived at the top lock. We were going to fill up with water afterwards.

John sat on the bench in the sunshine whilst waiting for the tank to fill. It's a hard life!

We had lunch whilst we were waiting as the tap was a slow filler and it took about 45 mins. They had a book share scheme in the lock keepers hut so we were able to exchange some books. Always handy!
We only had to go under another bridge to get to our planned mooring spot. It was lovely, opposite a field of sheep and the road noise wasn't overpowering. Hard to believe we were only a couple of miles from Watford Gap!https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watford_Gap_services

I took Dex for a walk once we had moored up, we found a really nice park estate just beside the canal.