On our way there, a guy on a narrowboat asked us if he was on the GUC and which way to London. It seemed a strange thing to ask, didn't he have a map? As he left Leigh wondered if he knew about the tunnel but it was too late to ask him.
We carried on, put on hats and rain mac's and entered the tunnel. It was rather frightening as it was impossible to see the exit. About 600yards in, we spotted a boat across the tunnel - This was very distrubing. It is a rather oppressive space with engine fumes looming, echoes of rumbling machines and vague lighting by headlights, it is only wide enough for two narrowboats to just about pass. Leigh slowly approached ahead wondering what was going on. It turned out that one boat was towing another boat behind - the guy I mentioned before, he had no lights on, and his engine had apparently packed in so they were towing him back out. As we scraped along their side, their tow rope came off, so I lent a hand to get it back on. We carried on into the darkness. The blackness was amazing!
I was pleased to get out into the fresh air and daylight.
At the entrance of the tunnel, there is an old blacksmiths hut and an example of the renovated section. As in 1984 BW completed a restoration of the tunnel, lining with concrete the inner section. This tunnel is in fact, the third longest canal tunnel to navigate in the UK. It was built in 1805 and originally the boats were legged through. Yes, by men on their backs - what a job!
We moored up under a beautiful wood just before the village of Stoke Bruerne where we walked into and enjoyed a lovely curry from "Spice of Bruerne".
The next day, we waited until later in the day to head through the locks at Stoke Bruerne. It was Saturday and there were plenty of day hire boats, sight-seers and on-lookers plus many narrowboats all trying to get through the locks. We teamed up with a couple on 'Lady Ada' and went through the locks together. Leigh was on the tiller and I was working the locks. They were rather smooth locks but still quite heavy to open and close.
At the bottom of the lock was a little cottage with a sign and box, whilst the lock was emptying I wandered over to see what it was. They were selling free-range eggs for £1, unfortunately the box was empty of eggs! We have been lucky over the last few days, as another cottage over-looking the canal had a bowl of cooking apples for people to help themselves to, so I took a few of those to make a crumble.
We filled up with water at the bottom lock and carried on for another couple of miles until the sun began to go down. At Yardley Gobion we found a mooring point opposite a boatyard. Delia was happy as it was a nice stretch of grass for her to run up and down with bushy hedges to hide in.
This morning we left Yardley Wharf on our way to Milton Keynes. We reached Soloman's Bridge, 65 at Cosgrave, a gothic style bridge built in 1800.
We passed through the lock at Cosgrove...
leaving the gate open as there was another boat approaching and continued toward the aqueduct.
This aqueduct passes over the Great Ouse River which you can see far below.
To the one side is a railing and towpath, to the other there is nothing but a sheer drop. It was incredible! This aqueduct is a square cast iron trough situated on stone pillars and was built in 1811. It was very majestic feeling indeed.
Before we reached Milton Keynes, we passed this lovely boat, a Tjaik I think.
The one thing Leigh wondered was what is the purpose of the wooden flat pieces?
We reached Milton Keynes and were looking for a mooring near the station to enable Leigh to visit his mum. The wind was so blustery it was really difficult to moor up. The bow was in but the stern was floating away so I tied off the centre line to help stop the wind pulling the boat away from the side - I wont do that again! as the boat begun listing right over. Fortunately the wind died down, Leigh got control of the boat with the tiller, I managed to loosen the rope and the boat righted herself. We pulled over and tied up. Phew.
No comments:
Post a Comment