Saturday 1st June 2002

Brought forward engine hours 8h 15m

Arrived at boatyard at 17:30 expecting to spend a pleasant sunny evening listening to the sounds of jazz drifting over the water from the bar.  But, no sounds of music - jazz night is tomorrow!

Took boat out for an hour instead - just to within sight of Brampton Lock and back having meal on board.

Engine ran 1hr 30 min.                        Running total 9h 45m.

Sunday 16th June 2002

Arrived at boat at 17:00. Engine start at 17:10. Cast off at 17:40 and headed upstream. 

Took some action shots showing new name as we passed the marina landing,                        reaching Offord Lock 17:55 and thru' by 18:10.  Turned round at 19:00 just after the private moorings at Little Paxton gravel pits.  Offord Lock 19:50 - lock was empty so had to fill it before we could enter.  These guillotine gates seem painfully slow! More pictures in Lock                     Exit at 20.20

Moored in marina at 20:35 - engine off at 20:40.  Had belated snack of cheese and biscuits before setting off for home.

Engine ran 17:10-20:40, 3hr 30 min                                    RT 14h 15m

Thursday 27th June 2002

Arrived at the marina at 13:30 and decided to go straight to the bar for something to eat.  But problem in kitchen and not serving any more lunches.  Unloaded car/loaded boat, weather seems to be improving so have decided to stay.  Had snack lunch on board before starting on jobs - Chris doing engine and battery maintenance and Liz operating the hoover and the mop.  Decided to stay in the marina overnight so went to book a table in restaurant (hope kitchen problems sorted) and pay our painting bill.  Returned for more "work" and writing up this log!  Ran engine for an hour 17:45 18:45.                                                                                    RT 15h 15m

Fuel 9" below top of filler.

Food not so good tonight - no specials board - apparently usual chef has had a motorbike accident so they were only serving a basic menu.

Friday 28th June 2002

Cast off at 09:15 for trip across marina to get nearer the toilet disposal point.  Left marina at 09:40 headed upstream and cleared Offord Lock by 10:10.  The river was very quiet didn't see anyone for ages but eventually passed another boat coming down.  Saw two kingfishers together.  Reached Paper Mill (St Neots) Lock 11:35 had company going through and out by 11:50.  Moored at the Priory Centre pontoon St Neots to see what's here at 12:15.  All shops including Waitrose and Harry Ramsdens.  Also various alternate mooring areas.  Returned to boat at 13:30 for lunch.  Set off again at 14.25.  River scenes at St Neots:-

Eaton Socon Lock 14:45 - 15:05 then a very pleasant stretch through Wyboston and tempsford.

Roxton Lock 16:30 - 16:45  a conventional type lock - no guillotine gate.  Watched A1 traffic queued nose to tail past Kelpie marine back beyond Tempsford.  Reached Great Barford lock at 17:30 - 17:55.  Fishermen at Roxton had recommended to moor here outside the pub but they were full (long narrowboats!).  GOBA field moorings opposite empty so no choice - but it means a walk back to pub over footbridge by the lock.  Moored up at 18:10.  Dirty field, geese have have left their calling cards all over it.  Used about an inch of fuel today - engine running at 1600 to 1800 rpm for 6hrs - rest of time idling at 1000 rpm .  Previous trips engine has been self throttling back to 1400/1500 rpm.

Had meal on board and went to The Anchor - Bombardier amongst others.

Engine ran 09:00-12:15, 14:20-18:20  7hrs 15 min            RT 21h 30m.

Fuel down to 10 1/8" below top of filler.

Saturday 29th June 2002

Morning shots at Great Barford:-

Engine start 09:10 moved off 09:25  Arrived at Willington Lock at 10:00 to find long narrowboatcalled Sanctuary from Priory Marina taking up all landing stage and resetting the lock.  Had to hang back til they moved in to lock.  We were unable to go through with them as not enough room.  Then had to reset lock again.  We had just shut the gates when another boat arrived so had to open up again.  Finally came out at 10:45.  We turned round just before the next lock at 11:20.  Back through Willington lock, much quicker this time, out by 12:00.

Through and out of Great Barford lock at 12.35, resisting the temptation of another pint of Bombardier at the Anchor!  Still, the Wheatsheaf at Tempsford isn't far away and it will be more like lunch time when we get there.  Out of Roxton lock at 13.20 and then moored up at Anchor (another one not Gt Barford one) because the Wheatsheaf is not directly accessible from the river.  Had our on board lunch and then felt obliged to visit pub as we had used their mooring stage even though there was no obvious attempt at welcoming boaters.  Not really sure they were welcoming anyone!  All the doors from the garden locked, no obvious entrance but found one eventually into huge, dark, empty bar, dirty cobwebs and spiders all over window cills inside and out - no cleaner's duster been seen in months!  Had 1 pint of John Smiths keg and left mooring at 14.35.

Reached Eaton Soton lock at 15.40 and out by 16.00.  Didn't visit Tea Rooms or tavern - will leave them for another time.  Arrived Paper Mill (St Neots) 16.45 in time to see a cruiser disappearing down in lock.  There was a boat waiting to come up and another arrived to come down with us, so several people to share the work.  Out at 17.15.  "Tara Lee" from Cross Hall Marine followed us for a while then overtook and quickly disappeared into the distance.  But, when we arrived at Offord lock at 18.20 they were waiting and we sailed straight in behind them and then out by 18.35.  A model to scare the gulls at Little Paxton:-

Just after entrance to Buckden marina we came across a posse of ducks/geese stretched in a line right across the water but they leisurely dispersed and let us go on our way:-

    Moored up on the GOBA moorings and stopped engine at 19.00.  Finished last night's bottle of wine and the can of beer from the fridge.  Had to light both citronella candles at 8pm because so many midges about - good clear skies for late sunset, very peaceful.  Had meal and went for for towpath walk.  ZZzzzzzzz!

Engine: 09.10 - 13.30, 14.30 - 19.00    8hrs 45min                    RT    30h 15m

Sunday 30th June 2002

Had leisurely breakfast before taking a slow run down to Brampton lock turning and and heading back in to marina.  Left 10.45 and tied up at berth 12.10  engine not above 1000 rpm the whole way!

Engine: 10.30 - 12.20        2hrs 0min                                        RT    32h  15m

Fuel 12" below filler cap = used 3" in 27 hrs - say 9hrs per inch?