Wednesday 14th August 2002 - Buckden

Brought forward engine hours =     44h   15m

Arrived 21.15 and visited the bar.  Disaster, the Bombardier was off, had to have the Eagle Smooth Flow instead.  Back aboard by 10.40pm.  Decided that the fridge is not functioning properly, it only gets cold in the freezer compartment which is sealed off with a little door.  The cooling radiator in the main part of the fridge doesn't get cold!

Thursday 15th August - Buckden

Fuel at 11½ ", to fill took 73 litres.

Left at 10.00 weather warm and sunny, went round to fuel pump and filled up.  Caught up with Martin and got the spare blue paint for touching up all our scrapes.  On way again at 10.40.  

Offord lock was against us and it took 30 mins to get through out at 11.15.  

Hot, hot, hot!!  Didn't see a soul until we arrived at next lock (St Neots, Papermill) at 12.30.  Here we found two boats already moored up waiting to go through but unable to do so because guillotine gate not working, apparently the engineer had just arrived.  To be more precise, for "engineer" read four men and three vans!  Something has come adrift in the gears and they are trying to line it up again without taking it all apart, sounds as if it could be a long job!  However, all sorted by about 13.00 and other two boats set off, we have to wait for them to go up and another boat to come down before it's our turn.  This is a deep lock and seems to take an age to cycle.  Eventually through by 13.55.  

Moored on the St Neots town pontoon at 14.25 for late lunch and shopping trip.  Off again at 15.35 getting to Eaton Socon lock at 16.10 which was set ready for us, thru' by 16.25.  

Now looking for the reputed giant terrapin in the stretch by Wyboston golf course but didn't see it this time.  Roxton lock, also ready for us 17.40 to 17.50 and pushed on to reach Great Barford this evening.  

We moored with other boats on the GOBA side opposite pub at 19.00.  Felt we didn't really match up to the other boats as we didn't have a table and parasol to sit under on the bank!  A breeze has developed which is nice and refreshing but hope it doesn't herald thunderstorms.  

Went across to the Anchor for a meal - steak and scampi combo with sizzling veg and chips, highly recommended.  Their specialities include variety of fish dishes on Weds/Thurs/Fri and the seafood platter looked tempting.  They also do food at lunch time.   Came back to boat eventually and had to light citronella candles to try to get rid of the midges but failed!

Engine 09.45-12.30, 13.30-14.30, 15.30-19.00   = 7h 15m            RT=  51h 30m

Friday 16th August - Great Barford.

Fuel level 20½"

Cast off at 09.30, Willington lock at 09.55, deep but fast, out by 10.05.  

Arrived at Castle Mill lock 10.55.  Haven't been here before so a new experience of this very deep lock which needed a long rope, so tied middle and front together.  The lock fills and empties from the side about half way along.  Inlet and outlet penstocks got me confused so had to change places with Chris via the dreaded ladder!  We didn't need to reset lock so were straight in and then out at 11.10.  

Now venturing into new territory.  Hot and sunny again but little breeze is taking the edge off, very pleasant.  Passed a couple of boats heading downstream before reaching Cardington lock at 11.45 so lock was open and ready.  Came out at 12.00.  

Well looked after stretch opens up for walkers etc.. The bridges on this stretch very low and arrived in Bedford to find EA men/persons with nets right across the river.  Had to wait ten mins while they dragged them in - don't know what they were trying to catch.  Came to Town lock 12.45 this time it was not ready for us, but thru' by 13.00.  

Continued heading towards limit of navigation - but got confused by multitude of channels and islands.  Gave up and turned at 13.30 before finding a mooring spot for lunch.  Breeze has now stopped, getting rather humid and cloud increasing.  we were kindly warned that this spot is not a good place to stay overnight.  Set off again at 14.25.  Parts of riverside is being tastefully developed with old and new blending together.  

A timely arrival, 14.55, back at Bedford Town lock meant a boat was on it's way up so didn't have to reset it with it's non-automatic guillotine gate which is hard work and noisy!  Thru' at 15.10. 

Reached Cardington lock at 15.40 and were joined by another boat.  This is a popular swimming spot for youngsters jumping into the water as the lock is emptied and also climbing on guillotine structure.  I hope they weren't intending to jump off there too - made a quick get away before we found out!  

Moored at 16.10 on nice GOBA moorings for a cuppa and to decide how far to go tonight.  Cast off 16.45 to continue down to GOBA mooring before Gt Barford.  

Followed a 12' dinghy along to Castle Mill lock which was against us, arrived 17.15.  Had to move lots of rubbish out of the way before we could open the top gates and get in, the dinghy played a useful part in the clearing operation, both out at 17.35.  

Willington lock 18.10 to find dinghy crew had re-setting underway.  Thought we were in for a wet passge but only a few drops of rain materialised.  On our way again at 18.20.  

Changed glasses - sky doesn't look so threatening without the sunglasses!  Arrived at EA moorings (Old Mill?)  before Great Barford and found "Sanctuary" 70' NB already in residence.  After mooring near them we went for a reccy and found more space round the bend with level bank for barbeque so moved round at 18.45.  Thought it would be very peaceful and it is except for an automatic bird scarer!

Engine 09.15-12.30, 12.45-13.30, 14.15-16.15, 16.45-18.45.

                3.15 + 0.45 + 2.0 + 2.0  = 8hrs                                RT =    59h 30m

Saturday 17th August - Old Mill Mooring

Fuel level 19½"

Woke at some point early morning to hear gentle pitter patter of rain drops but when we woke up properly with the alarm at 8.00 the sun was shining and the promise of another good day.  We take our time over breakfast and Chris does the touching up of the rusty spots where we've come in contact with pontoons, landing stages etc..

Left eventually at 11.00 for short trip to Anchor to take on water for the boat and something stronger for ourselves.  Had a chat with cruiser "Mutiara" crew also from Buckden who were just off on bikes.  No wonder we've had a problem spotting water points - they masquerade as blue bollards!

Left at 11.50 and had to wait for boat coming up lock.  Quite a brisk wind made it hard work to hold boat close to landing stage.  Out at 12.15.

On to Roxton lock - not a boat in sight!  Arrived 12.55 and out by 13.15 even though it was against us.  In the heat gently poodled along on low revs to select mooring site for lunch.  Nosed in and tied up to a tree just beyond Kelpie Marine moorings in an attempt to find some much needed shade (but mustn't complain we don't want the rain!)  13.40.  Had lunch and read books for a while before untying at 14.50.

Eaton Socon lock with two cruisers 15.45 - 16.05.  Still didn't find the likely location yet alone see "the turtle".

Had to reset lock at Paper Mills - checked but saw nothing coming up so closed guillotine gate - needless to say someone arrived then but I wasn't going to raise it again as it is so slow.  They stood guard over the button but took no part in opening/closing paddles or top gates as I was running (well walking) backwards and forwards.  Another boat joined us as we opened the gates.

Have decided to moor for the night at one of the possible spots we have previously identified just below the moorings at Little Paxton.  Found it and moored up at 17.45, made a cuppa  before sorting a meal.  For our after dinner stroll we found a "circular heron trail" and followed that - took about an hour, around the Paxton gravel pits.  Thought the trains might keep us awake but they were no bother - we had the company of an owl instead, obviously perched directly above judging by the mess on our boat roof in morning.

Engine: 10.50-11.20, 11.50-13.40, 14.50-17.45 = 5¼            RT =    64h  45m

Sunday 18th August - Little Paxton Pits

Weather today much cloudier but bright.  Left mooring at 10.45.  Two boats were coming up when we arrived at Offord lock 11.40 ish.  By the time it was ready for us there were three boats to go in together and before we got out there were queues on each side - lovely weekend weather brings everyone out for a trip.

Back in marina at 12.10.  Stayed on boat to do odd jobs - investigate fridge, find water leak etc.. and give boat a good wash down.

Engine:    10.30-12.15 = 1¾                                                        RT =    66h  30m

Friday 23rd August - Buckden

Came up to do a few jobs, like tighten the packing gland on the domestic water stop cock and make certain of wiring before getting another battery.