We looked out of the cabin window this morning, it was blowing hard and was very misty. I made a pot of tea and we sat in bed drinking and contemplating (it is less stressful than decision making). We had a leisurely breakfast and when the sun made a feeble attempt to break through at 10am, we prepared to move off. A boat was approaching from behind us, we let them go by and followed them to the lock. They had borrowed the boat from a friend.
Approaching Horton lock, we saw a lady walking towards us on the towpath, one lock gate was open and a boat was emerging.
The lady was Heather, the boat was Nb.Roxanne with Paul on the blunt end. They hail from Melbourne and are doing the system for a few years before returning home. We had spent an enjoyable evening in their company at Castleford last June, and had another one with them on the Bridgewater canal in September. We exchanged greetings and will try to meet up with them later on when our paths cross again.
Above Horton Lock, there was a gypsy caravan in good condition near the farm buildings. Below Seabrook lock was an interesting shell, part Dutch Botter, part canal boat.
The crew on the borrowed boat were a friendly bunch, Dad and his two sons on a five day break, chatting away, which made the locks and miles easier somehow.
We parted company at 1pm, by Bridge 129 near Marsworth as we were intending staying there until the morning. After a news bulletin on the radio at 4.30pm, I heard that heavy rain was forecast for the morning.
Permission was granted to move off and we did the eight locks of the main Marsworth flight in the dry; mooring above just past the Wendover Arm junction. We had company on the last four with a local couple who wanted to know exactly how the locks worked, Myra showed them in exchange for some muscle on the gates, they had ride on Martlet up the last one.
2009 totals - Locks 46; Miles 62.5; Bus pass uses 2
