There are quite a few boatyards on this stretch of the Grand Union canal and it seems that people probably buy boats to do up as a project and then lose interest. We don’t think that this one will be going anywhere soon but it can be sold with ‘an established tree on board!’
Some boats are definitely well looked after.
To get narrow boats into the water a crane with a cradle is needed. This one was in a field with no boats around.
Dredging is taking place along this stretch of the Grand Union canal and we came across quite a few workmen today. They are repairing the offside bank with mud taken from the bottom of the canal. Their equipment is very cumbersome. We were stopped for about 15mins while they worked and the chap on the bank is trying to indicate that the boat approaching needs to stop - you can just see the drivers heads above the green boat. They completely ignored the warning and ploughed straight through. Luckily they didn’t hit anything.
This man is having a peaceful day.
We picked up a tree branch from below the water line and realised that we were dragging it along. We had to stop at the bank and Graham pulled it out.
The 7 locks at Long Buckby are broad allowing 2 narrow boats at a time to use them. Unfortunately no one was around when we started the flight. It is hard work when only one boat is going through a broad lock. The locker has to keep walking round if there is no footbridge over the gates. We were also following 2 boats and had to keep emptying a lock as we came to it. This shows some of the water coming out when the paddles are opened. Unfortunately the photo doesn’t do justice to the force of the water and the heaviness of the gates.
Still we made it to the top and are getting ready to go through Braunston tunnel tomorrow. We are now on new territory again for this holiday and have not covered this part of the canal network in this direction.
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