We knew we were going to have to leave Foxton eventually, and yesterday was the day. We were keen to cover the boring 19 miles to Crick as quickly as we could, so set out early. Pete returned his lock keeper's keys to the cottage, made his farewells (with promise of return), and we set out.
Setting out included untying the bow line. Clearly, we always do this! But the bow line is not usually tied around a post in the deep woods with no mooring edge to be seen. At Foxton top, we were moored with half of Bella at a mooring edge and half hanging out in the water, the edge curving away into a small wood. The centre line was tied to a bollard, the stern line to a bollard, a short stern line (abreast line) to a pin and the bow through the woods. Pete's Royal Navy skills came to the fore as he threw the line to tie up, with Elizabeth in the wood to catch. Untying, Pete threw from the wood and Elizabeth caught it at the bow.
And away. In all, we covered 23 miles, travelled 2 tunnels and the seven locks of the Watford flight, including a four step staircase. Pete was grumpy! The water was shallow, the edges were overgrown and it was windy. Elizabeth took the tiller for long breaks and otherwise cleaned, cooked, knitted, got through the post (collected from Rugby the day before when she took Reg to Hilmorton and bussed back).
We moored up at Buckby Top lock, Pete having reversed us sweetly indeed from Norton Junction - where the Grand Union Leicester section joins the Grand Union Main Line. We'd travelled over 10 hours! Not a usual day for us, but we were on a mission! The G&Ts on deck were very welcome!
