Nene Locks and other delights

This posting on our blog is less a narrative of where we've been and more a recognition of some of the delights of the journey. Do let us know what you think of this new approach. 

So let's start with the peculiarities of the Nene locks compared to those commonly met on the canals:

Coming out of Northampton the first few locks have customary 'V' gates at each end of the lock. But here at Weston Favell Lock is something which is more typical of the Nene Locks. Here we have 'V' gates at the upstream end and a guillotine at the lower end. The only snag with these is that boaters are expected to leave the guillotine in the up position. So, going down, you have first to lower the guillotine and then fill the lock by opening the paddles in the top gates. Most locks have electric guillotines but they are pretty slow, especially at Wadenhoe where a temporary and much lower geared motor has been put on. Reckon on at least 40 minutes to pass through that one.

These are the upstream mitre gates at Earls Barton. Note the wide gap above water level to allow excess flood water through and in this case a waterfall. In times of flood some of the locks have the mitre gates chained open and the guillotine is partially opened to allow movement of flood waters downstream. In these circumstances obviously boats are not allowed to use those locks.

Now most of the guillotines are electric but there are usually 6 manual locks where you have to turn a large wheel to wind them up and down. Just at present there are 7 because Titchmarsh has been given a wheel to provide boaters with extra exercise. This can be quite a chore and here you see Helen hard at it. The balance changes according to whether the gate is in the water or above it and different gates are harder or easier in any event. We have found that a screwdriver pushed through a hole in the wheel makes the job easier. In any event the manual ones are faster to operate than the electric ones. The first lift on the electric ones is very slight to allow the level to fall before making a full lift. On the manual ones you have to remember to do the same.

For the rest of this update here are some varied delights of our cruising:

We are fairly sure that this is Meadow Brown butterfly.

This is the dovecot at Wadenhoe. Wadenhoe is a delightful quiet village and well worth a visit. We moored outside the King's Head and allowed ourselves to be tempted in for lunch and dinner. In our guide to the Nene, we've read that the dovecot was built in 1650 but according to a plaque on site, it dates from 1800 so we're not quite sure how old it is.

Inside you can see all the 600+ nest boxes and a rotating ladder that allowed access. The doves were kept for food, both eggs and birds were eaten.

Here is the view looking up. Not a good idea if it were occupied!

And here is a close up of the nesting boxes made of lath and plaster.

Fotheringhay, famous as the place where Mary Queen of Scots was executed and Richard III was born has a splendid church which is a real landmark of cruising the Nene.

Surprisingly high up is some old graffiti.

Last night (Friday 2 July) we moored at Wansford Station, a stop on the Nene Valley railway. We wandered up to the station and found this engine in steam.

Today we've come just a short distance and a couple of locks to Overton Lake at Ferry Meadows, just short of Peterborough which will mark the end of our cruise down the Nene. A short and narrow channel allows boats to leave the river and enter the lake. It is a really novel experience taking a narrowboat out on such a wide stretch of water. The lake is plenty deep enough so we did a circuit of the lake when we arrived.
It's a shame the weather was so grey

As well as allowing overnight mooring, there is plenty of wildlife here. One of the youngsters has hitched a ride.

We had some other visitors like this black headed gull. The Nene Park Trust have done a good job: wild life friendly planting, useful information boards, two cafes, boating, caravan and camp sites, small and large trains, cycle hire, playgrounds and plentiful paths. Plenty of people but not too many that it feels crowded. We were impressed.

Not only that, but the sun has come out this evening.

We have a visit tomorrow from our grandson, not to mention his parents, so we plan to take them on a boat trip and show them around Nene Park. Should be fun for all of us. After that, we will press on into Peterborough for shopping and services before we leave the Nene on Tuesday passing through Stanground Lock (already booked) onto the Middle Levels.