The Northampton arm

Well quite an eventful day today. We were up early, 7am set off, to tackle the 17 locks on the Northampton arm. All went to plan until we reached lock 9 when we had a problem closing the down pair of gates. We called out The Canal River Trust (formerly British Waterways) to sort out the problem. We were impressed when two guys turned up 10 minutes later followed by a guvnor 10 minutes after that. After a bit of opening and closing of the offending gate it was decided that the pound needed to be emptied for a closer look. while they donned their waders we were entertained by the Red Arrows just back from the Commonwealth Games. After a bit of digging around the cause of the problem was found, a large piece of wood that should have been attached to the gate but dropped in and left by a British Waterways crew some time in the distant past  Doh!!!!

Oh well all's well that ends well and we are now at the top of the arm showered and fed and ready for bed.

Early Bird Christine at first lock of the day

one for our Lottie

Christine points out the problem

River canal Trust to the rescue

Another one for our Lottie The Britannia from the river

The emptied pound

The offending lump of wood

Our end of day Reward

Time for a cuppa

The Red Arrows entertain

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Down at the bottom of the Lock
(you can just make the guy out)