Only one word.........

.....glorious.

Having been at Fenny Compton for the weekend we decided to move on today, so Karl set off first needing to stop at the water point and I followed a little while later.

Passing beneath the A423 and looking back beyond that to bridge 137a.

 With a boat in front we passed through the old Fenny tunnel, now roofless, in a mini convoy, no approaching traffic so all was well and the vegetation had been trimmed back since I came through last year making it much clearer where the actual bank was.

After the narrows I did a quick bit of train racing, I lost again J

The chap in front had a couple of problems grounding on the offside of bends, stay in the middle unless a boat is approaching!

You would not get far if you turned left into bridge 142, it spans a feeder stream from Boddington Reservoir, adding water to this section as necessary.

Soon after that we approached the five Claydon locks dropping us down 30’ 6”, it was a bit busy with boats in either direction but everyone mucked in which makes things easier and we were eventually through those stopping for a lunch break just after the bottom lock.

Lunch spot 

We then moved on to the remaining 3 locks before Cropedy and with no-one else around it made my work a little harder, seeing Karl out of each lock, turning it (refilling it), going through myself and then shutting the bottom gates as I left each lock, but I quite enjoy it, keeping busy with the sun on your back and in no real hurry.

Entering Elkington’s lock (22)

And leaving Broadmoor lock (24) the last for today.

Arriving at Cropedy visitors moorings Karl had once again found a double space, so here’s my view as I sit on the bow having a quick cold beer, and the weather is and has been.......glorious.

Totals today: 7miles : 8 locks