Utter bliss

Friday 5^th July; Calcutt marina to Napton flight

That is, it was bliss being back on the boat, though the journey up wasn’t particularly fun with delays and diversions.  Chuffed had been baking in the sun all day and was stifling inside when I opened the sliding hatch, though opening the side hatch, windows and cratch helped to cool it a little.  We were keen to get away from the marina, even before we had finished unpacking, and were off by 4.  We had company up the Calcutt locks, which was great, then we turned right at Napton Junction to head for Napton.

Sun cream was deployed in quantity!  It was extremely hot and we had pint glasses (of water or squash, nothing stronger) on the go the whole time.  We might be relaxing but others were hard at work in the heat.

Haymaking

As we made our way around Napton hill, we noticed that the willow whips that had been small last year were mostly growing well though some had died.  Some were vigorous enough to take the deer guard up with them!  The windmill is cheekily peering over the trees.

We could have stopped below the locks, but knew the boat we had shared Calcutt locks with wanted to stop here so we left the space for them.  We had planned to go further anyway, so we went up the bottom lock, which was in our favour, but then found ourselves behind a very slow boat.  No matter – we helped them where we could but were just enjoying being back on the boat so we weren’t fussed.  Lock 9, which had been closed over the winter for repairs to the wall, is open again but the brick copings which had been ordered were delivered late, and then were not of sufficient quality to complete the work safely.  Instead they installed temporary concrete coping so the lock could be opened and plan to complete the work in November.

We were disappointed not to see the water buffalo along the flight.  Instead there was a large herd of cattle, cows and calves of various ages, and a Big Daddy to look impressive.  I think he is a Hereford.

As planned, we moored between locks 11 and 12, where there is room for several boats.  The Swedish family behind us on a share boat had left Sweden at 4 am this morning so were pleased there was room for them too!  It was gone 6 by now, and our priority was to cool down with a beer and the paper on the towpath before we ate.

Utter bliss.  Peace and quiet, just a lark singing high above in the blue.  How could we ever have thought we could sell Chuffed?  We just looked at each other when we got home after the last trip, and thought, we can’t do this!  Not yet, anyway.  We could have got a hire on the Mon and Brec, but that's not the same at all!

3 miles, 7 locks.