Gayton

Grand Union Canal – Wednesday 8 May 2013

Gayton is just south of the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union.

Woke to the sound of rain, and saw a Green Woodpecker just by the front of the boat.  When I had grabbed the camera it had flown off.  (Before you ask I have not become an ornithological expert – I looked it up in the RSPB pocket book).  Started by getting the boat ready to go through the Blisworth tunnel, this involves putting all the lights on inside [then turning off the master switch], removing tall things on the roof [flags etc] and setting up the extra lights I use.  After this I then went to the water point and filled up and by the time I was ready to start the locks another boat had arrived as had the C&RT staff, so the run through the locks was fairly uneventful.  At Stoke Bruerne I popped into the café for elevenses, then got the boat ready for the tunnel [lights turned on].  I had an audience as there were some teachers with loads of schoolkids out for lessons on the canals – they had already seen how boats go up and down locks with different types of boat (modern residential and a historical working pair).  As I approached them I heard the leader say “who can tell me why this boat has a light on the front” and about 20 voices replied “cos he’s going in the tunnel”.  So some of them were paying attention.  When I had passed Blisworth the sun came out so made a pleasant run to Gayton.