Locking down the hill
Weedon Bec (Grand Union Canal) to Northampton (River Nene).
The Grand Union Canal slices through Weedon Bec on an embankment. While the railway (West Coast main line) and the canal are on a similar level village life is far below.
Boaters mooring above the Church, close to the old village centre, can clamber down 37 uneven steps from the towpath side of the canal and a similar number from a mooring on the church side of the canal. Despite the passage of trains over the railway viaduct the walk from canal to village centre takes you through the peaceful churchyard – and in daytime hours the church is always open.
The stonework of village buildings always catches the eye: apparently “they are primarily constructed using a mix of local Jurassic limestones (such as Blisworth Limestone) and Northampton Sand Ironstone”.
Since first discovering the Royal Ordnance Depot (in 2015) a mooring pause at Weedon involves a visit to the Depot. Familiar now with its history and purpose (constructed between 1804 and 1816 as an inland fort to store arms and ammunition during the Napoleonic Wars) many of the Depot buildings have been re-purposed.
Unit 14 had to be checked out; the zany Gasoline Juice, where vehicle parts (two and four wheelers) and aircraft sections are displayed in unexpected ways.
Favourite units of course, are in Building 1, where Vintique on the ground floor offers aisles and aisles of fascinating bric-a-brac.
The entire upstairs space is given over to pre-loved books, games, jigsaws, DVDs, etc. Those seeking a break from browsing can indulge in coffee and cakes or book a table and rent a board game. It’s just the place to disengage from the pressures of the modern world…!
Here’s a way to prettify a locality - painted decoration at Weedon bus stops:
Church bells rang out from Weedon’s St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church on Sunday morning – what a delightful sound it was.
Sunday became a repositioning day, heading south towards Gayton Junction, passing a very recognisable tractor
and a floating craft of unusual proportions…
Help arrived at Gayton Junction on Monday morning, the Cheshire Three prepared to do windlass-wielding duty, whatever the weather…
As for the weather it was very wet! First stop was Gayton Junction Services – with fewer Canal and River Trust rubbish drop off sites these days there is no satisfaction in squashing stuff into over-filled bins or adding to the surrounding piles of garbage…
True to their word the Cheshire Three worked Cleddau down the first 14 of the 17 lock Rothersthorpe Flight. Techno Son-in-Law lead the way, ensuring every lock ahead was full of water and the gate wide open;
Cheshire Mum tended the offside gates and paddles
while the Cheshire One worked towpath side.
They’re an experienced lock team, the Cheshire One even remembering pushing the heavy lock gates on the Grand Union, aged 4…
There were poppies offside near the top of the flight and pink orchids about half way down.
Two wicker figures were “gongoozling” from near Lock 8
and the artwork under the two bridges is attractive and informative!
Mosaic designs set beside the lock chambers form a delightful nature trail.
There was a lunch break pause after Lock 13 and then a final lock worked before the Cheshire Three trekked back up the hill to their car. Many thanks, Cheshire crew!
Onward towards Northampton. New life was apparent – fluffy little Canada geese and a swan warming her new cygnets under her wing.
The last stretch of the Northampton Arm is as weedy as ever.
On the outskirts of the town the Northampton “Lighthouse” can be seen (The National Lift Tower)
and along a wall beside an industrial estate My Little Pony was looking rather alarmed…
There were three more locks to descend; the last one seemed rather spiteful, a sharp but invisible edge at the top gate entrance ripping about a metre and a half of zip stitching on the canvas cratch.
Down – off C&RT waters, onto the Environment Agency’s River Nene. Past the brewery,
under Northampton Bridge
and into Northampton Marina for some overnight R&R.
After a long day what a joy it was to take off the heavy waterproof coat, the life jacket, the boat boots and the locking gloves…
Weedon Bec (Grand Union Canal ) to Northampton Marina ( River Nene): 12¼ miles, 17 locks
Repairs, losses and gains
Repairs: (1) shower pump fuse replaced; (2) a 1 metre tear along the zip stitching of the cratch cover acquired at Northampton Arm Lock 17 re-sewn; (3) bathroom toilet fan replaced with a spare held on the boat
Losses: 1 pipe fender; 1 tyre fender
Gains: 1 windlass (found at Weston Favell Lock)
2026 Monkton Moments* (Monkton Moment*- a reference to / recognition of Cleddau’s Pembrokeshire connections): 2
(1. “That’s Pembrokeshire, isn’t it? Been across the Cleddau Bridge. Eaten meals at Pembroke Ferry.” Watford Lock Keeper.
2. “Which Cleddau river? I’m from North Wales.” Passing boater.)
