18th to 19th July 2013
The changes to Python’s summer tour resulted in a shorter trip for myself and Richard Allsopp, but with the usual Python inspired anticipation we set off ready to tackle the delights of the GUC.
Our plan was to avoid the busy morning traffic on the M1, leave our baggage on Python, call at the chandlers at Braunston to collect some items for our wooden boat, Dawn Rose, head to Blisworth to deposit our transport and then tackle Northamptonshire buses to return to Python.
The above schedule was carried out with military precision as a result of Richard’s expert route and journey planning and we arrived back at Python shortly after lunch. She had been left above the top lock of the Braunston flight and was being ‘baby sitted’ by a kind lady who lived in the old lock house.
We quickly settled in, got the kettle on and set off on our journey. One of my main objectives of the trip was to master the skills of tunnel navigation and within ten minutes of setting off I was on my way to meeting this objective as we entered Braunston Tunnel. As on previous trips, I was instructed in the art of handling a deep drafted boat by Richard, who was eager to impart the skills he mastered from the last working boatmen.
The trip down to Blisworth was, in most parts, uneventful, the canal was in good condition, the boating traffic was light and we didn’t need to queue for any of the Buckby locks. We decided to stop for an excellent meal at The Narrow Boat, better known as being one of the early Charles Wells public houses at Weedon.
We eventually arrived at our destination as night fell. A quick and hastily moored boat allowed us to retire to the pub and, following a warm welcome and an excellent pint, we ‘hit the sack’ around midnight.
Blisworth Tunnel
We had decided that, if the weather was good, we would venture through the Blisworth Tunnel early on the Friday morning with two objectives, firstly for me to be signed off as a competent tunnel navigator and secondly to allow Stoke Bruerne sight of our new Chesterfield Canal map banner.
We woke early to another hot summers day and set off before breakfast. The extra trip was well worth it and in just over two hours, moored in Stoke Bruerne, we had given out around 20 CC guides and talked to around 30 people. The banner was really well received and is most definitely a credit to all involved in its design.
Following an early lunch, we returned through the tunnel and moored Python in the transit area kindly outlined to us by the local Enforcement Officer. We securely moored our craft and headed home in the late afternoon. The journey home was definitely the worst part of our two day trip. It unfortunately coincided with the start of the school summer holidays. The M1 was solid with traffic, so we opted for a cross country ‘A’ road traverse to the A1, and, thanks to Richard’s knowledge of the area, we made it home only one hour later than our initial plan.
Overall we had an excellent two days and, on reflection, I think we spent more time in tunnels than on the cut, something I don’t think I’ll get chance to repeat. It was though thoroughly enjoyable.
Michael Edwards.