And the water disappeareth

Not a peep was heard overnight, not until the dawn chorus started, then it was as if everything suddenly came to life. Cars, trains, lambs, tractors... quite a noisy start to the day. And no matter how early you get up with the intentions of leaving, there is always someone that beats you to it. Yep, a boat came past around 7.15am, blast now all the locks will have to be turned around. It was about 8ish then when we untied and headed for the Watford flight.

Nearly at the locks and we spied that earlier boat moored with the tiller removed and no sign of life. Oh goody, maybe the locks would be in our favour after all.

Top lock full and ready for our descent.

Lock keeper arrived as we entered the first lock and with his help, got us down the 7 locks in 30 minutes.

This shows the Red and White paddles for doing the staircase. Remember, Red before White.....

The lock emptying into the side pond.

Staircase of four

Turning right at Norton junction next stop was Braunston tunnel. This can be a pig of a tunnel with the bendy bits to catch you unawares especially if you meet an oncoming boat! Today we were lucky to get past the worst of it but not lucky enough not to meet a boat. In fact when two boats entered the tunnel it was with relief that we were near the end. In a way, this was good news as it did mean that all Braunston locks would be with us.

Braunston tunnel and chimney.

Top two photos and a boat entering and bottom two showing the bendy bits.

In Braunston we were hailed by 'the man himself'...Maffi. On board Milly M and knocking on the window to attract our attention. Legend on the canals what he does'nt know is not worth knowing about. A lovely long natter ensued only cut short by a boat sneaking up to us from behind. I'm sure it wont be long before we meet up again. Maffi appears when one least expects it so maybe later this year on the Thames?

Maffi

Braunston is always full of moored boats

Left at Braunston Turn.

 Our plan was not to do Calcutt locks today. That would have been for tomorrow but, not wanting to stop before Napton junction and convincing ourselves that moorings were available before the locks, we turned right.

Napton Junction

 How wrong can one person be! Instead of finding a place to stop we found ourselves having to  descend the three locks. First lock ready and I sailed right in. Ian then noticed a boat coming up in the next lock. He also notice the water disappearing rather rapidly from the middle pound. Oh dear looked like someone had forgotten to close the bottom gate paddle before lifting the top paddle! Before Ian could rush down a crew member from that boat noticed and dropped the paddle quickly but not before the pound had already dropped by nearly 2 foot.

Calcutt top lock

Middle pound

And looking back

 By now we had been on the go for 7.5 hours, travelled 14 miles and had done 16 locks. First bit of decent towpath edge we saw we pulled into upsetting a fisherman as the bow went too near his swim.  Full of apologies we explained that by not stopping now meant we would be at the Stockton flight of 8 locks and we didn't want to start that flight tonight! Anyway he was gracious enough to say no harm done but he did pack away not long after.

And wildlife today,

It's that time of year again. I feel so sorry for that duck with two Drakes fighting over her.

Moorhens are nesting