Something was lurking beneath the waves!

Much more civilised time to leave, no having to go into stealth mode today! Gone 8 it was when we left, well we didn't fancy travelling whilst it was pouring with rain! Macs on just in case, we cruised past Blisworth boatyard and moorings and headed for the north portal of Blisworth tunnel.

Boatyard and moorings

Today Ian was on the helm and today there were no nasty surprises of the ghostly kind! But a surprise was in store for us because 700 to 800 meters before the South portal,  FS suddenly rolled over something.Totally unexpected and to say it felt weird was an understatement. Both of us immediately looked back expecting something to pop up from beneath the waves but in the inky darkness, nothing could be seen. Another one of those unexplained phenomena maybe?

Luckily we only met a boat near to the Southern Portal

Stoke Bruerne

At Stoke Bruerne lock two boats were waiting to descend. Blast looked like we would be going down on our own. As Ian went to turn the lock around a lovely C&RT volunteer lady came to help. I asked her a question. How long have those ring-necked parakeets been flying around Stoke Bruerne? Yep, it looks like those pesky and noisy birds have made it here from down south. She was unable to offer an explanation so I'm still none the wiser.

How much folaige was growing on those lock gates? Any chance of the Fountain men with strimmers making it up there?

We had 5 miles to do after leaving the last lock in the flight. Shallow in parts so slowing down was necessary and it took the best part of 2 hours to reach Cosgrove. A strange object also appeared before bridge 54. What was it supposed to be shielding? A sunken vessel perhaps, something thrown in like a motor bike? Nothing could be seen other than a large branch so was there a tree trunk down there? Hmmm, another underwater mystery to mull over.

Cosgrove bridge

 Todays mooring,

 And seen by the Navigation Inn  at Stoke Bruerne

Todays wildlife