Tuesday 27th March
It’s been another cracking day weatherwise, sunshine all the way, fab! We have travelled the huge distance of 3 miles, including the Blisworth tunnel, which is nearly 2 miles long, to Stoke Bruerne. We arrived just after 11 am and are moored near the woodland walk a little way before the park and the Canal Museum.
We took George for a toddle along the woodland walk for about 20 minutes then took him to the Boat Inn by the top lock. We had to sit at a table on the lock as all the ones outside the pub were occupied, it was quite hot there but he found a bit of shade to lay in.
There is plenty of interest at the top lock, besides the pub. There is a boat weighing machine next to the lock (see photo) which was used to gauge the weight of the cargo for toll levying purposes. Opposite there is the Canal Museum and tea rooms and a row of attractive cottages. One of these (now an Indian restaurant) is where Sister Mary Ward started her unofficial medical surgery for boat people in the 1930’s. She financed this herself until the late 30’s when the canal company recognised her worth. After a while she served the village and local community as a nurse/midwife as well as the boaters. She received a BEM in 1951 in recognition of this work.
We did a bit of gongoozling, as you do, observing a few boats ascending and descending the lock and noting excessive use of the bow thruster and excessive use of the female voice! Later we spotted B and B going past on a walk down the locks. Just as we were about to leave the pub they came back and joined us, so we obviously had to stay for another and exceeded the stated dose!
On the way back to the boats B and B went to the posh gift/ice cream shop. I did hint to my husband that I might like an ice cream but he went deaf! We went back to the boat and had a cup of tea and a digestive instead.
Later on Barry started fishing but there wasn’t much about. Ken has become a bit crafty, he waits until he sees if Barry is catching anything and if he isn’t he doesn’t bother to start fishing himself!
Tomorrow I think we are going to Cosgrove.
