Blisworth to Billing

Exiting the tunnel

The end of our first trip through the tunnel southbound, next stop Stoke Bruerne and the Boat Inn.

Smiles in the puddle

A wave and smile form a girl who saw us exit the tunnel. The storm seems to have mostly passed - it was hacking it down when we entered the tunnel at the northern end!

Chimney Hat

Yep, amidst all the rain that is definitely a hat sat atop the chimney on this great looking narrowboat.

Off to moor up

Paul prepares to depart upstream to find somewhere to moor the boat, while we wait back at the pub.

Stable Doors

Two women peer from their front doors along the canal towards the lock. It must be nice to be able to lean on your front door and watch the world go by.

Beer on Tap

Just a small selection of the beers available in The Boat Inn at Stoke Bruerne. Hobgoblin on tap seemed popular.

Reflected Cottages

The Grand Union is pretty still and the evening sunlight helped to make some good reflections once the storms had passed by.

Happy Partygoers

Coffee, iPhone and a cuddly toy with a sad face. Must have been one helluva party.

"4 Pints to take away please Landlord!"

Paul and Dean cross the lock armed with two jugs of Hobgoblin - eight pints in total. That should see them good for a few minutes.

Indian Chief

Just as we were preparing to depart the Indian Chief passed us heading towards the tunnel with another boatload of wedding guests at the Boat Inn. They would sail into the tunnel, and reverse out just as quickly.

Looking Ahead

Dean is the skipper for the northbound journey through the tunnel and is already concentrating hard before we even get to the mouth of the tunnel.

Laughing

Paul chuckling at something Dean said just before we entered the tunnel.

Jayne

Jayne watches ahead as hubby Dean heads for the mouth of the Blisworth Tunnel.

Midpoint

Almost halfway back through the Blisworth Tunnel from Stoke Bruerne northbound. Got some funny looks when I said I'd like to try some photography in the tunnel - I actually meant really at the tunnel entrance/exit, but the light from the front of the boat made for some interesting reflections.

Passing Ships

The Stoke Bruerne cruise boat "Charlie" is heading back to Stoke Bruerne southbound and was the only boat we met in the tunnel - and in the repaired section too, so rather different walls to most of the tunnel.

Sunken Home

These ducks seem happy to sit on the remains of this boat - it probably makes nice easy access to the water for them to be honest.

The Rush Mills Lock

The lock just around the corner from the pub we would end up in on Sunday evening, Rush Mills.

Sunday Afternoon Drinkers

People sitting enjoying the afternoon at the Britannia. We'd be back there in a couple of hours for dinner.

Swan

Many swans and ducks were on the open waters along the A45.

Heads Up

Dean has a break at the front of the boat between locks but keeps popping his head up occasionally to check all is OK at the back of the boat. Or take a picture.

Tern in Flight

A Tern passes almost directly overhead as we move along the River Nene.

An Odd Duck

Almost a negative of all the other duck, where most were brown this one was white and stood out from the crowd.

Gate Guards

Linda and Dean opening the gates at the Weston Favell lock. This was a totally different type of lock for me - one with a hydraulically operated guillotine gate at the end. Slow, painfully slow.

Crew at work

Dean, Linda, Jayne and Paul at the back of JD & Coke after navigating the Weston Favell Lock.