Whittlesey final arrival - 4th May

And so my crew finally bring my royal barge to Whittlesey.

At Old Crown Lane my court pays homage and swears allegiance.

I can return home to the West Country confident that my kingdom is secure in the East

And so to Fotheringhay - May 2nd

My subjects come to greet me.

We moor for the night at Fotheringhay.  The natives appear to be friendly.

My loyal subject hear of my imminent arrival and journey out to greet me bearing gifts of chicken and sundry other goodies.

However I learn that Richard III was born in the castle here and Mary Queen of Scots stayed here and neither of them had a happy ending, so I move on quickly.......tricky business this monarchy game.....I realise I must be careful with my confidences.

Wildlife of the Nene

On down the Nene

One of the essentials on any voyage for a King and Captain is to observe and bark at wildlife from the rear deck.  I even saw a wild otter but the crew were too slow with the camera.

Northampton to Peterborough - 29th April to 3rd

Curiosities of the River Nene

The guillotine locks that are needed for flood control.  OK but slow if they come with an electric power hoist for the gate, but very hard work on the ones raised manually with a large hand wheel.

User friendly gates in the lock compound fencing.

And pedestrians carrying giant bananas.

Northampton beckons - 28th April

At Gayton the Northampton arm leaves the Grand Union and descends through 17 locks to join the River Nene at Northampton.

I find it very tiring supervising my unruly crew and need well earned rest.

Braunston to Northampton continued

Weedon Bec

In the early 1800s when Napolean was threatening to invade Britain the government decided to build a second line of defence should he be successful.  They chose Weedon Bec, a tiny village in Northamptonshire, to build a large arsenal and also a royal pavilion for King George III since the Grand Union Canal now linked direct to London.  A canal arm led off the main line entering the barracks through a porcullis.  Surprisingly much still remains to this day.  I hope that when an enemy invades our country suitable provision will be made for King Charles Spaniels comme moi.

Braunston to Northampton - 26/27/28 April

Leaving Braunston I hide out in the mile and a quarter long Braunston Tunnel, but my crew are scared of the dark and we hurry through in 20 minutes.

Norton Junction 

At Norton Junction the Leicester Arm leaves the Grand Union overlooked by the former toll house.  This was the base for many years of the Salvation Army's  Major Fred Fielding and his wife who ran the mission boats Salvo and Aster ministering to working boaters families in the 1950s.

We continue down the Grand Union.

Civil Insurrection

Lady Gillian and various agents have informed me that as I travel East I am entering Roundhead country.  As a Cavalier this worries me greatly, but I cunningly disguise myself as a local.....however this business of chasing and fetching balls does not suit my disposition.  Surely one should have flunkies to do this menial work?  I do however seem to be getting an overpowering urge to climb oak trees.

Braunston

Braunston - 24/25th April

Braunston was one of the main crossroads of the Grand Union and the Oxford Canals and the junction is spanned by its graceful twin Horseley Iron Works towpath bridges.

Even now it is a hive of canal activity, although what the old working canal folk would have made of the modern day leisure boaters can only be imagined.

The crew stoke up with yet more tea, bacon sarnies and cake at the Gongoozlers' Rest Cafe.  I am appalled by their incessant need for refreshment at any opportunity.

Hatton Locks to Braunston - 23/25th April

And so to Royal Leamington Spa - 23rd April

This is very me....regal gardens, pump rooms, classy architecture.  Pity the public have to see me with my scruffy crew.  Still once Charles ascends to the throne all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels will be taken to The Palace and I will have uniformed flunkies to minister to my every need.

Also there are many signs of Spring.

Lapworth Junc. onto the Grand Union - 21/22nd April

Sunday 21st April

My admirers, The Forsythes of Stretton-on-Dunsmore, took me for lunch at a lovely pub where the staff made much of me.  Lady Gillian painted my portrait some years ago and it now hangs with my old masters (well in his office).

Monday 22nd April

I make an early morning inspection of the Hatton Locks, a flight of 21 locks over 2 miles.  I hope my crew are up to this.  I worry about their age and fitness, but you just can't get young staff these days.

Well they survived it, but are now demanding a pay rise.

Wilmcote to Lapworth Junction - Saturday 20th April

Over the Edstone Aquaduct - the longest in England (754 ft long and 30 ft high). Doesn't seem natural to a dog to be floating over a road, railway and river.

Modern art or careless driver - I'm not sure......or maybe last year's flooding.

One of the historic split bridges (allowing the boatman to pass the rope through without unhitching the horse when passing the bridge) and a barrel vaulted lock keepers cottage, unique features of the Stratford Canal 

Via the Stratford Canal to Wilmcote - Friday 19th April

Bancroft Basin at the start of the canal

Gosh, these locks are a bit narrower than the river ones - not enough space to swing a cat - not that I'm that kind of a dog.

17 locks in 4 miles can take a lot out of a dog to say nothing of the crew.

Stratford upon Avon - 18th April

Me and Thesps' HQ plus some goose acquaintances.

The bright lights of Stratford

Pershore to Stratford upon Avon 15-17th April

Pershore -15th April

   

Stopped a day in Pershore. Crew ashore for provisions and excellent 2nd hand bookshop, Sedgeberrow Books, and the Abbey.  Meanwhile I practise my yoga on board.

 

Checked crew on return for contraband - noticed strong smell of tea and cake - I must watch them carefully.

Pershore to Offenham Lock - 16th April

 

 Me guarding boat at Fladbury Lock. Offenham Lock has a curious "lighthouse"-a memorial to Eric Pritchard, one of the significant people involved in the restoration of the Upper Avon Navigation.

 

Offenham Lock to Stratford - 17th April

Next lock commemorates Robert Aickman who with Tom Rolt set up the Inland Waterways Association and set in motion the restoration of Britain's increasingly derelict canals and waterways in the late 40s and 50s. Thanks to them and many other volunteers we can still enjoy many waterways which would have been inaccessible.



Above the lock the weir is still choked with debris from last autumn's floods.

On up the Stratford Avon - Saturday 13th April

Cruising on up the meandering Avon from Tewkesbury, Bredon Hill is ever present, sometimes in front, then behind or left or right as the river twists its way towards Pershore. The hill is topped by Parson's Folly, built by an 18th century eccentric so that he could stand a 1,000ft above sea level on a hill that was 991ft high.

 

Spent the night at Eckington Wharf next to the 400 year old sandstone bridge which has stood the test of time and floods and still carries road traffic.

   

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Up the Severn and onto the Stratford Avon - Saturday 13th April

Tewkesbury Abbey in sight as we turn off the Severn and onto the Stratford Avon.

Approaching the Avon I hope my crew aren't as careless at mooring as the crew ahead.

Actually the result of last autumn's flooding.

Tommi Nielsen - Friday 12th April

Neilsens work on all sorts of sail rigs from Kaskalot a Charlestown based square rigger

Or Bristol Channel pilot cutters from the 1900's.  Only 18 left in the world and 3 of them in the yard at the moment for various repairs.