The home run
Stoke Bruerne to Crick: 21¼ miles, 14 locks, 2 tunnels
Though the return route to Crick was familiar some unexpected sightings and surprise conversations made it an interesting final leg. 
Heading north out of Stoke Bruerne – preparations were needed for the Blisworth Tunnel: waterproofs to resist the raindrops that leach though the tunnel roof, life-jackets for crew (always a precaution, and strongly advised after the Harecastle Tunnel accident back in 2014), front tunnel lights switched on, likewise internal cabin lights to direct as much light as possible onto the tunnel walls. 
Just before Blisworth Tunnel is the old forge building – and on a Sunday morning someone was at work there. 
This boat’s been seen before – but the Sisters might appreciate the name… 
There was a pause at Gayton Junction to fill the water tank and get rid of the rubbish – here was Cleddau only 4¾ miles from Northampton; 
if this year’s Plan A had proved possible, that would have been Cleddau’s route, down the Northampton Arm to the Nene, across the Middle Levels and onto the Great Ouse, but the silt problems at Salter’s Lode and Denver locks have prevented that…Boat serviced at the Junction, the journey north continued – what a stunning garden shed-cum-summer house 
and look at these giraffes in a Bugbrooke garden… (Yes, there were two of them!) 
A glorious overnight mooring was found – train noise not too intrusive, very few towpath walkers and a wide enough stretch of towpath for two outdoor chairs! 
You never quite know what you’ll see or hear when travelling along the canals. You might not be surprised to be number-checked (C&RT worker recording boat registration and licence status) 
but to see this rather grotesque figure on a boat roof was unexpected. 
A couple of months ago comment was .passed on “the sharpest cut, smartest privet hedge seen anywhere.” That was at Market Harborough. 
If in Olympic year medals are to be awarded for hedge cuts the Market Harborough one gains Silver – and this one (near Bridge 28?) takes Gold ! 
That was on a day for looking, for observing: a well-kept Fergie, 
a teddy on a swing, 
a house extended in various directions, 
a boat suspended from a crane... 
Earlier in the month Cleddau had been moored at Weedon – when northbound the plan was to tie up here again. The mooring situation, however, looked very different. The favoured church-side moorings were all occupied, but this time the towpath side was totally devoid of boats. The Captain nudged the boat into a spot where a) the trees didn’t shade the solar panels, and b) the access via the bow was not affected by an ankle-challenging hole in the ground. A further bonus was enough space to put the camping chairs outside for a quiet cup of tea. Dog walkers passed by from time to time. And then a (dog-less) couple passed, hesitated and muttered something about “wherever you’re from,” a remark perhaps based on being unable to pronounce the boat’s name.“So where are you from?” Boatwif enquired.“San Diego,” was the instant – and unexpected - reply from the man.“Why, that’s where our son lives,” Boatwif squeaked. “He lives in San Marcos.”That’s right next door to us!” exclaimed the lady. “We’re at Oceanside…”Well, well, Oceanside – birthplace of Cal Guy Snr and Cal Gal, the harbor (US spelling) a favourite spot for a bit of boat watching and a tasty fresh seafood sandwich.At home the Oceansiders are RV folk, their vehicle 22 feet in length. In the middle of England they were cruising on a hire boat from Gayton Marina. The usual boat talk of electrics and toilet regimes was applicable to their leisure home on wheels. What a coincidence… and what a good towpath chat it was!Weedon’s other attractions beckoned: 
another good coffee at The Reading Tree coffee shop up at the Royal Ordnance Depot, 
a contemplative stroll through the churchyard and cemetery 
and a wander through the huge Village Antique Market. 
Onward then -10¼ more miles and 14 more locks back to Crick. There was a better view of the injured pilot and his attending nurse this time 
- and then the roar of the M1 and the whoosh of the West Coast trains announced the approach to the 7 wide Buckby locks. Up the locks Cleddau climbed, in the company of a crew of three enjoying a five day trip out from Rugby as a 21st birthday treat. It does help when there are younger folk happy to cross lock gates and to heave on heavy beams... 
The pound between the top two locks is very attractive, the Anchor Cottage Crafts shop is here, selling ice-creams and canal themed gifts, there are pretty cottages alongside the towpath, 
willow-fringed houses on the offside. 
The A5 road bridge crosses the canal at Top Lock - and there was an unexplained wait for the lock to be made ready. “Problem with a top gate,” a passer-by forewarned. Eventually water was let out and the gates opened. The nameless boat led the way in and the gates were closed. Slowly, very slowly the two boats rose. 
Then the boats were at a level with the New Inn customers enjoying a lunchtime drink…As the boats moved forward the cause of the delay became clear – C&RT staff were fitting extra bolts to the upper offside lock gate to prevent it splitting… 
There was a tight mooring spot above the locks just about a hundred metres from Norton Junction. 
How familiar the scene is now, the pretty cottage behind the trees, and the right turn onto the Leicester Line for the next day. 
Just round the corner attentive swan parents were doing a great job of rearing eight young cygnets. 
An hour later the boat began her last climb, up through the narrow Watford staircase locks. 
Beside the top lock the wheelbarrow floral display seen on June 1st
had come on a treat! 
Onwards then to a quiet last night’s mooring and a stunning midsummer day’s sunset. 
It was a truly sunny morning for the last stretch back through Crick Tunnel, past Crick Wharf (oh, the old pub’s been sold!) 
to turn into the marina, refuel the tank and tie up back at the boat’s usual berth. 
Crick Show had well and truly finished – even the grass covered by temporary gazebos and exhibitors’ booths during the Show seemed to be well into recovery now…Stoke Bruerne to Crick: 21¼ miles, 14 locks, 2 tunnelsCrick to Crick via Slapton winding hole: 100 miles, 4 tunnel passages, 62 locks, 2 swing bridges2024 Totals: 191 miles, 10 tunnel passages, 110 locks, 6 swing bridges *2024 Monkton Moments* (Monkton Moment*- a reference to / recognition of Cleddau’s Pembrokeshire connections) – now 13Tudor Rose enquiries – 1.
