The Sanitary Station at Welford is well placed at the basin and was convenient to our mooring, so we carried out the ‘Thetfordery’ and also filled our empty water carriers. Our daily visit down the weed hatch proved to be unnecessary and we were able to set off on the next stage of our journey at about 9:20am under a cloudless blue sky.

Before we completed the one and a half miles (and one lock) to rejoin the main line southwards the sky was full of ominous dark clouds. The scenery along the Welford Arm is very reminiscent of the Chesterfield Canal, though the wide and weed-free waterway was a pleasant change. However the Arm was very shallow in places just like our home canal.

A sudden monumental downpour left us soaking wet and required urgent attention to the boat covers to protect our belongings. As the day progressed the wind grew in strength but the weather brightened to give us an excellent trip down the Watford lock flight, completed in only 45 minutes with the help of the lock keeper. Around Crick, just before the lock flight we were hampered by a number of slow and inexperienced boaters who caused us to reverse, run aground and execute manoeuvres we did not think possible. Fortunately there were no accidents and canal rage was at a minimum with all parties involved.

By 5:30pm we were moored up at Buckby Top Lock having joined the Grand Union Canal main line, the canal where Python had spent all of her first 80 years afloat.

Before enjoying excellent food, drink and company in the New Inn we had a productive visit down the weed hatch to recover some strips of carpet and the remains of what appeared to be a towel.

Tomorrow, on to our destination at Stoke Breurne.

Written by: Arthur Naylor