Oundle to Elton

Sunday 12 August

We had heavy rain overnight, but it was dry, if a bit grey and cloudy, by the time we were up and around. We walked up to St Peter’s Church Oundle for their 9.45 service, an all-age Holy Communion service. It was informal and well planned, all based on Psalm 103.  We left some BCF leaflets.

Back to the boat and on our way just before 12.00. Another 5 locks today of which 3 are those manual ones with the big wheels (though we met a boat just coming out of one of them so both we and they were saved some work).

There were several fishermen on the stretch above Ashton Lock – possibly a competition. They were all very sanguine about having their sport interrupted by us.

We have not spotted any kingfishers on this trip, but we have seen several red kites. I know they are quite common in this area, but we don’t see them in Coventry, so we always enjoy watching them when we can.

Fotheringhay Church

Fotheringhay Bridge

Remains of Fotheringhay Castle

We were warned that moorings between Fotheringhay and Peterborough are scarce, so when we spotted two narrowboats moored above Elton Lock, we thought we would join them though this is not an official mooring. However, we did hope to be a bit nearer Peterborough, as we need to be there by tomorrow afternoon to catch a train home, so tomorrow is going to be a long day.

We did manage a walk through Elton – another of those ochre-coloured stone villages with several thatched cottages, this one still with its post office and school as well as its church. It also has a rather unusual home for its defibrillator.

Then a lazy evening watching those energetic people in the European Championships.