Oundle to Woodford

6th September

We said farewell to Oundle about 8.30 this morning in bright sunshine. Yesterday had been quite cool and grey first thing, though by the time we arrived at Oundle the sun had come out. Today warmed up quickly and we had a lovely morning’s boating. The first five locks we did today were automated and we made good progress. Oundle Mill at Upper Barnwell Lock used to be a hotel and restaurant, but is now closed. However there are signs of some work being done there so hopefully the building will be brought back into use.

Oundle Mill

Lilford Bridge on the approach to Lilford Lock is quite ornate. Some of the balusters are much newer than others so it is obviously being kept in good repair.

We began to realise that the water levels are down by several inches. I’m sure the step between the floating landing stage and the steps to the lock was not this high when we came through last month.

Just before Wadenhoe Lock is this Archimedes Screw; it was intended to drive an electricity generator, but it was the cause of a shoal forming at the outlet, partially narrowing the river. Currently the leat feeding the screw at the top has been blocked off.

The mill at Titchmarsh Lock is the home of the Middle Nene Cruising Club – another mill building being used, which is good to see.

The day finished with two of the manual locks – just to give us a bit of exercise! We moored on a Friends of the River Nene site at Woodford. 

I think we pinched this heron's fishing spot.

This is another very peaceful site surrounded by countryside but within very easy reach of Woodford village. 

We had a slightly late lunch after mooring up and then we had a shower of rain. Once the rain had stopped we walked up the hill into the village. It is not quite a picture book village like Wadenhoe, but there are several rows of old cottages plus an ancient church. There is also a post office/general store and a teashop, but it took us a while to find them even after asking the way. Having found the teashop, we felt obliged to have cake and a cuppa before returning to the boat. 

There was some very heavy rain during the early evening but it cleared after half an hour or so. At about 7.30 I heard the sound of church bells which meant it was probably ringing practice evening, so Steve went off to see if he could join them. He arrived back later on having had a good ring with a group visiting from Cambridgeshire.