Wednesday 25th to Friday 27th May, 2016 at Crick.
The three pre-show days were great fun. A general carnival atmosphere prevailed among the boats moored on the towpath two abreast. Better still, the weather was good and forecast to stay that way through the weekend.
On Wednesday, we went for a walk to discover where the old horse path over Crick tunnel used to go. On Tuesday, we had been thwarted by an electric fence just after we passed the old road name.
We tried to access it from the other end and found that the original path was clearly blocked (probably illegally) by the electric fence but there was a rather enjoyable alternative that took us back into the village through tall grass, mud and a series of stiles.
M went for a walk in the afternoon and came across this very silly cow, who was doggedly chewing someone's camera strap inch by inch until it managed to swallow it all! Bet it had tummy ache next day...
On Thursday, we decided to take the bus into Long Buckby and waited for the bus outside the show entrance.
The canal that runs by the Crick marina and show ground is called the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal.
It is a narrow canal, so all the wide-beam boats that are displayed at the show have to be brought in by truck. As we waited, one the trucks belonging to our friend Barry Tuckey (whose crane launched MM) drove past into the show ground.
Long Buckby was disappointing, so we took a second bus on to historic Buckby Wharf. That was not only disappointing, but almost non-existent; the only remnant being a small bit of brick wall. Everything else has been demolished and replaced by housing. So sad, as it used to be one of the main centres for the boaters and their families. We did pass by the broken lock that we photographed earlier; it had been partially repaired but the gate was fixed shut, so only one gate could be opened to let narrowboats through.
Next to the locks is a canal-side shop in a cottage that was one of the five pubs which used to be on Buckby Wharf - only one of which remains. This Aladdin's Cave of a craft shop is full of painted canal ware and immediately attracted M's attention. Despite our resolve not to acquire any more canal ware, we couldn't resist a beautiful egg safe, hand painted with red roses by the owner, Tricia!
Rather than catch the buses back to Crick, we decided to walk the six miles back on the towpath. As we passed Watford Gap M1 Services, which is next to the canal, M spotted another four "Eddies"!
This year, the buttercups have been truly glorious with field after field a sea of gold.
At Watrord locks, we met up with Peter and Melanie on their narrowboat "Inkling" although when we first saw their boat, their reserve crew was on board patiently waiting for the lock.
Later that day, we joined all four of them for a lovely evening of Pimms, lively conversation and good company.
The historic narrowboat "Nutfield" with its butty "Raymond" were going through the locks and we kept pace with them as they made their way towards Crick when they had reached the summit. A splendid sight indeed.
On Friday morning, we were joined at breakfast by a very persistent duck who seemed to be telling R that she needed feeding too.
We did give her some and she was so tame that she almost took food from R's hand.
In the afternoon, we walked up nearby Crack's Hill, a tree-topped mound with a rather magical feel to it and panoramic views from the top.
For these three days we stayed moored up and didn't move. Three lovely days...
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