Friday 14th September,2018

We left Blisworth around 9.30am and stopped along the way to take fresh water on at Weedon Bec.  Whilst taking on the water, we were chatting to a couple who were walking along the towpath.  They were staying in a caravan close by.  We talked about all sorts of things, their recent trip to Australia, and the fact that they went to cattle sales in Wagga Wagga, Dubbo and also went to Eucha and Mildura and the Great Ocean Road.  Somehow in conversation, Stephen Fry came up.  They  mentioned that they lived opposite his parents, albeit, without knowing it, until after the Queens Golden Jublilee (I think).  They had been organising a street party to celebrate, and had been having the meetings in the Fry’s house.  On the day of the party, whilst doing the dishes with another neighbour, Alan Fry (Stephen’s father) came up behind them and was having a conversation with someone.  She commented her neighbour that it sounded like Stephen Fry - to which the neighbour replied - of course, Stephen sounds and looks just like his father !!! she said was most embarrassed, as she had no idea !!! She commented that they are very unassuming people.
We cruised until about 2pm and stopped for lunch. While we were there a young couple were having some Wedding Photos taken.

 
After stopping for coffee later in the afternoon, just before the Buckby Locks, which is a flight of 7 locks, as we were leaving another boat came along, John called out to see if they were continuing through the locks.

They said they would wait for us at the lock.  So we proceeded up the next 6 locks together, John and Eric working the locks, while Sally and myself steered the boats.

They explained that they had been doing this for 35 years, and they seemed to know all the tricks, some of which they taught us.  For most of the locks, the men would open just one of the gates, Sally would then drive her boat in and manoeuvre across to one side and then I would drive our boat in.  Most of the time, I would leave the lock first, and wait for John, other times John and Eric would walk to the next lock and have the gate/gates open and we would drive straight in.  The gates on these locks were very heavy and stiff and very hard work.  We did this for 6 of the 7 locks, pulled up at the bottom of the top lock and all went to dinner together at the New Inn, before walking back to the boats for the night.
During a conversation Eric told John that if we left before or after them, to take to boat in on the left hand side, because the counter lever on the left hand side was longer and easier to move - that really knowing the locks and canals.