Preparations continue in Cambridge & Beeston
First time seeing a lock in action
Today Beth and I visited Beeston lock to get a sense of how it all works - having never used a lock before. Serendipitously, not one but two narrow-boats entered the lock as we were there. It was a very simple paddle-design lock, with only a slight difference in water level. It also didn't require a navigation key or windlass, so we remain ignorant to that whole part of it. The first boat-man moored outside, and climbed up to open the paddle gates. It didn't look at all difficult, but very fun. He drove in, and a second boat entered guided by a woman and daughter. Then the rear gate was closed - once again, very easy looking - and the water was allowed to fill up from the other side. This looked simple too. The boats rose slowly, with no rushing water or danger, until the front gates were opened.
We'd been concerned - in our ignorance - that the punt might capsize with the rushing water. The lock was so enormously spacious and the water so controlled that this is clearly no concern. In fact, we're both rather looking forward to the locks now, all 113 of them.
Blessedly the 2-week weather forecast is predicting beautiful temperate sunshine for the first few days to Northampton! How lucky we are. You would hope that charity work would be smiled upon. With this in mind, we're really looking forward to it. I'm planning to bring a bag of books, and we might have a little music on at times. The canals, especially up to Northampton, should be green and pretty.
That's two pieces of good news. Two is always followed... and we're thrilled that our recent video has received 150,000 views on Instagram, with many many people commenting, following, and donating. We seem to have reached a good number of people who live along our route, so that some have offered tea, coffee, cake, lunch, and support as we punt past them. With our recent publicity triumphs we've made it up to £2000, and 1000 followers on Instagram. With a week to go before we even set off, we're feeling very confident about our target.
Still need to book some campsites along the bank, and seek some more accomodation. We also need to buy moor-pins, long rope, windlasses, and sort the licenses for the MLC waters. Not too bad really. As I understand it there is still a dewatered closure outside Northampton, and we've been informed by zealous commentors that Bate's bite lock is closed, pennywort blocks the Cam, and the Denver Sluice Complex is very very unwise to punt through. For so much good, we can tolerate a little bad.
Ryan
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