Days 34 - 36: Watford Locks to Norton Junction

The long lock-free stretch after rising 75 feet at Foxton locks ends at Watford Gap, where the canal runs very close and roughly parallel to the Roman Watling Street, the M1 motorway and the London bound railway line.  However, peaceful canalside moorings are easy to find.

After going down the Watford locks on Monday we found a quiet spot immediately south of bridge 3 and liked it so much we stayed for two nights.

Tuesday we walked to Norton Junction to have a look at what will be our next flight of locks at Buckby and to have morning coffee at the New Inn.

A quirky mix, half boat half garden shed

Pretty lock keepers hut by the top Watford lock

A shot of a top gate from inside one of the locks, showing rather spectacular leaks

Denis contemplating the paddles

Norton Junction, where the Grand Union Main Line meets the arm coming south from Leicester 

The New Inn, Norton Junction alongside the top lock of the Buckby flight

Boats going up in the top lock

An old wooden bollard, one of several just below the top lock, showing the marks around its base from generations of ropes

This endearing duo enjoyed their stroll alongside the boat

...and stopped for a pick-me-up

On Wednesday we booked two nights in Weltonfield Marina, just before Norton Junction, so we could both travel north by train to a neighbour's funeral.