Youth Club Canal Boat Trip 2007

On Bank Holiday Monday 16 members of the youth club left on the journey to Braunston to take part in their annual 4 day canal boat experience. At Braunston we embarked on the good boats Chiltern and Berwyn and, after loading plentiful supplies (we were not going to be near a supermarket for the next few days), we started off up the Braunston flight of six locks. Many of the children were new to canal boating and locking, so began to take an interest in the locking process and to turn a few sluices and heave a few lock gates!

Candy and John were in charge of Berwyn and Jane and Tony had the longer 70 foot Chiltern. There were 6 children (Gabi, Fleur, Fred, Gareth, Georgina and Daniella) and the two adults on Berwyn, and ten children (Lizzy, Sarah, Katie, Zoe, Liz, Amber, Rees, Stuart, Matt and Ben) plus the adults on Chiltern.

Once the locks were successfully completed there was the long Braunston tunnel to negotiate. This long dark monster is a challenge for most as it is hard to see the far end from the entrance, and it is just like entering a black hole. However half an hour later we emerged into the sunshine and began to look for somewhere to moor for the night. This we eventually found at Buckby wharf even though we did have to 'borrow' an allocated mooring which we were assured would not be used that night.
On Tuesday we pressed on, undertaking the 7 lock Buckby flight leading down to the long pound which runs parallel with the M1 and the main railway line. This is one of the few places where modern transport and that of a bygone age run together for many miles. After several hours cruising, during which all the children took turns in steering, it was the Blisworth tunnel, longer than the Braunston and much wetter! Water poured through the roof and down through the breather holes as we slid along underneath, soaking all those who were unwise enough to be on deck at the time. This is the longest tunnel in Britain still in operation and it took us a full 40 minutes to reach the far end at Stoke Bruerne, where we met up with Paul and Anne Ostermeyer, old St Georgians from many years ago!

On Wednesday the local press arrived having been pre warned of our arrival and took photos and details of our club and trip for the local paper The Towcester Post! We then visited the local waterways Museum and looked around this centre of the canal boat industry.

That afternoon we turned the boats (no mean feat in those restricted waters), and set off back the way we had come, doing tunnels and locks like old stagers now. Overnight we stopped at a deserted point on the canal with the setting sun dipping over the horizon leaving everyone with a rosy glow from the day’s exertions and exposure to sun and wind. That evening the children put on some amusing entertainment and we finished up, as usual, with games for all on board Chiltern.

Thursday saw us progressing our route back towards Braunston where we arrived outside the Admiral Nelson in time for a wash and brush up before our evening gala meal and award presentations, kindly masterminded by Gabi and some of her crew from Berwyn.

Early on Friday morning we had to drop down the two remaining locks to return the boats to their berths at Union Canal carriers. It was clear from the reactions of the children that they had all thoroughly enjoyed the experience and many hoped they could come again next year. Parents arrived to help with the transport home and by lunchtime all were reunited with families, very tired but happy (we hope!)

Tony Rice-Oxley