Blisworth tunnel challenge in a canal boat

I have read that it is good for old people or even anyone to feel some fear every day.  I was afraid going through Blisworth tunnel.  I get claustrophobic and I had also read about how many died in building the tunnel in the first place.  Because we were ‘ingenue’ it also took us about 45 minutes to get through rather than the 25 it states on all the notices.  We banged into the wall quite a bit and we had this guy following behind which had reassured me until he started shouting at us about going too slowly in the tunnel.

At the end we stopped and had a drink – alcoholic – because we were quivering, but also laughing wrecks.

What else do I want to say about our first 3 days moving on the canal?

Northampton is more beautiful than I realised.

It’s not without traffic noise as the early section of the canal from Whilton is positioned between the M1 and a major railway line.

The old houses are built of this lovely yellow stone – not sure if it is limestone or something else.

There was a bridge with a seat dedicated to someone’s son who had died in his 20s, labelled posthumously ‘civil engineer’ which I found quite moving.

Lots of colourful wild flowers and bull-rushes on the canal bank

I met Martin who used to go in the pub at Lilley and now lives part-time on a canal boat – small world or I am instantly recognisable.

Update on Noah the dog.

I have started a new job and he is being left on his own for the first time.  He howls.

Puppy training  – we are on recall; walk to heel; stay.