We arrived at Gayton Junction on Tuesday afternoon and a decision. Carry on going North, or turn east towards Northampton, and eventually Cambridge? Adventure suggested Cambridge. We turned right.

We walked along the towpath to the top lock of 17 down to Northampton. We met Leon at the top lock, and we arranged to meet him at 8 the next morning.

Leon gets a mixed press, but we found him both entertaining and very helpful.

Leon took us firmly in hand and sped us down 17 locks to Northampton. He moored us safely at the town quay and went on his cheery way. We will be calling him on the way back.

Dugald went off and snapped the architecture of Northampton, while I slept.