Monday 5 October 2015

It had been forecast but it was still disappointing to wake up to the rain this morning after the lovely sunny week we had last week.

Went for a walk along the towpath to Midland Chandlers to have a look at 12v fridges – we have ordered things from them in the past but never thought we would actually be moored up right near them one day.

We asked Cathy and Alan on Y-Knot if they wanted to do the locks together this morning.  Glad we did as they were good company and the locks were pretty tough again so it made life a lot easier.  We left Braunston at 9.40am.

I’m not sure why but in my head I thought it was only going to take us about 5.5 hours to get to Gayton Junction but looking at the book again I can see that it is about nine hours cruising!  We chugged through 13 locks, 16 miles, the Braunston Tunnel and past Norton Junction which is where the Leicester Section of the Grand Union meets the main canal.  We did this with Steve's dad when we brought the boat down from Nottingham six years ago.

Alan had spent last winter in this area so he knew where the cheapest place to get diesel was – 59.9p per litre – our cheapest fill up yet!

It remained wet and grey all day – we finally reached Gayton Junction at about 5.30pm, there were a couple of working boats on the water point so we waited for them then filled up again.

By the time we had filled up, said goodbye to Alan and Cathy – they are heading for Buckden Marina on the Great Ouze for the winter so are doing the journey in reverse that we did back in April when we left the Lazy Otter! – it was dark.  We found a place to moor, unfortunately right under the A43 and next to the railway but we were so tired it didn’t matter!

I took this photo at about 10pm on Sunday night - This is the church at Braunston - you can see how dark it is!

Leaving Braunston, another lovely village.

The Pump House at Little Braunston.

Approaching the first lock of the Braunston flight.  That's Alan, Cathy and Baxter on Y-Knot.

Steve enjoying some male company!

If they enter the locks side by side it saves one boat having to tie up and keep to one side!

Braunston flight top lock - six down, seven more to go!

Making use of his old boots!

Entering the Braunston Tunnel - 2042 yards.  It was surprisingly dry in this tunnel.

That's a boat coming in the opposite direction.  Despite the weather there are still lots of boats moving about on this stretch of the canal - I hope they are not all heading for London!

And out the other end.

Why did they ever do away with the red telephone box - still make you smile when you see one!

Ready to fire Corporal Duck!

Chugging in the rain!

Leaving the bottom lock on the Buckby Lock Flight - that's the 13 done!

That's the M1 over there.

Taking a break!

Nearly missed this weathervane!

First fox we've seen!



A very wide widebeam!

Hands up if you are getting wet!

It only feels like yesterday that we were looking at freshly shorn sheep now they have their winter coats on again.

These ponnies have their winter coats on too.

Nearly missed this one too!

Back at Gayton Junction - it was April that we were here last!