Braunston to Stoke Bruerne (19 miles, 13 locks, 2 tunnels)

Thank you to everyone who came to see us at Stoke Bruerne this weekend.  We had a fairly busy time with the butty shop and now I find myself having lots of projects to complete before the Cosgrove Festival this weekend!

Richard's parents - Sam and Veronica steer the butty during their stay with us

Last week, we had the company of Richard's parents, being able to accomodate them in our recently converted Boatman's cabin in the butty.  They had a steep learning curve in steering the butty and refresher in operating the locks!

Jules Fuels after delivering a new gas bottle to us

Coming down the Buckby flight, we had a long wait whilst the pound below was part drained and a paddle was checked for damage on the bottom gate.

Workmen preparing to survey damage to the bottom gate paddle

We were asked not to take photos for the workmen's protection, but others were.  Locks are quite fascinating without water in them!

Congestion on the bend adds to the challenge of getting boat and butty through unscathed!

One morning, we were heading towards Gayton Junction and encountered several moored boats on the bend with the fuel boat also moored alongside.  We slowed to tickover and passed between them and an oncoming boat, as the picture shows, but the hire boat behind didn't accept our pace and tried to pass us!  Unfortunately for him, he was still in car mode and grounded his boat on the right of the butty as we flagged him round us!

I take over on the big boat as Richard takes a break on the bow of the butty!

He tried again, once he'd registered what he should have done and narrowly missed another boat coming towards us.  Some people don't know how to slow down, rush rush rush!

View up to Stoke Bruerne with the Navigation pub on the right

We moored at Stoke Bruerne for the weekend and said our goodbyes to Richard's parents on the Sunday.  I opened the shop and was quite busy on Sunday as the sun blazed down on us!

In the bridge hole below top lock

We set off this morning to tackle the 7 double locks below Stoke Bruerne in the relative coolness of  early morning.

Murals in one of the bridge holes

Everything went to plan and we didn't race like some days, it was lovely and enjoyable.

Ok, so I lied.  Once a runner, always a runner!  Lister and I try to get ahead to set up the next lock

We moored in a secluded part of the canal and began work on painting jobs outstanding.

First on the list, finishing the roses panel on the butty

So many things we want to get done for the show, but know we will run out of time!

Completed roses and lettering on the other panel

At least this side looks smart now! So we spun the butty round to begin the other side......