Blisworth, Braunston, then on to Alvecote (58 miles, 28 locks and 2 tunnels - phew!)

So we are moored at Alvecote outside the Samuel Barlow pub awaiting a hopefully busy Bank Holiday.

Lister reclining whilst the journey continued from Blisworth

We have had quite a long journey, broken only for the weekend break in Braunston.  The dongle reception has been intermittent, hence the lack of updates and today is slow.

Passing through Braunston with Martin on the butty.  I am a bit redundant, but good at making tea!

I had missed the earlier part of the journey, because of the need to visit Lincolnshire for a couple of days.  A lift from Richard's brother brought me back to the boat where Richard and Martin had moored above Norton Junction (Junction between the Grand Union to go south, north to Leicester, or west to Braunston).

Stormy skies above Braunston (junction to go south to Oxford, west to Coventry, or north to London/Leicester)

It was great being able to show Martin all the sights around these historic locations.  Martin and I had a little jog around the village, to try and get back into the fitness thing.  We will try to keep it up!

It's all so lovely!  I still am taken aback by the sheer beauty of our canal system.

During the time I had my shop open, I was introduced by a friend to Terence of Canal Art by Terence.  Esteemed canalware artist, Terence produces exquisite pieces of work, usually by commission, through his website.  He was very gracious in his welcoming of my work and I was quite encouraged by his comments.
I tend to send people to him and Julie Canal Art by Julie, if they require a watercan painting, ie a more bespoke piece of work.

Coming through the 250 yard tunnel at Newbold

We stopped briefly at Rugby to do the shooping at Tesco and then back for a good push for Atherstone.  We were disappointed that we couldn't show Martin the lovely light display in the tunnel at Newbold.  The bulbs have obviously run their course or been broken.

Hawkesbury Junction - U bend to negotiate!

At Hawkesbury Junction (left to Coventry basin or right in a U to go to Nuneaton), I had jumped off earlier to set the lock (approx 1 foot drop) for the big boat.  I steered the butty around the bend as Richard tried to improve on last year's 'U bend in one!'

A little reverse should do it!

Ok, he had a little reverse as we hadn't taken it wide enough, but it was still a pretty faultless performance.

And we are round!

But like last year, no one watching clapped or cheered as I hoped they would!

Straightened up nearly 

Now to pick Martin up

And we continued on along the Coventry Canal towards Nuneaton.

Another sunken/recovered boat!

Overnight, we moored above Atherstone locks, ready to challenge the flight in the morning.

And another on a tight bend with an overhanging tree on the offside!  Come on CaRT!!

In the morning, Martin and I remained with the big boat to fill up with water and do the rubbish and toilets, whilst Richard began the flight of 11 single locks.

Lister reclining again....

We caught the boss up, as the water pressure was so low, we gave up after half a tank.

The water levels in the pounds were very low as well, and a boat was actually unable to get any further down near the bottom of the flight, due to it's deep draught.  This recovered and the bottle neck eased and all boaters completed the locks eventually!

The boat yard before Alvecote with lots of old boats being repaired etc

We arrived at Alvecote and moored the butty outside the pub and the motor alongside the Cheese Boat, much to Michael's delight!  Bring on the weekend!