Moored at Gayton Junction to do the ablutions, butty left over the other side - all alone!
We have had a steady plod back up the Grand Union to the Buckby flight of locks, where we had to make a decision on which direction to go. The choice was Foxton or Alvecote for the Bank Holiday weekend.
William looking splendicious in it's livery
There had been a lot of politics surrounding bookings for this year's Alvecote Historic Boat Gathering, as the RCTA had taken over the booking in of the trade boats and cancelled pre-booked boats from last year. A payment to RCTA was now due, where previously a donation had been given to the marina owner for charity.
Approaching Braunston tunnel
Our friends Tracy and Rod with their boats Olive and Biddie were still going and encouraged us to call the marina and see if they were still expecting us. Apparently, we were still on the list! Decision made. We passed through Braunston tunnel and down the locks, mooring at the junction for the night.
Moored on the Midland Chandler's visitor moorings (with permission!!) because Braunston was rammed!
Early start the next morning, to get out past Braunston and avoid the holidaymakers
Tiptoeing past Rod and Tracy, so as not to wake them up!
Crazy mooring from Nuneaton and Brighton right after a bridge hole! Not much room for manoeuvre!
Newbold Tunnel -it's only diddy!
Stopping for a 'big shop' at Tesco in Rugby with Rod and Tracy close behind us, we were happy to continue for a bit longer to find a quiet mooring for the night.
Beautiful wooded area - we moored just past here
Old wharf entrance where some boats are moored in complete privacy
Hawkesbury Junction was completely rammed as well with boats. We were ready for breakfast, so passed through and moored around the corner, before continuing on past the Ashby turn...
Oh no, what is going on!!!
The bridge'ole before the turning, seemed like the safest place to stop the boats, out of the way of the carnage before us! It was like the okey cokey. A boat was trying to go in the turn, and had over shot, then another boat followed him, but then as we passed they both backed out again! There were boats coming behind us and oncoming. But the butty hit nothing and we carried on leaving the confusion behind us.
Hartshill Yard - the charming waterway maintenance yard
Nuneaton went on forever as usual and we were glad to get through there. Always seems so uninviting and urban. Today, however, with the flowers out in gardens and not so much rubbish about, it wasn't half as bad.
Restored steamroller in Atherstone - along with Rod and Tracy (steam enthusiasts) the owner spoke to us about her restoration and show calendar for this year
After a few locks at Atherstone, we moored in the Long Pound, about halfway down and met my sister and her boyfriend off the train. I hadn't seen her for years, so the visit was jammed with catching up and future plans. We used them as lock labourers the next day, earning a carvery meal at The Pretty Pigs in the evening!
A bit of loverly sunshine for Lister - at the Samuel Barlow. Scar barely visible now! Read Lister's Story
Saying farewell to our visitors after the second day, we began thinking about the Bank Holiday weekend at the Samuel Barlow, Alvecote, where we are now moored.
The Samuel Barlow pub
Come and see the historic narrowboats and the stalls and us at Alvecote this weekend!!
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