On the move again on a line rather than cross~straps for a while
We left Blisworth on Monday morning and stopped briefly at the junction to do the ablutions.
I walk the dogs now the boats are back on cross~straps
Heading for the locks at Whilton, we pushed on all day whilst the weather was reasonable.
Beautiful views from our mooring above Norton Junction
Following frustratingly slow hire boaters, one boat in the lock above us and another on it's own in the lock above that (normally to save water, boaters would double up in the locks), we eventually made it to the top of the flight. I was properly knackered as I had run up to the lock above us, each time, and helped the hirers through, to turn the lock around for us.
Braunston tunnel
Thankfully quiet, Braunston tunnel was our first job on Tuesday morning.
Coming out of Bottom lock in Braunston
Braunston was very busy, as is the norm, so we grabbed a mooring just before the marina entrance and went into Gongoozler's Rest for breakfast. Sorry not really impressed with the breakfast there of late. No black pudding or hash browns, nothing spectacular like other cafes recently.
Setting off again, we thought our name was near the knuckle!
We decided too up sticks and move up to where Rod and Tracy, on narrowboat pair Biddie and Olive were moored, further out of Braunston.
One way traffic through past the waterpoint!
Interesting passage through past the waterpoint in Braunston, as a boat was making it's way fro the other direction an just kept coming. Richard stood his ground and told him '2 boats', so the oncomer had to reverse to allow us through. You can just see his bow as we waited for him to move back.
Hotel pair pass us as we are moored up
The next morning, we let Rod and Tracy go ahead as they like to go on a line and consequently need a little more speed than us.
Our old boat (Comfortably Numb)(dead centre of picture) now resides in Barby Marina
We arrive above the locks at Hillmorton to be greeted by a bit of organisational carnage and the news that our boats will be moored separately amongst other things. I spent a very anxious time trying to figure out how this would work, but after a chat with all those concerned, I relaxed and got it into context. It doesn't help that I am meant to be an attraction, ie. demonstrating, so I am slightly worried how that will go anyway!
The boys playing by the canalside with Reilly daringly taking a drink!
So here we are below the bottom lock on the lock approach waiting for 3 boats to be moved, enabling us to moor where they are. Then the butty (moored in the pound above) will need sorting out for the Hillmorton Double Celebration tomorrow. But we can do that..........
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