Braunston

We were off a little earlier this morning - it was still rather overcast but not misty as the last couple of mornings. Most of the accommodation bridges have lasted well but a few have had to be re-built. In the case of Bridge 101, the heritage design has been retained but modern techniques of cast concrete actually provide the structural strength.

A little later passed under a bridge where this time the farmer does seem to value the sense of security given by the demountable chains!

We arrived at Braunston Junction by 10 o'clock, just after passing under the impressive turnover bridge which takes the towpath from one side to the other.

We had planned to call at Midland Chandlers to see if they had any of the decking. Whilst Mike used the sani sation Christine went in search. We also wanted a new light switch and a bulb for the fridge. Just for once we were able to obtain all three items but, alas, they do not stock Calor Gas.

Next stop was Braunston Marina - just as we turned into the wharf area, a local boat indicated that wanted the same spot so we promised to be as quick as possible. Fortunately the shop had a trolley for the gas bottles as it was not as close to the waterside as we would otherwise have hoped! However, in order to move away as quickly as possible, we exited the marina and stopped a little further along in order to stow the gas bottles. (Unfortunately, the design - or lack of it at this point - of the storage locker means that the active bottle has to be disconnected and taken out before the spare can be removed and replaced!)

The hire boats from the base at the bottom of the Braunston Locks take up all the available mooring and leave only room for only one boat to wait below the lock! Perhaps this is an issue that the 'new' British Waterways will be able to solve . . . `:)

As a result we had to go up one lock in order to find a place to moor whilst we went to the village shops for milk, bread and paper. Alas, our memory from last year let us down and we ended up taking the long route. nevertheless we did find what we were seeking.

On our return from the shops we continued up the flight, on Mike's promise that we could have a 'proper' lunch break if we moored at the top! Which we duly did, although a mug of coffee along the way helped.

Lunch saw the end of Christine's chicken soup with the new Olive bread loaf we bought just a little earlier.

After lunch we were immediately into Braunston Tunnel which we passed through in exactly the 20 minutes the notice board advises. We passed two oncoming boats but the tunnel is large and straight that this is not especially difficult, although the second one decided to stop whilst we passed it - actually not especially helpful as then they have no control.

The afternoon now was turning pleasant with quite a lot of blue sky to be seen amongst fluffy white clouds. By the time we were heading up the Leicester branch of the Grand Union from Norton Junction, it was too late to clear Watford locks before they close (they might actually have done so) so we moored sufficiently far away to reduce the noise from the motorway, A road and railway line, which all converge at this point - the famous/infamous (depending on your age!) Watford Gap Services. As the towpath was now to the right of us, Christine was able to wash and wax the other side of the boat.

Time now to look at fitting the new light switch - an initial examination after lunch revealed that the existing one has soldered connections and the soldering iron refused to divulge its stored location. We could also look at fitting the new fore deck mats . . .