Braunston - Spending day

We had a date with Martyn from TravelSat later this morning - details yet to be arranged but as a result we did not rush to get away.

One of the cottages at Norton Junction is having an extension - not sure whether all of the right hand end is new but the stonework matches in very well, even if it is noticeably newer than the main part of the house.

Leicester Branch

It was somewhat misty and overcast - the view towards Leicester from the junction shows that as well as how bare the trees still are.

Braunston Tunnel Southern Approach

A couple of miles from the junction brought us to the southern portal of Braunston Tunnel. It is not quite as long as Blisworth but does have a few kinks to catch the unwary. The problem this time was that the three boats we met coming the other way all passed just at a 'kinky bit'. This makes it much harder to judge exactly where the other boat is.

Braunston Tunnel North Portal

A fourth boat was just outside the tunnel entrance as we left - one of the hire boats from Canal Cruising in Stone. What's the significance, we hear the reader ask? Well, dear friends, it was there that we first hired the equivalent boat for our honeymoon back in 1967! Hopefully the current fleet have a few more mod cons than our first boat - oh there are some tales to tell!

Braunston Top Lock

 Just after the tunnel the Branston six locks begin. As they were set for us we made good progress down the first couple.

 

However, at the next lock we were asked to let the water out through only one paddle as a maintenance group were working on brickwork in the next pound.

We had a call from Martyn just as we left the tunnel and had arranged to meet at the Admiral Nelson pub below the fourth lock - he was ready and waiting for us as we arrived. In the end we went for a complete replacement of the dish and gained a magnetic base as well. However, we will need to buy a larger g-clamp as the base is a little more substantial. As before, we were exceptionally impressed with the service that Martyn offers and highly recommend him. He only does the one thing (travel sat!) but does that very well.

Braunston Bottom Lock

All in all it took about an hour and a half before we were on our way down through the last two locks to Braunston. Christine left the boat with Mike in order to walk to the village shops for basic supplies and a paper whilst Mike continued on to Midland Chandlers at the junction.

Stewarts and Lloyds Tug Boat

There are usually some interesting boats moored up around Braunston - this time a photo of a Stewarts and Lloyds tug boat, a reminder of last year when we went up to Hawne Basin, passing through the former steel works sit, long since disappeared. We saw a similar boat a few days ago.

Mike went into the chandlery and bought the needed item - an air filter, which we had failed to find earlier in the trip. Christine then arrived, having walked down from the village. Whilst he used the sani station and fitted the air filter, Mike suggested that she took a look in the shop at fridges and cookers. We have been talking about upgrading both for a little while now.

It turned out that, after cogitating over lunch, we somewhat lightened our bank account by going for the lot: a fridge (much more efficient!), a hob and an oven. Well, at that cost we were offered a 15% discount! Whilst we could fit the fridge ourselves, we will need to find a competent gas engineer to do the others so they will just have to sit on the bunk for now. Oh, and some material to put on the rear steps, some glass cleaning pads for the stove and more firelighters . . . The chap who served Mike for the first purchase of the filter seemed rather disappointed at only a £10 sale but his colleague was much better pleased. Must say, they were all generally very helpful.

It was half past four by the time we set off once more and, as it was beginning to chill rather, we only went on for another hour before finding a mooring spot and could make use of some of the day's purchases!

6.5 miles - 6 locks