Daventry

With still plenty of time, we decided to spend the morning walking into Daventry - about two miles to the town centre. Alas, today was largely wet but not too cold so we went ahead with our plan. We had checked out the route last night with the help of Google maps and set off on a clear footpath (but probably not a right of way) along the side of one of numerous rape seed fields, bright yellow.

After passing three fields we arrived at Daventry Country Park, based on the Daventry reservoir which feeds the canal. There is a footpath all the way around - the first part was across the top of the dam that forms the lake.

At the other end of the park the footpath took us under the roundabout and we were into the town centre. There is little spectacular to report but we found a good range of small, friendly shops. At the far end of the High Street we went into Wetherspoons for coffee - not the best of their conversions but at least it is reasonably priced and well served. We succumbed to the temptation of their muffins as lunch would be quite late!

We replaced our mop which mysteriously disappeared some time yesterday - we have no idea when but both of us recall seeing it during our cruising!

On the return trip we continued around the reservoir the other side - trees growing in the water, obviously happy to have their feet wet.

By the time we returned to the boat we too knew about wet feet - not to mention soggy trouser ends! After changing and lunch we eventually set off, stopping briefly at the junction, top of the Buckby flight, to empty the elsan and get rid of rubbish.

Although not too busy, we did share most of the locks and several were set by up-coming boats. Below the flight it was a pleasant stretch to Stowe Hill, despite the proximity of both motorway and railway. We moored at the same place as last time we arrived at Stowe Hill - at least we knew there would be a satellite signal here! Also, based on information gleaned from the internet, we plan to go to Flore church in the morning.