Braunston

 Another very chilly day but, apart from five minutes when there were a few hail stones, it remained dry. The sun shone just occasionally - we set off with plenty of blue sky but it did not last long!

Blue sky to start the day

Braunston Tunnel

Although we set off in good time, soon into Braunston Tunnnel, but as we approached Braunston Top lock we could see a queue of boats ahead. It transpired that the lock was still locked and remained so for about 45 minutes when BW phoned through the combination for the lock to the adjoining cottage.

Boats waiting for locks to open

 As we descended the first lock in the company of a very pleasant couple of ladies (both widowed in the past year but long term boaters) the lock keeper arrived to apologise. He had gone to Buckby flight to open up, only to discover two volunteer keepers unexpectedly already there, had problems with his vehicle and then completely forgot about the Braunston locks!

Braunston Top Lock

As he came to be so apologetic, everyone was most forgiving and we came down through the flight quite steadily. Soon we met the boats coming up which made the pounds somewhat busy when we passed. The first boat was obviously in a hurry and impatient with the hire boat which was accompanying him.

Braunston Bottom Lock and Shop

At the bottom lock, Christine looked in the little shop and found a freshly baked off loaf which proved very tasty for lunch.

The Stop House and Marina Entrance

We stopped at the water point alongside the Stop House (where the Oxford and Grand Junction canals originally met - the bridge is now a marina entrance). As Mike filled up, Christine walked into the village - Bridge 1 is much the best place to visit the shops that we have found - and as Mike was moving the boat away from the water point she returned with a newspaper, eggs and other essential supplies.

Midland Chandlers

Just around the corner we pulled in to have lunch and most of the new loaf disappeared! The elsan disposal was near that was visited before moving on to Midland Chandlers, opposite the junction. Alas, the tiny component (to repair the catch on the bathroom window) was not stocked but at least we have been able to make use of one of the catches from another window in the mean time.

A Land and Cloudscape

As soon as we left the junction the style of canal was immediately different and typically Oxford. As well as generally following a contour the offside is usually not built up and merges with the adjacent fields. However, there was quite a variety of bridge design - even if a couple look as if they might collapse any day soon. (They have been like this for some years we know, but more seems to be missing each time we pass this way!)

Bridge 80 - in need of repair

At one time there were two railway lines that passed close to Brainston - each with its own station. The line northwards to Rugby follows the canal for some distance. One solitary rusty signal remains beyond the hedges from the canal.

Old Railway Signal

Barby Moorings

 As we cruised slowly past a long line of moored boats outside the new Barby Marina, another boat charged up behind us - giving no quarter to the moored boats - but it was a little while before it was possible to move over and let them pass. Barby Moorings had a bad press last autumn and it does not seem as if much has happened since then. Their web site news page has had nothing posted since September 2011.

An early A reg van looked as if it had been stranded for some time!

Late afternoon we arrived at Hillmorton Locks: these are pairs of locks but as a drought restriction one of each pair is being kept locked. It is not easy to understand why this makes a difference but BW are taking the opportunity to do some repairs. Rugby Radio Station stands alongside the canal.

Hillmorton Top Locks

We moored just below the bottom locks as we plan to visit the local church in the morning.

11.7 miles - 9 locks