Braunston to Whilton

Sunday 26th March

Not such an early start this morning, we were off at 9am and passed The Milly M moored further up the canal, we started to make our way up the Braunston locks when Maffi and Molly arrived to help us. 

At Brauston top lock - thank you for your help Maffi

We said our goodbyes at the top and no doubt he will pass us in a month or so as he heads south. Next came Braunston tunnel and we were soon at Norton junction where we carried on and down the Buckby flight. I still can't believe there's only seven locks in this flight, they are so tough going and again we were following a boat down so they were all against us.

We made it to the bottom and moored up opposite Whilton Marina where it all started for us five years ago.

A fat boat stopped in front for a quick break

6 miles and 13 locks

TOTAL 51.5 miles and 78 locks

Long Itchington to Braunston

Saturday 25th March

An early 7am start again this morning, I think James was feeling sorry for me having done all the locks so far I was feeling pretty tired, he went off with Dudley to tackle the Stockton locks and I bought LJ up. Typical the locks were in our favour (except for one where the top gates were leaking badly). It was a lovely day with no wind and we didn't see another boat on our way up.

We carried on through the three Calcutt locks, which I did and we actually had another boat share with us this time. At Napton Junction we turned left and continued on through our usual stopping points at Flecknoe and arrived in Braunston before midday.

At Braunston Turn we went right to stay on the Grand Union, as usual the moorings at Brauston were filling up fast but we were lucky and got a space opposite the pub.

A few hours later we spotted the Milly M pass by and we met up with Maffi at The Boathouse for dinner later that evening.

9.5 miles and 13 locks

TOTAL 45.5 miles and 65 locks

Warwick to Long Buckby

Warwick to Radford 7 miles and 4 locks

We got back to LJ at around 5pm last Monday and left the Salisford Arm Tuesday morning, stopping off in Leamington Spa to visit Lidl which is right next to the canal, and also Pets at Home which was a short stroll away. So with cupboards stocked for both us and Dudley we continued on our way. Passing through Leamington Spa itself we approached a footbridge, both James and I notice the five kids on it, with two carrying black bin bags. As they lifted their bags over the railings James starting videoing and I pointed my camera at them, the older of the group disappeared, one put his bag, put it on the floor, smiled at us and put his thumbs up. The other one carrying the bag proceeded to drop in onto the front bow as we passed underneath and then was shouting at us to F Off. Judging by the amount of black bags on the towpath just after we weren't the first it had happened to and unfortunately I don't think we'll be the last either. We continued up another couple of locks before stopping for the night.

The nasty little brats in Leamington Spa

Radford to Long Itchington 4 miles and 8 locks

We left the next morning and continued through the countryside, the banks seem to have missed out on trimming here and places we stopped at a couple of years ago were so overgrown they were almost unrecognisable. We went through the Bascote Locks, which comprise two normal locks and then a staricase of two. We continued on our merry way stopping at Long Itchington where blog reader on Pintail was moored opposite, sorry didn't get your name but hello, and I'm nearly up to date with the blog :)

Long Itchington to Flecknoe 6 miles and 13 locks

We made good timing up the Stockton locks as there were two Willow Wren boats following us with 18 kids on board, so at some locks a couple of them came to help us through. These locks are the same as the Hatton flight with the hydraulic paddle gear and the old narrow locks alongside. This would have been the Warwick and Napton Canal before it became the Grand Union. We then had a good level section before the three locks at Calcutt and the last of the hydraulic paddle gear. We reached Napton Junction and turned left. I think prior to the Grand Union being set up this section was actually the Oxford Canal, but is now the Grand Union and links the North and South Oxford Canal.

Flecknoe to Brauston 3 miles and 0 locks

After a couple of days at Flecknoe sitting out some horrible rainy and windy days we set off for Brauston, it was still cold and rainy but time to move on. On the approach to Brauston by Puddle Banks we were surprised to see the walk way down under the aqueduct all newly fenced off with 'No Entry' signs on them, what a shame as we have always used that route to walk to Wolfhampcote and the old church.  At Braunston Turn we turned right and managed to get moored up just past The Boathouse.  We had a visit from Richard, who has bought a few pens from us which we have posted to him so it was good to meet in person.  On Monday we took a stroll up to the village shop and were amazed at how empty the moorings were, I've never seen it so quiet in Braunston. It soon filled up throughout the day and when I took Dudley for an evening stroll it was completely full again.

Moored in Braunston

Monday morning and very deserted, that's LJ in the distance

Having coffee out Midland Chandlers, great view of Braunston Turn

Braunston to Long Buckby 4.5 miles and 5 locks

Yesterday - yes yesterday - shock horror I am up to date at last, we set off early and up through the five Braunston locks, it was back to normal paddle gear, but boy are the gates heavy! We then went through the long Braunston tunnel meeting three boats in total and made it out the other side. At Norton Junction we continued on and stopped at the top of the Buckby Locks. In the evening we popped over to the New Inn and met up with Dave and Allison, nb Freespirit along with Daughter No 1 Sarah. We all headed back to LJ and finished the evening with coffee and cake.  This morning I took Dudley for a walk along the Leicester Branch whilst James got on with some work dodging the rain showers.

Braunston top lock

Moored near Norton Junction at Long Buckby

TOTALS  372 miles and 372 locks

October Catch Up

We were in Braunston at the beginning of October for the Freaky Friday event at Midland Chandlers, another fairly large purchase was made, this time an oven, we had a very last minute change of plan for the hob, it was actually at the checkout we finally made the decision to get the one I liked at IKEA, a bit more expensive but we'll only be doing it once. We spent our money early in the day then moved LJ over to their moorings early evening to load the oven onboard, James wheeled the box down and then we realised it wouldn't fit through the front door, so it was unpacked then only just fitted through, we repacked it onboard as it would be a couple of weeks before fitting. 

Midland Chandlers mooring in Braunston

To help us get over the shock of parting with our money we made our way to the Boathouse to meet up with Dave and Allison Free Spirit as they happened to also be in Braunston too. We had a fantastic evening and look forward to meeting up again soon.

Saturday morning it was an early start from the chandlers as we decided to take LJ to Coventry IKEA rather than getting the train from Rugby. So back through Hillmorton Locks again, this time the left hand of two top locks was closed for repair,

It's great seeing them empty and how they work

Then onto All Oaks Wood for the night. Another early start and the misty morning soon cleared and we made it all the way to Coventry Basin, where we moored up and walked the half mile or so from the basin to IKEA, and made our hob purchase. We stayed a couple of days and visited the Transport Museum again and also Coventry Cathedral, which was destroyed during the second world war.

Leaving All Oaks Wood early morning

The remains of Coventry Cathedral

And the other way

Moored in Coventry Basin, with James Brindley keeping an eye on us

We made our way back to Hawkesbury Junction as Mum was coming up for a quick visit. A few days later we were off  through a very misty All Oaks Wood for a couple of days stop in Rugby again before making our way to Lime Farm Marina for alterations on LJ to begin. 

Lovely sunny evening at Hawkesbury

Misty at All Oaks Wood again

Feeling very eerie 

On the way we were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, just as CRT contractors were felling an Ash tree, the guys there very kindly let us help ourselves to the branches.

Lots of lovely logs

We stopped off just outside Lime Farm to get the wood chopped before John started the work. We decided it would be best if we left him too it for a while so we headed to Mums for a week or so and managed to get bargain train tickets from Rugby to Mortimer, a change in London then again in Reading £20 each to get there but only £10 each to return, other fares were £79 each one way! I've been getting tips from Jess for getting cheap fares.

We're back on LJ now and a couple of familiar faces (and boats) have passed by Tom and Jan, Waiouru and Geoff and Jane, LJ's previous owners. We'll be here a few more days as work is nearly done then will be on our way again.

Entrance to Lime Farm Marina

40.5 miles and 5 locks

Total 527 miles and 376 locks

Rugby to Lower Shuckburgh

Whilst at Rugby this strange contraption came by stunning and removing fish.  I later read that CRT were moving the fish due to lack of oxygen from dredging.

It was time to leave Rugby, and head in the direction of Braunston again. 

Amazing how some people tie their ropes, this time the centre one

Passing by Clifton Cruisers they were just about to crane a boat back in that they had been working on, they waved us through as the straps were still being adjusted.

We were soon at the bottom of the Hillmorton locks again, with a few boats waiting to go up. One complete set of locks has been closed as one of the tops ones still has repairs going on. We were just through the first lock when a lady mentioned she read the blog, most people know her as she make the mooring pin covers using Sainsbury bags.

Lady Esther where the mooring pin covers are made

We continued onto the second lock where we joined the end of an even bigger queue of six waiting. I went off windlass in hand to try and be of assistance and help speed things up, with everyone else waiting by their boats for their turn. It was only another lady off a Napton hire boat behind us that also came to help, we soon got things moving between us helping five boats up and the same coming down, over an hour later we were through, unfortunately no one came up to help the lady off the hire boat through I guess most people just work their own lock.

We were virtually straight through the top lock and on our way again, down the Barby straight and moored for a couple of days near Willoughby, just outside Braunston.

There were fun and games on Sunday when a Willow Wren hire boat gave an oncoming boat a bit too much space and managed to ground himself on the offside. They nearly made it out by rock in the boat but once moving managed to head straight for the bank again. Another boat coming the other way tried to pull them off before coming behind it and dragged them off backwards. Quite a queue had built up but everyone were soon on their way again.

On Monday just as we were leaving Paul and Sally (Living on a Narrow Boat) walked by, nice to meet them at last. We stopped and chatted for a while, they were moored about half a mile in front of us. On passing them 20 minutes later Sally kindly invited us in for coffee from their super duper coffee machine, so it was much later than expected when we passed through Braunston turning right at the junction.

Our neighbours for a few days

Sally, Paul and James 

 On the Grand Union for a while stopping just before Lower Shuckburgh.

Next day we went out for an early morning walk to Napton Junction, we hadn't even got round the corner when we saw a familiar face, it was Alan (Walkie man) and his dog Bracken, it's well over a year since we last met so really lovely to catch up again. A bit further on a a familiar boat this time, Dave and Allison's Free Spirit, hope to catch up with them on Freaky Friday.

13 miles and 3 locks

Total 485.5 miles 371 locks

Brinklow to Braunston to Rugby

Last Tuesday we left Brinklow stopping off at Lime Farm Marina to meet up with John to see if alterations we want to do to LJ are possible and at what price. After spending a couple of hours there and him making substantial notes to get prices together we set off for the short journey to Rugby, stopping at Elliots Field. We topped up the cupboards as Tesco was right on our doorstep and we hadn't been back long when Bob on Autumn Myst passed by and hovered mid canal for a quick hello and chat.

Elliots Field

Wednesday Jess was due into Rugby by train for a few days visit, her train was due at 8:50pm so we set of at just after 8:00pm for the walk there, I had looked at Google Maps and there seemed to be a pathway leading down the side of Tesco, across the River Avon and coming out near the station. We set off down the fairly darkwalk way, which had a few street lights down it, I noticed three people walking a little way ahead and James recognised Doug and James (from Chance) along with their friend Manel, they were just as surprised to see us and we them. It was arranged to meet up after we had met Jess off the train, and, as usual, we had a fantastic evening with them.

Another lovely evening

Thursday we pulled pins (well actually we removed ropes from rings, but it doesn't sound as good) and headed for Braunston, passing by Chance the other side of the bridge.

Passing 'Chance'

We got to the Hillmorton Locks, the first narrow locks for Jess. I don't think she has forgiven us yet for her first lock experience when we went through Camden on a Bank Holiday!! The top lock at Hillmorton was closed for maintenance, always interesting to see what is normally below water.

Middle lock at Hillmorton

Empty top lock

 Then along through the lovely countryside reaching a very quiet Braunston, on arrival we spotted Smiffbob the Sandhills latest boat that was launched earlier in the year. We moored up shortly after the junction opposite The Boathouse.

Smiffbob, Sandhills No 25

Moored in Braunston

Out for a walk, the tunnel under the canal just behind

Wolfhampcote Church

Jess and me on the bridge overlooking Braunston Marina

After a lovely couple of days it was time to make our way back to Rugby so Jess could get the train back home. We all went to Coventry and it happened to be the Sky Ride day where one side of the ring road was closed off for cyclists. 

Sky Ride just started

Then it was a visit to Ikea before heading back to the station where Jess headed home and we headed back to Rugby.

Moored back in Rugby, this time at Brownsover

25 miles and 6 locks

Total 472.5 miles and 368 locks