Norton Junction in the sun?

Slept in late this morning, so, a late setting off. The internet is a bit hit and miss where we are moored which is quite a surprise since we are right in the centre of Braunston.

But here we are, 11:36 heading for the first of the Braunston locks. 

Another iconic building, the old pump house by the bottom lock.

We managed to team up with a single hander delivering a boat somewhere up the Leicester arm. I must say that he was glad of our help. Even though we worked the locks, mainly without his help, there were enough boats coming down where we didn't have to close the gates when leaving the lock. It all saves time. Also, with two boats in a lock it fills quicker than with just one. Something to do with Archimedes principle - go on, look it up.

The Crooked House. I love this place, it looks like it's only half finished. 

Only an hour and a half to get through the locks. Not bad going. Most of the time we would only open one gate, I would take the boat in and swing her across behind the closed gate and the other boat would then come in alongside. This saved the captain having to run backwards and forwards opening and closing two gates.

And look! Braunston Tunnel. And the tunnel light really works. So well that I don't think it was connected properly (by me, I admit it) in the first place. I have always disliked Braunston Tunnel because it has an awkward kink in the middle. But this time I could see everything, kinks and all - wow - feel like turning round and doing it all again. 

After the tunnel new homes are getting closer to the canal every year. 

Stopped just before Norton Junction just as it decided to rain (not forecast). Will stay here for the night.

You probably can't see the smoke but the chimney is in place and the fire alight. It's 14°C at the moment but going to be a lot colder later on. We've got two radiators on the boat and an eco-fan that pushes the heat around so we'll be nice and cosy tonight. 

Braunston in the rain

Overnight the temperature has dropped and I have now changed into my usual summer clothes. Long trousers, long sleeved shirt, pullover and fleece. That's better.

The forecast is for rain this afternoon so we are foregoing the washing up and setting off for Braunston. 

A pleasant enough morning but you can see that the clouds are gathering. 

Passing Willoughby Wharf where there is a bend in the canal, a bridge with moored boats both sides and what should we meet but a Hotel Boat. But this one was towing a butty. We remarked that this is the 3rd or 4th Hotel Boat that we have seen. That's great because it means that business must be good.

And there, ahead of us, the remains of the old windmill and Braunston Church spire, the cathedral of the canals. In times past, canal folk would be married here, have their children baptised here. It really was their church. 

And here we are coming up to the junction again but, from a different direction. 

Managed to grab a mooring just past the marina. It's fun watching folk reverse out, turn round, some getting it right, some getting it wrong. 

And, here we are, this is us. Still looking sunny so... 

... A short walk to the shops to top up supplies. 

Here’s another view of the marina for you. 

3 o'clock on the dot, forecast spot on, it's raining. A good time for me to stick my head down the bilges and tighten up the stern gland. Earlier this year I put in new packing but that has now bedded in and it just needs a tweak to firm everything up. 

The captain is online seeing how to perfect a new knitting stitch. Too complicated for me. I'm just the brawn in this outfit. 

A day of two halves

The forecast said rain and we got rain. So we didn't hurry too much, just pootled around until - what's going on? It's sunny. That wasn't in the forecast. So we pootled a bit faster and then set off.

Every now and then we pass a bridge that crosses a bit of canal that doesn't go anywhere. These are left over from when the canal was straightened and all the loops removed. This bridge, however, leads through to Brinklow Marina. 

Whoopi! Newbold Tunnel, I can try out the tunnel light. OK, it's only 250yds long and not the darkest of tunnels but I can still see if the lamp works. And it does. Hurrah! 

Here we are, climbing up through Hillmorton locks. Regrettably the café doesn't open until Wednesday. 

Someone else looking for a free lunch. 

Managed to clear the top lock before it started raining again. That definitely wasn't in the forecast. Rain in the morning it said.

It stopped raining around Tarry's wharf where I jumped off the boat to help a hire boat turn round in the winding hole. When we got there they were across the canal going backwards and forwards but not turning the boat at all. A few shouted instructions and with help from the daughter and granddaughter all went well. 

Then it started raining again. 

But, well worth it. Just look at the double rainbow. 

And ahead, clear skies. 

A last look at the retreating clouds and rainbow.

Now moored near Barby sitting in the sun with the doors open. Rounding off the day later with sausages in cider. 

All Oaks Wood

Well, this is us setting off on another bright sunny morning. And it's Sunday. 

Ten minutes later we are passing Marston Junction, the entrance to the Ashby Canal. 

A bit of a bottleneck as there is one boat coming out with another one trying to go in. All fun and games as we sail serenely past. 

After about an hour we arrive at Hawkesbury Junction where we will turn left onto the Oxford Canal. 

Having just come through the bridge, I dropped the captain off to get rid of the recycling while I worked the lock. Well that was the plan. 

How was I to know that there would be a MacMillan cake stall right next to where I had to tie up.

Luckily someone else was coming out of the lock and, even luckier for me, the captain bought the cakes (and sausage rolls). 

Yet another hour on and we are travelling under the M6 motorway bridge. 

A little way beyond the M6 is a long line of moored boats. You always have to pass slowly, it's always windy, but they do have good views over towards Coventry. And, probably because it's Sunday, it's the first time we've ever seen anyone about on the boats. 

Half past four and we have arrived at All Oaks Wood near to Brinklow. We'll stay here for the night and, again because it's Sunday, another roast tonight and the last episode of Vigil. Things only keep getting better and better. 

Mancetter & Boudica

Saturday 25th. Decided to walk into Mancetter this morning, another place we have never seen. But first, a dab of paint on one or two rubs on the side of the boat. Knocks and scrapes happen all the time, after all, as Timothy West says: It's a contact sport.

Our walk to Mancetter took us through farm fields and across a railway bridge. Unfortunately the bridge was more of a long roofless container. All you could see was the sky and the awful spray painted graffiti. As the captain said, it wouldn't be so bad if they could draw and paint something original. 

After walking through a reasonably modern housing estate we arrived at the church and, as the guidebook said, there is a large collection of 18th-C slate tombstones with elegant Georgian incised lettering.

Opposite, a row of almshouses built in 1728.

But, inside the church, an exhibition of Roman Mancetter & Boudica. There were display stands, artefacts and replica costumes & daggers, even a Roman chariot. I would have loved to put on the armour and jumped in the chariot but, regrettably, the captain wouldn't allow me to. 

There was a lady who spoke at length about the Roman fort and the ambush of Boudica's army and when we mentioned the fort at Bradwell, her colleague jumped in and talked about the Chapel and other churches that he had been to see in Essex. We had a lovely chat with them both, were offered tea and coffee and could have chatted all day with them both. 

However, back to the boat and off we set. Just around the corner, an alpaca farm. Not something you see every day. 

And, just a little further, a brand new marina.

Now, guess what, another favourite place of ours. The old BW Hartshill Yard. 

It's one of those typical original places where you can imagine how the canal looked when first built.

It's all neat and compact, everything there made for a purpose. 

Rats, because of our walk and an early lunch, we had to sail past The Anchor, yet another favourite place. I wonder if it's as good as it used to be? Oh well, perhaps we'll find out next time we come this way. 

Now to get through Nuneaton. Doesn't look too bad, does it? In fact, we don't really remember it being as nice as it is. 

Not a brilliant picture but we do remember saying before that we think everyone in Nuneaton must have an allotment. There are mile after mile of allotments.

Now then, we saw the ground being cleared for these new houses. They have been built on land that once belonged to the boatyard. 

And this is the boatyard. 

And to round off the day, an all electric boat run by The Hargreaves Narrowboat Trust. Now that's progress.

We were going to push on to Hawkesbury Junction for the night, instead we stopped near Griff Lane Bridge just before the turnoff to the Ashby Canal. Steak and Strictly - can't be bad! 

Atherstone

Another short day (in distance that is). Only 6 miles travelling but 11 locks on the way. The Atherstone flight.

When we set off we had about 3 miles of lock free travel. Then, in the space of 2 miles came the flight of locks. 

As you can see, the captain is driving the boat today, so I am on lock duty. 

We followed a hotel boat through the locks but overtook them when they stopped for lunch. 

Mind you, it was hard work today. The pounds were low on water and a boat got stuck in the lock entrance with the hotel boat trying to push it in. We stopped and made a cup of tea while they let more water down to try and ease the situation. 

These are very tidy locks and near the top we were joined by a volunteer who helped us along. 

We stopped just above the top lock and took a walk into Atherstone, something we've never done before. 

Here’s the parish church right opposite the market square. 

A last look at the top lock before setting off again. 

About a mile further on we stopped opposite this field. Where we normally stop was full of boats but we managed to tuck ourselves in on the end. The first time we were here a local told us to avoid a bit of the canal on the other side. It seems that someone had driven a VW car down the field and into the canal. Back then, and it was some time ago, you could just about see the roof of the car just under the surface. I wonder if it's still there.