Off to H M Prison Onley

Wednesday 28th August 

First obstacle today is Braunston Tunnel.

Now I have a particular dislike of this tunnel because it has a kink in the middle. When building tunnels the architect would set the navvies digging from opposite ends with a view to meeting in the middle. To facilitate this they would lower a pointer down an air shaft to show them which way to go. Unfortunately, this didn't always work out, hence the kink in the middle. Once I lost a navigation light to the kink and this time I met another boat right on the kink. I was not happy! Bang, crash, a few apologies and all was well. 

We went through the first lock on our own but a family came walking down to us to see if we would wait for them as they were just behind us.

Here's the captain waiting patiently.

And here they come.

We made good progress after that and the captain had a good chat with the grandmother. Turns out that her husband was a retired Baptist minister and the dad was taught by a friend of ours at St Edwards Romford. it's a small world 

Here we are approaching the Admiral Nelson pub right on the lock side. 

The bridge at Braunston Marina looks in a sorry state but that's because it's being refurbished thanks to a substantial bequest. 

Once again a look into the marina.

Now here's a first for us, we got a mooring right outside the pub. 

Couldn't get closer if you tried.

We then skirted round Braunston and took the obligatory photo of the Cathedral of the canals.

And a little further on, Dunchurch Pools Marina.

This is a relatively new marina set in lovely surroundings. We often moor up a bit further on, just outside H M Prison Onley. From the boat you don't know that there's a prison anywhere nearby, it's all peaceful and quiet with lovely country walks.