Gongoozlers Rest

Wow, another scorcher today.

Started the day off well with egg and bacon on toast, coffee and tea. After washing up and checking the oil in the gearbox we set off through the top lock.

Here we are approaching Norton Junction. Turn right for Leicester or left for all other routes. We turned left. 

We had a leisurely poodle along through Braunston tunnel and made record time through the locks, even though we were on our own. There were plenty of boats coming the other way to help us through. We think we had a fast transit because we didn't have to wait for a second boat to come into the lock beside us. We just went in, closed the gates and carried on.

And here we are looking back at the bottom lock. Braunston is a typical old canal centre. There are chandlers, welders, boat builders, boat hirers, marinas, pubs, toilet facilities - you name it and Braunston's got it.

Here’s Braunston Marina and, just outside on the towpath... 

Gongoozlers Rest, a widebeam café with seats just by the towpath. 

We only stopped to empty the loo but this meant going past our turn and then having to reverse back the way we came.

That's where we want to go.

And here's me trying to get us there. It didn't help that another boat was doing the same thing but going the opposite way. We waved to each other, as one does, and backed off even faster to see who would make the turn first. Sorry, that was a bit of poetic licence on my part. When you're going backwards on a narrowboat there is only one speed (slow) and you can't steer anyway. What happens is that you go backwards as far as you can with the boat drifting to one side or the other. Then, just before you hit something, another boat or the bank, you go into forwards with the tiller hard over so as to push the back of the boat away from danger and then start going backwards again. You sort of zigzag back along the canal until it is clear for you to make the turn and continue the journey.

After a while it almost becomes second nature and if you do hit something you just call out: "contact sport" and watch for the sickly grin to appear as they call to mind Timothy West and Prunella Scales bouncing their way around the canal network.

The sun was getting hotter so we moored up at about 5 o'clock near Flecknoe where we found a welcoming bit of shade. 

Buckby (as usual)

What a scorcher for my birthday. Oh, didn't you know? Shame you missed it.

Anyway, a late start to the day with croissants and coffee for breakfast (well, tea for the captain - she doesn't like coffee - likes the smell but not the taste). Then we set off through familiar scenery towards Buckby locks. Had lunch on the move - brioche buns with chicken and cucumber, home grown tomatoes and Margaret's Victoria plums. Delicious.

Arriving at the locks, lucky enough to find another boat waiting to go through. But, was it hot.

The gates seemed much heavier this time and the captain and I swopped over halfway to give her a break. Usually she chats her way through the locks but this time the magic didn't work. Still, we got to our favourite place and we are now moored for the night.

You can see the sheep in the field opposite.

But look how crowded it is. Three boats behind with another in front. The boat behind said that it was fun the other day when the grass was being bailed. Dust and straw everywhere.

And, lastly, a view of the boat in front.

Don't know if you can see it but the space the boat's in is only just bigger than the boat itself and the captain got her in first time. No bumps, no strong language, no backwards and forwards, just straight in. Rats! Why can't I do it like that? 

Not sure what's for supper tonight, we'll just have to wait and see. 

First day

Sunday 5th September

First part of the day taken up with stocking up with provisions from Aldi (other stores are available but we like Aldi). Then filling up with water and, while we had the hose going, cleaning the roof. Mooring ropes all attached, shoreline disconnected and off we go.

A lovely sunny afternoon, plenty of hire boats about but all behaving sensibly and enjoying the canal.

Only travelled a few miles before stopping for the night in time for roast chicken supper and an episode of Vigil watched via the computer, not the TV.

Here we are in the sunshine.

And here's me taking the picture.

And a fitting end to a fitting day. 

Back again

How did the the Boat Safety inspection go? I hear you ask!

Very well. All the fire extinguishers were accepted this time, even the old ones. Isn't it funny how one year they're out of date and the next they're OK. Mind you, I'm not going to argue with the examiner - Polgara passed with flying colours. That's all that matters.

Back on the boat now and getting ready to set off tomorrow. But first, a meal at The Wharf.

But, hang on, what's going on? It's now a steak house! We don't want steaks! It seems that they have brought in their Winter menu! What happened to Summer? It's going to be 23° tomorrow - that's not even close to Winter. Oh well, we've got a £5 off voucher but I'm not sure that that's valid here - watch this space.

All's well, fret not. We got our £5 off. Hurrah! Tomorrow, the adventure starts. 

All done for now

 You may realise by now, through the lack of the daily blog, that we have returned home. 

On the Thursday morning we packed up the boat while on the cut, tidied everything away and had a gentle cruise back to the marina. I don't know how, but it then still took us 3 hours to get everything off the boat, shut down and actually get on the road. 

The next visit will be in a fortnight's time for the Boat Safety examination. We've got 7 fire extinguishers on board but some are very old, some not so old and one fairly new. I'll have to wait and see if any of them pass muster or whether I will be nipping out to buy 3 more to keep the safety standards up to date. Who knows? Well, the examiner for one, I hope. 

So, until next time, happy cruising or happy whatever your leisure pursuit.

Polgara to the rescue

Another warm start to the day.

Early visit from the Swan family looking for their breakfast. Talking of breakfast, managed to drop one plate of egg and bacon on the floor. And I only asked for sunny side up!

Look at that blue sky. And, we're at it again, we've now cleaned the windows on the other side of the boat and lifted the floorboards to check on the batteries.

We had help with both locks from volunteer lock keepers. It was a training day for one of them so we went through smoothly. Then the tunnel.

The tunnel always takes a while to get used to. Firstly, it's pitch black in there. (Obviously) Secondly, the reactor light glasses are still dark from the sunlight. Thirdly, the walls are black, the water's black and, even though you've got a headlamp there's very little to be seen and, lastly, it's very disorientating. Don't be put off, it does get better, but not immediately. Still, we got through and managed to pass another boat without hitting them.

As we emerged into the sunlight again we came across a hire boat at the side of the canal with the weed hatch open. Always a sign of trouble. They obviously had something wrapped around the prop. We backed up and came alongside to see if we could help at all. While the captain secured the two boats together I took a look down the hole to see what I could find. What I found was a whole tangle of thick net. The prop was jammed solid and the net was too thick to be cut easily. We decided to tow them back to the tunnel entrance so that they could get on and off the boat easily and also to make it easier for the hire boat mechanic to find them.

We did see them again about 4 hours later so we know that everything got sorted out.

Just after Gayton Junction is this turnover bridge built so that the horses did not have to cast off the tow line when changing from one side of the canal to the other. The canal path changes sides frequently so that the horses didn't develop sores from just towing on the one side.

A little further on is a lovely offside mooring for 6 or so boats.

The only trouble is that you need a rowboat to get across.

You always know it's sunny when the captain is steering.

And here we are, the last bridge before our mooring for a hot afternoon and for the night. We were planning for a barbecue later but at about 6 o'clock clouds came across accompanied by a light shower of rain. 

Moved inside and wrote the blog. Sausages in cider tonight instead - can't be bad. 

Busy Bees

Here's an arty crafty picture from last night.

We actually woke up quite early today and it was such a lovely day that we managed breakfast outside for the first time this year. 

After Brigid's morning prayer on YouTube we then cleaned the catch cover which had got dirty from all the work on the water tank.

Blimey, the captain then goes mad and washes all the windows on the towpath side.

While all this was going on Jules Fuels went past, a floating diesel/gas/coal barge. This is the same barge that we had to wait for at the lock yesterday. Still, we passed them later in the day when they stopped to top up a couple of canal boats at the side of the cut.

Here is the weir runoff at the side of the canal. No need of it today.

And then, a few yards further along, an inflow pipe from a nearby river for when the canal is low on water.

And, at the bottom lock, a pump house used to lift water further up the flight to replace water let down from higher up.

We were very fortunate to be able to share the locks with another hire boat which had 3 or 4 crew on board.

Stopped just below the top locks and went to the Navigation Inn for lunch.

, 

They were very busy with waiting times on drinks for 20 minutes and meals for 1 hour. We were lucky to get the last fish dish for the day.

Following that, a short stroll up to the top lock.

A look at the disused parallel lock and then back to the boat for a nice cup of tea. Bliss.