March - in like a lion!

 Here we are again, back on Polgara. 

We've actually been on the boat for four days. When we arrived on Monday it was in the early afternoon, the sun was shining as we offloaded the car and set everything in order. Tuesday, and it was cold enough for brass monkeys to be on the warpath. A quick car trip along to Rugby Boats for four bags of coal and a stop at The Olde Sun in Nether Heyford for homemade Cottage Pie and Crumble, all in front of a roaring fire. Comfort food at its best. Oh, and, of course, a pint of something to help it along. Back to the boat and a light supper of avocado and prawns. 

Wednesday and it was a case of do we set off or do we stay in the marina for another night. The explorer spirit won out in the end and off we went. Quite a speedy trip down to Stoke Bruerne with very few boats actually moving on the cut. The only major delay we had was at the second lock where a team of C&RT workmen were repairing one of the gates. Not that we minded as we were ready for our lunch. Just as we started getting everything together, you've guessed it, work finished and they were ready to go down through the lock. Not wishing to miss out on a bit of help, we joined them and stopped a few yards further on in our regular mooring spot. Lunch was served just as it started to snow. SNOW! That wasn't in the forecast - well not in my forecast. So, you've guessed it again, we stopped for the night. We are, after all, fair weather sailors. Supper was one of our (new) favourites, Greek Fish Dish. You bung it all in the oven, wedge potatoes, onions, tomatoes and fish (not all at the same time but at regular intervals) and voila, a delicious supper. We should have added garlic and mixed herbs but it still tasted good without them. Fire banked up, Zoom Lent meeting with church and a catchup of MasterChef to round off the day. 

Thursday and we had a leisurely morning rearranging the interior of the boat. We have realised that we don't really need a TV any more. With our 4G MiFi we can get most of the programmes we want to see on iPlayer or one of the other internet services. There's not much that we watch live on TV anyway, most of it's recorded and watched at a later date. So, at about midday, we get ready to set off, just as a single boat comes sailing round the corner. Hand signals galore and we establish that they are on their own and we go through the locks together. Mind you, the second pound was so full of water that we couldn't open the gates until we had run off the excess into the pound below. After that it was plain sailing - until the blizzard. I kid you not. One moment it was sunny, the next, where's everyone gone!? Then bright sunshine again. 

Snow on the back step

Snow falling

We carried on to Grafton Regis and managed to pull in, moor up and batten down the hatches just before the next bout of snow came across. For once, we got it just right. After lunch, a chilly, breezy afternoon but not too bad for a walk up to Grafton Regis, once round the hamlet and back to the boat for a warm fire and a cuppa.

Sunshine again

Staying here for the night and we'll see what tomorrow brings. 

March, certainly not out like a lamb.

That's your lot!

That's it for another year, the holiday is now officially over. We will be up again in October to take the boat up to Stowe Hill for blacking and a roof repaint.

On Saturday we dressed up for the wet weather and set off back to Bugbrooke. And, do you know what, it didn't rain until we got back to the marina. 

As it was the last day of boating we treated ourselves to lunch in the Baker's Arms. A delightful meal to round off a splendid holiday. 

On Sunday, after the usual shutting down process, we set off back home. Thanks Polgara, as per usual you didn't let us down. Here's looking forward to next time. 

Bonus blog

Why a bonus? Well, you get two days blog in one.

Thursday was damp on and off most of the day. We were fortunate enough to team up with Driftweed, a Weedon hire boat, for the Buckby locks. We were even more fortunate when the all male crew of the boat following kept catching up with us and insisting on closing the gates for us. Something the captain was grateful for as these gates are notoriously heavy.

You can see the volume of water coming down cascading over the top of the bottom lock. With that amount of water coming into the lock we weren't able to open the bottom gates. All we could do was stay put with the bottom paddles open until the water levels went down. 

Eventually got through and stopped a bit further on to pay a visit to the Heart of the Shires shopping village. 

Only one problem - the access tunnel under the railway was flooded. 

There was just enough path to one side to get through. We had lunch when we got there and bought a few bits and bobs for the galley.

Stopped at Weedon, battened down the hatches, lit the fire and, even with an unstable Internet connection, joined in a Zoom meeting. The wonders of modern science. 

Friday. Set off reasonably early to get as much sun before the inevitable forecast rain. 

Coming up to Rugby Boats where we would normally top up with fuel - but not this time. 

And, just around the corner, right before a turn through a bridge, look what we should meet. A traditional rig of tender and butty snaking through ahead of us. 

The day then continued in a mix of rain and sun. Wind and cloud. But we ploughed on past Bugbrooke and on down to Gayton. 

Here’s the crossover bridge at Gayton where the towpath changes from one side to the other. 

Emptied the loo and topped up with water at Gayton Junction and noticed this mural on the wall. 

It celebrates the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Northampton Arm.

Have now motored back to bridge 45 and have had an afternoon of sun. What a change from this morning. 

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.