Braunston

Remember click the map to see the weeks travel.

It was probably just before ten when we set off to a bright, clear, sunny morning. We hadn’t gone far when we passed this reservoir which was completely green, I wonder how many dogs have tried to run across it. I don’t know what the reservoir feeds but I am sure someone will tell me.

We were then nearing where we had planned to moor last night, as we passed Clifton Cruisers they had one of their boats out for blacking. I expect they do them every year as I am not sure how well the paint would cure this time of the year.

I was a bit surprised at the Hillmorton flight to find lock 3 chained up so we had to use the towpath side one, if I had then just walked up to lock 5 I wouldn’t have been able to access it as they are working on lock 4 and no access across it. With the top stop planks in place, remember we talked about stop planks the yesterday there is a very good view of the top ground paddles in their chambers at right angles to the lock wall. Up to the top of the light and its lock 7 that’s chained up, again the opposite side to lock 4 that they are working on. Above the locks there was a continuous line of moored boats way passed the next bridge, amongst them was a butty and this tug called Lady Jane, again I know nothing about it.

Barby Marina have their Alpacas out grazing on the edge of the canal in the sun, the marina looks quite full now, how close they are to providing all the facilities they promised when they opened.

A short way before Dunchurch Pools marina where the high voltage cables cross the canal CRT have felt it necessary to put up extra “No Fishing” signs, I wonder if there has be an incident here recently.

We chugged on to Braunston hoping to stop at Midland Chandlers but as there were two boats on the services and another laying alongside a boat already moored by the chandlers we carried on to moor opposite The Boathouse pub for the night, tomorrow we will be going up the Braunston locks, its some time since we have done that.

Todays Journey 10 miles, 3 locks in 4½ hours