Onward we go

The familiar sight of Braunston Church as we approach.

Set off at a reasonable hour for the short run to Braunston so we could have our breakfast at the Gongoozlers Cafe.    This not quite as normal as you cant go on the boat.  They only do take away but you can eat that in their sitting out area.   With 3 layers of clothes on it was just possible to do this.   Still a good breakfast apart from the difficulty of trying to cut baco with a small wooden knife and fork!

Unable to find a mooring before the junction as we had hoped so had to carry on almost to the marina entrance before we found a spot.    No problem as it was a shorter walk to breakfast.

However afterwards we decided to move on a but as it is a bit closed in down in the valley and Geoff had aspiration of TV reception.

So we went up the first two locks and moored just before the Admiral Nelson.  Much more open here.   However still a bad area for TV.    It is not the end of the world as this year for the first time we have unlimited wifi so we have other means of watching.    Football for Geoff and for me the only sport I ever watch which is Wimbledon.

Petrocs latest acquisition.

I couldnt resist this container for flower pots which were being sold on a charity stall just outside the marina.   Geoff banned flowers a few years ago after Petroc had a repaint because of the mess on the roof.   However this is lined and no holes in the bottom.   He very gallantly carried it all the way back to the boat and nearly collaped when he reached there.

Sunday morning Geoff took himself off to Braunston Church which was advertising a service at 11.15 on their notice board.............very disgruntled to find church all locked and deserted.

Better success later as we met Helen and Paul and Victoria for a meal in the Boat House.  

Great catch up and a good meal.

It is hard to believe it is nearly July as the temperatures arecloser to March/April.   In addition there was rain so Monday we decided on a layover day and I caught up with some work.

Today, Tuesday dawned decidely iffy.   No rain to start so we`ll go.   Rain starts so we change our minds.   Rain stops so we change our minds again..........

Helpfully as we were preparing to cast off another boat came up lock 2 behind us so we were able to have company.  So much easier in double locks with 2 boats.   Its been a few years since we had wide locks.   A pleasant run up with a couple on a hire boat.    At the top however I had to contend with my first tunnel for a few years whih I was not looking forward to.   I am incapable of steering the boat in a tunnel but Geoff seems to have no problem..........good job really!   I used to go down below in tunnels with Barney and we would cuddle up together and pretend we were somewhere else.  Now that we have lost him it is not as easy.    Anyway I survived 25 minutes underground and now we just have one more on our route....Blisland tunnel is even longer than Braunston tunnel so that will probably be 3/4 hour.

Animal friends on the way up the locks.
I did try to get mum in the picture as well but she insisted in turning her back end
towards me as we went past and it did not make a pretty picture.

A short run to the Junction at Norton where we filled up with water etc and moored for the night,  Enough for one day.  Very lucky the rain held off except for a few spots.  Still April temperature but that is preferable to extreme heat.

Total distance:3.75 miles Elapsed time:2h13m57s 

Locks:4 Bridges:7

Average speed:1.68 mph (3.47 lock/mph)

 

 

really on our way now

Wednesday was a glorious morning to set off from Fenny Compton at 6.30!

We had the long winding journey of the Oxford summit to look forward to and what a great day to do it.

Hardly saw another boat in either direction until just before the first locks at Marston Doles.   Then of course one of the boats moored just ahead saw us coming and pulled out in front of us!   Some grumbling from a certain person, but after my initial annoyance I decided the day was too nice and life to short so hung back. and thought of England....as you do!

We did these two locks and then the top one of the Napton flight and there was no one in our preferred mooring opposite the field of Buffalos.

There used to be a  tearoom here on a local farm which sold among other things, buffalo ice cream, but it is long gone.   The fields of Buffalo remain however.

Man at work!

Thursday dawned somewhat murkier but the rain not too heavy.    The forecast for Friday looked worse so we decided to move our rest day to then.  Another early start, but slightly more civilised at 8am

Napton on the hill in the mist as we travel down the flight

We dont see another boat for ages and then meet one at a bridge

Further on we passed two huge fields of something growing of a purple/blue colour but couldnt decide what it was.   Willing to be enlightened.

eventually stopped in our planned spot again!    just short of bridge 101 and just over a mile outside Braunston.

Catch up day with various things tomorrow and then we will have the short trip in to have breakfast at the Gongoozlers Cafe, which we have been reliably informed is open.

Over the last 2 days we have travelled 15 miles and travelled through 9 locks.   3 days very pleasant gentle cruising to wash away the frustration of being held up by my fall.

We have escaped

 Two animals from todays trip.   One stuffed monkey driving a narrow boat and tthe most gorgeous looking Black Labrador that gave us both a pang as we went by.  We sadly said goodbye to Barney 2 1/2 months ago and its still very hard.

Just under a month later than planned we have finally set off.

My ribs were initially very slow to show any improvement.  So painful that Emma organised a telephone doctors appointment for me.  Lovely doctor who said I must go back to A and E to ensure I had not done more than cracked ribs.  So I spent the best part of  another another day in Horton hospital and a scan showed no other damage luckily, just confirmed 3 broken ribs.   However I was given stronger painkillers this time, Oromorphine.   The first day on this sent me away with the fairies……a very unpleasant feeling, but my body soon acclimatised itself and it was a great help. Geoff then set me on the train to London where Emma met me and I had a relaxing weekend being looked after very well and able to see granddaughter.
So 4 weeks on and 85% better,  we set sail, so to speak, this morning.   We very nearly didn’t however.
Whilst in the marina at Cropredy we have had the loo fixed and everything had been checked over.  Geoff ran the engines a couple of days ago and all seemed well.    As soon as the reception opened I trotted along to settle the bill and said Goodbye to all.   All set to go and the engine wouldn’t start!!   No amount of coaxing produced life, so we plugged back into the mains and had another go but no joy.  By this time I had a very unhappy husband😱😱😱
Our luck was in as we saw Clive who does our maintenance drive by to another boat.   He kindly came and had a look and did some fiddling around but was somewhat perplexed.   However he did get us going so we have set off optimistically.  We have moored in Fenny Compton in case we have the same problem in the morning and he has said he would come out for us again.

After all that we had a really good start to our cruising.  Pleasant temperature, not too hot and no rain.   The canal was not nearly as busy as we had foreseen.   There were enough boats going each way to make life interesting but not so many that we had to queue at locks.  We started with one boat just ahead of us but after the first lock they stopped for breakfast..(11am!).

So we are on our way at last.  No problem finding a mooring at Fenny Compton although a freshening wind tried to hamper our attempts to moor as though we knew what we were doing!   We even had spectators on the boat behind.......quite embarassing.

 

Total distance:5.38 miles Elapsed time:3h27m32s Locks:8 

Bridges:14Average speed:1.56 mph (3.87 lock/mph)