PETROC'S PERAMBULATIONS: Onward we go

Tuesday, 29 June 2021

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.