A journey of several days covers the run to Braunston..
It ended up being a full 14 days in Newbold on Avon, moving once during that time just to do a services run, and to come back to roughly where we were. There was 2 needs for a car in the end, so it was easier to be local to where the hire company could easily collect and drop us of – there was a pub there that we could keep the car in, as well as a shop fairly local, and a chippy.. so all in all, not a bad stop.
We pulled out of there on the 7th (Fri), hoping to do a full run, but in the end with the weather, loss of light, and really bad pressure on the water point, we ended up stopping just a mile and a 1/2 away. We were getting a little low on diesel, and I wanted to get to the marina, but it didn’t happen so were stretching what we have until we can get to the marina.
Set off again on the 8th – again with a plan to get quite a way into Braunston.. but.. we did manage to get diesel from Clifton Cruisers and some coal.. so that’s one done.. and had the washer running with the engine. We got as far as Hillmorton Locks and the water point there… which again had really bad pressure and would have taken the rest of the daylight to fill the tank. At that point, we moved the boat forward of the water point, moored up, and ran the long hose out.. if it takes hours.. so be it, were staying here tonight!
Sunday the 9th.. Time to get to Braunston..
First off 3 locks.. now.. how do you do these things again 😉 Been 2 months since we had to do any (other than the stop lock at Hawkesbury Junction) the locks are paired, 2 locks side by side, each fitting a single boat.. so 1 boat can go up and one down at the same time.. or 2 up or 2 down.. but for us.. were on our own today – so use whatever lock is empty when we get to it! For the whole of the day.. I have only seen 2 other boats moving!
The canal all to ourselves..
Finally got into Braunston after a nice, quick but leisurely cruise along with several wash loads done. The planned mooring was winter mooring only – but after checking the site, there is only a small part of it allocated – so we can use it if needed.
But: There’s really crappy reception here, 3G if were lucky.. and no phone signal.. totally forgot that from the last time we were here.. Oh well..
Got to the junction.. everywhere looks full – or the spaces that are there are not big enough for the boat.. so time to reverse 1/4 mile down the oxford, to a spot that looks free (and with this side wind and a bow thruster battery thats a bit flat – this is going to be difficult).. Got there without banging anything but cant get anywhere close to the bank so time to pin out and gang plank it.
We will have to see what the signal is like tomorrow, as without a descent 4G signal, I cant really get any work done.. and thats a must if the weather report is anything to go by – very cold and snow in a few days.. and if we get frozen in with no signal for working – that would be a disaster!
But for now.. time to goto the Boathouse for a Sunday evening meal with a drink or two..