Wednesday 28th November 2018



The towpath next to where we are moored is very muddy so we shifted to moor just inside the marina entrance so the side door cover could be fitted from the concrete edge.





Fraser duly arrived and fitted the cover in no time at all. It is a neat job and will protect the wood on the inside of the doors from the elements and also provide another level of insulation. The cost should have been £220 but they only charged £180.

Once he had finished we shifted back to the mooring on the mainline canal.

We had been getting concerned about the battery levels. We constantly monitor them to the extent we have become a bit paranoid. Since arriving in Braunston on Sunday, the levels had dropped from 100% to 68% despite the engine having been run yesterday when manoeuvring in and out of the marina. However, the engine was only on minimum revs for that time so, once back on the canal mooring, the revs were increased to 1200 out of gear for 30 minutes. On stopping, the level was still showing 68% but soon after they had risen back to 100%. We have noticed before that the level can be low even though the engine has been run, and then increase once the engine has stopped. Unsure why but we are paranoid about the batteries and maybe just need to relax and not check so often.

We then went for the walk to explore Braunston that we had planned yesterday. We walked up to the Admiral Nelson along the canal and then along the lane through Little Braunston before entering the village proper. It turns out it is a very small place and we had seen most of it anyway. There is certainly a mixture of housing including a significant amount of council housing that was built to house the ex-canal boaters. Many of the older buildings in the village centre are of interest and there are numerous interpretation boards.


                                


                                                                                All Saints Church, Braunston     
                                                    
                                                                                       Converted Windmill



              




     The Wheatsheaf Pub





                

                                                     Unusual Gable End showing adjoining properties of different eras

          

                 

                                Bottom Lockeepers Cottage, “The Crooked House” with lock sluice passing under it



Again we called into the shop and also ordered meat from the butcher for picking up next week. He is going to vacuum pack and freeze it for us. We only have a small freezer section integral with the fridge which is 12V. Freezing down too much fresh produce seems to take a lot of power. We seem to be at the shop every day but are only buying small amounts that we can easily carry back to build a stock. Brenda has mostly been going into the shop while I stay outside with Harvey. However, she had been getting conscious of her buying small amounts of alcohol on a regular basis and getting a reputation, so asked me to go in to buy the drink, then she went in to buy the groceries.

Once back on board the day had turned foul so we turned to reading and crafting. Brenda made scones and a lovely steak and mushroom pie for dinner.








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