Monday 14th January 2019



After a leisurely start to the day we left the moorings at 10:30. Going over old ground we quickly came to Hillmorton Locks which were passed through in just over 30 minutes. All three locks were in our favour which makes for a quick passage. Having said that, today was a much longer day than we have become used to.

The new road follows alongside the canal culminating in a huge embankment where the road joins the A428. There has been a lot of progress made here even since we were last here at the beginning of December.

Passing beyond the M45 the canal takes a number of tight bends that we have to take slowly being so long and the bridge holes are narrow and some have tricky approach angles. Then suddenly the canal becomes straight and the bridge holes much wider. It is a strange contrast.

Then from about 2 miles away Brauston church spire comes into view. We have spent so much time in Braunston and the people so friendly, we almost feel as though we are coming home. The canal through Braunston is very narrow with a few tight bends at this end of the village, with so many moored boats it has to be done slowly and can be tricky if another boat is met. The place can be a nightmare in the summer months.

We called into Midland Chandlers for another stove top fan, they are so good, more floor tiles to sit the coal bags on, and a new pole/plank holder for the roof as one snapped when it was being drilled to fit shackles to. Unfortunately, the type they stock is different so we will have to try to track down the type we have fitted.

We then moved on to the water point and were then lucky enough to get moored beside the marina again.

We visited the local shop and butcher where everybody recognised us, but then found the Wheatsheaf shut so instead adjourned to the Old Plough.

Peter is in hospital and of course, there is no internet or phone signal here so we will be leaving tomorrow. A quick visit to a place we like.

There was no cloud cover and, with the canal sitting in a frost prone hollow, the boat became cold as soon as the dark started to fall.



Weather: a colder day although clear. There were ominous looking clouds to the north all day.



Day Total: 3 locks; 8 miles; 0 Tunnels; 0 Swing Bridges; 0 Boat Lift; engine running hours 3.6

Overall Total: 327 locks; 686 miles; 31 tunnels; 6 Swing Bridges; 2 Boat Lifts; engine running hours 424.7


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