Friday 23^rd August 2019

We spent the day in Braunston. Such a nice place, Braunston and special within canal circles, full of history. We do enjoy the place, the people are friendly and we were surprised at the number of people who actually recognised and remembered us. The only trouble being, the canal sits in a dip and there is neither phone, internet or TV reception.

Brenda visited the butcher and put in our order for vacuum packing. The butcher’s wife recognised her and duly called him out. He had taken Brenda’s advice and has lost 3½ stone, feels better for it and doesn’t even miss his suet. She then took the bus into Daventry for her prescriptions. Straightforward this time, with no hassles.

I visited the Top Lock Shop, Tradline where I met my fiend Karen again, and Midland Chandlers.

Tradline is a fascinating place, a bit of an Aladdin’s Cave. They sell all manner of ropes and boat tackle and make rope work to order, fenders etc. Karen was, once again, very helpful and patient and I have now cracked the making of cabin strings that I been trying to master since the winter.

I checked that Midland Chandlers had our hull black paint and engine oil which we will call in for when we leave, save carrying it all.

In the evening, we walked up to the Wheatsheaf. There is a guy permanently moored in Braunston that I had tried engaging in conversation a few times previous, but had never been taken on. He was having a cup of tea with Karen when I visited Tradline and he did talk to me this time. We met him at the pub and he sat with us and we suddenly became enveloped in the Braunston boating community. Such a privilege we always feel when this happens. The canal community is a great leveller and an accepter of people without judging.