Saturday 01 Oct 2011

Beautiful dawn and the staff of the course out at 06:30 putting the flag poles in the holes ready for the golfers.  On the Oxford Canal near Ansty headed off at 07:30 and filled up with water at Stretton stop.  No boats went past while filling, but as soon as I was ready to go there were five in the opposite direction.  Newbold Tunnel is short, only 250 yards but has been fitted with multi-coloured lights to aid boaters.  At Rugby stopped to get some groceries then on to the Hilmorton Locks.  These are paired so although there are six locks you only have three to do.  Due to water shortages BW have closed one of each pair so there were long delays at each lock. Then just a steady plod and moored in Braunston having turned onto the Grand Union after a long run.  Today’s Braidbar boats spotted were Bessie Surtees, Shiraz and Briar Rose – just like the I-Spy books from years ago before everything became electronic.  The weather continues to be hot and sunny although there have been a few clouds today.

Sunday 02 Oct 2011

On the Grand Union at Braunston.  After the delays at Hilmorton yesterday decided that I would start early to clear the Braunston Locks and Tunnel before any queues built up.  As I was getting “Ice Breaker” ready (lights on but master fuse turned off, Cratch cover rolled up, and side hatch windows fitted) I was passed by a boat called “Thistle do” also going up.  About fifteen minutes later when I got to the first lock of six they were waiting for me so that we could share the locks.  That made the run much easier.  When going through the tunnel I wasn’t certain that a boat was coming towards me or was it just a flashing light on “Thistle do” who were ahead of me.  Eventually it became a boat that had some-one standing in front of the tunnel light!  As we passed I suggested to their steerer that the man at the front was obstructing the light for boats approaching them.  At Norton Junction “Thistle do” headed off up the Leicester branch towards Yelvertoft, and I carried on the Grand Union Main Line.  There was a long queue and I was resigned to a long wait when it became apparent that only 2 boats wanted the locks the others were waiting for the water-point, what a relief.  When they had gone the BW lock-keeper on duty said that we should wait for any boats coming up to save water.  An hour later he let me and a Gayton Marina hire boat head off.  It became an easy run as each lock we approached had a pair of boats just coming out.  Near Nether Heyford I passed “Scarweather” another Braidbar boat.  Then on to Gayton where I reversed into a mooring space between two moored up boats.