Heavy locking

Setting off at half seven this morning got us to the foot of Braunston locks at eight. The Bottom Lock shop was open, but didn't yet have bread. We hung on to see if a locking partner would turn up and were rewarded with the appearance of Wegonen Dunnit crewed by Karen and Steven. They've been living on board since October last and were making their first long trip in their new boat, taking her to Crick to be the MCC/Stenson show boat there.

We soon fell into a steady routine and fairly flew up the locks. A couple of boats were just approaching the top as we rose in  the last one, so good timing all round.  Whilst Sheila steered through the tunnel, I got on with domestic chores below. I started a washload running and mixed up a bread kit, sun dried tomato and parmesan, which seemed like a good choice for lunchtime rolls.

Once they were rising in a warmed oven, I did the washing up.

By now we were approaching Norton Junction; Sheila made a neat job of the turn and I popped the rolls in to bake. They were done just as we reached the bottom of Watford. Here too we had good luck with our timing as boats were just starting to work up and the volunteer locky told us to join on behind.

After another good trip up the flight, we've tied in our usual pre Crick spot just beyond Bridge 8. The sheet is drying on the whirligig, we've had a chat with Susan at Braidbar about final arrangements for the show and Sheila is finishing off some below-mushroom drip catchers she's making for fellow Braidbar owner Martin.

Tomorrow, through Crick tunnel, fill up with water and find our mooring for the next few days.

Expect blogs when you see them for that time – the data signals are pretty iffy around the marina.

It's still hot...

…indeed, the humidity has gone up, so it's a more tiring heat. In addition, we've had a long day of it by our standards, so apologies if this post is a bit telegraphic.

We got away by seven, with the cunning plan to fill the water tank then go on the service wharf in the marina and pump out as soon as we could get access to the machine, which is in the laundrette. We'd bought the token the day before, you'll recall.

There's a choice of three water points at Braunston, but the first is on the offside next to Midland Chandlers, on a curvy bit of edge, tricky for 70 foot. So we went on to the next, the one by the A45 bridge. There was a boat tied on it, clearly been there all night, not taking water, indeed probably still asleep.

Fortunately, the one by the Stop House was still clear, so we went there, muttering darkly to ourselves. Whilst we were filling, who should come past but the boat from the last water point. They half winded, and pulled into the marina onto the service wharf.

OK, so not all our cunning plans work out. On the other hand, we weren't in a rush, so we did our best to be patient. In fact the the folk on the boat in question were looking for diesel, so needed the shop to be open. I had a quick chat with them after we'd watered up and moved onto a free bit of towpath. They explained that they'd watered late last night and felt too tired to go on. When I said we'd planned to water there, the guy did apologise and pointed out that they had moved off it early.

Heigh ho, finally he got his diesel and we were able to get a pump out. It's only £12, but on the other hand the pump isn't very good.

We had a brief wait at the foot of Braunston flight, then a good run up; two volunteer lockies on to speed us on our way. We were less lucky at Watford, where we had to wait 90 minutes, but again then had a straight run up, this time with three lockies about.

By now it was gone three, so we've stopped on the towpath between bridges 8 and 9. We hear from the Braidbars already there that there are proper signs showing you where to moor, much better organised than last year.

I'll try to keep either blogging or at least tweeting whilst we take part in the show; don't expect too much coruscating use of the language, though!