Blog visits

We only moved back to Bugbrooke to collect the post and purchase milk n bread at the shop. It was a pleasant walk across the fields and through their Millennium Garden. We just sat for a while to enjoy the peace and quiet by the stream. Molly had found a plastic bottle to crunch and have thrown to fetch. Sadly plastic items are not hard to find in the countryside and the bottle got put in the bin when Molly had finished with it.

Just as we left we spotted Windsong at Bugbrooke! Rog n Pip stopped by next day for a chat and we admired their smart new boat. Then Rock n Roll passed by. Later we walked past a few bridges looking for Geo Cache’s and came across Rock n Roll. George n Carol invited us in for a drink. It is a wonderful social atmosphere on the waterways. We had got to know them by following their adventures on their Blogs. We have also got to know some boaters over the years just by seeing them regularly.
We are now making plans to leave the boat for personal family reasons so please excuse us for not blogging for a while.

Parting of friends

Sue n Vic are going down to the river Nene but this year we are not. We need to return ‘home’ for family reasons. We helped by lock wheeling down to the M1 bridge, all 12 done in about an hour and a half.

Setting off at 8:30 we found most locks full with the top gates left wide open, a lazy boater this time making it easy for us. In past years a serious shortage of water down the flight has required BW to now lock some paddles. The top lock single useable paddle was found later to be left up with the gate open. So we took it upon ourselves to close them.

Moving with friends

We knew they were heading for Braunston and beyond so we were there to greet them. Molly got all excited again and ran off to see her friends Lucy & Meg.

After shopping we moved up the flight together with No Problem.

Going through that bent tunnel is always an event. This time it was passing 5 boats with various odd configurations of lighting. Boats should have one shining up on the roof to show the way and not to blind on coming boaters. One had two at the front shining either side while another had one at each end! “Made it difficult to judge if it was two or just one boat.” At least one boat bounced off the corner of a bend forcing us to stop to avoid a collision in the darkness. The tow path between the tunnel and Norton Junction is much improved but proved to be shallow for some boats to moor.

We stopped at the junction and got the BBQ out to cook beefburgers and sausages and enjoyed the meal inside No Problem with Sue n Vic and a bottle of wine. Then we went to the New Inn to celebrate our 43rd wedding anniversary, enjoying the company of Sue n Vic outside in the evening coolness.

Historic boats

We walked down the canal towards Braunston to watch many boats manoeuvring at the ‘turn’.

An official count indicated that at least 80 or more historic boats had assembled at Braunston for the weekend. There were also a few other boaters trying to get through because I suppose BW cannot actually close the navigation.

Down by the ‘Stop House’ where the canal narrows, the overhanging shrubbery threatened to scratch the freshly painted boats.

It proved to be so shallow that Nutfield got stuck on the mud while towing Raymond. Some boats passed by while the majority just waited.

Then we saw the one and only steam powered boat President as she backed into the marina with Kildare, the butty, alongside. Some of the historic boats had several generations of boating families on board. Original and current owners keeping their pride and joy in very good working condition.

Braunston preview

We walked round Braunston Marina to watch the historic boats arrive and assemble while the white and black paint dried on the bridges and buildings.

The boats are looking at their best again having been freshly painted and brass polished.

The grass has been cut as tents and displays are erected.

Friends and family

Carol and George on Rock n Roll were nearby and Ann met them on the tow path with their dog called Molly. I was inside making a chicken sauce and waved through the window. 

Then Mo and Vanessa stopped by on their way north. Good to chat about their adventures on the Kennet & Avon canal. They had got all the way to Bristol and even passed under the Clifton suspension bridge! “A special trip down the channel and back while the tide was up.”
Braunston is once again packed with boats and we have moved out going south just past the Puddle Banks. On our way out we saw a crane in the marina pulling an old boat out of the water. “It cracked on the way out.” The boat was called Lucy and had occupied space with another just outside Braunston. Both were old wooden working boats in serious decay. The other boat had been taken away for restoration.

Ann’s brother Pete and his wife Deanna arrived to see us on the boat. We took them down to Flecknoe Farm and had our Sunday roast. But before lunch we were obliged to move on past a few more boats because a swarm of bees came a bit close. The day is the longest of the year starting off more like October with dull grey skies but by the afternoon it was hot n sunny. Our guests went off with Ann for a walk while I volunteered to wash up. “Yes I do know how.” When they came back we returned to Braunston and said good bye to our guests.
We were lucky to find a space by the turn having passed many spaces for half boats! Next day we placed an order with Tesco for more food to be delivered at Willoughby. Off we went in glorious sunshine to the turn at Tarry’s bridge 74 and back, like going somewhere but getting nowhere.

Braunston boats are gathering

Braunston boat weekend is Saturday 27 th. and Sunday 28 th. June.  We have walked through the site and seen notices proclaiming that the visitor moorings near the marina will be suspended between 20 th June and 4 th July, a full 15 days in all.  Already some well restored and freshly painted workboats have arrived. 

We saw Hadar pass through heading south on the Oxford while Saltair, Betelgeuice and Warbler are already here. 

We have found that the Elsan facility near bridge 91 is blocked.  In fact some silly boater has now made it overflow and it smells.  A BW person happened to be passing and I asked when it would be fixed.  “Not my department” he said and walked on by.  The local BW office is now only open on a Friday so no doubt complaints will come flooding in.  Almost every available space is occupied and boats are still arriving this weekend so we decided to move out for a few days having filled our water tank.