Braunston was today’s target and moorings can be in short supply, so we aimed to arrive mid morning when the leavers had already left and the arrivers hadn’t yet arrived. We set off about 9.30 in dry but cool conditions, and almost immediately saw the local swan family on an outing.
It’s moored boats nearly all the way so progress wasn’t quick. And CRT are doing some bank works and there were two boats moored across the canal. It’s just as well we weren’t a widebeam.
There’s always a bit of anticipation when Braunston Church comes into view with its distinctive spire.
And then we were at the junction, and turning right.
There were spaces opposite the Boat House but we took a chance on there being something further along outside the marina. Adrian jumped off at the Road bridge and walked ahead, noting on the way that the water point outside the Stop House, which had been removed, is now back. There was a space on the end of the moorings between the first marina entrance and Butcher’s Bridge, so we took it. The boat behind left almost immediately, but we opted to stay where we were.
We’d spotted Amy Jo getting a pump out at the marina so I popped round for a chat to Chris and Steve, and then a bit later they came past heading for the locks. We’ll see them again at Crick.
We walked up to the village for lunch at the Community Cafe. We’d also planned to buy things at the butcher, but it closed down in November. The selection of veg at the village shop opposite wasn’t huge. In the afternoon I did a few recordings with people for a future podcast, including one up at the church.
It’s been raining on and off, sometimes quite heavily, but the canal has still been busy with plenty of boats in both directions.
2 miles, 0 locks. (56 miles, 115 locks)