Friday the 14^th; today we left Braunston heading for Rugby and our rendezvous with John and Jo, Graham and Carolann for a get together after cruising different waters.

My try at an arty pic

We set off from our mooring at 08.45 for a steady cruise up the Oxford Canal and with only three locks at Hillmorton there was no need to push. The weather although cold was bright and sunny with a strong wind needing a continuous tiller to keep us from being blown onto the banks. This section from Braunston is very pretty with rolling hills and a fine view of the church slowly disappearing behind us.  We navigated under a couple of bridges that looked worse for being hit many times, and were being repaired by British Waterways, closing one side of the navigation for the workers safety.

 Bridge 80 and 81

Passing under the M45 which links the M1 with Coventry we came to the new marina of Barby which although open, is still under construction with its pontoon piles but no pontoons yet. Next came, Blue Haven Wharf where some old cottages were being turned into a B&B, almost finished now it looks quite impressive, so well done to the owners.

Now at Hillmorton Locks we found that the locks on the north side were closed for repair, which just left the three on the south bank open for use and although early in the day quite a queue had formed to use them. Taking our place we negotiated the locks and after the last one we pulled over to top up our water tank ready for a couple of days break with NB Acen and NB Autumn Years. From here it was just a short run into Rugby and we spotted our friends moored up on the north bank and so, slowed hailing them to let them know that we had arrived. At that two heads popped out of Acen, with John and Jo untying there boat and moving it up, allowing us to slide in between then and Autumn Years, and with big hugs we moored up. John bless him had the kettle on in minutes and with the return of Graham and Carolann from town we all sat down to tea and cake on one of the parks tables.

Left to right, Jo, John, Carolann, Sally and Graham

Darcy, Purdy and Socks 

It wasn’t long before Socks was running free with Purdy and Darcy, the two whippets belonging to John and Jo, and oh boy did they have a great time. They ran and ran until at last, they all lay down panting and totally worn out, it was funny how they appeared to have remembered each other. Then of course for Sally it was off shopping with Jo, not once but twice, once to get groceries and the second time to go to T K Max.

That night we had them round for wine and nibbles where we had a good laugh at some of the events of this year’s cruise, leaving us at around 10pm.