Sunday the 9^th September;

After a full week of traveling we decided to take the day of for a bit of R&R, but not far into the day we had a call from Elaine and Byron wanting to know where we were. A decision made and they said that they would be with us in a couple of hours, for a visit, which was great news as we hadn’t seen them since the wedding. They arrived early afternoon just as was finishing undercoating the semi-trad cockpit, so after a quick clean-up it was in for tea and coffee and a good old natter.

Rather than spend a fortune in the pub for lunch Sally made sandwiches which we had with homemade scones, pork pie, olives and pickled onions. Elaine was our friend who made our wedding cake, of which we have some left, but we had no takers for a piece. Unfortunately it was only a short visit and it was soon time for them to leave us, however we had a good laugh and promised to see them when this year’s cruise is over.

Monday the 10^th;

With the promise of a good day although quite windy, we set off for Wilton Locks, and it was good to be back on the canals. With the throttle set at just under 1000 rpm we made good progress toward our planned stop at Weedon Bec for water, and once done we set off again catching sight of a very familiar boat up in front. It was Peter and Pippa on NB Sentosa 2, the couple we first met on our way down at Kings Lock just below Leicester, and as they were heading for Wilton we tucked in behind them, ambling along the canal with the Midland Main train line to our left and the M1 motorway with its fast traffic to our right, and all within a stones through of each other.

Reaching Wilton Lock we moored just in front of them and took the chance to share our adventures on the rivers, before they had to leave, turning around and heading south for London. After this we settled down for the night and played a couple of games of scrabble before turning in for the night.

Tuesday the 11^th;

We had planned to set off at 9am, however at 08.30 another boat came passed, ready to head up the flight of Buckby Locks, and when I asked if they wanted company he said yes so we set off a little earlier. The whole flight only took us an hour and a half but we had a good time with the other boaters, he even showed me a method of retrieving the centre rope when going into an empty lock chamber, which made it a learning day and that’s always good. Soon we arrived at Norton Junction and moored up saying our thanks to the other couple as they continued their journey.

Karl, my son did as promised and picked us up and treated us to a wonderful meal out at West Hadden and the Pytchly Hotel. I enjoyed the thickest and most succulent gammon steak I have ever had while Sally had hand battered cod. Once we had eaten our fill, Karl brought us back to the boat before heading home to be ready for an early start in the morning for filming in London the next day.

Wednesday 12^th;

In front of us today was a short run through the tunnel and down the flight to Braunston, the capital of narrow boating where we have been several times before. The day started with light rain, although we had blue skies and we couldn’t work out where it was coming from (one of life’s mysteries) as we made our way to the tunnel. I guess this was the first tunnel of this year, not counting Crick and I was a bit nervous at going in, but soon settled down as we made our way through. As we got nearer to the exit a small cruiser came heading toward us so I slowed right down as he danced around in the darkness. The next thing was him bouncing off the side of our boat, with cries of “Sorry”, but I guess it hurt his boat more than ours but he did leave a nasty scuff.

Out of the tunnel it was a short run down the first of five descending locks into Braunston which we shared with an older and infirm couple, which meant a bit more work for me, but it was good to help. At the bottom we stopped to do the usual chores and found a nice mooring before it started to rain properly. Yet another good day on the canals, and like my friend Nick says “a bad days boating, is better than a good day at work”.