Braunston - 15th - 16th September

Saturday 15^th September 2018

Before bridge 6 Welton Wharf to After bridge 2 Braunston – Grand Union Canal

2 miles, 4 locks

By the time we had found somewhere we could moor comfortably last night we were about a mile ahead of Cleddau.  We had been alerted when they departed and we were good to go as they went past us

heading for Braunston tunnel.

The boat emerging should have given us fair warning about how busy it would be.  I stayed inside with the dogs so missed the steady stream going against us – we hoped it meant there might be a two moorings left in Braunston.  25 minutes later we emerged and before we knew it we were at the first lock.

The flight was really busy with a steady stream of boats going up and down.  Two ahead of us and two behind

We had hoped to moor just above lock three on the Braunston flight, but boats were nose to tail and breasted up.  One was adorned with bunting  

marking a very special day

I wonder if the flowers were the Bridal bouquet?

The side hatch was open and people were inside, so I called out ‘Congratulations’.  A young man popped out onto the bow to say thank you.  They got married on Wednesday and were here for a ‘bit of a bash’ in a marquee just up the hill somewhere.  

So on we went through lock 3 which is by The Admiral Nelson where we had hoped to be able to have our ‘farewell’ dinner as we go our separate ways on Monday which is why we wanted to moor this end of Braunston

It was at this lock that I got a shock when I climbed over the gate to raise the paddles on the far side.  I got there only to discover that I had been followed!

Monty has stoically refused to even contemplate such feats, but Kiera – well she just climbed up and over she went. She is as steady as a rock and probably safer than I am!

We could not see from the lock if there was space, so we exited full of hope – we were in luck as there was not just room for one

but two of us bow to stern, 

We were not quite so lucky with the pub – they were fully booked for Saturday evening.  The butcher and local shop were raided and a collaborative meal (we did the starter and desert and they did the main) was enjoyed on board Cleddau.  The starter was a bit ‘ad hoc’, but it seemed to work and we had a very convivial evening.

Sunday 16^th September 2018

Braunston

The walk into the village is much nicer from this end of town and the dogs can mostly be off the lead (thank you to Adam who gave me the heads up when we were here last year).  To my surprise the butcher was open today.  We had bought quite a bit yesterday (it is one of the best on the canal network) and I got a bit more today! 

There is a good field on the way up to the shops – just right for a game of ball.  Two dogs, two balls, but one dog has both balls!

 The Admiral Nelson does not start proper Sunday roast lunches until the end of September, but we decided to go out for our final meal together in any case.  The menu was not extensive, the food took time to arrive, but it was worth the wait to receive freshly cooked really tasty well-cooked food.

Chris & Jennie - I must have moved the crushed peas before I took the photo - they were excellent and so much easier to eat that garden peas that continually make a bid for freedom!

Sue - Plaice with wild mushrooms, crushed new potatoes & asparagus.  Sadly there was only one portion left and Sue asked first!

Ken

 Braunston must be one of the busiest parts of the network – both Saturday and Sunday boats were continually going past us.  One of the advantages of being close to a lock is that most boats were going slowly.  We met one man further down past the locks re-tying his ropes and complaining about the speed of passing boats.  We have promised to creep past him when we leave tomorrow!

Walking the towpath there are lots of things to see:

A gypsy caravan.

Looking down on the marina

Pumping station

Built in 1897

Nearby is a red Transport Trust plaque celebrating the heritage of the whole village of Braunston

Some cottages are older than the canal and the canal goes underneath some of them.

Braunston is a real honey spot and difficult to pass through without spending a day or two just enjoying the atmosphere.  It is a real novelty to see so many boats on the move - some days on the rivers passing boats are a rarity.

Lady luck was smiling on Chris and I over the weekend - on Saturday Chris said 'I am feeling lucky, why don't you buy a lottery ticket' - something we rarely do.  I did and as I emerged from the shop Chris found a pound coin on the ground.  When I went for the papers on Sunday I handed the ticket to the lady to check. The machine made a very jolly noise - I had won £164 having got four numbers correct!!  Back at the boat getting ready to go out for lunch I realised I had lost my white gold bracelet that I bought some years ago in Egypt.  It had to either be on Cleddau (I was wearing it Saturday evening), on the towpath or in the cut.  We searched Cleddau and the towpath to no avail, so it appeared my lottery win was more than spent, however later in the afternoon Sue found it.  It will not be worn again until I get the clasp fixed.  So what will we do with the lottery win?  Our daughter is 40 next month and the family (11 of us) are going out for dinner to celebrate, so it will go towards that!