Back to smaller things.

With a 36 hour turn around at home we left on Saturday evening and got to “Chance” in Brinklow marina at 10 pm.  It was a strange feeling to think that only a week ago we were in Canada!  

At 8:30 this morning we were wending our way towards Braunston.  The top lock at Hilmorton was our last single lock of the year.  Taking a month out of our canal cruising to go ocean cruising has delayed us somewhat.  The intention was to enjoy the delights of the Oxford canal and the River Thames again this year but, with other commitments, we’ve changed the plan to the Grand Union and avoiding the chance of the Thames misbehaving itself this late in the season.

We really didn’t expect the amount of traffic we encountered today –  even during the summer it wasn’t as busy.  

The sunshine was glorious, which probably accounts for the number of boats around – although this picture gives a rather different view.

Although we had sunshine in excess the strong wind got very tiresome.  The major works at the entrance to Braunston marina was supposed to be “coned off” by white buoys but they had been blown all over the canal and looked a bit like a canoe slalom!

We joined forces with a delightful couple going up through the Braunston lock flight – sadly we can’t remember their names or the name of the boat!

Once through the Braunston tunnel and out of the trees it’s always novel to look across the fields and see the Leicester Arm of the GU (and the moored boats) approaching from the left to meet up at Norton Junction.

Before calling it a day we decided to tackle the top lock of the Buckby flight – the weather was so good there were people sitting outside the New Inn next to the lock.  After a nine hour journey today we moored up at 5 o’ clock in the pound below the lock, lit the stove, put on the dinner and hunkered down for the night.  A great day!