Braunston Top Lock

An early start again, first the tunnel, then the long drag to the bottom of Buckby.  Elinor of Rickmansworth which we had passed moored near Blisworth came up behind at a rate of knots, so we let them pass.  However, there they were waiting at the bottom of the flight so be joined Dave & Pauline for the climb.  They moor at Aylesbury and were on their way to Braunston to pick up a new boat.   Time went very quickly as it does in good company.   Our plan was to spend the night at the top, but there were no moorings available, so the best thing seemed to be to do the Braunston Tunnel and moor at the top of the Braunston flight.  In spite of the fact that there is an historic boat rally next weekend, the moorings were empty apart from a Canaltime.   I did some roof painting and Pat did some cleaning.  After supper of spicy sycilian sausage and pasta, salad, garlic bread with a bottle of Negroamaro followed by strawberries & cream we set off down the flight to try and get a mobile phone signal.  On the way we met the Canaltime crew who were wondering about the matter of where to turn their 45 foot boat.  Our advice was that they should go down to the next pound where there was plenty of room.  At the bottom, our mobiles leaped into life and I learned that I am a grandfather – Lee my first daughter had sprogged.   A celebratory pint and return to the boat.  Terry and Doris, our Canaltime folks had decided to turn the boat, so we gave a hand and spent a very enjoyable rest of the evening chatting over a bottle of wine.