Oxford Canal:Newbold

Braunston opens at 9:00, so I left the mooring at about 8:15 and arrived precisely on cue.  I had not understood that diesel, pumpout etc are all self service, so once I had got over the shock, been to the office and signed the diesel book, received my token and found someone to open up the pumpout shed it was all go.   It was a good long pumpout enabling a proper washout which was excellent.   I did the business at Midland Chandlers and then set off slowly for Rugby.   Within minutes there was another boat up my backside, so let him pass and before long another, so I gave in and speeded up in as much as one can speed up on this canal which is so shallow in places.   All the Hillmorton Locks were functional and with a volunteer lock-keeper to help with the last.   So past Rugby and stopping at Newbold so as to leave just a short cruise to the marina in the morning to get the oil temperature up for a quick oil change.