We left Hillmorton Top at 07:30 planning to arrive at Braunston Turn at 10:00 in time for the opening of Midland Chandlers and the possibility of getting a mooring there. Only two boats passed us on the way until just past Willoughby. Braunston was busy though. Two boats on the water point and the shop mooring occupied. However as luck would have it the last spot in the line opposite before the turn was free. So we stopped there and walked round. In all the freedom of the waterway life and the inherent social distancing I had forgotten that shops all have to obey the rules so we joined the queue (max 3 in the shop) outside. A car drew up and who should appear behind us but an ex colleague from London who has the same name as I do. Running into people we know on the canal seems a frequent occurrence. We are looking into acquiring a replacement oven and cooker hob for the boat. The existing one is 20 years old. The ignition no longer works and the oven is rusty in places. I have searched the internet but found nothing of the right size. The guy in Midland Chandlers pointed out instantly what we needed and even gave us a card for a marine gas qualified engineer to boot. Then Pat saw a folding four wheeled luggage trolley which could be very useful. So there we are! One more piece of stuff to store away somewhere.
Moving on we returned to our favourite stop just before bridge 100 on the GU Oxford section. For the second time since last May 2019 we have been able to put the “fan” up. Low hedges and open country make this a windy spot!
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