Buckby to Braunston…

The weather was dull and very misty this morning as we set off up Buckby Locks – the first locks since last September.  Must say I was dreading it as I’m so unfit after the winter.  Turns out I was fine after all!

Damp and misty morning

Having recently re-read Shirley Ginger’s Lock, Stock and Barrel, about her and her families adventures when they bought the cottage and ran the shop at Buckby Top Lock, I remembered to take a photo.  Unfortunately it is no longer a shop, but a private home.

Top Lock Cottage

Onwards and through Braunston Tunnel – must be the first time that we haven’t met a boat coming the other way.

Braunston locks (6 of them) were soon out of the way – why does it always seem quicker going down a flight of locks than up? A quick stop to fill with water and to buy a couple of egg and bacon sarnies from the newly refurbished ‘Gongoozler’s Rest Cafe boat at the entrance to Braunston Marina.  No sooner had we scoffed them than we spotted nb Valerie, no sign of Les aboard though (pub?), then we came upon nb No Problem and nb Moore 2 Life around the corner.  Les was helping to install a new oven on No Problem.  Of course we had to stop for a chat and block the canal for a while!

L-R, Ann & Chas (nb Moore 2 Life), Les (nb Valerie) and Sue and Vic (nb No Problem)

Around the next bend we came upon nb Piston Broke – nobody aboard though.

More bloggers today than you can shake a stick at!!  We continued for 20 minutes or so up the North Oxford and found a nice quiet spot to moor for the night.  Bliss!

13 locks and 7.17 miles