Rugby

Here I am Rune

Distance 3 miles

Total 2280 Locks  98 Tunnels

Running total mileage 3247.6 miles 

Another morning of waking up to a frozen canal, this is becoming a bit too regular. Fortunately the ice was pretty thin as we discovered when some passing ducks and swans were able to plough their way through it. After seeing that we decided to continue with our original plan to head on towards Rugby to be in a position to get the weekend shopping. 

With one of the stoppages still on about 3 miles further along the canal we won’t be going much further until after about Monday or Tuesday when the stoppage should be lifted (provided that they can get the replacement railway bridge fitted in time!). So we will either be here or at Newbold for New Years Eve.

Hilmorton

Here I am Rune

Distance 6.5 miles

Total 2277 Locks  98 Tunnels

Running total mileage 3244.6 miles 

Here we are back on the cut after the Christmas Break and what a change in the weather (or at least here in Braunston). I wasn’t sure when we got up this morning that we would be able to go anywhere since 50 yards further along the canal the water had frozen. It is odd how you can get a section, such as where we moored, where there is no ice and yet a short distance away the whole canal freezes over.

Well, I had to take the hired car back to the depot this morning and on return the very least that I needed to do was to refill the water tank and empty a cassette. Since the temperature has fallen we also decided to take on more stock of coal since if we do get frozen in anywhere we might need to keep the fire burning throughout the day. 

Once we had completed the above domestic chores a few boats had come through both from the direction of Napton  Junction along the Grand Union and down from the direction of Rugby on the Oxford Canal. Since the weather was perfect (clear sky, sunshine) we decided that we’d set off towards Rugby, and a pleasant trip it was. Not sure where we will moor up for New Year’s Eve, we’ll make that decision tomorrow.

Braunston

Here I am Rune

Distance 3.7 miles

Total 2277 Locks  98 Tunnels

Running total mileage 3238.1miles 

As  planned, today’s trip was just from our mooring near Flecknoe into Braunston, a trip of less than an hour’s duration. We’d reached the stage whereby the Elsan needed emptying and the water tank needed filling so it was time move.

During our stay out at Flecknoe I completed most of the engine service needs of the boat, replacing the oil filter, air filter, changed the oil in the engine and gearbox and re-packed the stern gland with grease, the only thing I didn’t complete was changing the fuel filter since it was reluctant to unscrew. I didn’t want to force the issue since we were pretty much in the middle of nowhere so if anything had broken, repairing it would have been problematic. Once into Braunston, with local chandleries and marine engineers I had another go at getting the fuel filter off, this time successfully.

The plan now will be to remain here until after Christmas.

Flecknoe

Here I am Rune

Distance 8.4 miles

Total 2277 Locks  98 Tunnels

Running total mileage 3234.4 miles 

The trip today was just a utility trip to refuel, and, despite the rain, the task was completed. We are now stocked up with coal and diesel to last until the other side of Christmas and it is only the daily chore tasks (filling up with water, emptying the elsan and rubbish bin) that will need to be done. The current intention is to remain where we are until the middle of next week and then head back towards Braunston.

This is quite a pleasant location not far from Flecknoe with what looks to be an ‘owl box’ in a tree on the opposite side of the canal. Will be interesting to see if we get to hear/see any owls.

Braunston

Here I am Rune

Distance 0.6 miles

Total 2275 Locks  98 Tunnels

Running total mileage 3226 miles 

Today’s trip barely justifies recording, a mere 0.6 miles! The intention had been to go a bit further but due to late rising (9.45am) we were a bit behind throughout the day. We have managed to get the weekend shopping, topped up with water and re-stocked with coal but after all that we are only half a mile further along the canal since yesterday.

The intention for tomorrow will be a greater distance but that could be undermined by the weather forecast, which isn’t good. At the very least however we will need to get to Calcutt to refuel, once that is done the major tasks will be complete until after Christmas.

Braunston

Here I am Rune

Distance 9.1 miles

Total 2275 Locks  98 Tunnels

Running total mileage 3225.4miles 

Quite a good day’s travel even though it didn’t feel particularly exhausting but we’ve managed over 9 miles, 13 locks and 2 tunnels. I’m finding the tunnels quite curious at the moment. Passing through Husbands Bosworth tunnel on our way to Kilby Bridge there was a slight ‘tunnel mist’ inside such that you couldn’t see the exit until you were well into the tunnel. The only other place I’d come across that before was in the Harecastle tunnel when they switch the fans on and an instant fog develops. Well with the current weather conditions I’m now getting a tunnel mist in all of the tunnels. Entering Crick Tunnel I couldn’t see the exit until we were over 500 metres in and going into Braunston Tunnel it wasn’t possible to see the exit until I’d travelled over a kilometre into the tunnel, there was a point at about the halfway mark (900 metres) when it wasn’t possible to see either end of the tunnel! All a bit disconcerting.

Tomorrows plan is to stock up with coal, water up and then get the weekend shopping in before moving off towards Calcutt to refuel.