Braunston

Here I am Rune

Distance 5.7 miles

Total 1685 Locks 82 Tunnels

Running total mileage 2346.9 miles

As planned, we are now back to Braunston, we were here before lunch but after spending time watering up, emptying the elsan and dumping rubbish, by the time we were moored it was a bit after lunch. Add to that the fact that after squeezing into a gap that was probably 60’6” (RUNE is 60’ long) a more spacious gap became available about 100 yards further down the moorings, so we moved onto that one.

Today was certainly an ideal day for winter narrow-boating, clear sky, not too much wind and bright sunshine it was a real pleasure travelling the canal from Calcutt to Braunston.

Calcutt

Here I am Rune

Distance 5 miles

Total 1685 Locks 82 Tunnels

Running total mileage 2341.2 miles

Didn’t get quite as far as I’d hoped today, I was looking to get to the mooring we had at Flecknoe the last time we were heading towards Braunston but, by the time we’d refuelled at Calcutt Boats the light was starting to fail so we have moored for the night just above the lock moorings at Calcutt boats. Tomorrow, with a good weather forecast we should be into Braunston before lunch.

Marston Doles

Here I am Rune

Distance 7 miles

Total 1676 Locks 82 Tunnels

Running total mileage 2336.2 miles

After a few days away in Torquay we are now back on the boat and on the move again heading back north. We are about half a mile from Marston Doles top lock after a pretty windy day’s cruise. It doesn’t make steering too difficult, the main problem is starting off and mooring up again. Only passed one other boat today, as expected it was on a blind corner with moored boats all around, managed to pass without too much fuss.

Tomorrow we’ll be back to Calcutt Boats to refuel then head along in the direction of Braunston, intending to arrive there on Thursday.

Fenny Compton

Here I am Rune

Distance 3 miles

Total 1676 Locks 82 Tunnels

Running total mileage 2329.2 miles

At last at Fenny Compton, certainly got a bit cold last night didn’t it? We were actually passing through some ice on the canal this morning on the way here. Other than that the trip was excellent a clear blue winter sky and sunny, although a bit chilly. Not sure how long we will stay here, have to see how it pans out.

Southam

Here I am Rune

Distance 6.6 miles

Total 1676 Locks 82 Tunnels

Running total mileage 2326.2 miles

We didn’t make it to Fenny Compton, after it took us until after 1.30pm to clear the Napton flight of locks I didn’t think that we would given that it is beginning to get dark soon after 4pm and we don’t really want to be travelling in the dark. We are, according to my map reading, exactly 3 miles from Fenny Compton winding hole so it should take us about an hour once we get going tomorrow.

There has been a significant drop in the temperature and an increase in the wind which makes steering a pretty chilly exercise. At the moment there is a clear sky and if it remains that way I would expect to see quite a frost in the morning. We did get a very light flurry of what may have been snow/sleet today, but nothing that came to much. The wind is still blowing strongly though.

Napton

Here I am Rune

Distance 7 miles

Total 1667 Locks 82 Tunnels

Running total mileage 2319.6 miles

Today has been what winter cruising should be like, cold but dry and sunny. As we left Braunston we passed Vic on ‘Lindy-Lou’ coming into the village. I told him that we’d just left him a mooring space but apparently he is heading up towards Rugby so didn’t need it. For the rest of the trip to Napton we only passed one other boat moving, and that was as we were coming into Napton to moor. Bit of a confused situation since he had clearly just set off as I came around the corner into Napton and was drifting in the middle of the canal. I stopped to let him sort himself out and then he waved me past on the port (wrong)side (starboard to starboard). Not a problem but as I started to come through he then continued to drift towards me which would have resulted in a collision. When people wave you through they should stop to let you get past! 

As planned we’ve reached Napton Bottom Lock so hopefully onto Fenny Compton tomorrow.