The 100th day

Sunday 16^th July; Grafton Regis to Stoke Bruerne

Though it was comparatively sheltered where we were moored, it was still very windy out in the open, where it would have been nice to have moored last night!

Lovely views

It was mostly bright, and even sunny, but with the odd passing shower.  We weren’t far from the bottom of the Stoke Bruerne flight, and were soon on our way up.  The bottom lock was full to overflowing, and I thought it would be difficult to open the bottom gates as water was pouring over the top ones, but the pound level above dropped a little and it was ok.  Strangely the next lock was totally empty and ready for us, with no other boat in sight.  Very odd.  At our 4^th lock we waited for a boat coming down, and then at the next were two lovely volunteers.

It wasn't really that dark!  look carefully and you will see the volunteers.

We moored easily in the long pound below the next lock.  We checked out the Navigation’s web page for vacancies for Sunday lunch – nothing until 2.45, by which time we hoped to be watching the men’s singles final at Wimbledon.  So we had a sandwich and enjoyed the tennis (Alcarez beating Djokovic in a very exciting final set).

We walked up to the Navigation where we didn’t fancy anything on their evening menu (the roasts having long been scoffed).  So I ordered a takeaway in the Spice of Bruerne and we enjoyed a pint of Pedigree in the pub while we waited.  When we collected it, Dave realised that the curry house was where the famous (in the boating world) Sister Mary had lived.

The takeaway was excellent, a small celebration of our 100^th day aboard Bonjour.  We’ll get a table next time.

Less than 3 miles, 5 locks