A disappointment in Braunston

Monday 18^th September; Braunston locks to below Hillmorton

It rained heavily overnight and there was a thunderstorm, though I only heard the last clap of thunder.  But the sun was shining when we woke next morning and boats were moving early.  After breakfast we saw activity at the lock, so we made ready to leave and in we went, just two locks to go this morning.  We even had a locking partner appear round the bend so we waited for them.  We were soon down the two locks, a lockie on duty at the bottom one.  I bought a loaf at the little shop and picked up Towpath Talk, then we pottered down to Butcher’s Bridge and moored for a trip up to the village.

The obligatory photo – this time from the footpath

We had completely forgotten that the butcher is closed on a Monday.  Oh well, we’ll have to go to Tesco tomorrow but their sausages are just not as good.  And we need them as it’s time for the dog’s worming tablets and she won’t take them unless they are concealed in sausage (though she doesn’t care where those come from).  We got a couple of things in the shop and went on for water.  Both taps before the junction were in use, and had only just started, but luckily the facilities point next to the chandlery had just enough space for us to get our stern and centre ropes on and wait for the tap to become free.

Congestion at Braunston Turn

Two boats had crammed onto the chandlery mooring too.  It wasn’t long before it was our turn for water, and we pulled back as far as we could, just in time for the next boat to get their stern and centre ropes tied where we had been.  Dave nipped over to the chandler’s to get some stern grease while the tank filled.   And all the while, boats were coming round the turn or passing straight through.  It was lucky there was only one boat moored on the towpath side so at least there were no difficulties if two boats passed at once – our bow was sticking out rather as the edge here is not straight.  We left as soon as we could as the cloud was coming over and rain was forecast.  We had a quick lunch stop just past Willoughby and continued towards Barby Straight.  It rained a bit, but nothing much.  For once the alpacas at the moorings were posing for me.

Marina guardians

There are some nice boats moored along the offside, with some lovely gardens.  One boat was out, or maybe the mooring is waiting for a new occupant.  Meanwhile, there is plenty of room for others to relax.

At the end of the straight there used to be a bungalow, where the owner seemed obsessive about his - I’m sure it was a man - hedges and lawns, which were always immaculate, and the tree on the lawn was also clipped neatly.  It looks as though it has been sold now and something rather larger being built in its place.

Not a bungalow any more

It will be interesting to see how it develops, especially the garden.  The clouds began to look threatening, but we decided to go down Hillmorton locks anyway; the forecast for tomorrow is not very good and we thought we'd get them out of the way today.  We chose the offside lock, as the boater looked further ahead than the crew at the other – and the rain started.  The boat was Rune – we have met John and Julia a couple of times before and follow each other’s blogs, so we were looking out for each other.  But with boats arriving below the locks there was no time for more than a quick hello before we were in and down.  One of the middle locks was already full and ready, and I had a choice of the bottom two, both only about a foot down.  There were no volunteers on but a boat was ready to take our lock and off we went again.  We moored around the bend, a bit concerned that if we went on to the golf course moorings near the new Houlton bridge there might not be enough room for us.  There are rings here but everyone used the armco instead – this is why.

It’s close to the railway, but there is no road noise.  The road to Houlton, where last time we moored at the golf course a motorbike was testing its acceleration very noisily, is hidden behind a bank of earth.  I could just see some street lights in the distance.  It was going to be sausages for tea tonight - instead it had to be veg lasagne or beans on toast and the lasagne won.

8 miles, 5 locks