No Problem is in Braunston

3rd Feb to Today – Rugby to Braunston, Oxford Canal, 9.5 miles 0 locks

Friday was a busy day.. No Problem’s engine was fixed again, and by the early afternoon we welcomed the opportunity to charge our very low batteries.  I went over to pick up Lucy’s dog food and get some other bits and pieces while Vic and Chas managed to fire up the generator just to check that it would work OK.  Well, the way I am feeling at the moment, I just want the insurance of some alternative power… seems the engine is not totally reliable… but we are due in at Calcutt Marina on 9th February, and I have asked for a full engine check.  This engine is a reconditioned BMC 1.8 from Calcutt themselves and is only 15 months old.

Pulling the pins on Rugby it was nice to be away under our own steam, and by the early evening we were moored at the top of Hillmorton Locks..

It was a bit late to call on the farmer to ask if we could take more wood from his fields.  The last time we were here we filled the roof right up with some love long burning logs.. I waited to do that the following day.. he said to take as much as we liked, so once again the roof is full.

I cannot pass Hillmorton at the weekend without calling in at The Lock Stock Bistro for a good old Sunday roast.. in fact Chas and Ann joined us, such a lovely place this is, so relaxing.  Here we all are eagerly awaiting our plateful..

The run from there to Braunston today was as pleasant as ever.. bit cold but no wind… and surely spring is on the way when the first lambs of the year are spied close to the canal..

I am very surprised how quiet Braunston is.. Over the last weekend there has been a bit of a show on here for the Shared Ownership Boats, but there was no sign at all of that today, and we moored just outside Braunston central in view of the church.  We can get the satellite dish to pick up the dot in the sky from here you see.. tis more difficult in the central part of ‘Braunston turn’.

Popping into the marina to meet some friends, the latest gossip was of a certain Mr Finch who had fallen into the canal in a drunken state… luckily for him he was rescued… Now Mr Finch is dreaded by any narrowboat owner… he breaks in and steals from the boats.. he has broken into over 350 narrowboats, the courts being very lenient with him in the past.. As he lay unconscious on the towpath waiting for an ambulance, gossip has it that 6 police cars raced to the scene to catch this illusive burglar!.. I see in the Northampton paper that today he was sentenced to 2 years in prison, so I suppose our boats are safe now for a year or so!

We will be here for a day or two.. walking is definitely on the agenda tomorrow..