A busy weekend, party time everywhere

Braunston to Hillmorton, Oxford Canal, 8.5 miles 0 locks

Well we have had a very social weekend. On Friday evening it was catchup time with Mo and Ness of NB Balmaha, and we enjoyed a lovely evening with them aboard their narrowboat. They are off ‘up norf’ to explore the Rivers Trent and Ouse, and all points north to Ripon. We did that trip a few years ago, and I gave Mo a few pointers, but left quite a bit out.. well they need to explore!

After coffee on Saturday they pulled the pins on Braunston and made their way towards the locks and tunnel to take them to the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union..

But unless this rain stops, they might not get too far if the River Soar is still in flood.. the Trent will be wild too! I was pleased that they liked the way we had done the refit of our new No Problem.. I dunno, but I get nervous when people come to visit, not sure that others will like what we have done.. but when I look back now, it has not been that easy logistically to do the fitout ourselves.. still it’s mainly all done now, and Mo and Ness were quite right when they suggested we should have a holiday and hang up the saws, screwdrivers and varnish brushes for a couple of weeks.. that we will do!

A wander around the various chandlery shops on Saturday afternoon before going out to The Plough for dinner.. it was Ann and Chas’s wedding anniversary, and a chance for us to spoil them, not only a present, but also for a thanks to them for all the help they have given us over the last 6 months.

Sunday saw us pulling the pins early.. and make our way out of Braunston heading north this time, passing the turn to Napton and the south ..

Once again we were to socialise, this time at the fabulous Lock Stock Bistro at Hillmorton. John Sinclair phoned to ask where we would be on Sunday, so I invited him for Sunday Lunch at my most favourite eating house on the cut. There is no better place for a roast!

We dropped down the locks to put the pins in on the 14 day moorings.. I like this area very much, and today I explored the new boat services here. There is a new chandlery which sells some very handy items as well as basic groceries such as bread and milk. It has only been open for a few weeks, they could really do with more signs along the towpath as it is tucked away a bit from the main canal.

We passed this bridge on Sunday..

It was in a very bad way indeed, in fact over the weekend while the workmen were away another huge piece had fallen.. I guess all this rain isn’t helping it’s cause. I wasn’t overly happy to go under it to be honest, but I guess the farmer has insisted that it stays up. His cattle need it to cross from the fields to the milking parlour.. but…

And talking of cattle, a pic I took the same day..

I have never seen such a mixture of cattle colours and breeds in one field before, an amazing sight it was.

I hope it stops raining soon.. I am getting a bit bored with it!