Wednesday 8th June.
Braunston.
I met up again with Maffi and we both went for a meal at The
Admiral Nelson and a few beers. We didn’t stop talking and laughing for three
hours and had a very enjoyable time. In the meantime, the heavens had opened as
forecast, but the rain was not as torrential as elsewhere. I passed a
hairdressers on the way and on the spur of the moment went in to see if I could
get a trim up. Sure enough, she could do it there and then, which was a bonus
and would save returning later. It was another hot and oppressive day with no
wind to cool things down, but also a good day for touching up the paint damage
and a visit to the chandlery.
On the way to The Nelson later, I bumped into Graham Scothern, ex
Chair of NBT and Harbourmaster for the Braunston Hysterics, as it is generally
know around here. He welcomed me to his team and explained a few things that I
was unaware of, as well as comparing notes on NBT matters generally.
Thursday 9th June.
A chilly start to the day, but the forecast is better for later
on. I did get to the Braunston Chandlery this morning, but managed to buy
nothing at all. I set off later and cruised my favourite part of the waterways,
between Bruanston Turn and Napton Junction. Not only is it typical of Brindley’s
winding contour canal, but it is so rural, with hardly a house or electricity
pylon to be seen for many a mile. For a large part, it is slightly above the
countryside to the north, which commands lovely views.
Two photos of my favourite canal section.
I turned north at Napton Junction and reached Calcutt Boats after
passing through one lock. I managed to moor up stern first onto the wharf and
the engineer came across to suss out the problem with the auxiliary alternator
bracket. He explained that it had always been difficult to fit another
alternator to the BMC 1.5 engine, because it was not originally designed for
two alternators and the only really successful method was to have the engine
out and weld an addition part to the front flange. Obviously this was above and
beyond the lengths that I was prepared to go, so it is something I will have to
live with. I fuelled up whilst there and had to make a declaration in the
office when I went to pay. I had not done this for ages, as I very rarely buy
diesel in a marina, so it was a bit of a surprise.
It was now very hot and humid and when I returned to my boat, I
spotted another boat about to go down the flight. I hailed them and they waited
in the lock for me. It was a Canaltime timeshare boat, with skipper Bob, his
wife Wendy and daughter Anya. I decided to stay with them as far as Two Boats
pub, again letting them enter the lock first, so as not damage my paintwork.
Bob was a far more competent steerer than those on the last hire boat, so my
paintwork was not in any danger. The girls worked really hard on the
candlestick lock gear and we went down in record time, although time and energy
could have been saved by using only one gate and one paddle at each lock. I
insisted on buying the girls a drink for their effort at the pub, but churlish
not to get Bob one as well and we sat outside talking about boats of course.
Friday 10th June.
A cloudy start to the day and some light rain in the morning. I
made the mooring more secure in the light of disturbance by speeding private
boats – what is it with those guys? I’ll bet they all moor in marinas, so are
not aware of on line moorers, but then they must moor up on the main line when
out cruising. The best notice I have seen for them reads “Some souls are
considerate and slow down when passing, but there are souls who do not.” - a subtle
play on words.
A CRT push tug stuck in the mud - he got off eventually.
I spent a great deal of time trying to email some material for The
Steerer magazine using the BT Hotspot system, as I have BT broadband at home so
why not use it. It is so unreliable, despite there being several Hotspots in
the vicinity and I tried them all. In frustration, I resorted to my own mobile
wi-fi, which probably used up all my months allowance in one go, considering
how long it took to upload a few photographs and text.
Feeling cabin fever approaching, I decided to walk to the village
via a footpath across the fields and very pleasant it was too, being well away
from the busy road. There are four pubs there and I settled for the Buck and
Bell close to the village green. Only one other customer in there and he
recommended the beer, which was very welcome on another humid day. I returned
via the main road – big mistake, it being noisy and very busy.
Saturday 11th June.
I found a little shop close to the pub on the housing estate, but
the choice of goods was extremely limited. I managed to wind the boat in front
of the pub before any customers appeared and I then moved up two locks to The
Blue Lias, mooring outside with a view to using their w-fi. The water point was
opposite, so I filled up there first.
Yet another pub without their own wi-fi, but I was hoping the BT
Hotspot would connect. I was to be disappointed. My phone connects OK, but then
that is more up to date at less than a year old. The PC just would not connect
to the BT Hotspot and my personal wi-fi could not get a phone signal, so out in
the desert yet again. I have to say the same about shops too; very few and far
between, so it was a good job I stocked up at the butchers in Braunston a few
days ago. I will have to repeat that experience when I return, as I think his dry
cured smoked bacon is the best I have tasted and no water comes out of it when
fried.
There is a wedding reception going on here and after the formal
group photograph, several guests wanted their pictures taken against the side
of my boat – could have earned some beer money there! The disco started at
20.30 and finished at midnight – not too obtrusive really.
Sunday 12th June.
I moved across to the water point to rinse out my washing before
moving up to the lock landing. Just as I opened the gate, a boat came through
the bridge ‘ole. When we were both in the lock, who should appear on the side
of the lock, but Bob, my locking friend from a few days ago. He accused me of pinching
his place in the lock, as his boat was behind, which I did not realise at the
time. We ascended Stockton Locks in short order and parted at the top, as I
paid another visit to Calcutt Boats for a couple of Thackery Washers, which
they could not supply, but suggested Allen screws, which are even stronger than
high tensile bolts. They didn’t have those either.
It had been drizzling all morning and the rest of the day was
showery. I turned right at Napton Junction, heading for Napton. A pleasant
little trip with no locks. Passing Napton Bridge Inn brought back memories of
long ago. Sadly, it looks closed again.
At Napton, I winded the boat and reversed on to a mooring, with a
little difficulty, as other boats were coming both ways. I ran onto the mud and
let them pass, before trying again with better success. After emptying my
rubbish, I had a very nice pint of Shagweaver in The Folly. They also had good
wi-fi, so it’s back again in a minute to post my blog at last. Oh yes Barry the
statue of Venus is still there!
Blog now posted after four days in the wilderness. I also mentioned the Sunday cheese feast to the barmaid and she said it is on tonight - say no more! As long as I can keep awake, that is.
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