Back on the canal system. We made our way up the Northampton flight of narrow locks, reveling in the easy, small gates, and good weather (broken clouds, slight breeze). Saw the smoke trails (red, white, and blue) from a distant display of the Red Arrows, Britain’s air demonstration team. They were too far away to catch more than a brief glimpse. Then we made our way to the shade and comfort of a mooring outside Bugbrooke. It is good to be on the canals again, where moorings are wherever takes your fancy- anywhere on the towpath side, rather than the limited number of designated moorings for only a couple of boats along East Anglian waterways.
Then, up the Buckby flight in a torrential downpour that caught us just as we were getting ready for the top lock. Couldn’t even hide briefly… We dried off, and then made our way past the junction to the mouth of the Braunston tunnel for yet another mooring in a leafy cutting that provide solitude, shade and protection from the passing thundershowers.
Braunston Tunnel east portal
On to Braunston for a very brief stop to service the engine, deal with domestic things as recycling and garbage (I was able to meet friends again and ring the delightful 10 in Daventry). Tomorrow, to Rugby where I catch the train to Manchester and a week-long trip to Canada for a family reunion and celebration of my parents’ 60th anniversary.
a leaf-tunnel mooring
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