Wednesday 23 August 2017

A long day up the Hatton Flight

Wednesday 23rd August
Last Wednesday when we were moored before bridge 79 and though that Jaz had been stung, she had! Kev went to take her into the field and as she was going to go up the slope she stopped and wouldn't go! She jumped back on board and then Kev shouted to me to show me a hole that just looked like a mouse hole but it was an entrance to a wasp nest and there were loads of wasps going in & out.
The wasp nest!
After that we decided to leave and try to get to Braunston but wasn't sure if we would get moored as it was quite late in the day. We did manage though and moored opposite the Boathouse pub.
 On the way to Braunston we passed the new marina
 Dunchurch Pools

 Quite a few boats moored in there, with work still ongoing.

 Braunston  church steeple!

 Not much left of this burnt out boat.


Moored opposite the Boathouse.
It was a lovely day and we sat at the stern having a few beers, Kev had seen someone he thought he recognised earlier and it was Barry Nb Areandare, who had gone to the Boathouse pub. Kev went over to the pub to see him and he stayed for a few beers. Barry was with another couple from a boat that makes pens, but we can't remember their names. Sandra, Barry's wife wasn't with barry as he had dropped her off earlier to get a train to go see relatives.
On Thursday we stayed in Braunston and we had a walk to Wharf chandlers as Kev wanted some paint but unfortunately they didn't have any. He bought a new water pump though as the present one was on its way out! He also bought a water filter for under the galley sink which he will replace at another time.
On Friday morning we needed to top up with water & empty the cassette so while Kev took the boat to the water point I took Jaz for a walk and then met Kev back at the boat. We then went to Braunston marina where we turned and headed for the junction and turned left onto the Grand Union Canal.
Passing the boat belonging to the couple who make pens.
Barry & Sandra's boat close to the junction.
Looking back at the junction at Braunston.
Our first bridge on this canal, last one if your coming the other way!
Wigrams Marina and we turn right here.
Napton Junction, I am on look out to make sure no boats are coming through as we turn.
Calcutt locks, the first of 3 going down.
We managed to share the 3 locks with another boat so that wasn't too bad and there were some boats heading up the locks so it wasn't too long before we were down all 3 and on our way.
we didn't got too far before we moored between bridges 19 & 20.
On Saturday morning we left early and headed for Stockton locks and we were through all 10 locks and moored just before The 2 Boats pub at Long Itchington.
Loveley little caravan.
Passed Barry again moored outside The Blue Lias pub!

A novel name! Club Top Lockicana!
Later on in the day there were lots of people sat outside the pub and shortly after we had moored here another boat pulled in front of us to moor directly outside the pub, we learnt later that this boat was the Micron Theatre boat and that there was going to be a performance in the evening ouside the pub. It wasn't my cup of tea but plenty of people were there. However Kev & I had a walk into the village to the pubs there. We had one in the 2 Boats pub first then had a bit of a pub crawl as there are several pubs here! We did however end up staying in the Buck & Bell pub as there was a pool table! So quite a good night, well for me at least as I got to play a few games of pool with the locals!
On Sunday morning I managed to get 2 loads of washing done before we left Long Itchington about 10 am. We didn't have too long a day and after Bascote staircase locks and the next 2 locks we moored once again for the day after Welsh Road locks between bridges 30 & 31.
It was drizzling with rain when we left our mooring on Monday about 8am, and after the lock at bridge 32 we stopped once again and emptied the cassette whilst topping with water. We then carried on through Leamington Spa and moored for a short while to go to the Morrisons for shopping and have a bite to eat.
Only 2 more locks that day and they were cape locks where we managed to go up the 2 locks with a nice couple on a hire boat, they moored on the visitor moorings above the locks and we moored just ahead of them. The last time we were here was on our first boat 4EverMoore in 2010  and the boat was frozen in outside the cape pub for about 4 months!!

Kev talking to the man on the hire boat! 
Yesterday the couple on the hire boat behind us had met up with a couple on another boat who had asked if they would share the double locks on the Hatton flight so we looked like being Billy no Mates going up all the locks!
However when we got to the Hatton flight Kev had spoken to a man who was at the second lock and he had let the hire boat & other boat go on ahead so asked if we would do the locks with him & his wife, which we were pleased to do and so he helped Kev with the first lock gates and I went up on my own and then joined his wife on their boat Nb Myrtle.
In one of the locks on the Hatton flight.
Waiting for a boat to come out of the lock.
Thanks to Les & Carley on Nb Myrtle, who were good company up the flight and we had a good laugh! After the last lock on the Hatton flight Les &Carley stopped at the water point and we carried on until we got to some nice moorings between bridges 61 & 62. 
This morning started off quite dull but has brightened up and is quite warm and we now have the chairs out on the stern as the towpath is a bit too narrow to sit on with people wanting to pass.We will leave tomorrow. 

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