Last of the big locks

 As a beautiful September is marching on the mornings and evenings are getting somewhat chillier. As was the case when we left our mooring on Monday morning. Despite the  clear blue sky the air was cold. We had the dreaded Buckby flight ahead of us. By the time we approached the bottom Lock the clouds had descended and a cool breeze had sprung up. Fortunately  we paired up with Gordon and Tracey on nb Perfick and made our way up the 7 heavy locks in their good company and by the time we reached top Lock the sun had appeared again. We enjoyed a sunny and pleasant afternoon moored just north of the Lock.

A surprise message from friends, Christine and Ron informing us that they were on their boat Eeezy Life at Calcutt Marina and could we meet for lunch. We arranged to meet them at Gongoozlers in Braunston.

Before that we had had our journey through Braunston Tunnel and the 6 locks of the Braunston flight - the last of the double locks on this journey. Unfortunately,  we got stuck behind two very slow and cautious hire boats that took ages to enter and leave the locks. However, we made our way through the first couple of locks on our own until whilst waiting to enter the  third Lock another boat appeared behind us so we waited for them to join us and low and behold it was nb Perfick again. Although slow we progressed down the remaining locks with ease. As we moored Christine and Ron came along the towpath and after a socially distanced greeting we secured Hunters Moon and  then spent a very happy couple of hours catching up over bacon sandwiches and mugs of tea in the garden next to Gongoozlers floating cafe. 

In the beautiful afternoon sun we chugged out of Braunston to find a mooring between bridges 100 and 101. Gin and tonic on the towpath in the warm sunshine of the late afternoon was the perfect way to end the day.