Thursday morning dawned bright and the forecast was for fine weather for the next week or so.
We had hoped to get to the Ashby Canal but with the delays we had encountered we decided to just go for a bimble towards Braunston and see how things go. Sid is still a little concerned about batteries so we shall use this as a shake down cruise and just enjoy being on the water - especially if the sun shines.
The water was very quiet and we had a pleasant chug along the Oxford Canal in glorious sunshine with a gentle breeze. We descended the Napton flight in good time and moored just down from the old Bridge Inn - now a private home. We enjoyed a delicious bbq in the evening sun and a few glasses of something chilled!
After a long day on Thursday we planned a short trip down to one of our favourite moorings, just south of Braunston, on Friday. On the way we saw a couple of hares leaping across a field - a sight neither of us had seen before. Once again the moorings were very quiet, with only a handful of boats moored by the end of the day. Jenny had a good walk in the afternoon whilst Sid pottered. The countryside around here is beautiful with rolling fields of sheep and and crops, spurting their spring shoots. Another lovely evening with the occasional squark of a pheasant in the fields.
To celebrate we took the short trip into Braunston to dispose of rubbish, empty our toilet cassette and fill with water! However, once these essential chores had been fulfilled we treated ourselves to a Gongoozelers breakfast. This brilliant cafe on a narrowboat is situated by the entrance to Braunston Marina and we found a table in the garden alongside and enjoyed our full English in the beautiful, warm sunshine. What better way to celebrate our anniversary!? A quiet afternoon was spent back on a mooring by bridge 100 and a chicken tikka masala with all the trimmings was enjoyed on board in the evening. A lovely day.
We felt very lazy on Sunday and since the sun was shining and the mooring quiet we decided to stay put. Some domestic chores were done by Jenny then an afternoon with a good book in the sunshine and Sid did some more pottering.
We were ready to go boating again on Monday so made our way back towards Napton, once again in lovely sunshine. However, during the afternoon the wind picked up, the clouds gathered and we had a very breezy trip up the Napton Locks. When we emerged through Top Lock the wind was blowing straight down the cut and driving was not easy. Our plans for a bbq at that evenings mooring was shelved due to the wind and dreary skies - bangers and mash instead - a great alternative!
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