Thank goodness we're going to Braunston

We treated ourselves this morning, with the first cooked breakfast in ages. Scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms and tomatoes. After all...... it is Sunday and the last day of August. Not that that has anything to do with haveing a cooked breakfast but having had early starts and toast on the run, so to speak, we felt we deserved it. And it's 31st August! Where has the past 8 months gone? And with Strictly Come Dancing  back on our screens next weekend now I know it's  the run down to Christmas! Just 3 months left to go to get all those pressies.

 Once underway it wasn't long before we reached Hillmorton Locks. Two of the pair were in our favour but the third pair were against. At the middle lock a note had been pinned to the beam. Tells what the inscriptions on the lock beams are all about.

The 7 mile run into Braunston was a doddle. We had these cloud formations showing us the way but I have no idea what they mean. I'm hoping they are fair weather clouds but no doubt someone will put me right.

When we passed this boat, the first thing I noticed (apart from the smoke) was the size of his chimney. Seems a bit OTT for a narrow boat!

  So glad we were heading toward Braunston as I counted well over 25 boats all going towards Hillmorten. Cant begin to imagine the queues at the locks even though they are doubled up. With low pounds between the locks the water situation can only get worse.

We had high hopes that with so many boats coming away from Braunston the place would be empty. No such luck and makes one wonder where thy had all come from. One space was available opposite the facilities so we stopped to empty the loo, (very necessary) and hoped that no boat would take the space. Gosh we were lucky as no sooner had we pushed FS across the canal then a boat appeared out of the junction. As he came past he said he had earmarked the space for himself. First come first served I always say but he wasn't best pleased!

Always know when we are close to Braunston when the church comes into view.

Only space available and we got it first.

 This was the earliest we have stopped during our long run to Milton Keynes. It was dead on midday, so a bite of lunch and then out came the fishing gear and I settled for an afternoon of fishing. Very slow going at first but persistence pays as they say 'cause I landed this decent sized Perch.

While I was fishing Historic boat Monarch sailed past. 

So the Braunston flight is next for us tomorrow. We want to get away by 8am and I'm hoping another boater will have the same idea. Really would like to pair up going up this flight. Fingers crossed someone is awake early

And the usual wildlife.

What a great rope dog. Big fan of that.

Two family's of Swans. One family making a hasty retreat.

Two cygnets in the foreground belong to the aggressive Swan. Pen of the chaser went off in the wrong direction, Cygnets turned round to find her and failed, the the Cob aggressor (with his head bent toward his body) kept on going chasing the others and now the two cygnets are without parents! Hope they all get back together but have seen no sign of them yet.