So many boats.

 Blast, the internet signal wasn't good enough to Skype my brother in Australia this morning. The arrangement was for 9 am our time (6 pm Aussie time) but it was not to be. Consequently another latish getaway. 

I'm not sure I have ever seen so many boats on the move and all coming toward us. Hire boats, day boats, private boats, I lost count at 40! So glad we were heading toward Braunston and it did mean the 7 Napton locks were always with us. That doesn't happen very often!

Hire boat with a list. Thats the trouble when mooring in a short pound.

Such a busy flight

Bottom of Napton flight and still they come.

 Seems C&RT are fond of their signs on this flight.

Braunston was it's usually busy self. We should have turned left at the junction, heading toward Hillmorton as we have a rendezvous with friends Dennis and Margaret at Fradley, but with time to spare we decided to go collect our new Buckby can (painted by Tricia) at Anchor Cottage.

 Braunston flight was also busy. Two up and two down all the way. Made our progress quick and easy but it also meant we met four boats in the tunnel (length 2,042yds - 1,867 m).

Volunteer lockie and Ian putting the world to rights.

I believe she is a historic tunnel tug similar to 'Hasty'

Our plan was to stop on the visitor moorings by Norton Junction and walk to Anchor cottage to collect our can in the morning but as we came under the bridge, not a single boat on the moorings was to be seen. Is that Defra rash that we see along the whole length?

Pole in hand to check the depth. Orange defra rash along the moorings so thought it best not to moor.

 Unsure as to why C&RT has done this as the moorings looked sound. Right at the end and before the Junction we found a section without the rash and which had one mooring ring. No signage to say we couldnt stop, so we stopped.

This whole length was once visitor moorings.

And by the mooring a Cygnet determined to keep an apple core.

And on route, Buffalo?