Lazy start for us 'cos with only 7.6 miles and three locks to do, we didn't want to arrive too early in Braunston. We aimed for midday and as it turned out our timings were perfect.
Sun was well up when we left but dead ahead causing that glare to be a nusience. Jessie hat and sunglasses needed to help me see but photos turned out abysmally.
As we approached Ventnor Marina a boat appeared to shoot out from the entrance. At first, we couldn't make out which way it was going although we hoped it would turn left toward the Calcutt Locks. It did so how good was that and now we had someone to share the three locks with
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| Took this looking into Calcutt Marina below the locks. I happened to spy a Grebe but was not quick enough to zoom in. |
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| My turn for the locks again. |
Napton Junction ahead and a left turn towards Braunston.
No more locks for now just a 5 mile run to Braunston. It was as we were nearing our destination, and as FS passed a moored boat, a lady popped out of the cratch cover and told us there were plenty of moorings in Braunston. For a moment I was bewildered. How did she know we were looking for moorings? Ah of course...my blog yesterday. It was that parting sentence of mine about finding a space that did it and because she had read the blog, knew all about what we wanted. Lovely to meet you and to say hello by the way, and its a shame I didn't have the presence of mind to ask your name or that of the boat but thank you for the information. You were spot on.
A right turn at the junction and Ian became the 'lookout' for a mooring. T'was'nt necessary though because a long length opposite the Boathouse came into view. Nothing on the pub side, unfortunately, our preferred mooring site, but the bridge across the canal would be only a short walk from the pub so nothing too taxing for the family when they arrive tomorrow.
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| One more bridge before Braunston Junction |
Now bearing in mind we arrived by 12.15pm to a near empty towpath, by 2pm either side of us was nearly full. I did make a mental note of the way some boats had moored. By not sharing rings small gaps are left and, in my opinion, this is bad practice 'cos it means other boaters struggle to find somewhere to moor. By 4pm I'm sure over 30 boats had come past. Some obviously looking for moorings. Easy to spot when a crew member stands on the front with the bow rope in hand.
We now await the arrival of the family tomorrow. A table has been booked at the Boathouse, advisable for a weekend. Forgot to look at the menu...oh well never mind, it's not us that is paying for the meals this time๐
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| When we arrived |
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| By 2 pm. Note all those boats not sharing rings. |
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| Pub moorings with a gap for a small boat. |
And wildlife today
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| Those high rise swans still around |
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| A very poor photo but was amazed to see this Curlew flying past. |
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| Seems the Peacock Butterfly has emerged |
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| Reed Bunting |
5 comments:
The not sharing rings really p*sses me off! Especially in busy places like Braunston, it is selfish.
I know people don't want to intrude on other boaters' space or be intruded upon themselves, but seriously, if that's the case, then they should moor out in the countryside where others do not need to budge up to fit in.
AAARRRGGGHHH!!!
Mxx
PS If I see it happening in front of or behind us, I go out and ask people to share rings so that more boats will be able to fit ...
We call them Git Gaps and I really really wish people wouldn't do it. I remember a time that we couldn't get moored at Tixal Wide because of Git Gaps. We eventually got moored further on near to Tixal Lock and later on went for a walk back to the wide. I paced out the gaps and counted in total four boat lengths of them. Selfish selfish people.
Mick
NB Oleanna
I quite agree about this selfish way of mooring up. I was under the impression that to moor up close was standard practice but it's definitely more prevalent to not do so now.
When you Blog you have to think before you type as you never know who is reading it, like you wanting a mooring in Braunston
Hi Brian and Diana, I suppose in some aspects that might be a problem for anyone not wanting there destination known. Personally, I like it if boaters come to say hello and 'touch wood' we have never had any trouble because of it. I take your point though and thank you for bringing it to my attention.
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