Wrong boat Woofit!

We must say a big thank you to Alan Baker for reminding us about the stoppage on the Leicester section of the GU. Did we forget? Well yes we did but our excuse was that the original plan to continue South on the GU wouldn't have caused this to be an issue. Anyway, new plans quickly arranged and now we go via Oxford Canal, Coventry and onto the T&M.

 Christine (daughter) and Kev (son-in-law) phoned asking where we would be this weekend. Hmm, could it be because of Mothers Day? A hastily look on canal planner and Braunston was mentioned. Very aware that moorings are always at a premium at Braunston we decided to push on today so we could arrive Friday midday with the hopes that boats would have left to continue their journey and that it would be still to early for other boaters to arrive.

With 20 of those double locks to do again we left by 8.30am and it didn't bode well when the first of those locks had to be emptied first. Was there a boat in front of us? Turns out there was but luckily for us they were not the quickest at doing the locks. We caught them up Welsh Lane Lock and a good job too as their windlass had been left lying on the lock beam at Woods lock. We were able to pass it back to them and be greeted with much gratitude and relief. Having Lock buddies we reached Bascot locks only to find yet another boat going up in front. Blimey, it's getting a tad congested on the waterways now that a bit of sunshine has brought them all out😉 We did meet a boat coming down from the staircase locks, yippee a lock with us at last.

 A Woofit joined us on FS's stern. Quite a surprise as Whippet the Whippet (yes they did really call their Whippet, Whippet!!!) had been left on the wrong side of the lock and the only way back to its owner was across our deck.  Oh, but how it made me realise how much I missed having a four-legged companion getting under our feet. I think it may be time to reconsider having a dog.  

That's our locking buddies behind us. They pulled in to that gap leaving us to carry on.

 Our buddies left us before Itchington bottom lock so on our own again. But then....on reaching Stockton locks there in the second lock we spied that other boat. The lady was just closing the bottom lock gate after hubby had entered so I tried to attract their attention by screeching shouting at the top of my voice and all the while gesturing with the windlass that we were wanting to join them. Sure enough, they got the message, opened one of the bottom gates and waited for us to arrive. Then having met yet another boat coming down we knew every lock was now empty and ready for us.  Good helmspeople that we were (okay so sometimes I do nudge lock walls, gates, towpath edging etc), we were able to go into each lock side by side thereby cutting the locking time considerably.

Stockton Locks

Don't you just love my hat?  From Australia, I call it my Jessie hat after the cowgirl in Toy Story

At the top, we both moored. Only 7 miles and three locks to do tomorrow. Now keeping fingers crossed for a mooring in Braunston.

And seen on route

Almost our namesake

Checking the power lines

And wildlife,

Orange Tip Butterfly

Brimstone Butterfly