Surprised how busy it has been.

Saturday 18th December

 Tiller on, ropes untied and blast...a boat appears from around the bend. Not one to pull out in front we waited until they had passed. It was a Clifton hire boat, out for Christmas maybe? Anyway two men on board, one who obviously knew the ropes because we travelled at roughly the same pace. Then he went below and the other took over. Gosh the pace slowed considerably. I kept catching him up and having to reverse. A definite novice, and how did we know that? Because he did a good impression of the bridge hole dance, darting from side to side glancing to see how much room he had either side. The first chap came back, oh goodie, we thought, now perhaps we would get going again. But no and at another bridge, the boat hit the side with some force, remarkable at the slow speed he was going at the time. Then we were waved past. Normally this would have us celebrating our good fortune but where he wanted us to pass was by a long line of moored boats. I tried to give a signal to say no but he pulled over and almost stopped before the line started. So I had to put the power on and as soon as he was behind me, I cut the revs back and then thanked him. "We are having a slow day." he said. I then informed him, "Do you realise the locks are just around the next bend, two side by side". "No" he said, "Good news for us as you can do all the hard work" he laughingly replied. We laughed back and gave him the thumbs up

 

Hillmorton locks were but a stone's throw from where I was waved past.  Into the right-hand lock and with FS ascending, Ian lifted the left lock paddle to empty in readiness for them. But where were they? Then I spied a bow moving back by the water point. So they were not to be helped up the flight after all,

So many boats out today, more than we have seen in weeks! Braunston was busy, I mean really busy. Our first task was to stop at the facilities for water and cassette emptying and the second to walk across to Midland Chandlers to purchase 3 containers of blue loo, a new automatic vent for the cassette and fire rope for the stove. Opposite was the perfect mooring, all we needed to do was push across once all the goods had been bought. Ian was on his way back when another boat came along and pinched the mooring! 

That mooring on the right, ideal.

 

Braunston is and will always be, a very popular stopping place. Finding a mooring was going to be difficult. 

 

We struck lucky though because just beyond bridge 91 was a 48-hour mooring with no one on it! Thank goodness...I had visions of having to go up Braunston flight. Since mooring, about 12 boats has come past in one direction or the other and a wide beam, one of those monstrous, just fit through a bridge hole, jobbies!  

Hope it's going into the marina. If not where will he moor, part way up the flight no doubt. He cant go through the tunnel as he has to inform CRT of his intention to travel, and no weekend travel allowed.

We also had a nice surprise when a boat pulled alongside with Peter at the helm. It was the Ballinger Towage and Steerage services who we first met back in October. Since then our paths have crossed regularly, well he does get around with the towing job of his. It was lovely to meet his wife for the first time as well. Merry Christmas to you both and hope we meet again in the new year. 

Up the flight tomorrow, probably early. Judging by the amount of boat traffic at the moment, we do not want to meet another boat in the tunnel. It has a kinky bit, and guarantee if a boat is to be met, it will be there.