The Easter getaway continued.

 Easter Sunday, 17th April

We had an argument last night, well more like a heated discussion. You see, I said the supermarkets  would be closed on Easter Sunday, it being a very religious day. Ian said "No, Rugby's Tesco will be open according to their website!"  "I think not", was my retort, "And I think you'll find I'm right.""Well we will see who's right tomorrow" Ian smugly said.

 Hah...he had to eat humble pie this morning. Got to Rugby, found a mooring, off he went complete with trolley and shopping list, only to return within 10 minutes in a very grumpy mood. "They're shut!" Chuckled to myself and nearly said I told you so, but didn't want to rub salt in the wound! And this is what Gov UK say, Government guidelines around trading hours for retailers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland state that any shops over 280 square metres (3,000 square foot) must be closed on Easter Sunday by law.

Rugby

What a day to travel. It's been chaos! Every man and his dog was on the water today. At Hillmorton we expected it to be busy, It wasn't, well not for us anyway. Most boats were descending, very handy for us.

Up the three locks in record time. Only middle lock was a self-service. 

 

At the top lock, the volunteer lockie saw me coming and got that set too.

More boats heading toward the lock.

 It was leaving the flight that the chaos started. I caught up with two boats, that in itself wasn't a hindrance as they both travelled at roughly the same speed as us. No, it was the boats coming toward us that held our interest, at least 20 (I stopped counting after that) and all in a steady stream without hardly any break.

One by one, and on and on they came. I felt really sorry for a boater waiting to wind at the winding hole by bridge 74. He had a very long wait!

There he was waiting to wind

And still they came, and still he waited.

 

After having to negotiate those continuous oncoming boats, not at all easy when moored boats are added to the mix, I did wonder what the queue would be like at Hillmorton top. Back to October 2017 we arrived at Hillmorton bottom only to be dismayed by the queue. Then it was to do with a balance beam snapping.

 A Blisworth steam tunnel tug called Hasty. Follow on FB

Not a good idea by the grandparents to allow this young child out in the dinghy.

At Braunston, we grabbed a mooring right by bridge 89 Never moored here before, but this is actually a very convenient spot to walk to for the small general store in the village. Two fields to negotiate and you get to the church then a walk along the main high street, and it's opposite the butchers.

 Tomorrow we turn right at the junction to head for Oxford. Makes a change from always continuing to Braunston locks and onto the GU.

And wildlife