FreeSpirit : "I can't make this boat go any slower" said he.

Tuesday 10 May 2022

"I can't make this boat go any slower" said he.

9th May

I think there was a factory unit just beyond the hedge, lots of noise from what sounded like a steel being moved first thing this morning. It would have woken us if we hadn't already been awake. It was the birdies see, the dawn chorus was something to behold.

I shouldn't be surprised by the sheer number of boats on the move, we are into May after all. Most was met on wide sections, but there are always the few where panic manoeuvres were needed. No wonder my blood pressure was high!

We passed contractors doing more piling work. So how is it done, and how do they manage to keep the line so straight? Well, it's all to do with two lengths of wood sandwiched together with a gap in between. One end is then attached to the last bit of piling put in place and then placed against the bank and checked to make sure it's straight. The piling is then driven between the sandwiched piece, the wood is removed ready for the next section. Clever and fascinating listening to the explanation.

A winding hole was literally through the next bridge, here was met a boater completing a turn. Not sure if he felt we were too close, hmm, I suppose we were a bit but only because it was a sudden encounter, anyway he pulled over to let us through.

Wigram Turn held no problems today, nothing coming from the Grand Union or the marina. Not far from the junction a boat was recognised.

It was Martina and John on nb Burnt Oak. We had first met them way back in 2016 when we were on our way to Liverpool. They became our locking buddies. A year later we were to meet again at the Harecastle tunnel. Small world, or should I say canal system. Anyway, I tried to stop for a chat but knowing that boat would be coming up behind us, and with the wind blowing FS toward a moored boat, my attempt to reverse back was a disaster, so the conversation was brief. Great to see them again and hope it won't be another 5 years before we meet again.

We managed to get a wiggle on along this section. Gone was the shallow, narrowness of the southernmost Oxford Canal and now that the long summit pound was behind us, the canal was wide and deep. All to soon Braunston came into view. We very nearly tossed a coin to see whether we go right, up the Braunston flight, through the tunnel and left at the Grand Union Leicester section or left to continue to Hillmorton, basically retracing our steps. Left won but only because the thought of being held up by the River Soar flooding if heavy rain set in and missing our slot to dry dock FS, made the decision for us.

Braunston junction

Pulled onto the facilities and finally completely filled the tank with fresh water. It is quite narrow on this part, especially if boats line the towpath moorings. But to see this Clifton hirer not even attempt to turn the tiller, its speed much to high and plough straight into a moored boat, well, I had to say something. He remarked first saying "It's very narrow isn't it". My reply, "If you slowed down, you would have more control of the boat". I couldn't believe what he said next, "This is as slow as I can make the boat go," said he. That rang a bell because when we were getting diesel at Fenny Compton another Clifton boat came past, rather too fast considering we had the nozzle in the fuel tank filling with diesel. This person too said she couldn't make the boat go any slower. So what's going on with those hire boats? Has the throttle cable been wrongly adjusted? They continued on their way laughing at the mishap!

Not long after leaving the facilities, we found a lovely mooring with a wide towpath. A BBQ was mentioned, such a lovely day, although a tad windy. Fishing was my plan for the afternoon but again, after one small skimmer, not a nibble was had. Instead, the chairs came out to enjoy the sunshine.