March visit: Day 4

Today is my birthday, so we started with cards and presents over breakfast.  We then headed out for a rather drizzly walk under the aqueduct, across the Ouse Valley Park, under the A5, round a loop and back. When we set off, Adrian walked up to the lock to get it ready while I brought the boat.  Above the lock, the Jules Fuels boats were selling some diesel, so we had to wait for a bit.

We got past them the next time they stopped, so there were briefly four boats next to each other across the canal.  The sun came out for the rest of the trip back to the marina — and there was no wind to speak of for the spin and reverse back into our berth, which went pretty well.  Once we were tied up and connected to shore power, the washing machine went on, as I’m now staying up here for a few more days.  Then we got in the car and headed to Daventry to visit Tesco for a few things, and then to Braunston where we had toasted sandwiches in the Community Cafe.  Their Easter table decorations included a basket of little canalware eggs.

The main reason for heading to Braunston was to pick up the impeller for the shower pump from Midland Chandlers.  It was waiting for us. So that was good, and we met Steph who’s the manager there.  On the way back, we collected Adrian’s car from the bottom of the Stoke Bruerne locks.  Back at the boat I fitted the new impeller in the pump.

Then once the back was screwed in place and it was checked to be working, I had to re-fix the pump to the wall, which was probably the most difficult bit of the process.

It has rained on and off all afternoon, so we haven’t done much else.  This evening we are going to The Navigation for dinner, where we’ll be joined by Nigel, Grace, and Matthew; unfortunately Catherine is pre-booked elsewhere.

1 mile, 1 lock.  (13 miles, 2 locks)