Bugbrooke

The forecast was for rain pretty much all day, but in fact the only time we got wet was in Blisworth Tunnel (which was exceptionally wet).  We set off about 8.30 and we’re soon making our way up Stoke Bruerne locks.  Adrian worked the first half, then we swapped over.  Boats began to come down as we got to the long pound.

In the village, we saw Kathryn, and the local greyhound owners were out on force.

We said hello to Mike on Jubilee as we passed, then got absolutely soaked in the tunnel.  We carried on to Bugbrooke, where we moored at lunchtime opposite The Wharf pub.

This afternoon, Adrian has been working and I’ve been writing up yesterday’s boat test.  We also went for a circular walk round Bugbrooke village, where some very nice old houses are surrounded by newer ones of variable appeal.  This evening we are meeting my cousin Catherine and family over at The Wharf.

9.5 miles, 7 locks.  (12.5 miles, 7 locks)

One-way weekend: Day 1

We came up to the boat last night; Adrian drove up after work, and then met my train at Wolverton at 11.30pm. This morning began with a car shuffle. I drove to our destination for the weekend, and met our friends Brian and Mike there. We drove back to the marina, getting back at a little after 9am.
At around 9.30, our neighbouring boat reversed out of their berth and we followed. It was distinctly murky.

The trip to the bottom of Stoke Bruerne locks took the usual hour and a half. We shared the bottom lock with our neighbour, but a single boat ahead waited for them in the next lock so we were on our own. I feared this would mean a slow ascent, but there were boats coming down (all singly) which helped. Plus, of course, we had crew which meant Adrian could go ahead to the next lock.

At the top, Adrian knocked on Katharine's door and she came out to say hello. We then moored up for a lunch stop. Setting off again, we entered the tunnel to see a number of headlights coming towards us; in total, we passed five boats in the tunnel -- which came as a bit of a shock, as the last several passages have been completely alone.

We carried on in drizzle, until Bridge 38, just on the approach to Bugbrooke. We've got the Virgin trains for company, but that's true all along here. There's a massive bridge over the railway line, which Brian and I went to have a look at -- and look down on Briar Rose.

13 miles, 7 locks.