The plan today was simple - complete the rest of the trip to Braunston, then get home in time for Alan to be out again for his reunion with old school friends.
Buckby locks hardly look like there have been water restriction! |
Traditionally we have always thought of the seven Whilton & Buckby locks to be harder work than most on the Southern Grand Union. At approximately 9 feet each deep, they are significantly deeper than others that are in flights, the paddle gear is not the best maintained, and many of the gates will blow open at the wrong times if you get unlucky. However I don't know if we are fitter, or just more effective at what we do, but these locks no longer seem that bad. That's easy for me to say, as I largely worked the boat, whilst Cath did the majority of gates and paddles, although often I was sending her ahead to set the next one, whilst I did most of the top gate work.
Between locks at Braunston |
Braunston locks are not deep, and always seem easy compared to some of the other flights. We ended up sharing locks, and were soon down them.
This will look a lot busier in a week's time! |
All too quickly we were packing up, loading up the car at Braunston, then heading to retrieve the second car. I did make my evening event too, which I thoroughly enjoyed, despite being very tired by then. I met quite a few class-mates who I last saw over 40 years ago - astonishing really. One of them, it turns out,lives right near the canal in central Birmingham, not far from Gas Street basin - now there's an excuse to look him up, next time we are in 'Brum'!
About 1 mile from Bugbrooke to Braunston
Miles: 14.0, Locks:13
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