Still at Braunston!

Today we had an engine service, topped up with water and stayed at Braunston, the oven thermostat has gone on the blink and we are awaiting the arrival of a new one, being sent post restante to the post office here, then we have to find someone to fit it, oh joy. By the time that happens we will be due back here to have the new cratch cover fitted, Braunston seems to have a magnetic attraction for us, I swear we will not come through here next year!

Willoughby.

We were still at Barby yesterday and as the weather was pleasant we decided to walk out to Willoughby on local footpaths, this was a mistake as the local footpaths, so lovingly recorded on ordnance survey maps, were, to say the least, obscure.The local farmers appear to have taken great delight in plowing over them and padlocking the gates along the way. Being intrepid explorers we made it to the village with each boot weighing a ton, the local clay is rather clinging!

Needless to say Willoughby has a church

and a pub, The Rose, which was open but, to be honest, was not up to scratch, five out of ten.

Next to the pub was the old school, now a private house, and a playing field exclusively for the village children under sixteen years of age. We walked back along the towpath

and passed the old signal again.

Why does my mind keep wandering to Yorkshire Pudding?

Today we moved back to Braunston as tomorrow we're being measured for a new cratch cover, more excitement.

Barby.

Having seen the weather forecast we have moored up at Barby but there is no sign of her or Ken.

There is however a very large prison.

If you are prepared for a three hour walk there is a church and

a pub, unfortunately we got there too early and it was not open, curses.

We also found a wonderful gate standing alone in the middle of the track, no fence, nothing

Except a sign.

British Waterways say it is fine and not collapsing, we all believe them of course, they wouldn't tell us porkies would they?

Hillmorton, mostly.

We have had a really exciting day, made it to Rugby and ......Daaa-daaah, Tescos!!! OK we had to stock up on essentials, red wine, sherry, malt and I think we bought some food.

To go back, Braunston and we finally caught up with Chris and Jude

on Theathenia, didn't get a photo' of them but they are good mates and we caught up with their happenings, and supped a drop of red with them.

Between Braunston and Hillmorton you run alongside the old Great Central Railway, long closed but this signal still stands forlornly waiting for a train that will never come.

At Hillmorton you have three sets of paired locks with the church towering over them.

These were the central workshops of the Oxford Canal, now a busy boatyard and hire base.

At the bottom of the locks we came across this Rose Boat (Which we had already met at Braunston)

with its splendid Anglo-American crew, it was great talking with you guys, hope we will see you on the cut in future.

Where do people get there boats names from?

Although some are more obvious.

A change of scene.

We finally left Braunston today, after several days of debauchery with some old friends, Chris and Jude on Theathenia. Made it to Hillmorton but only have a GPRS signal so can't load any pictures. Hopefully will make it to Rugby in the next day or two and will do a full update then. Oh for full 3G coverage!!!!!

A lost church.

Yesterday morning we walked out from Braunston to Wolfhampcote, a village that disappeared in medieval times.

All that is left is the splendidly irregular church.

The interior was vandalised in the 1950's shortly after the church went out of use, but a few bits of medieval wood work survive.

On the way back Braunston church loomed above the trees, next to the remains of the Windmill. We then adjourned to the Old Plough for lunch. The Black Sheep bitter is superb.

Back at Braunston.

Shifted down on Saturday, Braunston just can't be avoided, all canals seem to lead here.

The Mill House is being refurbished and the Old Plough still does really good beer and grub.

It's now chucking it down and blowing half a gale. What an exciting day!