Back at the start

Climbing the 6 locks at Braunston in the pouring rain!

Well it is now the best part of a fortnight since our lovely Sunday Lunch with Mike and Sue.  Since then we have been to Napton where it was the hottest day of the year and we were sweltering in the mid 30's!  That seemed a distant memory when we were making our way back up Braunston locks on Saturday.  It had come on to rain quite steadily and we had planned to stay put for the rest of the day, but then a boat called Dreckly came along and we had met them in Rugby so we decided to join them as travelling up the double locks is easier with 2 boats.  Also we thought the rain might stop, but it didn't!  As soon as we reached the top we moored for a late

Watford Locks, thankfully this time no rain!

lunch and didn't go any further!
The next day was wet too so this time with no locks I stayed inside while Paul went through the tunnel and just came out to help him moor.  Our afternoon outing was a walk to Watford Gap service station on the M1.  We had hope to use their internet which has proved good in the past but not that day!
Monday saw us at the bottom of Watford Locks.  There are 7 locks there.  3 separate locks, follow by a staircase of 3 and one more at the top.  There are lock keepers there and the locks don't open until 10.  By then we were 4th in the queue.  Still the good thing was it wasn't raining!
We arrived at Crick just after lunch.  We are now moored in Crick Marina on one of the brokerage moorings for ABNB.  Today we have made our first trip to Plymouth in a hire car packed with some of our belongings.  Next week the second trip will be in a transit van as our time on board comes to an end.
It will be sad to leave but we take with us many happy memories.  Paul has done some sums, and has worked out that in 7 years and 2 months we have travelled 4450.25 miles and worked 3317 locks.  Also various lift and swing bridges.
So its bye from us, thanks for reading.
Jill and Paul.

Once again heading to Braunston!

One of the three locks at Hillmorton

Didn't realise how long had passed since I last wrote here!  We safely made it into Braunston about 12 days ago now!

Coming out the last of the 3 locks, next stop lunch!

Whilst there we met up again with new friends on Olivella and also Ross and his Finish wife, Pierka (sorry for spelling).  We hadn't seen them for a couple of years.  After 2 nights there we moved on to the Oxford Canal towards Rugby, where we arrived about a week ago.  On the way through we caught up with friends Sue and Mike who we hadn't seen for about 4 years.  Sue made us a new cratch cover and also a cover for the stern.  We are meeting them again today for Sunday Lunch in the pub!
After a couple of nights in Rugby we moved on having decided to carry on to Brinklow where we could wind and return!
So Monday saw us moving on towards Newbold on Avon.  As we got there Paul spotted a cygnet which seemed to be stuck in a hole in the towpath.  So we moored at the nearby water point.  I was armed with a long handled brush as Father Swan was standing protectively close!  Paul scooped the cygnet out of the hole and it launched itself out of his hands and into the canal where it seemed to sink, but thankfully bobbed

Beautiful dragonfly

back up and swam away, closely followed by Dad!!  It was very strange as the male swan was not as aggressive as they can sometimes be.  It was almost as though it knew we were helping!
Having reached our end point we turned and headed back toward Rugby
As we are moving on we are also completing chores along the way to get Falcon looking her best.  On our return to Rugby we moored by the picnic area whilst I was cleaning the oven Paul was busy with touching up paintwork etc!  We also had the Boat Safety Scheme Check done.  This has to be done every 4 years and Falcon's is due in September so we thought it would be a plus selling point to get that done.
So today we are moored just at the top of Hillmorton Locks and shortly off to The Waterside for lunch with Mike and Sue.

Onwards to Braunston

Moored at Yelvertoft Marina

Having caught up with Barry we did move on to Yelvertoft Marina, mooring the opposite end from where we started.  Got caught up with the washing, just spending the one night there.  We then headed on to Crick arriving there on Thursday.

On Friday Lisa and Phil arrived for the night.  The weather was lovely so we were able to cruise through Crick Tunnel and wind, then mooring for lunch before heading back to moor one boat length from where we started, but facing the other way!

Just to make sure we know where we are!

Had a pleasant evening visiting the hostelries in Crick and a meal in The Red Lion.  They headed on after breakfast on Saturday, then yesterday we winded again and headed down the Watford Locks.  Not so many as Foxton and no Gongoozlers!  7 locks here with 4 of them in a staircase.  We had a short wait at the top, but then with 3 lock keepers it was a swift easy passage down through.  This morning we have had a short cruise to the junction and are now moored at Norton Junction which is on the Grand Union Canal proper.  This goes from London to Birmingham.  Tomorrow we will head into Braunston.

Nearing the start!

Travelling up Foxton Locks

We have been carrying on with our southward journey.  A mix of busy days and shorter days.  Saturday was very hot, but we managed to work up through 5 locks before finding a mooring where we could sit in the shade.  In between cruising Paul is trying to get some work done to Falcon in readiness for her going up for sale next month! Meanwhile I have been busy inside.
On Sunday we arrived a Foxton Locks.  There are 10 locks there in 2 staircases of 5 locks.  This raises the canal by 75 ft, in about a quarter of a mile.  Friends Ruth and George who live not too far away came and joined us for the day.  We arrived at the locks just

George working hard!

before 12, put our name on the list to find we were 12th!  Still this gave us time to eat lunch and we set off shortly after.  Ruth stayed on the stern with Paul whilst George came with me where I kept him busy with the paddles!
With the 4 of us we were soon at the top.  Unfortunately George and Ruth had to go shortly after, so Paul and I had to go to the pub on our own!
Yesterday we arrived at North Kilworth and caught up with Barry on Blue Moon who is now moored in the marina there.  He was one of the first boating friends we made back in 2012 whilst we were still in Yelvertoft Marina.  We are now just a couple of miles from that marina and may well be popping in the on the way through.  On Friday our niece Lisa and her husband Phil are coming to see us.  So all in all a busy time!

Now at Kilby Bridge

Birstall Gala Day

We had a lovely few days in Birstall. We saw Dave and Joan on Friday and then on Saturday we met them and their daughter Tanya on the village green for the gala day.  We had a picnic there and listened to the music.  This ended with a band and fireworks at 10 pm.
On Sunday we moved on as there were thunderstorms forecast and we wanted to get to safer moorings.  Arriving in Leicester on Sunday afternoon there are moorings on rising pontoons, but we didn't see or hear any thunderstorms, although it did rain a fair bit in the 3 nights we stayed there.

Ervine Lock with water coming over the top!

We moved on from Leicester on Wednesday putting in a long day of 7 miles and 10 locks, phew.  Didn't intend to go that far, but we just kept going!  Plenty of water around as you can see in the picture.  Several of the locks had water coming over the top gate.  Just past this lock was our mooring for Wednesday night.  Yesterday was a much gentler day just a couple of locks and miles.  We are now at Kilby Bridge, not much here besides the pub, no we haven't visited.  There is a service point however and once we have got water we will be moving on.

Finally leaving Loughborough

Loughborough Carillon 

Well as I am sure you are all aware that the rain just went on and on.  The River Soar went into flood and so we were unable to move on.  In the end we spent 12 nights at Loughborough.  A long time for us.  However that said it was a good place to be stuck in as there is quite a bit to do there.
With thoughts of our imminent return to dry land we went looking for beds and have ordered one to be delivered on 5th August.  So make it seem time on Falcon is coming to an end.
We also caught up with friends Dave and Joan who live in Birstall.  Dave is a model flying buddy of Paul's from when they lived in Plymouth.  Strangely so did we!
The river came off flood alert on Monday, but with more rain still forecast we remained in Loughborough until yesterday, making good progress of 9.5 miles and 6 locks.  Today has been more sedate with 1 mile and 1 lock!
So now we are moored at Birstall and Dave and Joan are coming to see us tomorrow.

Mould for the bell in St Paul's Cathedral

After a couple of nights here we will be continuing our southward journey as we have a good few miles of river to go yet!  A day of cruising will bring us into Leicester, so things seem to be going to plan, although a bit delayed!

Loughborough

Coot family, parents still feeding the chicks,
 unlike ducklings who have to fend for themselves!

We arrived at Shardlow on Monday and went for a meal in the Clock Warehouse.  Another lovely meal there.
On Tuesday we cruised a short distance to Sawley Marina so we could get a pump out and do the washing, only to find the chandlery was shut on a Tuesday!  So se moved across to moor on the towpath and wait until Wednesday!  When we found out there is an office which was open on Tuesday so we could have bought tokens and carried on!  Still never mind.

At Zouch Lock, before the rain started!

Canal and River Trust on the move.
Push me pull you!

So Thursday saw us moving on and turning right on to the River Soar which forms part of the Grand Union Leicester Arm.
We stopped that night at Kegworth.  With the forecast for rain we were keen to get off the river and back on to the canal at Loughborough.  So Friday saw us starting to cruise at 8am!  Usually we are still in bed at this time!  We managed about 2 hours before the rain started!  It hasn't stopped much since!  We did get rather wet but with 3 locks worked we arrived at Loughborough in time for a late lunch!

On Saturday one of Paul's RAF
mates, George, lives quite close and he came and picked us up and took us back to his place to meet his wife Ruth.  We ended up going out for a meal then they both came back here.
Yesterday we were walking into the town as these boats came under the junction bridge to turn a sharp right.  We are stood on the bridge.  The first and last boats are being towed by the little boat in the middle.  Not an easy manoeuvre, which they managed much better than some single boats manage! Just 2 guys on board.  Meanwhile we will stay here in Loughborough until the weather improves as moving on will put us back on the river until we reach Leicester.  The River Soar very quickly goes into flood so its a case of wait and see.