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.