An early start today, as we wanted to get to Braunston before the moorings filled up, though not before Brian had fired off another email to the Parish Clerk (sorry John!) It's a tough life at the heart of local politics.
With very little wind and the glimmerings of some sunshine, we soon found ourselves at Newbold Tunnel with its atmospheric lighting (and it's not just for Hallowe'en!)
Straight after we made a lightning stop near the refuse disposal point so I could offload our rubbish - one of the few where there are proper recycling facilities.
On then to Rugby Visitor Moorings where we made a quick trip to Tesco for essentials: milk, decent gin - and socks. (A little packing faux pas there, Brian)
The sun was high and the air quite balmy when we reached Hillmorton locks. These are in pairs and normally traffic moves quite quickly as you tend to get one side going up and the other down. But due to the water shortage (I can't believe I'm writing this with all the reports of flooding) and a damaged beam, one lock in each pair was out of action. Still, we were through fairly quickly and stopped at the top of the locks for some lunch.
Our departure was delayed by a short sharp shower, but it was a mere dribble compared to what was to come. Within an hour the skies had darkened, thunder was rumbling and we were literally deluged. Progress slowed to snail's pace as we struggled to see where we were going. At one point we decided to pull in and moor up, but the towpath was narrow, muddy and slippery and the skull hanging in the window of an adjacent boat made us slightly nervous. So we pressed on, but by this time 3 boats had passed us and instinct told us they would take the last 3 mooring spaces in Braunston.
So we have stopped about a mile short of the village and it's home cooking again tonight.
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