Braunston to All Oaks

12 September

There had been more rain in the night, but it dried up soon after we got up. We left our countryside mooring at 9.00; CRT had obviously been doing some work in repairing or creating a mooring here. It will be a good one when the earth has settled and the grass has grown.

Before arriving at Hillmorton, there is an old wharf where the buildings have been converted into houses.

Hillmorton Locks were very busy, but we got through quite quickly with a little extra help from a volunteer lockkeeper at the bottom lock. Soon afterwards, Steve became aware that something was round the propeller, so we pulled into the side so that he could investigate. It turned out to be a hard rubber fender and its securing rope. Perhaps one of the reasons boaters are advised not to leave fenders down in locks is that they can get torn off and then wrap themselves round other people’s props!

The building preparations are continuing for the new ‘mini-town’ on the old radio  transmission station site near Rugby.  An incredible amount of soil is being moved from one place to another for the access road and it is now obvious where a new bridge will be built over the canal. It is apparently a 15 year project so there is a lot to be done yet!

Earth moving

New bridge will go here.

We stopped for lunch at Newbold visitor moorings by which time the weather had cheered up and the sun was shining.

On we went and moored for the night at All Oaks where there are several other boats moored. In comparison with last night’s mooring, there is not much room on the towpath here. Stephen gave the fender he'd acquired to the boater moored behind us.

Not much room for mooring pins