Wednesday 8th April to Monday 20th April 2009

On our way to Braunston today - we're hiring a car whilst we're there to meet up with our daughter and daughter-in-law and the 6 grand children, apply for our bus passes from Daventry council and generally be able to get around. We arranged with Jenny (BW warden) on Gongoozeler to stay over on the 48-hour slot so that arranging to meet up with tradespeople etc., would be easier.

Whilst at Braunston we visited the Old Plough Inn a few times -had a lovely warm welcome from Avril. We also visited The Admiral Nelson as we had heard that it had recently reopened under new management and to our surprise found Maureen from the Braunston Manor Hotel was managing it for the brewery! (Maureen also owns the Old Plough)

We met up with friends Marion and Mike Kelly. Marion runs The Old Workshop - a 4-star B&B on the wharf at Braunston Marina, she also writes the Bert and Betty books and the children's section of Canals and Rivers. We used to stay at the B&B whilst Rock'n'Roll was being fitted out and were always made to feel welcome and very much at home. Mike is the managing director of EurEauWeb - a complete mobile electronic guide to the waterways -a great product for all users of the canals and surrounding areas.

The family get together at the Caravan Club, Uttoxeter Racecourse (by hire car) on Saturday 9th ....

... and back to a wonderful sunset at Braunston - what a great day!

On Sunday 12th we took the car to Stratford

The Bard .................

.... the new theatre in the making ...

... his birthplace ....

... and his final resting place!

Monday 13th - the car goes back tomorrow so today we went to visit our daughter-in-law and family in Shropshire. Moved to moor by the puddle banks on the South Oxford for a few days.

Sunday 19th April - another glorious sunset at Braunston Marina entrance.

Monday 20th April we woke up to a mist on the water.

All our business here is finished - we will upsticks in the morning and head back towards Hawkesbury.

Tuesday 7th April 2009

Moved on this morning via the very pretty Newbold Tunnel and

went for a walk around Newbold Quarry Park - well worth a visit

We moored for the night at bridge 58 to stock up at the 'Great God' Tesco to stock up.

Saturday 4th April 2009

We upsticks this morning and moved off towards Rose Narrowboats for fuel etc. They were very busy as it was the start of the Easter school holidays, but we had arranged the visit a few days ago and so did not have to wait long. Met up with Nigel who helped to fit out Rock 'n' Roll at Braunston 12 months ago now - it was good to see him; he's enjoying working with Rose Narrowboats and has moved his boat up too.

M6 now behind us - so glad we're not up there!

Approaching Rose Narrowboats - Stretton Stop

Friday 3rd April 2009

We left Hawksbury yesterday - saw these swans on the way - you can see one is on the nest. I think that these are the same ones I took a photo of last year when we passed this way although we could see the old nest about 3 yards away.

Met a BW man this morning checking boats moored on this stretch of water. He explained what his job was about and how he uses a gps to record exactly where we are on on what type of mooring (currently 14days). They are waiting to hear from the budget at the end of the month how BW will be run/financed (apparently BW are the 3rd biggest owner of Grade II listed buildings which the government may decide that BW should maintain which would cost a lot more than their finances would allow) and we thought that BW was all about canals and boats!!

We're currently moored near bridge 19 Hollyhill near the aquaduct and will move on tomorrow to Streeton Stop for fuel etc.

Wednesday 1st Aprl 2009
Got back to Hawksbury Junction on Monday and had lunch with son and daughter-in-law at the Greyhound for their wedding anniversary. On Tuesday George fitted LED lights throughout the boat - they're working very well but the light is very different than halogen but they should save on the energy front. Today he fitted soundproofing in the engine bay and that has made quite a difference inside the boat - the engine is actually in hood which is also soundproofed.




In the evening we went to the Greyhound for a drink and watched the Morris Dancers - George went for the camera just as the finished their session!

Saturday 28th March 2009

The family birthday cake

Thursday 26th March 2009 - Happy Birthday George! xx

Sunny today - walked along the canal and into Burton Hastings again today - the flowers are opening up in the sun -

Coltsfoot

Celendine

Dandelion

White Dead Nettle

Red Dead Nettle

Ruffled feathers in the wind

Molly meets a pony

Chickweed

Forget-me-nots

Forget-me-nots

Grape Hyacinth growing wild

Daisies

We're going to our son and daughter-in-law's tomorrow for the annual birthday bash (husband, grandson Ed (8) granddaughter Lucy (11) and daughter-in-law all between 26th and 30th of March), so we decided that we would set off after lunch to Hawksbury Junction - just as it started to rain for the first time in weeks

Molly and I sheltered in the cratch

coming up to bridge 5

that's bridge number 1 the last/first of the Ashby Canal

and we're through! Still the best canal yet!

into the winding hole on the Coventry Canal ready to turn right

and go through bridge 15 the first we come to

moored up at Hawksbury junction and a rainbow sunset.

Wednesday 25th March 2009

Upsticks from Limekiln yesterday and cruised down to moor between bridges 8 and 7 - it's George's birthday tomorrow.



Walked into Burton Hastings - more wild life showing it's face although there was not much sun today - hope that tomorrow will be better to take photos of the flowers.


Burton Hastings church