Timed it Right

Thursday 31st May 2012.
Braunston to Buckby
4.5 miles, 6 Locks and 1 Tunnel.

Today we had planned to move up the Braunston Locks, the rain stopped at 9.30 so we got going, as we tied up on the lock mooring for the bottom lock someone shouted across from a boat outside the Chandlery that they would come up the locks with us, this was good news as it was Phil who owns Wharf House Narrowboats which is situated close to the bottom lock, he was taking a boat to the Crick Boat Show and had plenty of helpers, in fact we didn't have to operate any of the locks, his crew did the lot, what a result. 

The Admiral Nelson pub (hiding behind the bush) by lock 3 is open again, 

 British Waterways have suspended mooring in the lock flight

so they won't be getting to many boaters in. 

I noticed a worthwhile modification to the lock gates, an extra piece of timber supported by steel brackets had been fitted during the winter to try and prevent the front fenders of boats getting caught in the gates as the boat desends, with possible disastrous results.

With a coat of black paint the extra bit will look like it's always been there, not all the lock gates had these extra bits added so perhaps it's an ongoing thing.

We are now moored on the visitor moorings above Buckby top lock, we did consider going down the flight after lunch but it started raining so tomorrow will do.