We set out bright and early to a day threatening the rain it never delivered. Thank goodness! It was a treat to cruise in the dry. We did the top lock, stopped for Elsan with Elizabeth at the helm for mooring. Sweet.
Setting out, the traffic started to hot up with boats everywhere for the Easter weekend. We spotted these two dogs having a great time on a roof just before we travelled the Braunston tunnel. This time, Pete was on the tiller and Elizabeth was on deck. She LOVES tunnels and the magic of the feeling of being in them with the light dappling the old brick lining. But she is dazzled by on-coming headlamps and can't see to drive. Not a good plan for tiller person (she's tried). So Pete is helm-ing and not really liking tunnels at all. In the past, he's been on deck, she's been inside sulking. This time, we were both out. What a result! Her gushing enthusiasm lightens his dislike. Hey presto! Tunnel done in no time.
Tunnel in no time, Braunston locks the longest time ever! There were SO many boats with each lock full of boats every time it emptied and filled, boats waiting in the pounds between and queues at the top and bottom. We got quite confused with crews, each boat having a tiller person and dumping the rest of the crews lock side with windlasses. We had great conversations, quite a few laughs and an odd moment of a boat going downhill getting caught on the cill. The tiller man sounded his horn, bottom paddles were quickly closed to stop water leaving the lock, top paddles opened to get the water level back up, the boat righted and all was fine. All in all, an eventful journey!
We moored up as soon as we saw a free mooring, our usual routine. We were east of Bronny centre just free of the lock flight and hire base in what we now know is Butlers Bridge area. We walked up to Braunston shops, then down the hill through the sheep, the to the pub and then home again. The candles are our nightly ritual - each one stands for someone or a situation and when we blow them out after we've had our meal with who they represent, we send light for that person or issue. For us, it is the light of God, for others it can be light into darkness. It's just our thing. And who knows - you who read may be one of the ones we send to.
