Friday 9th July 2021
Its started well, a warm morning, no rain in sight. Graham set off on the Di Blasi at 8am to fetch our car from Nottingham after an un-interrupted night being controller for SERV-OBN blood bikes (just 4 calls last night).
Brenda had a lay-in and then set off to shop. The provisions were bought – and a huge bag of nectarines for £1. Next task, an outfit for a 60s themed party. A hippy blouse in a charity shop caught her eye. She left the shop having spent £7 on that blouse, another blouse, 240 assorted coloured ear loops for making Covid masks and 24 little bottles of hand sanitiser – the good stuff! On to the market where she got 4 metres of tie die fabric for £4 – peace and love man!
Then it all went prickly pear shaped. Graham had retrieved the car and moved it down to a location south of Leicester. Just setting off back to Jannock and the drive belt on the Di Blasi snapped. At least he hadn’t got far from the car. He packed it back into it’s carry case, put it back in the car and drive home to Thame where there was a spare belt hanging on a nail in the garage. He replaced the broken belt and then drove back to Brinklow marina and parked the car ready for our return next week. He then returned to Jannock in Leicester on the repaired DiBlasi. He arrived back at 6:30 and so we eat dinner and then retired early to bed as we were both shattered.
Saturday 10th July 2021
We set off at 9am and immediately met another boat at the first bridge. At the 2nd lock, St Mary’s Mill lock, there were two fishermen who were interested in the boat passing through the lock. Graham enquired what they were fishing for and they said they were more interested in drinking beer than fishing and that they got their beer from the same place as they bought fish – Lidl!
At Whetstone Lane lock we met our first Northbound boat just leaving the lock so we hoped the rest of the locks would be in our favour – unlike the first 6. Unfortunately the next was against us as well so no change there. Just after this lock Graham spotted a lovely garden bar – shame the handpumps were not connected up, just for show.
Some of the sections of the Leicester section of the Grand Union canal are getting to look just like the Aylesbury Arm - a bit too overgrown if you meet an on coming boat.
When we arrived at Bush lock there was a family (Mum, Dad and two sons) who closed the open top gates for Graham as he approached. This kind act deserved to be rewarded and so we gave the two boys a ride through the lock in Jannock’s foredeck.
We passed through Kilby Bridge without stopping and when we got to Bumblebee lock found we had been chased by nb Abraxus who we had passed mooring in Kilby. They wanted to share the next seven locks with us. The partnership worked well and when we moored for the night near Newton Harcourt they asked if we could share again tomorrow morning for the last five locks to Foxton.
Dinner in the sunshine on the foredeck table followed by enjoying the late sun whilst we could.
A time lapse video of today's journey can be found at https://youtu.be/6rMKIdOAreI
G&B
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