Bitterly cold wind.

6 locks, 4½ miles and 1 tunnel , Now moored at Norton Junction 

We were up bright and early this morning for a 7am start on the Braunston locks and tunnel. The weather was overcast and dry but a bitterly cold wind that necessitated some extra warm clothing, it was back to winter rather than spring. The sun did try and break through a couple of times but was soon covered in cloud again.

After a good run up the locks the tunnel approach seemed narrower than when we last came through here. Derek on Kalimera ran aground and had to have a second go and as we entered the tunnel I felt that there was definitely only room for 1 boat at a time through the gap unlike last time when 2 boats could JUST squeeze past each other. That is definitely going to become a problem area come summer with more boats on the move. We were not the only early birds on the move as we passed 2 boats inside the tunnel.

After a short break for a much needed hot drink at the Welton end of the tunnel we carried on to where we are now moored for the day. Here again we were lucky as no sooner had we tied up when 5 other boats came along looking for moorings and there were only 2 spaces left. Tomorrow Weedon.

1063 locks, 1387 miles, 41 Tunnels, 41 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006