So at last we set out this morning, the sky grey, but with no wind and no rain. And it got even better later, with the cloud breaking and the sun coming out. The canal was quiet. I'm amazed that we saw so few other boats cruising. The descent of Watford Locks was quick, and the five hours we did were very enjoyable.
Five hours is less that
we used to do on holiday cruises, but on those we were committed to
travelling a prescribed distance in the week, usually around a ring,
so it was important to put on the hours then. Now, however, we have
no tight schedule, so it's good to enjoy longer lunch breaks, and to
moor up earlier for the overnight stay. Some of you will laugh when
I tell you that, in those five hours, we covered just fifteen “lock
miles”, locks and miles being measured together in that way
because, on average, it will take the same amount of time to pass
through a lock as it will take for the average mile.
Three lock miles an hour, including our lunch break, is a good
cruising speed.
Napton Junction |
We had one little
anxious moment when our dashboard suddenly told us that our
alternator was not charging the batteries. The monitor in the
electrics cupboard told us otherwise, however, and when a jiggling of
the ignition keys made the warning stop, we decided there is a
connection problem behind the dashboard which we will need to keep an
eye on.
Meriting a mention is
an Irish gentleman we passed, solo in a narrowboat, who was trying to
get to grips with mooring his boat. He seemed to be in difficulties,
so we asked if he could help. He cheerfully declined, laughing at his
own “first-time boater” state, and pointed to an L plate he had
fixed to the back of the boat. I've never seen one of those on the
canals before – probably because most people aren't prepared to
admit that they are beginners, for fear of looking foolish. He didn't
mind – I love the attitude!
Another noteworthy is the mobile cheese shop we encountered!
Specialist in Welsh cheeses |
We're moored now just short of Braunston Tunnel, and may well spend the day here tomorrow before going on to Braunston. It's a lovely spot, quiet and remote-feeling, and we ate supper on the foredeck under a warm, clear sky.
This is more like it!