Orchids and a Cheeky Duck.

 Tuesday & Wednesday 10th & 11th June in Braunston.

There are three locks on this stretch of the North Oxford at Hillmorton. These locks are "paired" with two narrow locks side by side; they were constructed like this to speed up the heavy working boat traffic along this canal. This is the approach to the bottom lock where there are normally volunteers to help you through.

In between the bottom pair of locks there are orchids growing. A few years ago, M remarked to the volunteer lock keepers how rare the orchids are and now they are protected with a notice to keep off! They are the Early Purple variety.

The first view of Braunston is always the disinctive church spire in the distance that tells you that you are getting close.

Braunston is where the North Oxford, the South Oxford and the Grand Union canals all meet at this triangular island with its iconic pair of cast iron bridges.

We loved this cheeky fellow sitting in somebody's hatch and quite unconcerned as we cruised past.

 We moored up outside Braunston Marina . MM is booked into the Marina tomorrow morning as we need to go home for a few days; however, the car is still at King's Orchard Marina where we left it last week. So, R had to take an hour long bus ride into Rugby where he walked a mile to the station and caught a train to Lichfield and then a taxi to King's Orchard Marina so that he could drive the car back to Braunston ready for tomorrow. Phew!

We were both rewarded by a beautiful sunset. 

Wednesday morning, we had been looking forward to breakfast on the famous floating "Gongoozlers' Rest" cafe but were horrified to discover that it only opens Thursday til Sunday! Shame!!

Next morning, we moved MM into the Marina where she had a lovely open mooring with a great view. Sadly, we won't be here to enjoy it as we left to drive straight home.

 We expect to be back on MM on the 15th or 16th.

Today: 11 miles, 3 locks and 4.0 hours.

Trip: 75 miles, 25 locks and 33.5 hours.