Nov 3

The final installment for Mom and Dad.

We arrived back in Braunston, having climbed the Buckby locks, after mooring overnight in Bugbrooke. The church there was completely in the dark and scary, suddenly huge spotlights came on, illuminating the spire and church. Ethereal! We had supper in the Five Bells pub, and wandered back to another great, sheltered mooring, and listened to the raindrops on the roof.

After having lunch in the same cutting and leafy tunnel we had been but 4 days before, we returned through Braunston tunnel, only meeting two boats in the fifteen foot wide (but curvy and varying) tunnel. Makes for particularly cozy passage in the dark! Down the Braunston 6 locks, and put away the lock windlass for good on this trip. I moored in the best mooring space, just outside the marina at the famous (for me) bridge where I have posted pictures of several times. Stayed there over night, listening to the bells of the church, the fireworks all around, and a howling wind in the trees above.

Today (Sunday) we went to the Braunston Church where I am learning to ring the bells, had a brief session as they rang for church and showed mom and dad the belfry. Then, into the mooring for the next month in the marina at Braunston. All through with engines. They depart for Canada tomorrow morning, so it is off to Heathrow for a fun drive in the fall leaves. We’ve had a great time.

The lock experts! you can’t tire us out!