Monday 17 September 2012

Braunston - Napton - Braunston - Home

Yes, we have returned home for a few days, but not before spending several days in Braunston supporting the local economy, shops, pub and of course the chandlers.

We tootled down to Napton to charge the batteries, and took a walk up the locks. On our return walk down the towpath back to the boat, we could see a gathering of people looking down into a lock, and boats tied up AND 2 CART people making their way there too. Apparently a narrow boat going up a lock, had unknowingly pinched its rudder in the bottom gates as they closed. Consequently when the top paddles were opened and the water level rose, the rear of the boat was stuck fast. Fortunately, the boaters around knew what to do and quickly shut the top paddles and slowly emptied the lock, so that the gates could be opened and the boat freed. The elderly couple on board, must have had a frightening few moments, and when we looked at the stern of their boat, the rudder clearly extended beyond the rear fender, so it had probably occurred before.

After a mediocre lunch at The Bridge at Napton (new management), we passed this sunken boat, that had definitely been floating 2 days previously, and returned to Braunston, enjoyed a 2 for 1 meal at The Boat, and left the boat in a marina for a few days. The wood burning stove was in action before we left - lovely days but very cold evenings in Northamptonshire!