Crack's Hill - ready for the Show!

Made a quicker than planned return to Braunston, cruising when the wind was not too bad. After 2 trips into Daventry (I to shop and have hair cut, Ebony to vet - diagnosed with colitis - poor thing), I kept a watch on weather forecasts. Wind better and little rain on Wednesday so decided to leave Braunston again then. At first lock was joined by hire boat with 8 retired guide leaders. They were all keen to work the locks and kindly suggested I stay on to steer. 5 of them had been boating many times - but we still had 'fun' getting 2 boats into the locks!

Having made good progress I decided to make the most of the dry but cold weather. Stopped for quick lunch at Weltonfield then set off as a boat passed me - only to find another boat coming round the bend - oh dear I am going to be unpopular - luckily it was Roy and Celia on Strange Magic and we continued on to Watford locks. Dear Roy helped me up, while the lockie helped Celia. They now heading for base at Crick but we will meet up next week. I stopped for the night before the tunnel just after Bridge 9 - so peaceful - OK slight sound of motorway, but lovely setting!

Next morning I went through the tunnel and topped up water etc.

Went on to moor at Crack's Hill where I have moored for the show on 2 previous occasions. Found that Iain on Bees Nees had already arrived and I moored behind him on the good moorings between footbridge and winding hole. Iain attends every year, only giving up running the little show trip boat 3 years ago when I last saw him.

On Saturday 16 Tom and Christine on Lottie arrived in the fierce wind. We had met and become great friends while we were on the Great Ouse last year. It is so nice to meet up with people you haven't seen for a while. Unfortunately the canal needs a good dredging and we were unable to get their boat behind me - 4' out is not ideal. Sad because I moored exactly there 3 years ago, with many others, and planks were not even needed. Luckily a boat soon left from the other side of the winding hole and they were able to moor near me - as planned!

What with the stretch between the marina and bridge 13 cordoned off because of water voles, boating visitors to the show are going to have a big problem this year - previously we have been able to moor all the way to bridge 15. I am sure all those coming by car will be well catered for! During the show weekend very many people walk all the way up to Crack's Hill just to see all the boats - let's hope there are enough for them to see!

Tomorrow Gerry and Sandy on Stanley are due to arrive - hope they have waders!