Braunston Tunnel

Today's Canals : Oxford, Grand Union Main Line

As soon as we awoke and peeked outside, just before 7am, we could see that our view was largely of a thick mist! Last night we could see the 

iconic landmark of Braunston Church spire straight ahead of us. 

However, by the time three hours later when we eventually set off, the mist had cleared and there was once again a bright blue sky. A little more cloud now which gradually took over the whole sky by early afternoon.

Shortly after leaving we had a better view of the church which sits on the top of a small hill that gives it its priominence for some distance around.

Soon we were at Braunston Junction with the impressive double arched bridge and cast iron sides. On our last trip we turned onto that section of what is part of both the Grand union Main Line and the Oxford Canal.

The A45 road crosses the canal twice in quick succession either side of the junction which is on a long bend. This was the second - its modern concrete slab design scored more on function than the aesthetics of the earlier cast iron bridges!

For a long time this former toll house hailed the entrance into Braunston, a major place for working boats. The building gradually lost any usefulness to CaRT and, we understand, was sold off not long ago. Barely visible in this photo but there were a couple of yellow planning notices on the far right hand end of the building. Of course, without stopping, we could not read what they said!

Gongoozlers Rest (a café boat) has been refreshing visitors to this popular site for as longas we can recall.

The bridge at the main entrance to Braunston Marina marks the point at which the original line of the Oxford Canal took a lengthy contour route towards Napton but which was also eliminated ion the Oxford Canal straightening project.

Nuneaton and Brighton looked resplendent in the sunshine - they belong to the Narrow Boat Trust whose members often take them to canal festivals.

These three equally distressed boats are moored up just after the second entrance to the marina. We recall that the one in the middle, the very short tug boat, used to be on the opposite bank and looked well cared for. Unless something happens quite soon, it will not last much longer.

Another change in recent times was the closure - sadly - of the well stocked chandlery shop immediately before the bottom of the Braunston Locks. It has now gained a new life as an Art Supplies shop.

Waiting below the flight for a couple of boats to finish rising up the bottom lock was the manager of Brinklow Marina, out in his boat for the long weekend. They suggested that we could share with them which made the first two locks very easy.

We spotted this maker's mark in the brickwork around the bottom gate of Lock 2. We may well have reported on this maker before but here is a very comprehensive review of his life's work.

Alas, our lock companions find it impossible to pass the Admiral Nelson pub (alongside Lock 3) without stopping to be reminded of their excellent fare. Since there was plenty of mooring space (not guaranteed as it can get very crowded at times) we had to continue on our own.

We knew there was another boat behind us but they seemed not to be making much progress so, despite waiting a little at the next lock we had to make a move as boats were heading down. However, the second pound below the top was almost half a metre down so we thought it best to avoid unnecessary waste of water and this time let them catch up and share the top two locks.

Our plan was to moor before the tunnel as we have found in the past that there is not a lot of usable mooring between the tunnel and Norton Junction. On several occasions we have had to resort to deploying our gangplank to get from shore to boat! So we were tempted by the sign that designated most of the bollards above the lock flight as a 2 day mooring. It proved to be a good mooring but for the small factor of not having a mobile phone signal! Hence we could not load up this blog entry until a later date. This evening will have to be a music and reading time.

2.5 Miles - 6 Locks