The Journey Begins, Crick to Braunston

Here’s our green man at the bow guiding us through the changing seasons of our journey on the cut which we started by dawdling through Crick Tunnel. Cruising from the blackness into the light like a ghost ship emerging from the mist we were greeted by a strange repetitive whooping which turned out to be the local farmer calling his cows. He appeared from behind a metal gate with his trusty canine and proceeded to run along the canal side still whooping. There followed close behind his assortment of heifers and their babes trying to keep up with him in convoy and neatly tidied at the edges by the dog. They hoofed only a short distance along the canal side before diving into the next field, the gate snapped shut succinctly by Olympic Farmer. Not having the camera about our persons we called out to Olympic Farmer to ask whether this trick could be repeated in reverse giving us the opportunity of capturing this bovine matinee to show yourselves. Come back in a couple of days he chimed back. What a tease!

At Watford Locks we had an hours wait which we filled with sandwich. We were to follow in a couple from Conneticut, USA. They seemed surprised that Mark knew where Conneticut was for some reason. Perhaps it was Mark’s ‘shorts’. Our friends Leigh and Adrian were on duty as volunteer lock keepers. They do make bright, shiny recruits! Leigh presented Mark with a certificate for correct working of the lock system. He was overwhelmed with glowing pride. The lock keeper Terry and his volunteers make traveling the system a safe and enjoyable experience for novices as the locks are carry you up a 16 metre rise, shifting tons of water and are therefore quite imposing for someone who normally rides a bike.

And look what I found! I’m trying again with the food for free venture now I have my new book by Richard Mabey. For these St George’s mushrooms my brother recommends: 1) Wash them  2) Fry with garlic  3) Stick them on a piece of toast. That’ll be £8.95 please.

Unfortunately we had cause to use our new RCR membership rather more quickly than we had hoped after passing through Norton Junction. Our big green engine began omitting a  strange rubbery whiff and soon set an alarm droning. We’ve hardly got going and we’re subject to mechanical trauma! The distress! Must have tea! But RCR’s engineer appeared Mr Benn – like from nowhere, identified a dying alternator and fixed us up for the ongoing journey. An excellent service indeed for us Silver Member People.

Volunteer lock keepers appeared at Braunston too but did not furnish Mark with another Certificate of Achievement. Perhaps such awards are rationed. We revisited The Admiral Nelson at lock number three there for another herbivorous meal with Andy and Sandy who came to visit. Chef Liam once again rose to the challenge of creating us a vegan lunch which was gilded with roasted asparagus. A leafy salad with crusty rustic bread, dark mushrooms with cous cous, olives and sun-dried tomatoes. Inky was welcome to be with us at our table and was affectionately fussed over by the warm and friendly waiting staff. Our guests too had wooden platters of hearty, well presented food which was beautifully constructed and eagerly deconstructed. A pub with a modern but comfortable feel, staff who genuinely wish to please and fresh water and bar nibbles for your dog. England Expects Every Pub To Do It’s Duty and live up to the Admiral Nelson.

Next, Mark and Donna enjoy peaceful Cropredy before the Fairport Convention arrives!

Donna, Mark and Inky the greyhound have recently become canal liveaboards. They are sharing their enjoyments and enlightenments with us, thanks for their permission to publish!