Thrupp

Thanks to Martin and Penny for the rhubarb, had delicious crumble, didn't even get to take a photo before it was gobbled up!

Speeding to Oxford

Braunston turn, a beautiful day to turn onto the South Oxford canal, under these elegant  bridges made by Horseley iron works in 1828.
On our way to get Lewis to his finals in Oxford .

Happy times in Banbury as we met some old friends of ours, from our days on the Worcester and Birmingham canal in 1990.
The Moore family on board Narrow boat Regent.We spent a very  fun evening catching up in the pub, sampling Hildegard van Ostaden's Solange Beer from Belgium.
This is the next day still swapping stories! as we wait for a lock to empty.

Cropredy  lock cottage , moored below here for a couple of nights, this is where the famous folk festival is held, maybe one day we'll take part.

Somerton deep lock, these narrow locks seem to get narrower as you are going down,  it makes me feel a little nervous.

One of the many lift bridges on this canal. 

Jane looking concerned as we go down in the Aynho weir(d) lock, tricky for a 70"6' boat, with this oddly shaped lock .

Lewis entering the bottom lock at Napton, a flight  of 7 locks, where the lock gear had been covered in grease to help them run smoothly, which Jane ended up covered in. And below Lewis ready to run the London marathon in just a week! Please support him at www.justgiving.com/fortheelephants .

The Ashby Adventure

Turning onto the Ashby canal, twenty one and three quarter miles long ,no locks , one tunnel, sixty bridges.
All new for Emily Bronte

Brian , his favourite hobby, the last of the ash from Milton Keynes.

Jane's favourite hobby.

Stoke Golding, Sunny mooring!

Bosworth Field Battle sight, 

Shackerstone, beautiful  moorings next to a Motte and Bailey, this is where Jane would like to moor when she is old and decrepit. 

Snarestone black hole.

At the very end. well worth a visit.
A view of Measham across the fields, perhaps the canal will flow through there next time we are here.

Family Holiday in Middleton in Teesdale.

This is the Chapel we stayed in to celebrate big sisters special birthday,
Very spacious with plenty of space for all 14 of us, Complete with full size snooker table and sauna room.

Meal times meant full time catering, luckily we had lots of willing cooks.

Especially when it came to making chocolate pudding!

Birthday girl and beau.

Eventually! suited and booted we went to see High Force.

High Force at its best after 2 months of rain.

The Three sisters ( scary how alike we are )
Brain trying out the all terrain pram, baby fast asleep.

421 Locks and 528 Miles

Our mooring today is in Weedon having traveled from Gayton this morning. Scanning the map for anything interesting  Royal ordnance depot disused suggested further investigation.  This ancient fire engine is resting in the Royal ordnance depot  which we are wandering round. A central canal is surrounded by eight large warehouses two of which can be seen in the picture, The canal originally joined the grand union, but not anymore one canal Emily Bronte will have to pass by .

Hilmorton lock beams are carved with words, they are the first narrow locks Emily Bronte has navigated in 9 years!

The bottom locks at Hilmorton  an extra lock was built along side the original lock in the hay day of canal transport to cope with the increase in boat traffic.

Here we go 2014.

On this chilly but dry February morning, Emily Bronte chugs into the mouth of the 3,057 yards long Blisworth tunnel.
Goodbye Milton Keynes, Thanks for your super Cycle path network, clean and dry towpaths and plenty of space to moor. We won't forget our Christmas  ice skating too

Entering the tunnel , thinking it would be deserted , on this grey mid winters day, a light shone out from the depths, a boat was approaching from the other end! this would involve a tricky passing manoeuvre with only inches to spare.
Emily slowed as the light shone brighter, inching past without touching the tunnel sides, both  crews , gave a cheery shout.

The rain of the last mouth  appeared to have waited for Emily Bronte's approach, torrents of water came cascading down   like a circular waterfall from the air shafts, mostly missing the crew !

A ghostly image emerging from the northern portal.  

Gayton junction, starboard to Northampton and the Fens (August 2014) turn to port for Braunston and beyond. Port  for us today.

A commission to keep Brian busy, decorative engine side panel for narrowboat India.

New Arrival

Welcome to the world, Florence Rosie Born 24th November. A beautiful new great niece. Congratulations to Adam ,Gemma and Delilah. Can't wait to meet you!

Five of these Robins flew off  on their merry way to Skipton, via the post office, after the first flock disappeared mysteriously on a national express coach, from milton keynes.
Jane finished crocheted christmas cards with the help of sister Liz, this was like a scene from Blue Peter, glue ended up all over Liz and the bows of Emily????, obviously she has not had a professional education in the spreading of glue unlike Jane who has an N.V.Q in it.
Any one out there wanting to send christmas cards our way , please can we ask that you sponsor Lewis instead, as he is doing the london Marathon in aid of a charity who is trying to protect Elephants from extinction, please go to  justgiving.com/fortheelephants   Thanks very much xx

Sculpture of Running man with Figures, at Wolverton.
we passed by this morning on our way to Cosgrove, this photo does't do it justice, as you can't see the small figures he's holding out in his hand, any way we like it!

View from the back cabin as we chug up the canal , on the look out for fire wood.

At Fenny Stratford last week, we filled up with Diesel in the lock, Supplied by Working boat Aston.

Brian continues with new doors, now complete with lining, just about to varnish.
Knobs and door knocker to be made in the forge.