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Date: 15th May 2024
Canal: Grand Union and Leicester Branch
Direction: East
Locks: 5
Swing bridges: 0
Braunston Tunnel entrance
The cruise:
Today we left charming Braunston and aimed for Daventry. We needed to find somewhere to moor near to where John could catch a train back to Surrey in a couple of days. With access to train stations in mind, we headed east on the Grand Union Canal.
It was a busy day, with lots of boats navigating through the locks. This meant that there were plenty of helping hands when it came to the five locks. There’s something special about the camaraderie among boaters and it’s times like this, when everyone is helping each other in order to achieve our common goal, that make me truly appreciate the sense of community that thrives along the waterways.
Next, we faced the daunting task of navigating Braunston Tunnel. This was the first tunnel that we had done in our shiny new boat. Believe me it’s a whole different experience when you are taking your home, rather than a hire boat, through what feels like such a tiny opening. Poor John, we had to pass eight other boaters in the tunnel, surely that’s a record? We were so pleased to emerge relatively unscathed.
Once we came out the other side, it was very pleasant cruising in the sunshine. Looking for the perfect mooring we turned left onto the Leicester Branch of the Grand Union Canal (new water for us) and found exactly what we were looking for, Armco, countryside, easy access to Daventry and internet.
And so, with the boat moored up, the sun shining and the bus/train access checked we settled down to watch Narrow Escapes on the TV.
Bridge on the Grand Union Canal
Long Buckby:
A large village in Northamptonshire, Long Buckby is situated between Northampton and Rugy. It is close to Daventry, which is why we decided to moor here.
Identified as ‘Buchebei’ in the Doomsday Book, the history of this village actually stretches back to the Viking period. The prefix ‘long’ was added to the name at a later date in order to describe the village’s length.
In the 17th century Long Buckby was known for its weaving industry, but later shoe making became dominant. Once the Grand Union Canal came to the village a busy wharf was built here.
The close proximity of major roads, the West Coast Mainline railway and (of course) the Grand Union Canal make Long Buckby very accessible.
Leicester Branch of the Grand Union Canal
We are John, Lorraine, and Boasley the Boat Dog.
Follow our adventures as we learn to live the life of contiuous cruisers on the British waterways.
