Lower Shuckburgh (Br 103) – Braunston (Sat 17th Aug)

Left at 10:00 arrived at 11:10

Today is my Birthday! Thank you for all the good wishes 61 ? gulp how did that happen!!! Niamh and me were up late as no work today, off in to Braunston hopefully, to stay till tomorrow for Matt to pick Niamh up.  Its cool and just had a big shower of rain, the waterway has been busy, lots of boats coming and going, so hopefully we will get a mooring spot. Where we are is very pretty, lots of golden fields and not too big hedges so you can see a long way, heres hoping Braunston is all its cracked up to be,its a canal centre, lots and lots of boaty things there, so fingers crossed. Entering Braunston, turning right at the two lovely Iron bridges, there were loads of moored boats and some nice commercial properties at the left hand side,one was Coffee House Ltd, wholesale coffee we think, it had the original old black metal framed windows and old ridge tiles on the roof.  The BoatHouse Pub, looked very inviting so that may be a possibility for tonight.  Its very busy here, there are boats everywhere, we managed to moor just before the Stop House (A toll house built in 1796) its now the Waterways office and the water point. We had a walk up into the village, it was quite a walk, up the towpath, over a bridge and up a steep path, you can tell how steep, it had a seat halfway up.  The pub there was open so we called to see what was on offer, walked down the street to suss out the shop/general store and a little cake/shop cafe.  It was very quiet and Niamh said it was like Midsomer Murder Country, eerily silent just waiting for a murder to happen (she was right, she also has a vivid imagination)  The little cafe was lovely, Niamh had hot chocolate,cream and marshmallows and a slice of rocky road, Derek and me had fruit scones, cream and strawberry jam and a pot of tea for two, in lovely matching teapot and china cups and saucers, Bliss!!!   We went over to the shop to get a few provisions and paper and mags and then went back to  the boat to leave our purchases there.  We had a rest, Niamh had more lunch and we had a snack (all we seem to do is eat) and then decided to go and have a look for a good spot for Matt to park tomorrow, walked round the Marina and decided we would then go to the Ist lock.  Near the entrance to the Marina  (a white metal bridge) there is a NB Cafe “The Gongoozlers Rest”, they have been doing a roaring trade since we arrived, doing full breakfasts on board, even takeaways are available and people have been eating their meals on the picnic benches and seats at the side of the Stop House.  At the other side of the bridge there are two Tug style boats, one Comfortably Numb? With an engine and generator going, then the other old wooden tillered tug barge, which is the shop, fastened to it.  The young lady and man who own them are registered traders and they have all sorts of Canalia, rope bits and bobs but mostly painted wares, done by them in the boat, its lovely and they are really nice people who pass the time of day with everyone.  The Marina is packed with boats, moored and for sale and the Marina office is very busy.  We went for a look round, inside the main office, there are Roses and Castles paintings on cupboard doors, open the doors and the painters name and the date it was done is there.   I asked if I could take photographs of them and they said of course, I had to sit on the floor to take them but they didn’t bat an eyelid, obviously used to mad boaters!! A building at the side of the Marina advertises Waterways (a route planner software) plus bed and breakfast and Bert and Betty books, toys and tapes.  The Proprieters a Mr and Mrs Kelly invite you to ring the bell if you want information or to look at the books etc. Derek bought the Canal Planner Software earlier in the year.  Niamh and I went in after duly ringing the bell, the property was really smart and the garden (even the shed) looked great. Mrs Kelly showed us her little Stock of Bert and  Betty things and their was a lady there (a relative we think) waiting to be picked up by taxi?  Niamh still thought it was like Midsomer Murders, although the older lady looked like a perfect Miss Marple to  me.  I bought some bits for the Taylor littleys and we walked up to the Ist Lock, sat outside, had icecreams and gongoozled for a change, still the boats were coming.  Back down to the boat before it was tea time, I called at the Barge Shop and bought a rope key ring, its actually to hang on Dereks tiller pin.  Derek had decided we would have tea at the Boathouse Pub, the one I mentioned when we entered the Canal to Braunston, its closer and up not too steep a hill.  We went to the pub about 5ish, it was getting very busy by now, lots and lots of hungry boaters.  I Had Steak and Scampi(turf and surf I suppose) Derek had Stilton Steak and Niamh built a burger, chicken and bacon, the works? It was lovely, Niamh even had a pud, jam roly poly and custard, told you she likes a pud, we were too stuffed.  We don’t have tele so we are watching a film on Dereks media player, Harry Potter and the Pheonix, we think.