We departed at 09:30 heading east towards the Leicester Branch of the Grand Union.
We soon reached Braunston Tunnel. Opened in 1796 it is longer than a mile, at 2,048 yards.
There's no lighting, other than the boat's headlight and the air gets progressively colder as the boat steadily heads into darkness. It took 20 minutes before we emerged
into a green tunnel of overhanging trees.
At Norton Junction we steered left onto the Leicester Branch
and soon came to our first lock flight.
Canal & River Trust volunteers were there to assist, operating paddles and gates on one side while Krisie (above) did the other. It took almost an hour to traverse the seven locks which raised us 52.5 feet.
Then we came to Crick Tunnel, built in 1818 and 1528 yards long. This was short and straight enough to see the other end before we entered it.
Krisie had special t-shirts and caps made for her and Dan. The shirts bore a picture of a narrow boat on the front and the word CREW in large on the back. The caps had CREW. And that was true: as experienced narrow boaters they worked the boat while we enjoyed the views.
We arrived at Crick at 16:00, bought Cava in Crick Co-op and enjoyed a bottle before dinner at The Wheatsheaf.
As it was Sunday, I had roast beef and we shared a bottle or two of excellent Franschhoek Cellars The Churchyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Braunston to Crick - 9 miles - 13 locks - 2 tunnels - 5h45
(stopped 45 minutes for lunch)
Go to Day 3 here
Go to Day 1 here
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