Days 1 - 10: Mercia Marina to Braunston

It's 1st May and the start of our journey - a 390 mile round trip with 231 locks and 4 tunnels (ranging in length from 250 to 3056 yards). CanalPlan predicts 39 days at 5 hours each day, but we probably cover less ground (water?) per day than average because we like to take things fairly slowly. We reckon it will take us around 10 weeks, allowing for days off.  Our route is west along the Trent & Mersey from Mercia Marina in Willington, turning down the Coventry Canal at Fradley Junction, then onto the North Oxford, the Grand Union to Brentford and from there onto the River Thames.  Then we'll travel upstream to Oxford, back onto the canal, returning via the South Oxford and the North Oxford canals, the Coventry, the Trent & Mersey and finally back to Mercia Marina.

We're in convoy some of the way with our friends Lee and Gina on Goldfinch. It'll be Lee and Gina's first time on this part of the Thames and for us, our first time ever on the Thames. 

Catnap reversing from her berth at Mercia Marina, taken from Goldfinch...

...in perfect synchrony - Goldfinch is the blue boat to Jan's right   

Leaving Mercia via the narrow channel to the Trent & Mersey, where we'll be turning right.  Must stow the electric cable, won't be needing that for a while!

Catnap turning into the canal, filmed from Goldfinch

Gina and Jan at Tattenhill Lock, windlasses ready

Now on the North Oxford and ascending Atherstone flight, one of our favourites - it's beautifully kept and at this time of year there are lots of wildflowers alongside the locks 

Passing Barby Marina and its resident alpacas

It's ages since we were out boating in May and the blossom is absolutely beautiful

First milestone reached as we arrive just this side of Braunston and moor up.  The next day we do chores and then meet Lee and Gina for a canalside drink at The Boathouse.  The next section is along the Grand Union eastwards to Norton Junction, where we turn south to (eventually!) London.

 

 



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