Braunston 18-20 Nov11

The plan was to trundle across to the Caravan Club Listed site on Friday evening and sneak up on Martin in his narrowboat and scare the life out of him. The best laid plans and all that .....Martin was late back to the marina and had moored along the canal and finding a particular narrowboat in amongst hundreds of others in the pitch black meant that the plan failed.

The site is in a very large field and there were just the other two caravans already there. Hooking up the EHU was a challenge as the cable had to be thrown through a hedge, but we set up in minutes and then headed for the pub for a couple of well-earned pints and a decent scoff. Martin managed to join us for a pint of hobgoblin and a fat-boy dessert.

The next morning I was up early and walked to the village to buy some bread, bacon and the papers for a leisurely morning's relaxation. Bimbling along the towpath I found Martin busily taking on water and emptying his toilet cassette, mostly over himself. Hitching a ride on "Mr Bunbury", we returned to the mooring and I, once again, cooked breakfast, made the bed and tidied the bus whilst 'er indoors titivated herself. Martin's very good friend Malcolm then arrived for his weekend cruising on Mr Bunbury, so we hitched a lift for 4 miles or so along the canal. However, Martin's idea of going for a cruise is to make his passengers walk alongside and kill themselves operating the many locks whilst he putt-putts along taking it easy.

Walking back along the towpath we stopped in Braunston for a pint and to check if they were showing the rugby in any of the pubs. Unfortunately, the locals were more interested in darts than a decent sport so, as the mobile reception is so appallingly bad in these backwaters,  we had to stand outside and await the result of our glorious win over Gloucester in the Heineken Cup. 12 wins from 12 games is very impressive by anyone's standards. 

The temperature dropped quite considerably overnight and it was dank and foggy - one of those chill, yucky November nights that get into your bones. However, the bus was snug and warm, albeit it did take longer to heat than on previous trip. Knackered after all the exertions, we tucked up early and enjoyed a thoroughly good nights kip. 

Sunday, and with mischief on my mind, I unloaded the bike and cycled the 4.5 miles back along the towpath, found Mr Bumburglar moored by the pub, jumped on the gunwhale to give it a damned good rocking, enjoyed the shouts from inside and rode off again.Tee hee :O)

Sunday papers, sausage sarnies and a few mugs of steaming hot tea, followed by a leg stretch around the marina and through the village, completed our Sunday and we packed up and were home in very good time.

The campsite - nice location, nice field, but at £15 a night, very expensive for what it is, especially as the toilets are miles away and they want a £1 for a shower!  Likewise, the electricity supply aint up to much and tripped twice whilst we were there.  Probably won't be going back there again.