![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSC08276.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nBraunston is only a small village, but quite big in the canal world with a lovely junction and bridges. A right turn for us and then our first fat boat (widebeam) on the move, luckily there was space to pull in among the moored boats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSC08283.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSC08289.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSC08291.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nWe walked up the hill to the shops, and an excellent butchers. Meal plans went out the window with Toby having a pork pie for lunch and a beef and onion pie for tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSC08292.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe walked around Braunston marina and had a good look in tradline fenders, we purchased four clam cleats <\/a>for the side fat fenders, as we often need to change the length of the rope, depending on the height of the bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSC08294.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nLunch on board and we cast off for the five locks ahead. We were lucky enough to share the locks with another boat who had four people on board, so all I had to do was open the already empty lock gates ahead. Sadly there aren’t many photos as Toby didn’t take many, I asked him at the top lock if he’d taken any photos, and out came the camera for a hasty shot!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSC08301.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSC08310.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nSoon after was Braunston tunnel, and I offered to steer, I’m not sure was more scared, me or Toby. We met one boat coming the other way, and typically on a bendy bit so we both rubbed the sides. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSC08312.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe brickwork and changing heights is quite impressive. The small dot of light at the other end gradually gets bigger. Is it just me, or is there a face looking back in the light?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSC08327.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSC08339.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nAt Norton junction we would usually turn right and back to base, we turned left on to the Leicester arm of the Grand Union Canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSC08351.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe moored up as agreed at Weltonfield marina, where Oliver was built back in 2004. The internal window frames have got some water damage, and despite our best efforts, they require a professional to repair them, and probably the windows being removed. The carpenter who originally fitted out Oliver still works here, so we’re hopeful of matching the wood (American Maple) and design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/toby200.net\/oliver\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/DSC08354.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n