Wednesday 2nd January

A gloomy start to the day and no trains to disturb me again today due to overrunning engineering works.

Went as far as Clifton where I bought some gas then moored opposite. Walked into Clifton to check out the Bull. They had London Pride, something else, and a guest beer, which was was another weak beer with a stupid christmassy name. So I had the Pride. They do cheap lunches every day except Sunday at £3.50, so I had one of those.

After lunch the sun appeared and I set off for the marina. Unfortunately a wind had also started. This helped me get into the marina entrance, which I managed to do in one go. However it made mooring on the pontoon very difficult. Although I did manage to get close enough to the pontoon to get off there are no cleats for the centre line so I only able to get the stern line on the ring, by which time the bow had been blown onto to the next pontoon, which is empty. I was then unable to pull the boat in using the centre line, but by using a long bow line I did succeed.

Tuesday 1st Janury 2008

A misty start, but when the sun started to burn through I carried on to Braunston marina where I winded. Then headed towards home. Stopped at Willoughby for lunch. By now the boat was too hot inside due to the sun, but I didn't want to let the fire go out just for a few hours. It wasn't very hot, but I was wearing thermals.

After lunch carried on towards Hillmorton where I moored above the locks. I was planning to go and check out at least one pub, but with Finding Neverland and Shameless on TV I decided not to bother. Cooked a small rack of lamb for dinner.

Monday 31st December

Another calm and relatively warm day.

Went up through the three locks at Hillmorton. There were quite a few boats on the move today so I got a bit of help with the locks. Moored above the locks for lunch. After which I started the 6 mile run to Braunston.

Moored in my favourite spot near the footpath up to the church. Went for a walk along the canal as far as the bottom lock, then up into the village.

The Wheatsheaf was displaying a Good Beer Guide 2008 sticker so I felt obliged to go in and try it. They have Abott, Flowers IPA and a gust ale which was Skinners Christmas Fairy. I had the guest ale but wasn't impressed with it.

Sunday 30th December

After the strong winds of yesterday there was no wind at all today. So decided to set off towards Braunston. Stopped for water at Newbold and popped into the Boat to check out the beer situation. Only Brew XI as the Boddingtons was not available.

After that I carried on to Rugby where I moored to go shopping at Tescos. I'm not going to risk relying an pubs for food, based on past experience at this time of year.

After that I moved on to Hillmorton where I moored for the night below the locks. I was very tired so I didn't venture out. It was not a very cold evening and I survived with a wood fire, which I left to go out when I went to bed.