Journal

Braunston Marina – final stop

It was an emotional journey not least also because the sun came out and it was glorious cruising weather. The cruise was easy, no more locks and a prime canal section. We ended our boater life on a top note.

That was it on 2 July 2017 ‘living on the cut’ ended for us.

It was a lovely, often demanding time. We had happy moments, sad ones too. Challenges abound, how will we look back on those in a few years time?

Because now, a new chapter is ahead of us. A new country, culture and climate. And definitely more living space.

But one thing we know, there will be times we will miss Quintessence, she was a hidden queen.

There was a comforting thought, at least she’s in good hands with Braunston Marina.

And we wish the new owner best of luck.

Adnan dismantled the three projects ‘boattr’, ‘mazizone’, and ‘7067 – It’s not a Test’:

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Log

Last cruise with Quintessence to Braunston

Summary

This is a trip of 2 miles, 4¾ furlongs from Flecknoe Bridge No 102 to Braunston Marina Western Entrance.

This will take 47 minutes.

From Flecknoe Bridge No 102 travel northeast on the Grand Union Canal (Oxford Canal Section) for 2 miles, 1½ furlongs to Braunston Turn, then travel east on the Grand Union Canal (Grand Junction Canal – Main Line – Braunston to Norton) for 3¼ furlongs to Braunston Marina Western Entrance.

Route

Grand Union Canal (Oxford Canal Section)
From Flecknoe Bridge No 102 (Flecknoe Village half a mile southeast) to:
Chambers Bridge No 100 7¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Wolfhamcote Bridge No 97 6¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Braunston Turn

Junction of the Grand Union, Oxford and Grand Junction Canals – Bridges No 93 & No 94. Also known as Braunston Junction
4 furlongs, 0 locks
Grand Union Canal (Grand Junction Canal – Main Line – Braunston to Norton)
From Braunston Turn (Junction of the Grand Union, Oxford and Grand Junction Canals – Bridges No 93 & No 94. Also known as Braunston Junction) to:
Gongoozler’s Rest Café Boat 3 furlongs, 0 locks
Braunston Marina Western Entrance

Entrance for Marina Services and Brokerage
¼ furlongs, 0 locks

Totals

Total distance is 2 miles, 4¾ furlongs and 0 locks.

This is made up of 2 miles, 4¾ furlongs of broad canals.

This will take 47 minutes.

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Journal

Flecknoe notes

On the way to Flecknoe, a dead bush invaded by spiders.

Just after Calcutt Locks, which where the last locks we worked (for the rest of our lives?) we reached Napton Junction where we had to turn into Oxford Canal in direction of Braunston. We wanted to make a pit stop and once again the cat escaped into the bushes. So, we had to wait.

Which also meant time to catch up on emails…

But once the escapist was back we continued towards Flecknoe, our destination for the day, where Adnan was so exhausted he immediately fell asleep once we found our mooring spot.

It was still raining, it’s British summer after all, but rain drops look good on a perfectly painted boat.

Even the antennae looks good, the solar panels got a good wash…

And Behemoth, aka Sava, in her element.

We will have two days to pack most of our stuff and to stack up the card board boxes will be quite a challenge in that small space.

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Log

Journey from Stockton to Flecknoe

Summary

This is a trip of 7 miles, 6 furlongs and 13 locks from Bascote Bridge No 27 to Flecknoe Bridge No 102.

This will take 4 hours and 53 minutes.

From Bascote Bridge No 27 travel east on the Grand Union Canal (Warwick and Napton Canal) for 4 miles, 7¾ furlongs and 13 locks to Napton Junction, then travel northeast on the Grand Union Canal (Oxford Canal Section) for 2 miles, 6½ furlongs to Flecknoe Bridge No 102.

Route

Grand Union Canal (Warwick and Napton Canal)
From Bascote Bridge No 27 (Bascote Road) to:
Stockton Lock No 11 1 mile, 3¼ furlongs, 2 locks
Stockton Top Lock No 4 Having passed through Stockton Locks. 3½ furlongs, 7 locks
Willow Wren Training Centre

Also known as Charles Nelson Cement Works, Nelson’s Wharf
4¾ furlongs, 1 lock
Ventnor Marina (Sunrise Basin)

The larger of the two Ventnor Marina basins. @Calcutt Lane, Stockton, Rugby, Warwickshire
1 mile, 5¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Calcutt Bottom Lock No 3 1¼ furlongs, 0 locks
Calcutt Top Lock No 1

Calcutt Boats

Having passed through Calcutt Locks.

1 furlong, 2 locks
Napton Junction

Junction of Grand Union and Oxford Canals
4½ furlongs, 1 lock
Grand Union Canal (Oxford Canal Section)
From Napton Junction (Junction of Grand Union and Oxford Canals) to:
Wigrams Turn Marina a few yards, 0 locks
Lower Shuckburgh Bridge No 104

Shuckburgh. Also known as Jacksons Bridge
1 mile, 4½ furlongs, 0 locks
Flecknoe Bridge No 102

Flecknoe Village half a mile southeast
1 mile, 2 furlongs, 0 locks

Totals

Total distance is 7 miles, 6 furlongs and 13 locks Today’s travel includes at least 1 small aqueduct or underbridge.

This is made up of 7 miles, 6 furlongs of broad canals; 13 broad locks.

This will take 4 hours and 53 minutes.

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