TORCHED OR TOUCHED?

FRIDAY 3RD JULY 2009

A heavy morning shower of rain cooled and freshened the air and flattened the flowers on the roof but I’m sure that they will recover. By the time we got going the rain had stopped and within half an hour we entered Braunston tunnel. This tunnel was opened in 1796 and I don’t think that it has been closed foe any length of time in the intervening years, but there is a kink half way along the 2042 yds. where the builders made a mistake in its alignment.

A boat coming towards us, waited just before the kink and as we approached my large torch, which was well inboard on the cabin roof was suddenly swept overboard. The torch is waterproof and bouyant and crew on the other boat tried to recover it as it floated passed them. I went into reverse and the torch slowly bobbed back towards my stern and I was able to grab it, to cheers from the other boat, thanks guys for your help. Why the torch got swept overboard is a complete mystery, it was tucked up beside the rear sliding hatch, well out of harms way, has anybody had a similar experience in this tunnel? Spooky!!

Back into daylight and down the six locks to moor up outside Wharf House Narrowboats, to collect four new 135ah batteries. Our domestic batteries have slowly been losing their ability to hold a charge, resulting in having to run the engine in the evening, even after cruising for over six hours and again first thing in the morning. They are over four years old now and that would appear to be average life expectancy. With four new batteries lined up on the stern we set off in bright sunshine to moor a little way before bridge 103. Our intention was to head for home today, that being Wigrams Turn Marina, but the setting here is so beautiful and Jacquie wanted to watch the Murray/Roddick semi final so we decided to stay the night.