Off at 6.15 a.m., to another fine day, a clear sky and the sun rising, but no mist and not as spectacular as Thursday. Archemedies and Ara at moorings, just getting ready to go. Latter passed Edgeware and Ballham at their usual moorings, but I prefer to see the boats working like the first pair. I passed the hotel boat Wood Owl at High House wharf where I had seen them the previous night.

8.45 to 9.15 stopped at B 22 for breakfast, the last stop before the motorway intrudes again. Just afterwards buzzed by a Kingfisher. First saw him flitting in and out in front of us, then he perched, as I drew near he took off and flew right along the boat just about 6 ft up.

Worked up Buckby locks with Saxon, a very nice 50 ft tug being operated single handed. Then past Norton Junction and straight though the tunnel to moor up just before Baunston top lock at 12.45 for two hours to walk down to the Admiral Nelson pub and have a meal and three pints before working the locks. Back on the boat worked down with a private boat to moor up in Braunston for the canal gift shop at 4.15. 1.5 hours for the 6 locks, slowish due to other traffic coming up.

5.10 on our way again, out slowly through the confusion of Braunston, boats in all directions. Passed Vulcan still moored up. You can buy models of Vulcan in the shops at Braunston, but the models only have one funnel, Vulcan as steamer has two!! At the junction headed towards Napton, and finally moored up at 6.15 right out in the country near B 103.

11.30p.m. Woken up by a thunder storm to find tractors still at work in the fields by the canal moving bales. Quite a spectacular scene, pitch back, no street lights no moonlight only lit by the flashes of lightening and the headlights of the madly dashing tractors ! I spent a while watching it, the kids slept through it all! The dog however woke, afraid, and had to come and sleep in our cabin!!

Miles 18 Locks 13 Time 9 hours.