5.00 Up in freezing mist to change gas bottles and stoke stove as both Central heating and fire had gone out! Straight back to bed.

6.30 Early start. Boat warm inside. Outside still mist but much better than earlier.

Winded at hole just before Brinklow Arches, the stub arm, of a shortening.

8.30 Moored at Newbold tunnel point to water up, clear-up, have breakfast and to get urgent groceries. Shop, turn left for a couple of hundred yards to shop open 7 days a week, 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.

9.45 Moved on warm and all refilled.

11.00 Moored just below Hilmorton bottom lock for coffee.

11.15 On up the locks, Angela steering I worked the locks with Carys and David. Afterwards Angela cared on steering so I cleaned the brasses.

1.15 Moored for lunch just before Bridge 80. Immediately we were passed by Antarctic of S. Midland Transport, Her arrival heralded by the lovely slow beat of her engine.

2.00 Moved onto to Braunston

3.30 Moored just before Bridge 91 immediately to the rear of a deserted Draco, (a Cutweb Internet Newsgroup member.) All went for a wander around Braunston village and back by the canal.

4.45 Returned to the boat as it was getting cold and like everyone else stoked up the fire. Then moved on, first up to the stop house to wind, and then back to the turn to head West on the North Oxford again.

6.15 Moored up for the night about Bridge 103 right out in the wild for the night as getting too cold and dark to continue.

Hours 8.25 Miles 19 Locks 3