Breakfast at Whilton Marina

Four and half miles and 6 locks.

Last night there was a lovely moon which really did turn the landscape midnight blue;

In the morning, we pulled into the first lock and were joined by a couple in a rather tatty ex-hire boat that they live aboard. They were nice though and were also planning to get down the locks and have breakfast at the Whilton Marina café. They had been to Banbury and were on their way back to their home mooring at Weedon. The flight was busy but we got down easily, meeting boats coming the other way at every lock. At the bottom we moored, walked Scoobs and went for our well-earned breakfast, which was very nice and good value too. Afterwards we checked out the farm shop by lock 12, only to find it has closed down; so no delicious steak pie from there tonight.

Harold moored for shopping at  the Heart of the Shires. Robin is admiring the shiny side!

You can see the M1 at the top right.

We stopped half a mile further on at the Heart of the Shires shopping centre which Jo visited for an hour or so of civilisation and again at Tescos in Weedon for milk and eggs. We eventually came to rest at Weedon Beck, where the towpath is on the opposite side so Harold's starboard can be washed tomorrow morning. Robin made his first loaf since September and it came out very well. We tested out the washing machine and it still works (phew!) and we hoovered everywhere. Jo tested out her new green stool on the back which is perfectly comfortable, thank you. A generally fruitful day:)

We can't hear the M1 here, but the occasional Virgin train whizzes by a couple of hundred yards away.