Cygnets and Blue Tits

6.5 miles, 6 locks and 2042 yards of tunnel

Another glorious day and we chugged along to the Braunston tunnel.

In we go!

In the middle - meeting another boat coming the other way.

And out the other side.

Next were the Braunston locks. We went down on our own this time, although with many boats coming the other way there was plenty of help.

The captain and his boat waiting at a lock.

At one of the locks I saw a blue tit visit this lifebelt and then saw that she had nestlings tucked inside the tiniest hole in the plastic.

The noisiest one was just visible but I didn't like to disturb them by getting too close. 

We had an ice cream from the shop at the last lock and then stopped at the chandlery for a new chimney.

The captain enjoying his ice cream!

Worried about the new whine in the engine, we pulled into the marina and spoke to the engineer who said it was 'prop-sing' or the propeller making the noise, probably as a result of being straightened over the winter. In the marina we saw this swan and her cygnets and fed her illicit bread from the side hatch.

With nothing major to worry about noise-wise and much relieved we continued on and turned towards the south west under the iconic iron bridges.

After a short but lovely cruse we found a mooring for the night. Shame about the shabby view!