It's been a few weeks since the new engine was installed into our narrowboat, and we are happy with all aspects of the performance so far. My husband @scubahead and I are ecstatic to be back on "the cut" navigating our way to Leicester City to see family and friends; and continue with the necessary refurbishing and improvements to the boat, before we make our way back to a convenient location over winter.
Our trip has been smooth sailing, and we've been cruising at 4mph, the full slow speed of a narrowboat, gleaming with delightful satisfaction, and it feels fucken good!
We are completely thrilled with the new engine, not only because it looks and sounds good, but it performs well too.
Before, with the old engine, the chances of breaking down were highly probable; Now, that stress is gone, leaving us the chance to enjoy the breathtaking, scenic views of nature at its best - that of the English countrysides.
Getting Onto The Leicester Line
From the Coventry Canal to The Grand Union Canal; the views along the Grand Union Canal are hilly and green, and as I was preparing a quick snack, I looked up across the fields and saw this postcard image of cows dotted along the canal.
Being hilly, there are two separate flights of locks to operate: Watford Locks, and Foxton Locks, the manmade engineering system used to ascend and descend boats to different levels on the canals, and four tunnels also. A rather streneous, but fun and exciting journey, with water points and facilities along the way.
Our journey which started in Tamworth, after three months of wait for the new engine to be installed, had taken was to Braunston, where we'd made plans to stop for a few nights to visit our friend George @vanbliss at his horsebox coffee shop.
While spending a few nights in Braunston, we moored up at an idyllic location where we could watch the sun go down as we warmed up to colourful flames from our firepit, along the towpath.
Braunston Tunnel
On the last morning in Braunston, we set off early after having a few cups of coffee and conversations with George, and we made our way towards Braunston Tunnel, the longest of the four tunnels enroute Leicester, 1.87 km long.
Tunnels were something I dreaded at the start of our narrowboat journey, because being under the tunnels always made me feel like I was being buried alive. However, with the new engine, and also a brighter headlight that was installed many months ago by Kevin @diveratt, my tunnel anxiety has become a thing of the past.
Now I relax at the bow of the boat in darkness, with nothing but random thoughts of wherever my mind wanders.
Here you can see a video as we go through the Braunston Tunnel, which I enjoyed for the first time, as I chatted some nonsense.
Our new engine has has given us so much confidence, that we adroitly continued on with our journey over two days, and for the first time, we navigated our way in the dark, (yes, we operated three locks just after sunset, something we don't foresee becoming a habit).
Despite low canal water levels, fallen leaves and shrubbery which got stuck around the prop a few times, it was heartwarming as always to see lovely Leicester's canals lit up at night, and swans everywhere.
I would be deluded to think that the swans were happy to see us moored at Castle Gardens Visitor Moorings again; I know for a fact that they are shameless scroungers, and like a fool, I served them my entire loaf of bread, as I watched them use their long beaks to grab the bread from the water.
I'm ever so curious, without the courage but not stupid, to get a hold of a swans neck.
Have you ever felt the neck of a swan?
Do you like traveling under tunnels?
▶️ 3Speak
i watched the video and i could not help but have panic attacks. I don't think I would be comfortable under a tunnel for that long. I have heard too many scary stories to indulge in such underground activities.
Travelling is something I would love to do more often and hopefully next year I will take out more time to visit new places in my country.
Haha! I totally get that you could have panic attacks. Before the new engine, it was stressful under tunnels, because you know Murphy's law😆
Luckily, we came out on the other end always, but always knew it was risky.
Some of the tunnels are leaky and the walls, my gosh, I tend not to look for fear of seeing eyes looking back at me 🤣
I do hope you get to explore your country some more:)
Very well said... LoL
Thank you :)
Oh, it's like night and day...feels like a new boat:)
So much confidence with this new engine, that we took on doing massive locks in the pitch dark🤣
I think it's because we're familiar with Leicester though!
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Please ignore the typos in the hashtags🤣
#happy #locks 🤣
I did not enjoy going through the tunnel with you, plus the fact the heating isn't on yet and I was feeling a bit draughty, adding to the experience!!! 😨
Is the convention for right hand drive (or float (?)) in the rivers?
Haha! It was the best experience I ever had under the tunnel. That was our third time under the Braunston Tunnel, and to be honest, before that my chest would be tight. The engine did not sound good under it.
Some other boaters had warned me that it was freaking cold under the tunnel, but surprisingly I didn't even need a coat under it.
I hate the idea of breaking down under tunnels, because there's no internet or telephone signal, and my god! the walls look like they could talk🤣
It's right hand driving on the canals:)
I've haven't started driving the boat yet.
I need speed to focus 🤣😂
I've had a grown cygnet in my arms! When cygnets get to a certain age and daddy wants them gone, he will chase them away. One of the cygnets had 'angel wing' and couldn’t fly. My neighbour and I had to pick the cygnet up and take it to another pond close by, when it was dark. My neighbour who was in her late 70s at the time, held it's neck so it didn’t peck me.
The next morning, the RSPCA collected it to take it to a sanctuary. If we hadn't have moved it, daddy swan would have killed it. It was bloody heavy!
Oh wow! Cygnets are beautiful strange creatures. Always a feud about something. I'm happy you were brave enough to help the little angel to safety.😍
At a lock the other day, there was a sign instructing us not to let the swans through, because there was a family feud with the other set, and they will fight.
They looked peaceful enough when we got there, but I've heard many stories from other boaters who have certain bonds with swans, and they confirm that they will hold grudges and are super territorial.
Cygnets are not shy to come and knock by the kitchen, and won't leave till you feed them.
Never a dull moment in nature💚
It was good advice as it's really upsetting when you see them attack each other. They're graceful but can be little shits as well!
Haha! Absolutely...well said😂