3rd May. Day 1. Leicester Ring. Rugby Wharf to near Braunston.

Braunston Junction.

Where we actually moored- about a mile before Braunston Junction. We are the far yellow boat.

We picked up the Viking Afloat 60ft narrowboat from Rugby Wharf and set off.

We'd been warned that the first 15 minutes cruising was difficult steering. First narrow between parked and occupied boats then to turn right but I needed to turn left into a winding hole (immediately ran aground with the nose) to be able to turn right onto the Oxford canal. Neither Rachel alone nor both of us could push us off - but the effort must have helped as with full power reverse we made it round and started heading in the right direction about 13.45.

It wasn't long before we came to our first lock at Hillmorton. I hadn't realised that it was the lock keeper gesticulating to enter the right hand of a pair of locks. They were set for us with gate open for rather a long time before I gingerly entered. Anyway he enjoyed talking me through putting my nose right against the front gate and keeping it there with a little forward power. Rachel got a quick tutorial and this flight of 3 locks was a good introduction.

We stopped for the night about a mile from Braunston (about 17.45) then walked Daisy Dog to the pub there (The Boathouse- reminded me of Wetherspoons). I had a half of Pedigree (because I'm a real man) and Rachel had a martini and lemonade. Back to the boat for relatively late supper- veggie meatballs.