Canal Cruising

Last week I went on a canal boat holiday on the Grand Union Canal. We collected the boat from Welton Haven Marina near to Norton Junction not far from Northampton. Travelling slowly by boat gives you plenty of opportunity to view the wildlife and there is a tranquillity to travelling this way. At times we were sandwiched between the M1 motorway and the fast Virgin pendolino trains on the West Coast mainline to London. On the canal you are protected from the bustle of the fast pace of life.

Not far into our journey we found a fisherman's hut in the grounds of a former toll house.

Fishing for compliments

No payment needed

An old cruiser boat.

Look at the paddle on the side of the boat

Under restoration

Some people make narrowboats their permanent homes. Often they have a section of the tow path to use as a garden, store or somewhere to fit boat surplus.

The sky's the limit

Washing always dries best in the fresh air.

Colourful wash line 

Patterns in the water.

This reflection looks like a two headed dog

We moored at Bugbrooke a very pretty village where many of the houses are yellow orche coloured brick. It was once known as the centre for ladder making. 

Beautiful symmetry

Small windows 

Look at the pattern and colours of the roof tiles

The pretty church St Michael and All Angels is in the centre of the village and has some wonderful stained glass.

A pretty lynch gate

Simplicity

Masterful stained glass

It was lovely to see the primroses in bloom.

Primroses in the churchyard

Also the May in blossom.

Delicate May blossom

Pussy willow.

Furry rabbit tails

Would you like to live here?

You can't get better than that