Goodbye Braunston, Hello North Oxford Canal

Sunday, 25 January 2009 20:01

We decided to move after lunch today! Although it was a bit grey, it was dry and not too cold. Both of us had itchy feet and after we had sampled the delights of Braunston for the last two and a bit days we needed to get out into the countryside!

The delights of Braunston definitely include the Butcher's shop in the village. We bought some very lean stewing steak, a pork and Stilton pie and a fresh, organic, free-range chicken. The Butcher and his assistant are always very friendly and he enjoys a chat about the canal! We resisted his range of jams and pickles, but it would be easy to be seduced into buying some, as they look and sound delicious!

However the proof is in the cooking and eating! We had the pie on Friday evening and it was mouthwateringly delicious! I cooked the beef slowly in my large Le Cruset casserole on the Morso stove and a couple of baked potatoes in the fire! The meat was wonderful: very tender and I have frozen some of the stew for a pie. This evening we cooked the chicken. It also came up to expectation - so much nicer than the frozen type!

If we are near a town or village, we like to make the effort to attend the local Church. Accordingly this morning we walked up the hill to the church of the photos we all take of Braunston! All Saints Church has a young lady Vicar. Her style of sermon was very chatty and big on congregation participation! It was impressive as the congregation laughed without restraint and called out answers to her questions without prompting!

We pulled the pins at about 2 pm and set off via the water and elsan at the A45 bridge. It did feel a little strange as we kept the bridges of Braunston Turn on our left and started up the North Oxford canal toward Hillmorton and Rugby.

This time we are truly going northwards!

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