Tunnels and rain and the man who called me flower

Day 2 in our cruise began late. Not only because I'm still in the naughty corner, but because some other numpty ( not me), had left a lock open and drained the pound. So a nice man from Canal and River Trust was running water through the flight and we had to wait. Dave loves to wait. He did take some photos though and talked to dogs (which is one of his super powers). So we didn't get away until after 10. Still we got through the last couple of locks and headed to the Blissworth Tunnel.

The Blissworth Tunnel is 3057 yards long, the third longest, completed in 1805 and boats were legged through. There's just enough room for two narrowboats to pass...just. The acoustics are spectacular...we sang The Tunnel Tigers and Poison Train ( for the "there's a light" chorus goodness) a couple of times even.
 Tunnels are wet. This one is full of leaks, showers of pouring water at fairly regular intervals, cold and unexpected random water. Took us about half an hour to get to the other side. Very glad to see the light again.
Rural England loveliness followed...even lovely when damp and showery. More place names that tickled me...Bugbrooke, Netherlands Heyford, and Weedon Beck ....
A highlight for us was going past Rugby Boats. We spent months watching their video sales...drooling over narrowboats, deciding what we would buy. A bit surreal to see it in real life.

There was one more surreal moment for me today. For just a small section I could see the A5 (the old Roman road), then the train line, the canal and then the motorway...1800 years of transportation, all running together. I think we had the best bit.

Now the bit of the day I wasn't looking forward to...Buckby locks climbing upward to Norton Junction. Of course now the damp and drizzle turned to heavy rain...of course it did. I  was let out of the boat briefly to assist with the locks (after a mobile and walkie talkie check). At the bottom lock we met a lovely couple who offered to lock through with us...half the wok...yes please. Oh youth and energy...vigour and vim...l was so happy to let you do the work.
"let me do that flower", "you all right there flower?". " Oh flower...why don't you get back on the boat and let me do this for you"
I love the man who called me flower. I got out of the pouring rain and muddy slippery towpath. I hope I meet another man who calls me something charmingly English. Preferably before Braunston locks in the morning but definitely before Napton locks in the evening.
Wish me luck