What a scorcher

What a difference to last night. A misty start to what promises to be a hot day. 

The spiders have been busy, as usual, but the misty dew adds to the beauty of their creation. 

Even the railway bridge looks acceptable in this early morning wonderland. 

As we set off, the sun came out and we make our way down to Thrupp. Only half an hour away but, for once, there was a mooring free - so we took it. 

Thrupp has always been a favourite place for us but, it is very popular. Mainly, I think, because of the Boat Inn, where we have booked in for lunch.

We are trying out our Ecopot today. It's like a slow cooker but it doesn't use loads of electricity or gas. You fry up chicken squares in the cooking pot, then onions, peppers, mushrooms and garlic, mix all together, add chicken stock, simmer for 15 minutes, put the pot inside the Ecopot, close the lid and leave for between 3 and 8 hours. The Ecopot retains the heat from the initial cooking and cooks and keeps the meal warm until you're ready to eat. 

There is a row of cottages by the canal known as Salt Row. It has been suggested that they were used as salt warehouses, hence the name.

Outside what was originally a house, then a Methodist Chapel, then back to a house again, is the remains of a 15th century sandstone cross. The cross has long gone but the pillar remains.

And so to the Boat Inn. 

A table in the garden in lovely sunshine. 

Brigid had a light prawn & avocado salad. 

While I went for the seafood platter starter. You're meant to share it but I do love my fishy bits. 

After that, back to the boat for an afternoon siesta.

Finished the day with a taste of the chicken casserole. Not that we had too much, after all, we'd had a good lunch, hadn't we!?

What a day, this is what boating's all about.

PS the captain said that I should mention that we did wash the cratch cover once it had cooled down - she didn't want you to get the idea that we slept all afternoon - only most of it.