Sunday, day of rest

Well, that's my excuse for not posting the blog.

It was a lovely start to the day so we went through lock 3, spun round and came back up again in company with one of the hire boats. Seems they were glad of the help since they had been working the locks on their own and making heavy weather of it all. 

Back through Stoke Bruerne heading towards the tunnel. 

A couple of working boats moored up alongside. 

Through the tunnel OK, up past Gayton and managed to moor up just before the heavens opened. 

Fire alight (it has been all the time) pork chops for supper and Best Exotic Marigold Hotel DVD to follow. 

Who says we don't know how to celebrate! 

Not moving

We decided to sit inside and stay put today. There's a band of rain coming across later in the day, it's quite windy and the fire is nice and cosy.

Walked up to the Navigation for lunch. 

A much better menu than when we were here last. We both had a fisherman's platter which was very tasty. 

It was only while listening in on a conversation at the next table that we realised that the clocks go back tonight - and it's my turn to wind the church clock! Whoops! Luckily, our tower captain is around to save the day. Thanks Brian. 

Another handy information board telling us that they used to make bricks on the old side arm that is now part of the nature reserve we walked round yesterday. You live and learn. 

Well, that's all for now. I've cleaned up some of the brass work, done some reading, watched the rain falling, pumped the bilges and, mainly had a relaxing day. Brigid's attacked her needlework, written up the log and also had a relaxing day. All in all, what boating is all about. 

Spin the boat round tomorrow and head back towards Bugbrooke. Not sure where we'll stop but you'll find out when we do. 

A quick visit

We decided to pop up to the boat for a few days before shutting everything up for the winter. This time we are heading south to Stoke Bruerne and then, possibly, on to Yardley Gobion after that.

Here we are at Stoke Bruerne standing by the weigh lock. Boats would enter the lock, have the water drained out and the weight of the boat taken. A bit like the weigh bridges for lorries. 

The next lock down has the remains of side pounds. Every time a lock is emptied it uses 55,000 gallons of water. The idea behind the side pounds is to save as much water as possible by emptying most of the water into the pound. The next boat coming up would then use that saved water to part fill the lock again. The problem was that they were time consuming and expensive to maintain and were not used at all after the 2nd World War.

Moored up and decided to go for a walk through the local nature reserve. 

This took us through to a path up to a farm where, not only did they 'grow' sheep, but also... 

... yes, Christmas trees! 

A lovely circular walk, back through the churchyard and then to the boat. 

Totally exhausted after that but tea and a chocolate chip cookie soon put that right. 

So, tomorrow, what then? Possibly on to Yardley Gobion or, spin round after the next lock and back the way we came. Let's see what the weather's like and decide after that.