Friends come visiting II

Terry and Caroline returned at 9 o'clock for a trip down to Stoke Bruerne (and back). 

Just managed to fit a new front fender before setting off.

Had a teensy weensy problem reversing out of the marina because of a strong crosswind. Ended up jumping off and pushing the back round - it's easier doing that than trying to get the boat to do it for you - and it's much quicker. 

Anyway, sun's shining and all's well.

Caroline came and took over the steering and here we are looking back at Gayton Junction. 

Just short of Blissworth and there's major repairs on the railway embankment. Nothing to do with HS2! 

And then the tunnel. 😨

I was naughty really and let Caroline steer the boat into the tunnel entrance. The fact is that even though you have a headlight, for 2 or 3 minutes you can't really see anything. It is quite disorientating and you can lose all sense of direction. The entrance to the tunnel is particularly bad as the walls are black and there's very little to go by. 

I relented and took the tiller. The tunnel was very wet, more so than usual. We also had to pass another boat, without bumping I might add. 

The end's in sight!

Arrived in one piece just in time for lunch at The Navigation. Splendid lunch again, splendid company, splendid everything. Never talked so much, just ready for an afternoon nap 😴. 

But no, it's 4 o'clock and we need to get back to Bugbrooke. 

Down through the locks, spin round, back up through the locks again, through the tunnel - did I say that it was wet? This time, when I'd got us through the tasty black bits and we were in the newer part, Caroline took over again and brought us safely out the far end. Needless to say, we didn't talk much in the tunnel. 

Spring is certainly coming with the swans already setting up home.

Terry came up and took over the steering from Gayton to Bugbrooke. The wind was still blasting away and the temperature began dropping fast. We moored up at about 7 o'clock, got some hot chocolate on the go, lit the fire, eat some cake, even more chatting and all was well. 

Our visitors left at a quarter to eleven after a busy but very enjoyable day.

Night night! 🥱 🛌 💤