Rendezvous at Thrupp

The weather forecast for Sunday suggested showers in the afternoon. So, after breakfast and the usual washing up, we set off pretty smartish in bright sunshine. The breeze was still on the chilly side but not as strong as previously.

We've been passing this place for many years in New Bradwell and there's still work being done to it. 

I hope they get it finished soon but then I'd have to find something else to write about.

We found where the volunteers moored their barge from the cleanup. Just look at it. All that in the canal and at least three mattresses as well. There were bikes, filing cabinets, garden chairs, tyres, trollies, to name but a few. 

We see a wide variety of vessels on our travels. A Dutch barge complete with drop down barge boards.

A larger barge, also Dutch, I believe.

We cleared the lock, stopped at the sanitary station to empty the loo and drop off some rubbish and we are now exiting Cosgrove under this very ornate sandstone bridge.

This last photo doesn't really do justice to the feeling we get when boating. There's no one about just open space, open air, just trees and water and sky. We're chugging along at 4mph - even joggers overtake us. It's bliss.

We spent most of the afternoon at Thrupp waiting for Malcolm and Ann to join us after lunching with their family. They've got a hire boat for 10 days so we'll be able to have a few days together. We moved up the canal about a mile, dropped anchor - sorry, got carried away there - moored up and had a good old natter together. 

Tomorrow we set off for Stoke Bruerne and make the difficult decision about which pub to go to. Life's hard on a narrowboat.