Those April showers...

Those April showers that come in May! 

It's been a day of mixed weather today. First of all it was sunny when we popped into town to get some more essentials from Tesco Express. 

On the way back we spotted this Banksy style painting.

Now for a view of Polgara from the bridge over the canal. 

We are moored right outside Nandos and opposite the Premier Inn. The blue post at the front of the boat is an electric point which we could have used, had we needed. 

We set off under the lift bridge followed by the town lock. The other side of the lock there's a sanitary station but we had to wait while another boat took on water. It's always a good idea to offload rubbish whenever possible. 

Then, sunny skies to the side of us. 

Ominously black clouds following behind. 

All day it's been sunny one moment, raining the next. We even had a couple of hail showers. Luckily our wet weather gear is tried and tested and does the job well. 

Here's the captain hunched up against the rain while I was walking in the shelter of the bushes above the towpath. 

We switched roles for a time because Nell Bridge Lock has a very heavy bottom gate and I needed to prove my manliness. Also, Aynho Weir Lock, which the captain is now approaching, has an odd shaped gate beam to cater for the fact that the lock is octagonal. It can prove tricky at times but today, luckily, a boat had just come through and left the gate open for us. 

More showers and sunshine as we sailed majestically past Aynho Wharf and on until we finally stopped near Souldern just before Chisnell Lift Bridge. In our navigation guide we have put a star against this mooring it's that good. 

Watching the clouds rain on someone else for a change!

You'll have to wait until tomorrow morning for a sunnier picture.