We are back in Blue Haven now, having had a lovely few days out. On Friday, we helped our friends move from a boat to a cottage; but we need to say that this is only a temporary move :-). Saturday was filled with usual errands, but Sunday hailed beautiful Palm Sunday weather, so we started our home's engine, untied and moved south into the cut. Wonderful!

We realised that weekends in season (i.e. not during the BW stoppages period) are busy with what one of the boat yard workers calls the 'polished boat brigade.' This describes those who frustratingly have to keep their boats mostly moored in marinas and can only use them at odd weekends or weeks of the year. The boats end up being wonderfully cared for but largely unused - therefore, polished boats. This Sunday saw many 'PBs' as well as hire boats. Ah, hire boats. One decided, when seeing us coming through a bridge, to just stop. We had a gentle tap rather then a heaving collision, but hey. Most were valiantly stuggling and generally doing well. One, who called to overtake us in order to overtake the slow hirer ahead, told us on passing that they were doing the Leicester Ring in one week. More power to them!! In normal time, it would take at least two...

We had good views of what we love about this part of the world. The back of gardens, lambs and cows going for a drink in the canal, and just the lovey scene of hills, white clouds and blue sky. When we moored out in the middle of nowhere, but near Flecknoe, we set out the bench and the deck chair, spread out the shrubs and created our own little garden. Pete set up the Satellite dish, as watching Lewis was an essential. Then Elizabeth set to the gardening, clearing all the pots of the dried top compost, putting in new compost, cutting out frozen stems and feeding. With a garden the size of ours, each plant gets a great deal of attention! Elizabeth is shocked to realise she misses gardening...

We turned back to Blue Haven early yesterday morning, setting out at 7:30. After an hour of engine running, we took turns for our showers as the other took the helm. With lots of water, and engine heating, the showers were just glorious wet steam baths! Mmm. We arrived carrying out a sweet smooth mooring exercise, quickly grabbed brief cases and took Reg for meetings in Oxford. What fun!