After six weeks, the water was high enough, the temperature warm enough, the sun showing through the cloud enough and us moored in one place (enough!!), so we untied late on Friday afternoon and left. Well, we turned left out of the marina and turned south toward Braunston. We had it in our heads to go to Fenny Compton on the Oxford Canal to meet our friends who are moving to North End, near Fenny. But they move NEXT week! So we just turned south anyway. And turned left again when we got to the junction of the Oxford Canal and the Grand Union canal, deciding that we were feeling starved of locks and that the Braunston flight of 6 might just touch the hunger. It was wonderful!! Nothing as scary as it was last year in the howling hooligan and wild rainy gales of our move up it in late May last year.This has been the first long trip out for Bella's new garden which now sits on top as we travel. It looks very large when spread out along the stern deck bench, but very tiny on the roof! And the three shrubs aligned on the deck bench look very sparse on their own without being surrounded by their roof top friends. But for those of you who like plants, we've put up some detailed shots. Elizabeth is thrilled. On the shot with Pete, you can just see the gates of Braunston top lock in the background.
And the photo of Josie is to prove that when travelling, her favourite place is now out on deck. It has taken her 20 months, but hey. She's out. On Pete's foot.
