Well, we had lots of travelling plans this Christmas! We were due to return to Blue Haven yesterday, then set out on an open stretch of the Oxford Canal for Christmas Eve and Day. Then we were to return to Blue Haven on the 26th, take Josie to kennels on the 27th, then set off to the south to visit various friends and family finally returning to Bella for the 31st. But then it started snowing and the temperature dropped.
So here we are. Still in Braunston and due to stay for some time! Pete looked at Blue Haven yesterday when he collected Reg, and lo, Blue Haven Marina is an ice rink. At least 4cm deep in some places, there is no way we could break the ice to moor up for a safe haven while we travel. More importantly, there is so much ice along the Oxford that we couldn't make it back to Blue Haven anyway. All that means that we have to leave visiting others until we can leave Braunston. We can't risk leaving Bella on her own, as there is no electricity to plug her into to ensure that we could set the heating to keep her from freezing.
The nice thing about being stuck is that no matter where we are stuck, we're still at home. Unlike poor train travellers or car drivers, we're still where we have everything we need. So we fare better than many and will manage, with phone calls and the internet to stay 'close' to those we love. And our mooring is the bottom of the pub garden and Reg is in the car park. And as the pub/restaurant is a lovely refurbished Marston's pub, we really couldn't have had it turn out better!
