Our view for the next week

Here we are at what we consider the best mooring at Norton Juction. We were able to pick our spot and were so shocked! This is usually heaving with boats. But here we are.

We had a busy morning with BFG running a load of laundry, Elizabeth ironing at the same time (we giggle - we can do this with the BFG's electrics, but not with the land hook up) whilst Pete was repositioning lights from other places into the bedroom. What with the wonderful 1.5w finger downlighters throughout the majority of Bella, we've placed the more serious halogen where we need them. The bedroom was the room with 240 table lamps pushed into tiny spaces. Now the bedroom is all 12v. Fab.

We stocked the wheelbarrow with recycling, trundled off to find Reg, went shopping, stuffed the wheelbarrow for the return, then pulled out of our mooring around 4pm. We found this idyll, tied up, then Pete walked back to collect Reg and park him near the CRT yard whilst Elizabeth unpacked groceries.  BFG fired up again for Pete to vacuum whilst Elizabeth took Josie out for a serious de-furring. Dinner was late!

We're here for a week and still haven't decided where next. We'll let you know.

The middle of nowhere for the evening

Peace. My word, this is lovely. We''ve done two loads of laundry, had peace and quiet for a yummy meal and are now enjoying the evening. Wonderful.

Watering up

We set out from Braunston this morning, having come to the end of our 14 days permitted time. We were sorry to leave Mr and Mrs Garden who such a fine job of feeding the local duck families and giving us such a wonderful view.

Here we are taking on water on our way east, just near Braunston Stop House. We were quite gasping! Pete had put on 25 litre bottle by bottle for the last few nights as we didn't want to leave our secure spot to water up. So we were delighted to get full again!

We moored up just east of Braunston tunnel, deciding to go slowly through Pete's patch. Within minutes of mooring, BFG was on and laundry going!

Evening coffee on deck

Walking the dog

This evening, after a hard day at the office for Pete, all three of us went for a walk and enjoyed the views.

Finally out for the season!

We finally untied and set cruising today. Last year, we were settling into Pete's new work with the Canal and River Trust and didn't travel much as we weren't quite sure how everything would be. This year, he's a seasoned hand, so we've decided to cruise his patch. Seeing as his patch covers from Coventry to south Leicester via Stoke Bruerne and the Nothampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal, it's quite A Patch.

We're in Braunston now so are moored up the closest we'll ever be to Elizabeth's studio. Pete's bussing to get Reg, so we can car hop enough for Elizabeth to get back to the studio and to various train stations.

We're so glad to be back on the cut!

A deck table!

Here we are, having finally realised what we needed on the deck and how to do it. First, Pete mounted brackets against the gas lockers so the the parasol is more or less centred over the seating area, when not cruising of course. Then he cut the table top, mounted supports underneath, and fitted a foldable leg. A lovely little tartan footstool sits on the BFG's hat (the generator's cover) and hey presto, there is a seat opposite the bench.

There is room for someone to sit next to Pete on the bench and room for a dining room chair to come out and be next to the seat opposite. So, eventually, four for dinner out on the deck!

There is still sanding and sealing to do, but we're delighted so far! Pete pours a beer with satisfaction.