Maxwell learns about locks and tunnels

Yesterday we set out to lovely sunshine, sadly not around today (!). Our new mutt told us last week that he liked boats. So yesterday we did the Watford flight and the Crick tunnel, repeating them today on return. The big discovery is that he doesn't care about any of it, wholly unlike his cousin, Josie. Locks? Fine. Tunnel? OK. Hard reverse to clear the prop? Cool. What our Maxwell doesn't like is being separated from either of us. It was a large set of experiments to find out how best to keep him safe, manage Bella and manage locks. We made it. Pics show how he really liked going to meet the lockkeeper, being on deck, watching the lock walls move and watch the scenery from deck. Especially whilst sitting on Pete's feet. And my, he needed his rest!

Maxwell learns to be outside and to go boating - the first cruise of 2015!

We suspect that our Maxwell spent his life - prior to being with the RSPCA - inside.  We think he probably lived in a very urban area, was regularly taken to a park, probably by car, but spent most of his life inside.  He is very excited when going outside with us and we realised the other day that when we merely sat outside, he had no idea what to do. So today, Pete washed one side of Bella whilst Elizabeth groomed our mutt under the tree.  He then popped back onto Bella for us to do a micro cruise to the marina services point. He loved the cruise.  What a difference to our shaking Josie! We moored up, then he walked with Elizabeth to take the rubbish and recycling off whilst Pete emptied the waste cassettes.  Back on board, we turned and returned to our mooring the other way around so Pete could wash Bella's other side and E cleaned the deck.  Maxwell learned to stay on the bank and try to watch us both. Finally, he settled enough to lie down.  Result!

We then started up Bella again to turn, this time cruising to Norton Junction for the reverse around.  What a happy hound!  He was fascinated by the water, especially as it bubbled around the stern when we went into reverse for the turn.  There was much to watch, even squeezing next to Pete the Tillerman, to see more.  What a success.  After 8 years cruising with a panicked GSD, shivering under the dining room table at every engine noise, this is fabulous. Maxwell the boating German Shepherd.  yes.

Maxwell Has Arrived

Bella has new inhabitant, Maxwell, a 4ish year old rescue from the RSPCA. 5 hours in, so early days, but he seems to be settling in.

Living in ice

What a fabulously cold winter. Finally. We have lived in thicker ice, but this is it for this morning, the end of 2014. Beautiful. The sunny days have been a boon to the solar panels and the dark clear nights have provided mystical mornings.

Happy New Year!

Going out for dinner

Yesterday evening was Pete's 'works do' - the Christmas dinner with his CRT team. It was in Braunston, so we decided to save on taxi fare and take our home to the dinner. We had a mooring immediately outside the pub, so didn't even have to use coats. What a hoot! The dinner food was awful, but all the wonderful camaraderie and the two afternoons cruising in glorious winter sunshine made it all more than worth it.

And then there were two

Today Bella lost one of her inhabitants. RIP Josie. You are being sorely missed.

Back down Watford and tucked into home home

We like locks. We went down Watford today, the day before it closes for essential maintenance. One of the things we like is what grows inside them, the reducing water often exposing beautiful moss. In the autumn, gorgeous coloured leaves stick to the mud along the wall and the artist in us both grins.

Photos attached show the lock walls. Then there are shots of the working boars ready for Monday's works, the one near the bottom lock holding the new gates.

We're back in Weltonhythe now, probably tucked up for the winter. But the odd weekend cruise is not off the agenda at all.