In the middle of somewhere

Eight miles and Seven locks today - a record for this cruise so far. We have been smugly moored next to Elkington weir for a snooze for Elizabeth and to catch some rays to finish off bread baking since 3pm. Got to see a water vole swimming earlier in the afternoon (arvo for those down under). Maxwell has been severely brushed post kennel ringlets and is now chilling on deck. Elizabeth has been reading about poaching eggs in cling film and Pete has been receiving refreshment.

A stupendous day.

One of the reasons we do this

This is what summer mornings can be like. How stupendous to come back through all that international travel and then wake to this.   Mmm.

Small summer cruise after a flight for Freddy

Here we are out for this summer's cruise, the third week of our three week holiday.  We began the time away in Melbourne (Australia) to meet the newest member of our family, our gorgeous grandson Freddy.  We arrived home last night, had a lazy morning (only one load of laundry before we set out), went food shopping, collected Mr Well from his very country kennels only 10 minutes from home, got home and untied the lines. Maxwell was very happy to see us and equally happy to be back aboard. We're out for a few more days and much enjoying that we arrived home to a summer!!!

New hatch awnings

After eight years afloat, we've treated ourselves to new hatch awnings, otherwise known as golf brollies. We extend the handle, use a bungee to wrap around the top of the brolly handle and fix it to the hatch curtain rails, then we secure the base in case of winds. It means we can a) shade us and get air and b) get air in the warm weather even if it's raining. 

We're pleased.

Home home via quite a drama

All was well. We set out from Crick with Pete reversing Bella into one of the marina entrances to turn around. Back through the Crick tunnel with Maxwell on deck, Pete at the tiller and Elizabeth happily watching the scenery whilst knitting. Of course. Through Watford top, all well, though a strong East wind. Through the staircase, then, with Elizabeth at the tiller for her favourite snappy turn and lock entry of any flight, the drama began. Wind caught Bella broadside, leading to much serious maneuvering (which E seriously enjoys - really! No irony).

Then the gear handle disengaged from the gears. No panic, but no manageable movement. Pete walked to the offside bank, trying to understand the issue. Finally, with E making no headway, she cut the engine and we all began working against the wind to pull push Bella to the towpath side of the pound. With E handling the boat pole, P handling the centre line which E threw from standing atop the roof, and the Watford Lockie letting more water into the pound to float us free of the silt, we finally got Bella safely to the towpath side of the pound. A few long minutes later and P manged to re-engage the handle with the gears. All well!

The rest of the trip was drama free with P in control of the wind as he turned us at Norton Junction to moor up at home home. Mr Well enjoyed watching the splendid turn.  More importantly, E was able to resume knitting.

Gorgeous sunny day

It started with bright dense fog and our world was so quiet.  Not only because of the delightfully muffled atmosphere, but also because the first boat didn't pass us until after 11. By the time we'd had our brunch (after E's creative head ran out of mind mapping in OneNote), the fog had cleared and we set out for holiday day 2.

Maxwell managed to remain on deck whilst we untied, but he wasn't quite so good at it whilst we moored in Crick. After coming back on board, his lovely muddy feet managed to make their way at pace all the way through Bella as he followed Pete's movements from the windows inside. Holding ropes, instructing, dishing out training treats, ignoring bad behaviour and tying up all at the same time is quite a comedy to watch all on its own! We'll get there 😊

First Spring Cruise

Here we are, now by Kilsby Road Bridge on the GU Leicester line. One view is out the side hatch and one view is out of the dining room window. We set out this afternoon after our usual Saturday of brunch and shopping, delighted that the forecast sunny afternoon did indeed arrive. Dear Maxwell is learning to sit on deck whilst one of us runs off to do something.  It's a tough learn for him as his preference is to be at our heels...! But he's getting there. In fact, he managed to sit watching (and whining!!!) as we were both bankside mooring up. Good progress.

Snow, after many years and a happy pooch

Finally! We know that snow is no news, really, but this is the first we've had at Welton Hythe since we moved here as our home mooring 2 years ago. Our blog shows the snow many years before that, but we'd quite given up.

This is our first snow with Maxwell. His predecessor, Josie, loved it, so we guessed as much with Mr Well. Oh my. Yes, chasing snowballs. Yes, running madly. Then, eating snow. And he had so much fun, he ignored the trees! He came inside, grabbed his toy, and wanted to go straight back out, far more like a happy child than a dog. Well, he is a Maxwell.