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.

Tucked up again in Hillmorton

We set out at 1, after worship with Braunston Parish Church, fondly named the Cathedral of the canal system. Braunston is thought by many to be the centre of the canal network where the Oxford Canal and the Grand Union intersect and share a few miles.

The day was windy, but warm (!), up to 16c. Feels almost like summer. What a fabulous change. Arriving back in our mooring just a few scant hours later, it was a pleasure to see our miniature violets blooming all over our bank.

We expect to be home-home for a few weeks, then set out again through Pete's work network.

A quiet Saturday in Braunston

We stayed put today, happily in our familiar Braunston. After a bimble up the hill to the shops, we stopped for coffee and discovered our friend Jenny. It was a delight to share the time.

We stopped at the studio to download a few episodes of Masterchef to the laptop, then read the newspaper in the Boat House pub. A lovely lazy holiday!

The magic of nighttime reflection

This is one of the wonderful views of night. It is still, the rain has stopped, Spring whispers in the air and it is evening outside a canalside pub. Ordinary looking magic.

Mistress Cook

While we have been out there has been little desire to find a tv signal. Now that we are in Braunston there is not much chance of a signal. Luckily we have borrowed decent internet so are catching up with Masterchef

Oh, what a story!?!?

It's been a couple of "those" days. The first of them, yesterday, we boated. The second of them, today, we boated. The main difference between them was that one contained 17 more locks than the other. A similarity was that precipitation was detected on both. A common theme was Birdingbury wharf (where mobile comms hardly exist) and the result is that we are in an open canal-side pub in Braunston.

Out of Warwick to Radford Semele

Shows how out of habit we are! We completely forgot to blog. Tuesday, we stayed in Warwick, bungled around and had lunch with a lovely friend at the Zetland Arms. Fine pub!

We set out yesterday morning and stopped at Leamington Spa on the way where we spotted a brilliant new Co-op. After a small shop, we were traveling again, just warm enough for Elizabeth to knit. Under the Southam Road and we moored in Radford Semele, a favourite mooring of old. Last night we celebrated the holiday and our 18th Wedding Anniversary (which was in March!) at the White Lion.

A good day!