Fenny after rain

We woke up to rain on the roof, yes I know rain. The canal needs rain and here on the South Oxford it is in need.
We try not to move in the rain, unless we have to, so David being a Chef, did us one of his special Scrambled Eggs on Toast.

Wow the Scrambled Egg melted in your mouth and set us up for the day.

The clouds were moving over by midday so we got ourselves ready to go at 12.30pm.

It was a very overgrown section, but it also made it pretty and very interesting. It was amazing that the water was green here and not the muddy waters we are used too.

 We passed ten boats as we got to Fenny Compton so we felt confident we might get in.

When we checked the gaps there was only one where we fitted in nice and tight. So we were settled in for the afternoon soaking up the sunshine as it peeped in and out the clouds.

It got to 6.00pm and the cloud had overpowered the sunshine and we thought it would be nice to have a beer in the pub and look at the menu. The Wharf Inn has changed hands and doesn't have live music anymore which is a shame.. During the winter months we used to make an effort to get to Fenny and have a good evenings entertainment.. On the menu there was 63 items and we thought with that many items most of it must be frozen, so we gave it a miss.

We had our beer, and while drinking it, checked out the Merrie Lion on line. It had loads of good reviews so we thought we would give it a try.

It was a 15 minute walk into the village and when we went inside was pleasantly surprised.

It had been redecorated and it had a lot of new staff including a new chef..
We got our food and it was amazing. It was quality, but at reasonable prices. It was so good we all had deserts which were also very good.
Bloated and full we walked back to Derwent6 on a very nice warm evening. We even saw a shooting star on the way back. We were only back on the boat for ten minutes and we decided we were all ready for bed. Including Tooty!

On to the Aerial

We set of early while David was still asleep and headed into Braunston. At 9.00am when the office opened we got a token and cleaned the tank out. Just as we were pulling out David surfaced and we crept out of Braunston.
We then hit what we call the M25 of the waterways section up to Wigrams turn, but surprisingly we only passed 14 boats. We made our way through the shallow section up to Napton. It must get shallow here because the banks are eroding and they also pump water to the top of the locks. We wanted to stop at the bottom but the boat we were following pulled into the only gap left. So we had no choice but to go through the first lock, and luckily there were a few moorings there. We moored up and walked to The Folly Pie Pub, one of our favourites..

Mark the owner wasn't around but we had a lovely pie and chips all the same.

We came out a bit full but did the locks in no time as all the boats from the Cropredy festival came down the flight. The problem we had was finding a mooring again at the top. We ended up going till we got to the Aerial moorings (as we call it). We stopped first and had a look and there was one mooring which looked like we would get in, but we asked a boat if they would move if we couldn't. The nice couple said "of course we can" As we arrived they were moving back anyway and we got in with ease.

We chilled with some telly, all be it rubbish on, and we had some nibbles and a few more beers..
It had been a long and enjoyable day, we were knackered! An early night was in order!

New crew for a few days.

So we moved on back to Brownsover at Rugby. Here's a couple of pics of how the landscape is changing round here..

We turned and then got a load of shopping and waited on the water point for David to turn up from the station.

When we were full of water we set off. We soon got to Hillmorton locks which are now timed due to the water levels.

With new crew we flew through and it wasn't long before David was on the tiller.

With David at the helm we sat out the front and watched the world go by until we realised that we needed a pump out and we wasn't going to make Braunston to buy a token.

So with a quick shout to David we found a spot and moored up. (nice bit of mooring, we might add)

The weather was still warm but it was a bit cloudy, but with food and beers on board, it was rude not to throw a BBQ.

As we were eating the clouds cleared and the stars appeared, it was a lovely evening.

Riding out the Storms

So we have be sitting tight for the last few days, and enjoying the sunshine and watching the storms.

Al has been into Rugby to have her hair cut and Del has been out on his bike and done some polishing as always.
Al also has been down to Lingfield to see Tanya's new place (our god daughter). She got the train down to Gatwick and was picked up by Tanya, also a good pub lunch was in order before Al came home at 9.00pm.

It has been so busy here on the North Oxford with about 30 boats a day going backwards and forwards.

Yes we have had a boat hit us again, this one, look out!.

It was a crowd of blokes and girls on a Canal Breaks (Willow Wren) boat which just smashed into the side of us. We did get a "Sorry" but that doesn't help our paintwork.

We made a phone call to Willow Wren... They made no attempt to stop or even slow down and laughing as they went into the distance doesn't help! Idiots!
To be honest we have had our heads buried into the European Championships and have really enjoyed it. Now with the football season starting, will it be tears or joy lol!

Back on the busy cut

Derwent6 fired up first time after we have been away and only a bit of cleaning was required to give it that shine again.. We settled up our bills and filled with water after sending the hire car back..
Its a lovely feeling when you untie the ropes and set off again on your travels.. This sunshine has been amazing, but (and there's always a but) the water levels are beginning to struggle. There are now lock restrictions on some locks and we can notice the difference when cruising.. The good thing is that its a busy time of year and the canals are well used.. We liveaboards call it the silly season, but without the silly seasons the canals wouldn't survive. The extra boats just make it a little interesting.
You just can't beat the sun shining through the tress and the trickle of water from the bow as we move through the water at 3mph..
We passed through Newbold tunnel and crossed the aqueduct.

We then got to busy Brownsover.

We then got to Clifton marina where some extra moorings have materialised with shoreline.

We soon pulled over to one of our favourite moorings just under some shady trees..

We looked at each other and said "What next then" as we sat with a glass of gin and tonic and a shot of whiskey in the cooling sunset.

Soaking up the weather in Kent

Hi all its great to be back, so what have we been up to..
Well we took some time out to go back to Kent for a couple of weeks where we had some things to do in Faversham.

We also went to Jay & Emily's 30th Birthday party and engagement.

We then went to a family BBQ, and met up with a few friends for eats and drinks along the way.

Al also visited her Mum and Dad at the cross in Shoreham.

We sat on the beach and watched the sunset.

we did a bit of glamping.

And we did the odd pub or two..

We also had too much to eat.

And drink and played bongo's.

 

But we had a great time.. Sorry we didn't take photos of everywhere we have been but you know the reasons lol

We got back for a couple of days of tranquility where Del flew his glider at the marina that we were staying in..

We picked up Tooty who was glad to be back and we plan to set off tomorrow..