Stoke Bruerne for Lunch.

Hi Folks.

It was certainly an Autumnal morning, when I opened the back cabin doors to the world and there on the surface of the canal was a fine mist. On the towpath it looked like we had had a slight frost as well. This spells the beginning of Autumn. I have certainly noticed that the nights and early morning's are colder, so I wonder how much longer it will be before we need to light the stoves.

After walking his lordship, we were ready for the off at 8.30am. First destination was the Sanitary Station at the bottom of Stoke Bruerne, as we needed to take on some water and once again empty the toilet cassette. Our cassettes generally last up to 5 days all being well. We have a spare just in case we should get caught short thought. It always pays to be prepared. And if we really get taken double short we have a spade. There were a few boats on the move this morning, as we cruised lock free to the bottom of the Stoke Bruerne flight. We arrived at the station, just as a couple of boats were leaving, which was extremely handy, otherwise we would not have been able to get in. Moored up and filling up with water already was NB Mandalay, so having connected the hose to the tape and started the fill on our water tank, I went and enquired as to whether they would be going up and would they like to share. They were very happy with the idea of sharing the locks on the flight. Whilst they had been moored up, they had been out with a boat magnet, search for a side door which belonged to one of the Hire boats from Oxfordshire Narrowboat's Company. It seems a hirer managed to lose one of the doors whilst mooring up. If I tried to explain how it happened it would take me ages so I will skip that part, but I will say it is easily done if your not watching what your doing, when mooring up. Sadly they had hand no luck with the door, but had found a windlass, mooring chain and a sheered off propeller.

We had a lovely cruise up the flight with them and also met up with Mac and Pam on NB Mona Lisa, which was fortunate, because I wanted to pay Pam for my porthole lace which she had kindly made for me, so we exchanged money for goodies, caught up on news and then said our goodbyes for now, whilst Keith was off to the next lock with Mandalay. I did a quick sprint up the towpath to catch them up as the lock gates were closing behind the boats, and we carried on our way. We got to the top two locks and the gongoozlers were out in force with their camera's. This was certainly not the time to make a prat of myself, so concentration was needed. Phew flight all done and I did not disgrace myself. Infact I think I made one little girl very happy, when I allowed her to help me open and shut the lock gates on the top lock. We said cheerio to NB Mandalay as they were carrying on and we found ourselves a mooring. Duncan on NB Zendu was already moored up selling his painted wear. It was nice to see him again, as it had been well over a year since we saw him at Cowley.

Lunch was taken at the Spice of Bruerne Indian Restaurant. We had a lovely set lunch for £6.95 each. It was my treat. On the way back we collected a form for the Village at War weekend, which is held on the first weekend of October and headed back to the boat. It is busy outside with lots of people walking the towpath after visiting the museum. The trip boat is also up and down. It is wonderful to see Stoke Bruerne so busy.

Slow as they go...

Hi Friends.

We arrived at Stoke Bruerne yesterday after a non eventful cruise. Well pretty much uneventful.

The morning began as always. I lay awake listening to early boats on the move and birdsong ringing the start of yet another hot day to come.

I wonder if birds ever lose their voices???

I hope not. Because the countryside would be such a dull place without the feather choir.

So we left our overnight mooring, behind another boat who had been moored behind us overnight. The eventful part of our jaunt came as we were in tickover for over a mile, as we tried not to push the gentlemans boat a long the canal. Bless him he was going so slow, that we almost aged 5 years whilst we moved a long. He also seemed determined to sit in the centre of the canal. Eventually I think he realised he was just in our way and moved over to allow us to go by. This caused him somewhat of a problem, because as we passed him, we sucked all the water from underneath him and he was left sat on the mud. No sooner we were past, he was able to get underway again and we left him to cruise in tick over. Of course it is his right to cruise in tick over if he so wishes, but he should be mindful of others. Especially those who are working boats, going about their trade. As we past him, I said "Good Morning" and wished him a good day. I like to be polite to all.

We arrived in Stoke Bruerne and decided to eat out for lunch, we had lunch at Spice of Bruerne, which was very nice indeed. We can totally recommend it, if you like Indian food. The last time we ate there was a year ago and the food was still as good. We both had Chicken Pasanda, with Pilau Rice and a Naan bread, this was on a meal deal for £6.95 each. Of an evening this meal would have cost £11.95 each, so a real bargain. It was nice to have a cooked meal, as we have been living off of salads. Not only that I did not have to lift a finger, not even to do the washging up. Which is always a bonus.

After lunch we set up shop with the other half's rag rugs laid out on the roof of the boat for all to see. We also put out the bits and pieces we have to sell. These are things we have picked up over the winter. We sold a few bits, not bad for a first time. We also spent a fair amount of time chatting to passers-by. Some people were having a day out and others were on holiday. The main interest for some was the cat and dog. I reckon if I charge 50p for each photograph taken I would be worth a fair amount of money by now. 5pm and we closed up shop for the day and I decided to take the camera and tripod up into the woodland walk to see what was about. I spotted this Rabbit lounging in the late afternoon sunshine. Unfortunately it got scared off by a dog barking and scurried off down it burrow. There were lots of little birds about, but they were to high in the trees for me to photograph them.
It had been a great day, which ended with us watching the football, with feet up and a cuppa.