Wendover Arm, Grand Union Canal (a journey full of fauna)

The good citizens of Berkhamsted were enamoured with Brian and Jane's workmanship and both sold out, nearly. We managed to escape after two weeks in the one pound, which is the longest we've spent anywhere since leaving Bradford on Avon. Here is an animal named Oedipus(sy).

Here is a narrowboat camouflaged for the African canals.

We very much enjoyed cruising up through the eight locks to Cowroast, where once upon a time the cows were rested, not roasted. On a splendid walk along the Chilterns Way we stopped for a quick gander at the stocks and duck pond of the little village of Aldbury. 

Along the footpath we discovered a tree. It were laden with juicy purple orbs. They were victoria plums. They joined the blackberries in the collecting receptacles. I can feel a crumble coming on.

Here is an animal that has had a close shave. Although retaining a perm on the top of its head.

The good ship Emily Bronte set off for waters new, negotiating a tricky turn onto the Wendover Arm at the Bulbourne junction.

We were pleasantly surprised (although are not all surprises a form of aggression) to find an undiscovered and unmapped (at least in our guidebook) half mile of canal. We moored with our bows touching the very terminus of the waterway, passing the last winding hole, much to the amusement of the local fisherfolk.

A Speedy Trip To Yorkshire.

Hired a car and began a week of dashing from one lovely family get-together to another.

Started by picking Lewis up from Heathrow airport, back from his summer school in the Czech Republic, which he greatly enjoyed mainly due to the fact there were 60 women to 20 men on the course. He brought us a curious cucumber-shaped present back from Germany and a weird local liquor from the Czech Republic.

The next day we picked Frances up from Maidenhead, bringing her home for the night. It was a real family night in. 

Here she is in her Mermaid dress ready for Bestival.

We all had to be up really early the next day to get Frances to work in Sheffield for 10 am. We were left to investigate her new home.She has managed to make her attic room very cozy. Meeting up after work we drove up and up into the beautiful peak district for a jolly old fashioned picnic. Lewis opened the champagne he got for his 21st birthday to celebrate.

Next we went to visit Jill and Gary where we all squashed into their pretty cozy terrace cottage complete with chickens in the yard (who escaped and had to be tempted back by Frances with speciality bread). Gary made one of his impressive pavlovas, which was yummy and we were joined by the Bithell family who had a very enjoyable time in Germany. The boys put the (ex)-smelly-armpit spell on us with their Harry Potter wands.

Liz and Ken put up with us, or put us up, which ever! in their beautiful house, we had an evening stroll around Skipton, seeing the infamous Lucy from attic24 ( Kate will be jealous!).

Took Mum out for a day in the Dales, visiting an old weaving mill on the way to Kendall. It was a bit of a busman's holiday for her at the mill but they did very nice tea and Victoria sponge cake.

We stopped at the Garsdale head Viaduct to see the glorious sight of a steam train going like the clappers.

Had a pint with Dad and Enid, they are very busy keeping the local general hospital patients in provisions.

Finally it was home via Luton . Here we had a very tasty curry at Balti Nights of Wellington Street. Frances had a very hot green bean, which made her ears go bright red.

21st Century here we come .

We took a stroll around Berkhamstead castle , there wasn't much of it left standing but we can forgive this as it was built in the 13 century.It did have a large ,deep and wet moat. As usual we spent most of this beautifully peaceful walk looking at the amount of fire wood left to rot! ,and shaking our heads.

We have dragged ourselves into the 21 st century, some kicking and screaming from Brian !
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Berkhamsted.

Very nice mooring here. Convenient for shops, brilliant craft shop, which sells wool ( hooray) .

Very interesting house across, possibly an old wharehouse? Never seen so many hanging baskets, looks like the whole house is busting at the seams with plants and flowers.

Tomorrow going to investigate the castle .
Really looking forward to the weekend when we'll get to spend some time with the children and catch up with their lives.
Spent the afternoon trying to drag ourselves into the 21st century , struggling ! , let you know more soon .

Bovingdon

Escaped the M25 magic circle and found a little bit of country side, with a few hills!
Cycled up to Berkhamstead last night to get some lime pickle for our Indian themed pasta dish.(I know sounds weird but watch master chef?)
Brian had a collision with a wasp, which stung him just under his eye!! ,he had to walk around supermarket looking like he had been in a fight. All ok now. Had an early morning walk before opening the shop, came back with a small harvest ,compote I think with icecream, yum yum.

Nearly north of Watford.

At last we're on the move, going to the North !
At Batchworth locks, stopped to fish for windlasses, Brian has sold out and we are down to our last two. He's too busy making Herons to make any,( not complaining though).Even managed to do five locks, moored in Watford at Cassiobury park.
Brian cycling into London tomorrow to deliver a tent to Frances, only 50 miles round trip.
Jane busy crochet bunnies which are addictive and seem to be breeding!

Hip hip hooray a new fridge freezer today.

At last the fridge freezer is onboard, fully plumbed in, and in prime position! Can't wait to get frozen foods , well ice cream really and of course the essential frozen peas.
This means we will be on our way again, new waters at last. It's strange but now we're on the move,
have even ichier feet than before. Off to Cambridge slowly.
Sarah, Neil, Noah and Reece came to visit on their way to Germany. The boys enjoyed steering the boat, it was nice to catch up on family news.So busy forgot to get any photo's.
Brian has sold another one of his beautiful Herons, and has another one on order.
I've been busy hooking baby Wilson's blanket, slippers and hat , really enjoyed making the hat, will do them in lots of different colours, now I've mastered the pattern.
Hopefully more to blog about now we are underway again.