Start the year as you mean to continue...

(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath)

Sunday 1st January 2012
Having had an excellent year last year from the boating viewpoint we decided to begin the year in a suitable manner.

We knew we wouldn't be out for very long, but it was important for us to get out on the boat. We set off at about 2 pm on Jan 1st, but were fairly soon overtaken by rain so we stopped only 3 locks from our home mooring.

beginning to rain

A vegetable stew with cobbler was put onto the stove and we opened a bottle of Pinot and spent the evening playing cards and talking about what we want from this new year. Mostly we agreed that spending as much time on the boats as possible is very important.

It was a cold night, with the temperature outside falling to about 3 degrees, but inside we were warm.

Monday 2nd January 2012

Waking up to a bright, but cold, day

A very relaxed start to the day for us. Alan got up and took Charlie for a walk, I have to admit that I didn't surface until Alan brought me coffee in bed some time later - I then spent quite a lot more time dozing on and off.

We made proper porridge with oatmeal, then finally set off at about 11 am. We really only planned to get to Slapton so that we could wind and start the journey back. Despite being cold - probably only about 5 or 6 degrees C - it was bright - and a little windy.  Not suprisingly there were very few other boats moving, but quite a lot of walkers, joggers, and cyclists on the towpath.

Bright sunlight, between Ivinghoe locks

Ivinghoe upper lock

Nearly home, not long to sunset

Last night's stew had been much larger than we needed, so on the way back I added some more stock and set the cast iron casserole back onto the top of the stove.  We moored up for about half an hour to eat the rest of the stew - which was even better than last night, and finally got back to our mooring about half an hour before sunset.

Miles: 6.0, Locks:12