Cooler but still sunny

After the excitements of yesterday, we've had quite a quiet day today. Irene and Ian came to say goodbye just after breakfast, and we decided to move the boat just a little bit further on. Seemingly, the refurbished lock house at Deptmore Lock is to be occupied by the son of the farm who is getting wed today, and they are clearly going to have a night of it tonight; there are two marquees in the field behind the house, with marked signs of the Young Farmers having a hand in the arrangements.

So, although I'm sure it will all be very well behaved, it's likely to be quite noisy until quite late. We did a whole 15 minutes boating to the other side of the next towpath bridge, not far from where Black Bryony has moored. Her single handing crew had a narrow escape earlier, when she slipped into the lock as she closed the top gate.

Fortunately, a couple who were strolling around looking at the wedding arrangements were nearby and helped her climb out of the water. The poor woman has suffered some damage to her knee in the process, so will be staying where she is for a few days. I've checked that she has everything she needs, and apparently a friend will come and help her move the boat to Penkridge later in the week.

We've spent the day pottering, walking Sally a couple of times (there's quite a cool breeze today, much to her relief) and reading. I also had a look in the stern bilge, checking that the Centaflex coupling is still tight. As with the prop attachment, I didn't expect any problems, and didn't find any, but it's as well to be sure.

Nearly forgot: whilst I was talking to the crew of Black Bryony, Sally started staring meaningfully across the cut, with her ears up in full target acquisition mode. I had a look, and there were three young hares playing in the grass over there. Sally looked at me, looked at them and then howled softly to me in the way she does when you're getting her dinner ready. I think that's Doberman for "Look, Grandpa, supper!"

Tomorrow, we'll make a prompt start, aiming to be in Penkridge by eleven.

The details of Priscilla, Braidbar 46, are now up on the ABNB site, brochure available from here. If you want a shorter boat for a very good price, you couldn't do better.