It’s been a very sociable 24hrs and I’m now sitting alone in a toasty warm boat with a fire that I managed to lay and light all by myself. Might not seem a big deal but let me tell you, it is! I have never managed the same at home. Probably because R is so good at them. He’s also very good at mowing the lawn – I didn’t recognise our own garden when he sent me a picture this afternoon. He’s had a busy 48hrs and tomorrow when he returns to the boat he’ll be faced with over 20 locks. Thankfully our lovely friend BBT is coming with him!
Back to yesterday when I had a very leisurely start to the day followed by chores, wanting to get the boat looking nice for my brother L and sister in law, D. Every time I thought I would take a break and walk into Radford Semele, just outside Leamington Spa, the weather turned from sunny and inviting to flurries of snow. It did that on and off until late afternoon. By the time L and D arrived it was a beautiful evening. D armed with a delicious homemade ginger cake which apparently improves with keeping. We’ve already devoured half of it! We decided to find a pub for supper and didn’t much go for the Harvester within walking distance. Good old trip advisor recommended The Stag at Offchurch, a mere five minutes in the car and we had a really good meal. Worth a visit if you are in the vicinity. I tried out the dinette bed which gave me a perfectly good night’s sleep although it would be a bit cosy for two, unless you are on the shorter, slimmer side! L and D’s alarm clock was the engine starting up at 8am in order for the radiators to warm the boat slightly before they got up. After a leisurely breakfast D took their car to Warwick Parkway station, parked and caught the train back to Leamington Spa. Meanwhile L skilfully steered the boat to Leamington, under my beady eye and we moored up outside Lidl. I took advantage of being so close to provisions and stocked up well, including a tasty picnic for four. Not only did D meet up with us but so also did DH, a very long standing friend who, having read yesterday’s blog, realised he was coming to Leamington for the weekend and by arriving earlier in the day, he could join us on the boat. So the four of us ambled along the cut, me leaving L in sole control at the stern, ably assisted by DH, whilst I enjoyed sitting in the bow with D, watching the world go by. There were only two locks to operate so as I explained what I was doing D honed her photographic skills!
The sun shone as we filled the boat with water opposite The Cape of Good Hope pub so we made use of a wooden bench and our picnic table and chairs and had a proper English picnic. I mention this because just as everything was laid out and ready so the sun disappeared behind a cloud! However no rain came and we just put on more layers for warmth!
We continued on towards the Hatton flight and nearly overshot the mooring spaces as they appeared far sooner than I anticipated. Job done and securely tied up, we walked to L and D’s car, parked just five minutes away, and the heaven’s opened. We felt blessed to have had a dry run thus far and realised it was just an April shower, to be expected!
DH hitched a lift with L and D to his car in Leamington (car manoeuvres take up a lot of thinking space!) whilst I walked into Warwick to see what it had to offer. A pleasant town centre although I was amazed at how promptly the shop keepers closed at 5pm, even with customers still inside the shop. There was no hanging around! It took a while for me to retrace my steps to the boat. I have such a poor sense of direction, by the time I asked for guidance I had walked quite a distance the wrong route!! Suffice to say, with the biting cold, by the time I found my way back to Naomhòg I was determined to lay and light a fire or else I was in for a chilly evening ahead!
NarrowboatTLC 