19th Oct - 10th Nov

We moved on from Braunston as planned, on a beautiful crisp sunny day and were delighted to spot "Knot So Fast" en route.

Knot So Fast

This was Roger's previous boat, now owned by our friend Jill, but since she has been away most of the summer and autumn, another mutual friend Tim has been enjoying some boating on it.

We moored for a few days at Napton, intending to go up the locks to Fenny Compton where we'd planned to overwinter. However, we changed our minds and headed to Warwick where we are settled (we hope)  for a few months during the worst of the weather.  We have paid for a CRT Winter Mooring, and think we have found a spot  near the Cape of Good Hope, which complies with all the regulations, but still gives us fairly easy access to water, sanitary facilities (!) car parking and a pub!!  

 Winter mooring - complete with useless aerial

 We have good phone and Internet signals - BUT no television, despite investing in a new aerial, and aiming it at all points of the compass.  We're really not a pair of square-eyed TV addicts, but it's  nice to have the option to watch from time to time.

Benny the Boat Cat is also happy with our new location, another important consideration.

Benny exploring one of our temporary moorings

He has done so well to adapt to the transition from house to boat, and survive several dips in the canal, that we feel he deserves that his needs as well as ours should be accommodated.

It's lovely to be back within reach of friends and at least some family. Karen and Roger, accompanied by Roger's son Simon and grandchildren Arlo and Marlene joined us for the journey between Leamington and Warwick.

Arlo and Marlene, with dad Simon

 We also enjoyed an outing to Birmingham's ThinkTank Science museum with Joseph and Samuel at half-term,

Joseph at the ThinkTank

 and a visit to Beningbrough Hall, a National Trust property near York, with Lizzie and James.

Lizzie and James

Sloe gin and crab apple vodka infusions

Now we're settling down for the winter, and making important preparations for the Christmas festivities : sloe gin, crab apple vodka and rose hip wine are all maturing nicely!

Rose-hip wine bubbling by the stove

Mark arriving to make a delivery

We have also had a delivery from "Mark the Coal"who runs Star Class Carrying, delivering fuel in all weathers along the canal between Warwick and Leicester.  He stocked us up with diesel, bottled gas and several bags of coal -smiling cheerfully as always.

Since we shan't have so much to report while moored up for the winter, we plan to update the blog approximately once a month.