Boat cleaning

Lottie relaxing on the rear deck

As the weather is fine we decided to take our time returning to base and work on the boat. First we cruised to charge the batteries. Most of the locks were in our favour so we made good time. At one idyllic lock an old man sat in his disabled buggy reading his newspaper. As we left he followed, his buggy coping well with the uneven ground. He overtook us as we worked the next lock and disappeared into Stone at a gentle walking pace. The boat crew behind us seemed in a great hurry but they fell behind as they had to refill the locks to follow us. I was sad to see that the beautiful canal-side art at the locks had been vandalised. In spite of the attacks the stone structures were still beautiful.

Mooring in Stone

We moored in the centre of Stone, shopped had lunch then moved on to start work on the boat. In spite of stopping to work we cruised for 4 hours today.

We found a quiet spot apart from the sheep baaing in a nearby field. I took her for a walk and she found a lambs leg. Further on were less gruesome remains –the poor creatures tail. Was this the remains of a fox’s lunch? Farmers have so much to content with it’s surprising that they ever make a profit.

sheep everywhere

Afterwards we cleaned the paintwork. I concentrated on the bow and stern, Paul tackled the roof and side and Lottie roamed around keeping an eye on us as if she were in charge. As we finished cleaning a tractor started ploughing the field opposite. It was interesting to watch but we moved the boat round the corner where it was more peaceful.