Fruit for Free

As we sit, slowly cooking on board Micky, Ali first checks the temp, 29 degrees and holding, then for the third time, checks tomorrows forecast, heavy rain and a lot cooler, the sky is a summer blue, how can it change so much so quickly ? Then you remember that this is England, the surprise should be the sunshine today, not the rain tomorrow.

In the early evening yesterday we were passed by a typical canal boat scene, in the bow two men reading their news papers ( both facing the rear, great lookouts ) then as the boat passed, a lady lying on the roof reading a book, at the stern two more ladies in conversation, so relaxing as it slowly went under the bridge, sped up and turned hard right, this was a little unusual, the canal goes straight on ! With still more speed the boat first went into the bushes then an audible thump was heard as the boat hit the side at full revs and stopped. It would seem we are not the worst boaters on the cut, in fact it would seem we never were. We carried on sipping our wine and reading books, paying no attention to the now more than slightly ruffled boaters, as they extracted themselves, and as much dignity as they could find, and hurried away.

Try as we might to ignore the signs of the season changing, it is getting harder by the day, if the man made indicators can be missed ( and we certainly try, we haven't even booked our Christmas lunch, unlike the inmates we met at the marina a few days ago ) Then nature is shouting it all along the canal bank.

A dawn shot

The same shot in the afternoon

Leaves are showing a full seasons wear and tear

Elderberries are plentiful now we are no longer making wines 

Mind you we have started some Blackberry vodka  

And grab a hat full of Adams where we can

Early we know,  but our sloe gin too is done and maturing

We wait in Braunston for Richard to service the engine, and the much promised rain to try and dampen our spirits, It won't of course, we have too much to do, boat to clean, paint work to sort, the list goes on, but we shan't.

Bye for now,

Baz and Ali.