A Day With Alice

Tuesday 27th October

It was a bright sunny morning and, as soon as the local village shop was open, Mike and Alice aked back along the towpath to take rubbish to the bins and buy some milk as well as a newspaper. They also found a glue stick so that Alice could do some sticking!

Back at the boat, Alice undertook to sweep most of the leaves from the cabin roof - it seems that the tree where we had moored decided to lose all of its leaves overnight and drop them just on us - the other boats at the same mooring did not seem to collect as many.

Just after ten o'clock we set off and immedately began the run of locks up to the summit pound, ending with Claydon Top Lock. as soon as we reached the top we moored up for lunch. Christine had perpared a good soup with the lamb bones - but forgot to bake off the bread! By the time it was ready, Alice was definitely hungry!

After lunch we continued along the level, soon reaching The Tunnel - no longer a tunnel since it was opened out from the original construction. nevertheless, it is very narrow in places but on this occasion we did not have any trouble, passing just one boat coming the opposite direction. At the Turnover Bridge, Alice decided that she would like a walk and persuaded Granny to jump off with her to walk the rest of the way to Fenny Compton.

As well as emptying the elsan, we also replaced the gas bottle which ran out half way through cooking the dinner last night. We moved on the the main road bridge where Mike filled up the water tank whilst Christine and alice went to the new little shop in the back of the pub. Very little choice but Alice did enjoy a Ribena lollipop.

We had planned to reach Bridge 131 for our overnight stop but about half a mile short it was becoming dark quite quickly and it looked a good mooring so we decided to call a halt. Alas, the bank was very shallow and it took some effort to moor - the stern was quite a way from the bank! At least there was a mobile phone signal, although no broadband!

Whilst the meal was finishing off cooking in the oven, Alice opted for a night hike. With the boat some distance from the bank, Mike hauled the gangplank from the roof and made a crossing from the boat to the shore. Equipped with a torch, Alcie set off with Mike for a walk along the towpath. They made it to the nearest bridge, found their way up onto the top before turning around and walking back. By now, eyes were adjusted to the dasrk and so Alice was able to turn off her torch for the return trip. Although they had seen a large number of aircraft in the skies, it was a surprise when a low flying plane - probably an RAF fighter jet, passed almost overhead!

The latest news is that Jessica has developed a cold and so Alice will be staying with us for another night - by then we should be a bit nearer home so not so long a journey for her Mum to come and collect her!