Woke up on Saturday morning in Lechlade to thick fog - couldn't see the other side of the river! Our solar panels indicated there was plenty of sun up there somewhere and the fog burned off in time for our mates, Jack and Simon to arrive at 12 noon (early for them!)
We had a pint in the New Inn on the waterside before setting off for a cruise. Lechlade is a pretty village, but a through route for lots of traffic. A good butcher and green grocers here though, unlike many village stops, so we stocked up and Jack found the wine merchants whose knowledgable owner guided her to 3 very nice wines for later - thanks, Jack.
We boated to Kelmscott and moored on the last available space, it being a hot day and everyone out for the weekend. We BBQ ed on the bank with the sun going down and the rooks cawing as they roosted. Pete lit the fire inside early so that the boat was toasty once the sun had gone. Great evening with good friends, food and wine. Ended with a somewhat chaotic re-arranging of furniture and blowing up of air beds before we finally retired.
On Sunday after visiting the Plough and taking in Kelmscott's beauty (unfortunately William Morris' house is only open for visits Saturdays and Wednesdays) we headed back to Lechlade and subjected J and S to the faff of topping up water and pumping out. They were very tolerant! A couple in their 70s locked through with us who have had their boat for 32 years. I was so impressed by the woman who was managing to gracefully throw ropes in a flowing flowery dress and gold flip flops! She even had her glasses on a chain around her neck. Now if I attempted all that, the glasses would be caught on something and lost in the river, the flip flops would end up with goose poo on them and the dress would probably cause me to trip! Hats off to her!
At the end of our day Jack and Simon drove me back to our car which was still in Oxford so that I could visit my parents as Dad had just been discharged from a short time in hospital. So I am writing this from his computer in Kingston. My parents are now getting used to a newer routine, not easy for either of them but they both still manage to smile!
Pete has remained on the boat until I return, probably Wednesday.
We had a pint in the New Inn on the waterside before setting off for a cruise. Lechlade is a pretty village, but a through route for lots of traffic. A good butcher and green grocers here though, unlike many village stops, so we stocked up and Jack found the wine merchants whose knowledgable owner guided her to 3 very nice wines for later - thanks, Jack.
We boated to Kelmscott and moored on the last available space, it being a hot day and everyone out for the weekend. We BBQ ed on the bank with the sun going down and the rooks cawing as they roosted. Pete lit the fire inside early so that the boat was toasty once the sun had gone. Great evening with good friends, food and wine. Ended with a somewhat chaotic re-arranging of furniture and blowing up of air beds before we finally retired.
On Sunday after visiting the Plough and taking in Kelmscott's beauty (unfortunately William Morris' house is only open for visits Saturdays and Wednesdays) we headed back to Lechlade and subjected J and S to the faff of topping up water and pumping out. They were very tolerant! A couple in their 70s locked through with us who have had their boat for 32 years. I was so impressed by the woman who was managing to gracefully throw ropes in a flowing flowery dress and gold flip flops! She even had her glasses on a chain around her neck. Now if I attempted all that, the glasses would be caught on something and lost in the river, the flip flops would end up with goose poo on them and the dress would probably cause me to trip! Hats off to her!
At the end of our day Jack and Simon drove me back to our car which was still in Oxford so that I could visit my parents as Dad had just been discharged from a short time in hospital. So I am writing this from his computer in Kingston. My parents are now getting used to a newer routine, not easy for either of them but they both still manage to smile!
Pete has remained on the boat until I return, probably Wednesday.
As usual, thanks for all your help Sara.
ReplyDeleteStill jolly good boating weather so we look forward to more of your entertaining blogs.
Think this comment from ma and pa. not sure why it comes up with us, tho it doesn't matter! -Sara
Delete