After looking after our gorgeous grandson, we boarded the boat at Fenny on Saturday afternoon, 13th August, in an enormous thunderstorm, hmmm, this has happened before!. Pete soaked to the skin unloading the car! Had a good get-together with Jenny and Sid at the Wharf later when the sun had come back out, the last few weeks of utter stress slowly slowly ebbing.
On Sunday, we executed a tricky itinerary that Pete had carefully planned. Picked up Jackie and Simon by car from Banbury station around 11am, then Jayne from Cropredy where she had driven to meet us, but got slightly lost doing so. Then drove back to boat and all 5 of us set off for Cropredy under mostly sunny skies. Simon cracked a bottle of fizz to celebrate our all managing to come together despite similar mum problems amongst us. We had all escaped!
We stopped for lunch on the towpath at the bottom of Claydon locks, having got through them very rapidly with the help of Simon. Lunch finished around 5pm! Several passing boats remarking on our lazing. Pity Jayne was driving and had to restrain her alcohol intake - she showed great discipline, but I think she enjoyed herself all the same. Continued to Cropredy and moored for night. Walked Jayne back to her car where she set off back home and J and S stayed with us for a pub supper at The Brasenose, (quiz night but we didn't partake). Pete, however, could not help calling out the answer here and there - too many beers aiding his confidence! J and S got a cab back to Banbury and were home in London by half midnight. Fantastic full day with good friends, so relaxing.
And to keep the fun going, Jenny and Sid joined us once again on Bank holiday Monday, where we were moored in Banbury by then at Rolt's bridge. We progressed from cups of tea and sweeties on the edge of Spiceball Park in hot sunshine to the inevitable wine and beer. Jenny showed her mettle by sticking to one glass as she was doing the driving back to their mooring in Fenny. Once again, a lovely time with great friends who have had a bellyful of sadnesses in recent years, but lift my spirits by being so positive and cheerful and so supportive.
We had the laziest week, returning to our mooring on Friday, having travelled the grand distance to Banbury and back - a 20 minute car journey! Lucky for us that we cleaned up the boat and unloaded some stuff into the car that day, because 8.15am Saturday came a call from Mum and then the careline staff saying ambulance had been called. Returned home and went straight to the hospital. She rallied once again however and I was able to take her home that evening.
We are trying to hold onto the rest and calm we gained through our boating week. As I always say, green fields slipping by at 4mph, silent moorings all on our own and the bonus of blue skies are the best medicine there is.
On Sunday, we executed a tricky itinerary that Pete had carefully planned. Picked up Jackie and Simon by car from Banbury station around 11am, then Jayne from Cropredy where she had driven to meet us, but got slightly lost doing so. Then drove back to boat and all 5 of us set off for Cropredy under mostly sunny skies. Simon cracked a bottle of fizz to celebrate our all managing to come together despite similar mum problems amongst us. We had all escaped!
We stopped for lunch on the towpath at the bottom of Claydon locks, having got through them very rapidly with the help of Simon. Lunch finished around 5pm! Several passing boats remarking on our lazing. Pity Jayne was driving and had to restrain her alcohol intake - she showed great discipline, but I think she enjoyed herself all the same. Continued to Cropredy and moored for night. Walked Jayne back to her car where she set off back home and J and S stayed with us for a pub supper at The Brasenose, (quiz night but we didn't partake). Pete, however, could not help calling out the answer here and there - too many beers aiding his confidence! J and S got a cab back to Banbury and were home in London by half midnight. Fantastic full day with good friends, so relaxing.
And to keep the fun going, Jenny and Sid joined us once again on Bank holiday Monday, where we were moored in Banbury by then at Rolt's bridge. We progressed from cups of tea and sweeties on the edge of Spiceball Park in hot sunshine to the inevitable wine and beer. Jenny showed her mettle by sticking to one glass as she was doing the driving back to their mooring in Fenny. Once again, a lovely time with great friends who have had a bellyful of sadnesses in recent years, but lift my spirits by being so positive and cheerful and so supportive.
We had the laziest week, returning to our mooring on Friday, having travelled the grand distance to Banbury and back - a 20 minute car journey! Lucky for us that we cleaned up the boat and unloaded some stuff into the car that day, because 8.15am Saturday came a call from Mum and then the careline staff saying ambulance had been called. Returned home and went straight to the hospital. She rallied once again however and I was able to take her home that evening.
We are trying to hold onto the rest and calm we gained through our boating week. As I always say, green fields slipping by at 4mph, silent moorings all on our own and the bonus of blue skies are the best medicine there is.
This long dilapidated lock house now seems to be receiving some care.. I hope so.
3 choices offered in Cropredy
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