Gosh, almost got kicked out of the pub!

 Thursday 27th

Handy having Christine visit with the grandkids, not only did she bring the post but half a pint of wrigglers as well. We had ordered masks, the sort that has a pouch for filters and wire to pinch around the nose. It was a pain when the homemade masks I made back in April kept steaming up our glasses every time we breathed out. To try and read the shopping list through a fog was nigh on impossible! Anyway I ordered from Amazon on the Tuesday and by Wednesday they had arrived at our daughters. Most impressed with the prompt delivery.

 

Having really enjoyed the two-hour visit with the family, our next visitors were friends of old. In fact neighbours of ours when our children were little, must be well over 30 years ago when we moved away from Barlestone, but we did keep in touch periodically. Off to the Rising Sun with all the proper social distancing rigmarole put in place. We asked about the 'eat out to help out' scheme the government put in place for August but this establishment decided not to go ahead and register their establishment. The meals were good although a tad pricey. Seems the days are gone when one could get a decent pub meal for under a tenner. Having booked the table for 6pm we were the last to leave the restaurant at 10.30pm! Well, there was a lot of catching up to do as we hadn't seen each other for nearly 2 years. It was a glance from the waitress lurking nearby compelling us to ask if we should leave to which her reply was "yes, it is about time you made your way home"!

Friday 28th

Nappy pins were unhooked from the cladding, ropes pulled through and about to leave when we were inundated by wasps! Where had they come from? Crikey the boat behind had loads of wasps flying around the cratch. Managed to get a couple of photos but there were far more than shown here. There must be something that attracted them to this boat.

 

 

Leaving Shackerstone. Sharp left-hander through the bridge so best go slow.

Looking on Google Maps we noticed that Carlton would probably be the best place to see the steam loco on Sunday. Moor by Bridge 44 and short walk on the road to a bridge where the railway viaduct goes over the lane. Had it in mind to give it a trial run on arrival at the mooring today but rain put paid to that. On route, we again saw Al and Del Derwent 6 This time we stopped for a much longer natter. With no wind to take FS all over the place, it was easy to keep FS into the side. In fact if it hadn't been for two boats approaching in the distance we would have been with them a lot longer. We may well cross paths again when we leave the Ashby so let's hope for good weather where we can stop and partake of a glass of wine or two. 

And wildlife,