December 22nd

So cold first thing, there was even ice on the bathroom window, no lingering over a wash this morning then! 

What a magnificent sunrise, glad I was up to see it.

taken at 7.55

And this 10 minutes later

So close to the finishing post now. Just a shop to do in Wolverton and a pharmacy to find for some more Lateral flow tests. 

Wolverton moorings had but one boat, very surprising. Could be something with being overlooked by the flats? Trying to stop FS with just the centre rope was fun. Not easy when the rope was frozen solid!

 

Didn't know Ian could do the Indian rope trick.

 

Now you would think the LF tests would be be an easy thing to get these days but no, seems there is a shortage now, all to do with the government advising folk to have one before seeing friends and family. With a big sign on the Lloyds pharmacy window to say out of stock,  I decided to enquire where we might get the tests and the library was mentioned. How unusual we thought, but willing to give it a go and before heading off to find the library, Ian gave them a ring. My goodness, they did have some available, who would have thought eh! One box given containing 20 tests. That will keep us going for a while.

 

Back on FS and the last 5 miles were full of moored boats. No, I'm not exaggerating. Seems everyone has now stopped for Christmas. The odd time we could get a move on was few and far between. And the wide beams, loads of them, Milton Keynes must be a favourite place of theirs to stop for the holiday. And just as we got up a good head of steam, a boat was met on a bend and moored boats reduced the channel width and a blooming great thick tree branch sticking out on the offside. I had started to head to the left when its bow appeared. Aargh... Full reverse, smoke pouring from the engine and I almost went straight into that tree branch. Phew, I stopped just in time but although the stern was now by the bank, the bow was still well to the right affectively cutting off any chance of that boat  getting past. Got off FS and with the help of the center rope and Ian, got her back. Went to wave that boat past only to see it pull into a gap to moor!

 

By the time we had reached Campbell Wharf Marina it was nearly 2 pm. Ian took FS in, first onto the service pontoon and then saw Heather to fill in the forms. The space allocated was over the other side. Nowhere near the car park, mores the pity. We have so much stuff to take to our sons we had hoped to load his car directly from FS. Now it will be a route march around the marina to where he is to be met. Never mind. I'm sure we can persuade Colin to walk to the boat to carry the heavy stuff (mainly alcohol).

And this taken as it got dark,

 So all that is left is to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. Hope Santa brings you everything on your Christmas wish list.

 

And the last of the wildlife seen today.

Thought it was a Shell duck but I'm wrong. I think it is a hybrid mallard

Not just one Kestrel but two! Both in different trees but very close to each other. Could they be a pair?

First

Second