And it even has little people!

 Wednesday 20th

This was the very last early morning wake-up call by Toffee nudging Ian awake. For Ian, it may be a blessing, no more getting up at 6 am to take her out. Now, no feeling sorry for him because I hadn't got away with just lying in bed and going back to sleep either, no, I was tasked with the tea making. Gosh, it will feel strange tomorrow with Ian not having to get up. On a positive note, though, I get to have my tea maker back!

So what to do today. Ian spent a part of it trying to get the horn to work properly. Started sounding like a strangled cat, it did, doubt if many boaters would have heard us coming if we did have to give a warning blast. For me, it was hovering, trying to get rid of the tumbleweed. Forgot just how much dog hair is shed, although I should have remembered because, even though Jade has been gone for 8 years, I still find the odd black woofit hair hiding under the fridge!

Ian gave me a shout late morning. "Quick bring your camera"  Doing as I was told I thought it was for a wildlife photo but no, was this the smallest craft on the water? 

 

"It's a liveaboard boat," said the owner. "Has little people residing on it!"  What fun, it's certainly a talking point, I thought, a real conversation starter.

Another long walk planned for Toffee, the very last one, and we wanted to enjoy the last moments of her stay, so we walked to the turnover bridge and up to a wild flower meadow. It was full of Cow slips and butterflies, although watching them fluttering about and not settling was very frustrating. I did manage an Orange Tip though. 

 Tunnel Bridge could be seen from the meadow, and Ian was that determined to try and get onto it that he even made his way through a wall of briars, getting hooked up in the process, to get there!

Through the hedge he went.

Ian's phone photos.

Ian has this great app on his phone to identify plants. Hold it near to the plant, take a photo, and the app does the rest. For anyone interested, it's free and called Candide. It even does fungi! Give it a go. I'm sure you will like it.

Turkey tail mushroom

Stinky Hellebore

 

 A table was booked for 7 pm at the Wharf Inn but as usual Colin, Iwona and grandkids arrived late. We were already waiting at the car park when they eventually drove in. OMG, Toffee went crazy as soon as she saw the car, beside herself with joy. Hmm, a bit peeved about that 'cos I would have thought she would prefer to stay with us! Anyway, we had a fab meal and finally waved them all goodbye by 21.30. Life now goes on without a woofit again. If only the rescue centres would let us rehome one of their dogs. We don't qualify you see, all because we live on a boat and don't have a secure garden!

And wildlife today