Monday, 26th February
There's been an air of anticipation and expectancy along the moorings this week. Three of the six boats moored here are leaving on Friday, 2nd March: Blue Bird, Sol y Sombra and ourselves. Boats have been washed and polished, brasses are twinkling after their winter dullness, engines have burst in to life as they're tested to make sure they still work after the long winter rest, and boaters are out on the towpath exchanging 'phone numbers and email contacts. The local people who regularly walk along the towpath, with or without dogs, have stopped to talk and say goodbye. It reminds me of that wonderful opening to "Wind in the Willows", with Mole doing his Spring cleaning.
We have packed our freezer to bursting with the excellent meat of Gwyn Roberts the meat, in Llangollen. On Tuesday we went to the winding hole at the end of the navigable canal, and turned, so that we were facing the right way.
We've met so many nice people, both boaters and locals. We've been to Barmouth, Bangor, Rhyl, Chester and Wrexham. The countryside around is so pretty, and we've enjoyed walks, and visits further afield in a hire car. Various friends have been to see us, and we appreciate them coming so far to check us out! We've been to London for the weekend to see "Cirque du Soleil" and to Rhyl to see a wonderful performance by the Fron Male Voice Choir. We've eaten well--of course!--at the homes of friends we have met in Llangollen, on neighbouring boats and in various eating places in town, as well as on our own boat, too! We do cook on board too........
We went to Cherry's seventieth birthday party in Warwick. It was held at the Freemason's Lodge at Guy's Cliffe, and was a very smart do!
The whole three months have been like a holiday and we can't really believe that we're going to have to leave this week. But leave we must, and set off for pastures new and the Summer cruise. I do hope you'll follow our travels this year, and will email me to let me know what you think of the website.