Decision made

Having mentioned yesteday how different places look when you see them from the road as opposed to the water, today I've driven past a whole host of canal landmarks: Buckby Wharf, Weedon, and Stoke Bruerne locks for example.  The only one that was convenient to stop by was the mill at Blisworth.

Not far away was a field of sheep, where one of the ewes had given birth just a few moments before.  One of her two lambs seemed very eager to get to its feet; the other looked unimpressed by its entry to the world, in spite of mum's encouragement.

The purpose of all the driving about was to arrange a new mooring for this year.  After a lot of consideration, we have booked a berth at Thrupp Wharf Marina at Cosgrove on the Grand Union.  We're moving purely for a change of scenery.  There's nothing wrong with Brinklow, and we've been very happy here since we bought Briar Rose nearly a year ago.  But we have spent a lot of time in this area: Debdale was based a Stockton Top for the first couple of years we had a share, and before that we'd hired twice from Kate Boats in Warwick.  All that means that we've done the North Oxford and Braunston many many times and could do with a change.

Back at Briar Rose this afternoon, I've washed the floor of the cratch and hoovered through the boat.  It's turned into a beautiful sunny afternoon, although it's been very windy - there have been waves on the marina.  I'll need an early night tonight, because I've got a very early shift in London tomorrow morning.