At Last.......

... we had a day that we didn't have to wear a coat!   The wind had gone, there was a slight chill in the early morning air (10.30 am) but apart from that is was a glorious day to go boating.

We passed this boat - it has so many fenders around it, I think he is afraid of someone bumping into it and detonating the gas cylinders!


If it did blow up it would improve its aesthetics!

Elaine once again did lot of walking with the boys....you can just about see her in this pic ...

Another nice bomb proof pram hood ...

Nice eh?!

We were held up at Crabtree swing bridge for 45 mins 'cos it wouldn't open.  We rang C&RT then had a beer and some of Leonie's caramel slice whilst sitting in the warm sunshine.

We were off again followed by NB Firefly NZ ...

We stopped at Burscough Bridge to empty the nasties and fill with water ...

It was now time to bid farewell to Ray and Leonie ...

... as they were turning left and going up the Rufford branch.  It was great to have met you guys, pretty sure we will see you around on the cut sometime.

Next we passed the prototype of  Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki 2 ...

Really loved this house and garden....just perfick ...

It really is greening up now ...

 

We have moored tonight at Appley Lock - we reversed down the disused lock arm.  I reckon this is one of the nicest moorings we have stopped at over the last year ... the pic just doesn't do it justice, we are on our own and it is just glorious.

Elaine has been out picking nettles and has put them all in the life ring!
I am sure she will explain...

(El here ... I have left the nettle tops out there so that the little bugs have a chance to escape before I make nettle soup tomorrow!)

Lastly I got the factor 30 on a bit late and have burnt the top of my turret!