Alea Iacta Est!

Sunday 15th September, 2013 at Great Haywood.
There is no mistaking that Autumn is here. As M made the early morning tea, a large cloud of swallows were sweeping round and round in circles above MM. They are ready to fly to sunnier climes and we shan't see them again until next June.
We had decided to walk up to the Bistro for breakfast. Eggs Benedict was our choice and what a delight it was - stylish, elegant and delicious!

A poached egg is a true skill and we sent our "compliments to the chef" via Natalie, the Bistro Manager. Later, we discovered that he had done a "high five" round the kitchen staff as a result! We were getting to like this place a lot.
Another treat followed - a visit to their Farm Shop, crammed with superb local produce. It had been closed when M arrived last night, so this was her first visit and she wandered from counter to counter in admiration. Sadly she had to desist from buying much as we are popping home again tomorrow for a couple of days. She did, however, buy runner beans and French beans, both of which we had for dinner later and they were delicious.
The best bit was yet to come. Over breakfast, the same thought had occurred to both of us. This wonderful marina, with its first-class facilities, was in the most convenient position for the start of next year's cruise, when we hope to set off to the north and do the trans-Pennine routes. But could the marina do the re-blacking and re-painting jobs we needed over the winter? R spent a long time discussing it with the manager, Alex, and soon all was arranged. Hooray! We are thrilled at the prospect of over-wintering in this lovely spot.
Happy in that knowledge, we set off southwards towards Great Haywood. The weather deteriorated over the day and by mid-afternoon it was raining. We have seen a lot of calves being run in herds with their mothers (and often the bull). Having calves "sous la mere" is obviously getting more popular and pleasing to see. This group was unusual though, they included traditional breeds but also long-horns as well.

At one point, M had the best ever view of a kingfisher. She was inside MM and the kingfisher was sitting on a branch only a few feet away as we passed. He didn't fly off, as they usually do, but just sat and watched as we drifted past. The camera, of course, was at the other end of the boat! Bother!
At Sandon Lock, we found a real curiosity. An isolated Lime Kiln that has recently been excavated and was open for just this one day as part of the local heritage weekend.

It has a very fancy architectural front, which is, apparently, unique. This magnificent edifice had most recently been used as a pig-pen. Upper class pigs!

The guide, who showed us around, was very knowledgable and enthusiastic and we even were able to go inside.

Going through a lock, we met up with a family from Israel on a hired boat and helped them through the locks. Ygal and Judith with their two teenage children were delightful but it was only their second day on the boat and they were struggling a bit so they were very pleased to have some help.
At Great Haywood, we helped them to moor up. By this time the excellent farm shop next to the junction was closed, so we gave them some bread, sugar and tea as they were running short.
They came on board MM, and later brought over some Israeli coffee - very like Turkico, the Greek coffee. We told them how much we admired them for doing something so completely different and strange,especially given that English is not their native language.
Today: 8 miles, 3 locks and 3.5 hours.
Trip: 394 miles, 309 locks and 330.3 hours.