Off At Last!

Saturday 13th June, 2015 at Weston-on-Trent.
We're finally off! About three weeks late this year due to committments at home. However, it was absolutely marvellous to be on our way at last.
We both had new boating shoes this season! M had new lock gloves too! She grumbled that the rain would get her nice new shoes muddy at the first lock (which it did!).

After a final breakfast in the Bistro at Aston Marina and saying cheerio to all the lovely staff there, we pulled out of our mooring spot exactly at midday. Our mooring looked rather forlorn without us! The Touran looked on sadly....

It had rained heavily all night and most of the morning, which was a bit dispiriting after weeks of fine weather but we did have a brief dry window for a while as we set off through the bridge at the centre of the Marina. Please note M's new geraniums for 2015 - R's already grizzled that they are too high and he can't see past them!!!

However, by the time that we reached Sandon Lock (sometimes called "Lime Kiln Lock"), the rain had returned. Bother!

Sandon had been our last lock last autumn and was the first of this year - and both times it started to rain as we went through the lock!
The rain continued all afternoon and it was a relief to moor up at Weston, where we had arranged to meet our friends Bridgett and Peter who live in a gorgeous house next to the canal. We met them last year when we moored beside their beautiful garden and have been exchanging visits ever since.

We hung up our waterproofs to drip dry in the shower, made a cup of tea and admired the antics of a Jenny Wren in the hedge. Bridgett later told us that they have two pairs nesting in the garden and lots of chicks.
A tap at the window turned out to be Bridgett and we invited them in for tea and cake. It was so good to see them again!
At 7pm, they joined us for dinner on board and we had a most enjoyable evening together. Champagne, white wine and even a dessert wine! A very pleasant way to end the first day of our cruise. May there be many more like this!
Today: 5 miles, 1 lock and 2.2 hours.