R's Birthday and Back to MM.

Wednesday 5th September 2018 in Newbury.
We had a wonderful weekend back at home including a get-together with M's "other family" (all her old choir friends), as well as with all the children and grand-children. R even had a long conversation with David on his birthday, making it perfect!. We arrived back at Newbury today, on R's birthday. MM was a welcome sight and we were again pleased to see "Silent Waters" next to her.

Manoevering out of the marina, MM picked up something on her propellor, but we kept going the short distance back to the centre of Newbury, where we arrived next to Victoria Park just as another boat was leaving - so we ended up with a lovely mooring right next to the park.

 

R then went down the weed hatch (his favourite job - not!) but, luckily, whatever it was had already fallen off.

We had brought all of R's birthday cards with us from home, including this very appropriate one from M.

R made friends with "Benji", a lovely old boy from the boat moored next to us.

As it was R's special day, we decided to go out for dinner in the evening. Walking into the town through the park, we passed this beautiful old bandstand and remembered that, when we were here six years ago, a band was playing in the bandstand surrounded by a very appreciative audience. M thinks all towns should have a bandstand; after all, each town would then have a town band too!

There are many nice restaurants in the pedestrianised centre of Newbury, but we decided to go to one of our favourites - Côte.

And jolly good it was too! Starting off with two Kir Royales, compliments of the restaurant! A lovely way to end R's Birthday.

Today: 1 miles, 1 lock and 0.7 hours.
Trip: 238 miles, 154 locks and 168.6 hours.