Day 7 Wednesday

Wednesday

Rise and Shine it's 0440 and the alarms just gone off. After our usual light breakfast we set off toward Froghall initially for there was a need to turn the boat around. Half an hour later we slowly passed The Black Lion and agreed this is a fantastic part of the world. It's isn't just the pub and the grub, it's the entire area. So much more to see. Will we be back next year? Hope so

Rolling countryside seeming at every turn

Trev at the Hazelhurst flight
Dave had gone ahead to set the next lock

Leaving Hazelhurst. It's still early morning and not a bad  day

 We had considered a stop at Endon and then decided to just keep on plodding along. It was certainly turning into a nice day. A pleasure to be quietly moving along at around walking pace and just taking it all in. The kettle was on the go of course and there was always a cup of tea or coffee to be had

We are reliably informed that these are Canada Geese

Think this is one of the pounds at Stockton Brook

This is bridge No 23 well out in the wilds
Trev told us how many turns of the windlass it took to open this bridge
can't remember the figure

We moored close to bridge No 21 close to the village of Norton Green and near Engine Lock for a spot of lunch and a couple of hours fishing. All in all a peaceful day so far and the rain that had been forecast stayed away

Milton

Setting off we arrived at Milton and decided this would be our overnight stop. Just needed to moor up and that would be that. Oh Dear!!! Where are the mooring hooks? Then it dawned on us, we had untied the boat at the last mooring and forgot to lift the hooks from the piling. Which two idiots can we blame that on. That would be Malc and Trev. Nothing for it but to go for a walk and try to find them. Dave offered to go whilst Trev and Malc moored up using the steel pins, not ideal but little choice under the circumstances. It would be about a half hour walk. Trev and Malc pondered the futility of it all, after all the grass was fairly long and overhanging the canal so how would Dave spot even one of them. It was not too long before Dave appeared in view hands behind his back, then we heard a bit of a clank as the two hooks banged together. fair play to Dave he found them alright and all ended well

We had already planned to visit the excellent Fish & Chip shop for tea (we tried it last year so we knew it would be good). With this in mind Dave and Malc set off to check out the opening times and also to take a look around Milton and all it has to offer. Good thing we checked the Chip Shop, for there is a notice in the window explaining it's closed at the present time for refurbishment and will be opening soon under new ownership. A bit disappointing so we crossed over to have a look at the menu and opening times of the Indian Restaurant. That was disappointing as well for there was no menu on display nor any indication of the opening hours. Not a problem as there was plenty of food on the boat

Another blood curdling episode of Spartacus on the DVD  a light supper and an early night for we were to set off for Stone next day. And so to bed..................