Crispy morning again.

The boats of the 3 amigos from r-l Oakfield, Tranquility and Piston Broke

Last evening Betty, Graham, Bottle and Wozie came aboard for a cuppa and Boat Cake. Wozie came bearing gifts a lovely ginger cake she had made that afternoon. No way was I sharing that one!!. We spent a very pleasant few hours chatting, comparing journeys and generally having a good time. Paul finally asked the men if they would like a beer, well I had to raise my eyebrows as it isn't often Paul gets into his drinks cellar. This gave me the opportunity to get out the rose wine not that I needed any prompting. Dogs were a bit put out as I had shut them in the bedroom but I had visions of cups and glasses being knocked off the table by Crystals tail, not only that but everyone gets covered in dog hairs. Paul was winding Graham up Graham was winding Paul up and poor Keith was caught in the middle but he soon got into the swing of the wind up game. Us girls, well we bemoaned the fact that we had all planned to go on diets and there we were eating boat cake and drinking wine not at the same time I hasten to add. Still there's always another day. And I have a ginger cake to eat!!!!

This morning yet again we awoke to ice and the field opposite white with frost which has stayed all day it is that cold. Coal boat Towester came through heading north just as we got off the boat and she was really struggling against the ice we found out that 20 mins later she reversed back as she couldn't get through We had decided to take the dogs for a nice walk and as we needed to go to the Wharf house chandlery made that our first stop. Paul was after an oil filter but the chandlery didn't have any and they were expensive, so it was a quick call to Graham who was in Daventry to see if he could get one from either Halfords or the motor shop in town. 10 mins later he called from the motor shop, they have ordered 3 for Paul, will be in Wednesday at half the price. When we got up to the village met Keith and Anne heading for the canal quick chat and we went our separate ways.

Paul and I came back on the road at the rear of the church and this is the view from that angle. Pretty eh!

Just sitting down to lunch when another boat chugged past half hour later they reversed back saying it was too dangerous to continue why people even attempt to move in these icy conditions is beyond me. Looks like we are going to be here for a bit longer yet as the ice is at least an inch or so thick. Canal has now refrozen and where the plates of ice have doubled up it is now getting on for 3 inches thick and it's only 4pm.