Spring has sprung

Tuesday morning was distinctly cold, so we set out very well wrapped. At least it wasn't raining. The smiles on our faces were widened as we passed the boat with the best name - Jeriatrix! It was a lazy day for me. There were no locks, so I had plenty of time to watch the passing countryside. Spring is in more than just the air. Blackthorn blossom, Marsh Marigolds, daffodils, lambs and calves all displayed under a blue sky and bright sun. I wouldn't have called it warm, though! We made only slow progress because of the large number of moored boats we passed, but we were in no hurry.

We were through Blisworth Tunnel (1¾ miles long) in 25 minutes. Strangely, the sign outside both portals say that that is the average passage time. We've know people take 45 minutes and more, so the fastest must be ballistic! Arriving in sunny Stoke Bruerne, we moored and settled down for a quiet afternoon while the temperature rose.

It was a chilly morning we awoke to, though, but the wharf was beautiful under the bright sun. It really is a lovely place to relax in.

While Grace did some painting I went for a walk. First of all up to the tunnel and across the top of it...

I had intended to walk to the other end of it, along the road that would have been taken by the boat horses back on the day, while their barges were being legged through the tunnel - a 1½  hour job! However, when it joined a main road I couldn't see where it continued on the other side, so I turned back and carried on down the lock flight.

After a couple of pints and a very good lunch at The Boat, we relaxed and enjoyed an afternoon doing very little, but being very content.