A black rose before we leave

The wind had abated by Sunday morning, so we were able to burn the Bubble stove to warm us against the lower temperature. It was a day of rest and relaxation, chilling in a warm and cosy sort of way. We found a well-reviewed pub on Google Maps, The Old Millwright Arms about a mile away, and we enjoyed an excellent roast lamb Sunday lunch there. I discovered Mad Squirrel, a local porter that went down very well alongside my roast! We were surprised that this very pleasant pub had so few customers while we were there. It really deserves more.

I went to the bar to settle up, and walked away reading the bill and frowning. I'd been seriously undercharged. I went back to the barman and told him - he'd missed off our drinks. He was very thankful, of course, and produced the additional bill. While I was waiting, a man who had been sitting alone at the bar since we'd walked in leaned across to me and presented me with a rose that he'd made out of a black paper napkin.

"Please give this to your lady," he smiled, "in honour of your honesty." I was bowled over! What a lovely, strange thing for a total stranger to do! We left with big smiles on our faces.

Unfortunately, being all black, the rose isn't very photogenic, but it's lovely.

Monday's weather was rather better than when we'd arrived in Aylesbury. It was very cold, but brighter and drier, and the wind was still on hold. As we started off back up the canal it became clear that my first impression of the arm had been marred by the wetter, colder conditions we'd had on our journey down three days previously. Locks on Monday were generally more friendly, there was less mud and fewer puddles. There was no rush to get to the top of the arm such as we'd been forced into on Friday; we'd identified a good place to moor overnight, and we tied up there mid-afternoon, just above Puttenham Locks.

I had a look at the defunct bowthruster motor. There is a red lead dangling from it, but we have no idea where it should be connected. It'll have to wait for an expert to see it. We don't have to have a bowthruster, we can do without it, but it is very useful, and Grace has become accustomed to it over the years. Her hand automatically goes to the control when it's needed.

But no way will it spoil our enjoyment. No way!