TRIP PREP

 

A Day of Rest

 

Today we made it through the Braunston Junction (a fork in the canal) and on to the Grand Union Canal/Oxford Canal.  We both agreed that we needed a day to “re-charge” so found a mooring spot by the hamlet of Willoughby.  It has a population of about 400 and  John Smith of Jamestown fame hailed from here.

We had a chance to connect to the young Hitchcock family and got a run down on the soccer championship games, Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. It was so great to hear their voices. There’s a big election day for Jessica coming this Tuesday. She is running for a seat on the local school Board. The mid-terms nationwide are a nail biter, as well. We want to think positively. 

With our early stop we were able to have a restful afternoon. Floors finally got swept and books got read. That evening around 7 pm we heard a "Pop,pop.pop” sound coming from outside. Outside the window we could see just the tip of some fireworks. There had been a steady stream of boats passing us this afternoon, and we wondered if they were all heading to some kind of celebration.

We finally figured out that it was Guy Fawkes Day. Today, he would probably be considered a terrorist, but he seems to be honored for his bravery and his fight for religious freedom for Catholics under the James l reign.

In the morning we worked on continued revisions of our itinerary. I am concerned about where we will end up on Christmas Day so that we can make reservations for Christmas dinner. We know from experience that during the holidays many establishments are closed and those that offer a holiday meal, fill up fast. Still not certain where we will land on December 25^th.

                                         Yep, it's ccccccold!

This was our day off so took advantage of the lazy morning. We had read about The Rose Pub in town and decided to have lunch there. It was a decent walk and it felt good to move. We were there before the pub opened so had time to stroll the neighborhood streets admiring the craftsmanship of doors, gates, and gables.

                                                           Loved the wall of Pyracantha

When we entered the pub we realized right away it was upscale…a “gastro” we assumed. We were greeted by the owner who immediately informed us that their credit card machine was not working so we would need cash. We had 50 pounds in total and no ATM machine within walking distance. We asked that she help us not exceed that amount.

It was “Roast Beef Sunday” and many families were partaking of the beast. We calculated that we could afford four starter dishes, coffee and a beer. When we saw the plates arriving at tables with the bulbous serving of Yorkshire Pudding, we felt like children whose parents ate all their Halloween candy. We laughed about it with the hostess and moments later a slice of roast beef appeared at our table to sample. How kind was that! 

                                                                  We liked the gate

 We had to walk back to the boat and now it was pouring down rain. We grabbed some free books from the red telephone booth which had been made into a “library” outside the pub and slugged our way back to the boat over a slushy muddy public path through someone’s field. We were drenched and dripping when we finally got home. Because the skies were clear when we left, I had decided to dress up and wear my fancy “sneakers” to lunch.  Big mistake. They ain’t  fancy any more.

When we first entered the pub, the hostess asked, “Are you on the canal?” David in his marine jacket, tilly hat, and mud shoes replied, “How did you guess?” I had at least put on some mascara.

 

 

                            The Rose...getting a new thatched roof