Market Bosworth Nov. 16
Yesterday, we decided to remain docked near
Ambion Wood. We spent the day listening
to buckets of rain pour down outside our cozy, warm boat. It was a
welcome treat to have a “down” day with no plans but to relax.
We shoved off around 8 am the next morning
with the sunshine that alluded us on our walk in the woods. It didn’t take long until the grey skies dominated
once again, but for a brief shining moment, the scene was golden.
We had only a short hour and a half of boating today. We weren’t sure how far we would end up going. We stopped for water and discovered a mooring spot just next to the blocked off water pump area. We thought we would grab it. I had stepped off the boat with the mid-line to hold the boat to shore when I heard David shout, “The cap! The cap!” I turned to him and said, “What cap?” Then I heard a “plop”. The cap on the flue was knocked off by my line and was floating in the canal. I managed to grab it on my second try.
The Ashby Canal is a finger off the Oxford
Canal, and we had planned to boat up to the terminus and then head back down exploring
stops we missed on our trip up. Other
boaters stopping for water next to us told David that there wasn’t much to see
at all at Snarestone at the end of the line. They recommended after visiting
Market Bosworth that we just head back down. They also mentioned a pub in town for
us to check out and the wife commented that the shops were too “posh”.
We relaxed for about an hour before taking
the long walk into town. We passed through lovely neighborhoods before reaching
the town center. On a busy corner in the town there was an outdoor market with
booths of baked goods, vegetables and chesses. Of course, we were immediately
drawn to it, and we strolled right over.
The “cheese lady” was graciously offering samples and was so knowledgeable about her selections. We always like to ask for local goods and she had several to share. And what a coincidence to find out that she had lived in Australia for 8 years just northeast of Gympie where I lived for a short time. We both remember those gorgeous beaches fondly (as well as the hunky lifeguards).
Nibbles and Cheddar
People often will recognize our accent and
ask what part of the states we are from. More than likely, they have children working
or going to school in the US or they themselves have traveled or worked there.
Two people came up to the cheese booth and shared their US stories with us.
Most are surprised that we chose to be on a canal boat for the winter when we
are from the sunny state of California.
On the news this morning we heard that the
UK inflation rate is up to 11.1%. This is the highest jump in 40 years. Their
rate is about 4 points higher than the U.S. and yet we do not find the food
prices unreasonable. A hearty pub meal
for two plus a pint and a glass of wine will run us about $34. What is more expensive is diesel fuel, but we
expected that to be the case.
The canal system in England has been a wonder since the 1700’s. With the invention of the canal boat the use for transport was of great importance to industry especially around the Industrial Revolution. Today the roaming canal folk who live on these narrow waterways are quite a culture to encounter.
From what we see, they are no nonsense, independent
“Bargees” whose lives, although challenging must be quite colorful, as well. We
pass by many Boats “rode hard and put away wet” and we marvel at the fortitude of
their owners and the freedom those boats must provide. They are a form of self-expression as wounded
vessels emanating a sense of fun and irreverence.
We are having a bit of trouble with our
mini fridge. David took out some eggs and carrots yesterday that were frozen. We don’t grocery shop much because we aren’t
cooking every day. I can tell that David
misses cooking. He whipped up a soup this afternoon just because he said, "it’s soup
weather".
David picked up two 45-pound bags of coal
today. We have already burned about 80 pounds of coal. When it gets going, it does take the chill
off. It puts out a subtle glow instead of the dancing flames from wood fires.
Not sure being moored by the water pumps is
the best idea. A boat that we recognized as being from the same marina as ours,
just stopped to fill their water tank and when leaving they rammed into our
bow. It shook the entire boat. As they cruised by, the wife looked through the
window at me and mouthed, “Sorry!” Stuff happens here on the canal.
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