Hat of 9 lives

Yet another sunny day, cool in the wind, hot out of it. I now have suntanned feet and legs. We passed very close to Watford Gap services. So close, we could smell McDonalds. It was difficult to ascertain if the Watford Gap weather phenomena actually occurred today as our speed of travel made any contrast very gradual. The Grand Union Leicester arm is very scenic, wide and easy to navigate. Watford staircase locks proved less daunting than expected thanks to the help of a friendly lock keeper. We were raised 410 feet. Lynne took us through Crick tunnel (1 mile) , even passing a boat coming the opposite way, without incident. The tunnel is dry one end but extremely leaky the other, causing lots of crew movement. My baseball hat got blown into the canal twice. Lynne rescued it first via the back of someone else's boat and Margaret fished it out from the bank second time around. 2 quick rinses in clean water,drip drying from the tiller and it looks as good as new. TARDIS Two received a wash this evening. As evidence of my renewed health and confidence I washed the roof whilst standing on it (with life-jacket of course). She looks pristine now. The mop handle ended in the canal but was easy to retrieve.I think we are around 25 miles from Leicester.  the loin-cloth man yesterday was also wearing a cowboy-type hat and Jesus sandals apparently but both Lynne and Margaret confirm the loin-cloth was his only body clothing when observed from side-view.I think I left my loin-cloth at home before the holiday and have no hope of buying one from a canal chandlery, so it will have to wait till our next trip. It will feature in a future blog.

We are still on-target for getting back to Stensen prior to our car trip to London for a 40th birthday bash Saturday evening. No rushing in our new life.