Joey coming out of the Newbold Tunnel

I’m sitting here in our 58ft canal boat in Abingdon, just out of Oxford and the Church bells are ringing. It is half past four on an early spring day and that magic time for light. Let me paint you a picture. We are moored on the River Thames just outside the medieval city, there is parkland on either side, an ancient bridge nearby and of course, the canal side hotel. Peter is asleep in one of the bedrooms having partaken of a particularly scrumptious roast dinner, there are many walkers passing by, probably walking off their Sunday dinners also. There are some swans and some very cheeky geese that are looking for the remains of Sunday dinner and are constantly honking, or, in the case of the swans, knocking on the side of the boat demanding their share of the Sunday dinner. Met up with my sister and brother-in-law today, who, coincidentally, are also holidaying in the UK. Spoke to my mother this morning on Skype and she remarked that the world was such a small place these days, so true. The boat is just gently rocking. Yesterday we had quite a bit of movement as rowers went past straining to be the first up river. We have just left the canal system of the Oxford Canal and are now on the Thames River, there is a current and, of course, it is much wider than the canals. There are still locks to go through however. The day before yesterday, we were cruising by Port Meadow, the famous playground of Henry VIII of England. The land has never been cultivated and it is the same as it was in his day. There were hares, deer and many water birds and also squirrels and birds. There was lots of raucousness, mating season is in the air – it has been a very cold and long winter, but the blossoms are starting to come out. I have seen many snowdrops, crocuses, and daffodils. All the trees are budding and soon will spring forth with blossoms. Went to an excellent play in Oxford the other day, The Ministry of Fear by Grahame Green, was set in the Blitz of England in WW2 – excellent. Also attended a choral recital and Symphony Orchestra Recital last night, held in an 18^th century church. Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov – acoustics were really stretched because of vaulted ceiling, but still delightful. Probably move on tomorrow, maybe not, see how we feel, don’t really have a fixed agenda. Heading for the Kennet and Avon Canal and then probably down to Bath – a wonderfully ancient architecturally interesting town. Then the plan is to head towards London and stay in “Little Venice” just near Piccadilly. Seems magical, being able to moor right in the middle of a major city and not have to pay anything. Will visit some of the shows, churches and markets. We are completely self-contained in our little floating home. Heating, cooking, entertainment, comfortable bed, even a bath, and most importantly, lots of books. Have met lots of very friendly people on the ‘Cut’ (canal speak for Canal) from all walks of life, but equally enjoying the slow pace of life that goes with ‘messing around in boats’ and changing your outside scenery whenever you feel like it. 24/2 Update – the weather was so pleasant and sunny today we had our luncheon outside on the foredeck of the boat.