Rosehips = syrup and wine

Yesterday's maintenance proved what we had both suspected, one of our batteries has failed. We had noticed that our power was less than it had been previously and it was the obvious cause. Another expense when we find a chandlery.

While Ray fiddled with the batteries and the bilge I did a bit of baking, a bit of crafting and a bit of tidying. I baked shortbread, one of Ray's favourites, I don't normally eat shop bought shortbread but I do eat my homemade. As a consequence it was all gone by bedtime!

More decorations

We made good progress today, the locks were mostly close together so we were able to do our normal routine of me walking on to set the next lock. We also had our first opportunity to test our new tunnel lights which we bought ages ago in Tamworth. They are fantastic, brilliant literally and figuratively, such an improvement on the old one. My only worry is that we might dazzle any incoming boats! Not that that was a problem today, we only met two boats, neither of them in the tunnel.

Like so many days the weather deteriorated as the day went on, after we had gone through Saddington Tunnel we looked for a mooring spot. We found one where there were loads of rosehips and Ray picked enough to make a gallon of wine and about a litre of rosehip syrup. We need to buy a load of sugar be able to do anything with them. So that will have to wait until we reach Market Harborough which will probably be on Tuesday as the weather tomorrow is supposed to be a bit yucky.

Our two little boys, 12 days old

The kittens are growing fast and now have their eyes just about open, we have established that they are both boys.

Today' s journey 4 miles, 5 locks and 1 tunnel

So far this year we have travelled 793.2 miles, 635 locks,  50 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 28 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1994.9 miles, 1721 locks, 106 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 68 tunnels