Mines, buzzing and a reader

A very short cruise today with us stopping on the 48 hour moorings at Limekiln Bridge on the southern outskirts of Hinkley.  I walked most of this towpath yesterday evening and it was during this period I noticed the bridges had been built for a broad canal.

As we passed a line of moored boats during today’s cruise Jan noticed the mine in the water between a couple of them. 

Fortunately we didn’t hit it!

We hadn’t been moored very long when we were buzzed by a yellow gyrocopter.  Not sure if the pilot was interested in us or the adjacent Limekiln pub?

Jan happened to notice a passing boat which she recognized.  In her excitement she failed to take a photo so there was a mad rush to grab the camera and dash to the stern for a distant photo.

Probably heading for a wash and polish appointment with Paul!

After lunch I walked into the Hinkley Sainsbury’s superstore for a few essentials before returning to the boat late in the afternoon where I decided to give the boat poles their final coat of paint.  Jan subsequently informed me I’d done it too late in the day; the paint wouldn’t dry; and the evening insects would stick to the wet paint.  I hate it when she is right!  But then she might not be right….

I had just finished cleaning up and was resting my back when there was a knock on the boat.  It was blog reader Caroline <?> (poor hearing and old age means I might have got that wrong as well).  She and Martin <?> (told you I was bad with names) were moored on the other side of the bridge in their new narrowboat (nb Sonia Louise) .  We had a very pleasant conversation which I continued later in the early evening when I went to record the exact location of the moorings on the gps. 

There’s something particularly nice about a new boat looking clean and fresh

An interesting square stern which apparently provides more room.  Sonia Louise was built by Bluewater Boats.

A very sociable looking stern layout.

It will probably be another short hop tomorrow and some further painting.