Hail to the Hive!

Like all good journeys they start with a beer and a vague idea. This is no different. We actually weren’t planning on leaving for a few days as we were under the impression some of the canal locks were closed for maintenance until the 22nd and it was the 19th March.

This changed while I was admiring the view and having a beer (as you do) and another boat pulled up and tied up close by. I chatted to the couple and they informed me that they’d just come through those very same locks and they were now open for business, wa hayyyy!

Hmmm sip beer make a plan.

So the decision was made before the beer was finished to set off the following morning, first thing.

It was a gloeious sunny day, perfect for cruising and even though we were sad to leave beautiful Wales behind, it’s always good to be heading onwards on a new journey.

It’s always a different feeling heading back the way you once journeyed as you view all from a new perspective.

I didn’t notice this creepy manakin garden display before.

A bit weird….

With the weather also being different it all looked completely new. Viewing it from a reverse perspective in glorious sunshine it might as well have all been a new canal to me but it wasn’t.

Ahhh there’s Stumpy the Tree. i did a monomad post on this fella.

This wasn’t like this on our way in either. It seems someone has converted a tree that was sawn down into a show of support for the people of Ukraine. Keeps it in the forefront of our minds even when chugging down the canals. As removed as we are from the everyday there are some things that can’t be escaped and need to be kept an eye on.

Ahhh canal locks. It’s been a while, five weeks in fact since we did any locks and it was these ones. They are finally open.

Very happy it was only the two of them to break us in. Jce and gently on our first day back in the canal wilds!

After about 5 hours we had made good progress. Back in England, way past the locks and in effect 2 days ahead of schedule so time to choose a nice spot for the evening.