Tuesday 21st August 2018



Having done the starboard side a few days ago, we were moored port side too, so an ideal opportunity to wash, wax, polish and paint the port side.

The washing, waxing and polishing was done, then breakfast, then blackening of the hull to the top rubbing strake.

By this time the kids were thoroughly fed up so we walked into Great Haywood, picked up the post and shopping in the local Spar. We then called into the farm shop beside the canal, bought some lovely looking meat and had coffee and cake.

Back at the boat the painting from top rubbing strake to gunwhale was done and then we went for another walk up to Tixall Wide and to the lock.  

We had planned to walk to see Tixall Gatehouse, but Eva was complaining of her feet, it turns out she has a verruca which will need treating.  



In the meantime, Tixall Gatehouse was out which was unfortunate. The gatehouse can be seen from the canal and it just calls to be explored.

It is all that remains of Tixall Hall which was built about 1555 replacing a Medieval Manor. The Gatehouse was added about 1580. The manor was demolished in 1927 but the gatehouse remains.

The Gatehouse is now available for self-catering holidays.



The weather, after months of being hot and dry, had been overcast with the odd spells of rain for a couple of weeks now. However, today was hot again. Harvey was suffering on the second walk and kept on trying to leap onto other people’s boats. He was so funny.

Fishing score: Manny 8; Eva 9; Grandad 2.








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