Hawkesbury Junction, Coventry Canal

The Greyhound, Hawkesbury Junction or Sutton Stop as it is also known.

Another early start (for some).  I had a lie in.  And we were at the junction by 0915.  A small queue to get through the stop lock and lots of fun with a 70' hire boat coming around the corner and a posh woman in a shiny boat who complained that their bow-thruster had broken.

We were moored up just past the water point by 0930 and await the arrival of the family.  The pub was busy and were given a private room upstairs overlooking the junction.  It was ideal, we could watch the boats manoeuvring the turn and the kids were not in anybody's way.  It was a lovely lunch.  I can understand why everyone has been raving over the food there.

The kids left a three o'clock and we walked back to the boat for an afternoon nap.

This is not a very good photograph of the card, it does not bulge where the string is wrapped around it.  Trust me.

I used a white card blank and cut a piece of duck egg blue, textured card.  I diecut the two feathers from light and darker duck egg blue card and added speckles with inks.  These were stuck to the card with a button and some blue and white bakers twine was wrapped around the topper and tied in a bow through the button. 

The sentiment was made on the computer and says "Happy Mother's Day", but it could say almost anything as this is such a useful type of construction.

Galton Valley, BCN Old Line

Off to the BCNS Bonfire Meet at Galton Valley, just about an hour's run and three locks.  The sun was shining and there were lots of boats there already when we arrived.

Lots of activity on site, erecting marquees etc, but the bonfire building doesn't begin until Saturday morning - just in case someone should get any ideas!

The photograph is taken of the side of a narrowboat called Loves Dream.  Couldn't resist it.

I matted the photo onto white and silver card using deckle edged scissors.

Then I decided it was too plain and added the black and white polka-dot ribbon, tied around the spine in a knot.

Newbury, Kennet and Avon Canal

One of the leaky locks on the K&A.

Left Kintbury at 6.15 and reached Newbury around 9am. We moored up to wait for the shops to open and discovered a Farmers' Market in the market square. Lots of goodies and we spent lots of money there.

Then it was through the lock and on to Bev and Geoffs' Pitstop for a pumpout, diesel and water. They have, kindly, let us moor up here and we have got an electric hook-up for the night, so I got the washing done.

Four cards today. Again the first attempt and "improved" version.



A bought topper, matted onto silver and lilac card and stuck at an angle onto a lilac base card.

I then added a lilac ribbon, tied with a knot, on the left hand side of the card. Finished off with 5 lilac sequins in the right hand corner.

This one began with a light turquoise card. The topper was matted onto silver and white card and stuck down at an angle.

I cut the card up with scallop edged scissors. Using a white card base I wrapped a turquoise dotty ribbon around the front and tied it in a knot fixing the topper over it with sticky fixers.

Then I added three white sequins on the bottom right hand corner.

Oliver Ings Bridge near Nelson

Wow! a whole day when we didn't have any rain. David left at 0530 so we got through the tunnel and were down the Barrowford locks before 0830. A quick shop in Morrisons and then we moored up just before Burnely.

I think that is Pendle Hill in the background of this photo taken today - a well known spot for witches in past times.

My card today is a Celebration card - I used half a candle in the shape of a champagne bottle. Lots of sparkles, shiny paper and velum backed peel-offs. It just needs something to celebrate for a sentiment to be added, and then a box to be made to keep it safe.