Brewood

Tiger Lilly surprised us on today's cruise. In the recent warm dry weather we've been sitting out on the stern with the dogs, encouraging them to become a bit more independent there and settle by themselves. Perhaps this has helped build Tiger's confidence because as we were underway she hopped from Vicky's lap, onto the roof and had a little explore!

Our mooring at Brewood was similar to our last at Wheeton Aston; set within a cutting and arched over by mature trees. We were very grateful for the cooling shade this provided.

Jenny pulled in a couple of boats behind us and Vicky helped her moor up. It's been so nice having her company over the last few weeks and her Lurcher x Malinois Boy, has been really good around Leo, helping him to relax around larger dogs.

The Bridge pub was just 100m along the towpath and a climb up the concrete steps. It was part of a chain but it provided launderette facilities for boaters so we wanted to support it. Things didn't get off to a great start when the bar tender asked Vicky if she wanted ice in her beer, but after we ordered food we became engrossed in playing bar skittles and gin rummy. Our interest eventually waned and we sat waiting for our lunch. The couple sitting nearby were also waiting, playing a trivia game to fend off the boredom. It was at this point the bar tender informed new customers that there was a 40 minute wait for food. When it finally arrived Vicky's salad included the onions she'd asked to be left off and the dribble of quinoa tasted inexplicably of curry. Will's burger wasn't great and neither were cheap. Let's hope our next pub lunch is better!

Back down at the canal we sat at a picnic bench with Jenny, chatting to her neighbour. Jenny made fender ties and Vicky crocheted her little blanket of scrap yarn. The 4 humans and 3 dogs were very relaxed until a couple came along and the woman bent to say hello to Leo. The next we knew she was scooping him up in her arms! Jenny joined us in a startled warning that he bites! Thankfully Leo seemed overcome with amazement that someone would pick him up that he just sat there stunned until he could be transferred to Vicky's arms. The woman wasn't flustered or remorseful and seemed convinced that Leo wouldn't have bitten her because he was just such a sweetie. Her partner seemed rather embarrassed, trying to convey that he kept telling her not to do things like this. She flounced off down the towpath leaving us flabbergasted.

Well done Leo, you coped a lot better than the rest of us!

On the Friday, we enjoyed Jenny and Boy's company for Pizza Friday (the third on the trot). That night, Leo woke Vicky up at stupid o'clock, as per usual. She'd seen that there was a chance of seeing the aurora borealis so peaked out the porthole without expecting much. When she saw stars in the sky she thought it was worth going out on the stern. The sky seemed a little different so she set the phone camera on a long exposure, then rushed in to show a sleepy Will. Is this pinky colour the aurora?

We couldn't see anything specific with our eyes but Vicky set off for a night photography session and was pleased to get a few nice shots.Read more