Waverton

Will had a serious case of 'itchy tiller' (don't worry, it's easily cured!) A move was what he needed, so on the first dry(ish) day after his birthday we cast off Rainboat's mooring ropes, cranked up the engine and set sail for some fresh scenes. There were five locks to get through, but happily Vicky was feeling good so she took Leo in a doggy backpack with his hot water bottle and Tiger on foot and was able to work us through all five. We cruised until the light began to fade and moored between farmland and some back gardens at Waverton.

Will spotted the perfect place where a mature hedge made a T junction between two fields and the towpath. Mr Whiskers was overjoyed to get outside, although it was still a little busier than was ideal for him with all the weekend dog walkers.

The next day was cool but dry and we all enjoyed dog walking somewhere new. Will caught up with composting and Vicky spent an hour on the stern doing the Big Garden Bird Watch. She'd been too poorly this time last year so it was extra special to be able to do it this time round. The results may have been skewed somewhat by Mr Whiskers' insistence on sitting on her lap but she spotted:

4 Mallards
5 House sparrows
2 Robins
2 Starlings
2 Wood Pigeons
2 Black Headed Gulls
1 Blue Tit
1 Dunnock
1 Great Tit

Evening brought a Burns Night supper and also the fuel boat. Will put the haggii on hold while they filled Rainboat's tank with diesel, then we settled down, toasted all things Scottish with a nip of whisky and tucked in 😋Read more