Sooo far behind!

I must do better!

Thursday (17th May) and we've got quite a nice view in front of us.

We took a walk back to Cookham Lock to have a word with the lockie.  We've booked a few days on their landing with an electric connection and wanted to see what the set-up was.  We'll bring Still Rockin' down after lunch.

Chris, on fuel boat Merchant was coming up the lock and asked about moorings.  We told him there was one in front of us and by the time we'd walked back there he was all tucked in.

Just after 10 he was on his way upstream to provide his services to boaters

... and we set off for a walk passing the setting up of  Cookham's Let's Rock the Moor festival happening on Saturday night.

Minding our own business we noted that there were a lot of narrowboats moored on the meadows and then saw this one ...

Sue and Vic were supposed to be going to Bourne End but have obviously changed their minds and decided to get here early to ensure a mooring space for the festival.  We hurried up the meadow to help them out putting in their pins on the fairly high bank and stayed for a cuppa and a chat as we always do.

... and then wandered back through Cookham and home

.... which is currently on the visitor moorings on Bell Rope Meadow.

2 o'clock and we've pulled away and no sooner than we're in mid-channel another boat takes our place!  They're all here for the music!

The plan was to descend the lock, wind (turn) at the end of the lock cut and come back up to moor, but all good plans as they say ...

As we exited the lock there was the hotel boat Magna Carta waiting to enter which she did whilst we turned Still Rockin' around ...

and waited for the luxury boat to use the lock ... a tight fit indeed.

Once moored up with the umbilical cord providing us with electricity we started packing our bags for a few days away.

A male Mandarin duck is a sight for sore eyes with his elaborate, vibrant plumage at any time of day.