中国新年快乐

Isn't he lovely!

Annie looks coolie in her blue Chinese shirt

Loy rooks Loyish

Impersonation of a lampshade

 And a very Happy Chinese New Year it was. We feasted well  with Annie and Roy and Carrie and Mac aboard Independence. 


Ady was meant to be there but his  bad back prevented his attendance which was a shame cos though I say it myself the grub was excellent. Mac kindly prepared sushi which was tickety boo* and a first for some of us.
(* from the Hindi phrase Tikai Babu meaning "all right sir.")

 

 

Additionally there was prawn toast, spring rolls and prawn wonton. This was followed by Prawn and Ginger stir fry, Chicken and Oyster Mushroom in Oyster sauce and Salmon glazed in Honey and Soy Sauce all devoured with egg rice by Roy and Lychees by Annie. A moderate amount of sparkling Rose and Chinese beer helped the evening along nicely. Annie's mum, Catherine, had kindly sent some Chinese paintings she had done for us to choose which added nicely to the evening.There are some clever people around-I'm not one of them.

All accompanied by fireworks. Such fun!

 

Mac's Sushi served with Dark Soy or Wasabi

A few Chinese Lanterns make Independence look suitably Oriental

Ready for the off with stainless steel chop sticks in abundance

All looks very homely

Carrie, as always, knows when the camera is out

Chinese paintings for all. Mac complained that his full luscious form was obscured by somebody so we had to do it again

My two paintings. Not sure how to frame but will ask my man in Berko market who has a doctorate in frameology.

That's better

More Fireworks!

Sunday, 2nd February and it's not raining! In fact it is a lovely day. The daffodils are pushing their little heads out and we have a new visitor.
This young swan has taken up residence at Cowroast and like generations of swans before has taken special interest in the area by the entrance gate which up until a couple of years bach had to be fenced off to allow nesting whilst letting the moorers gain access

Sunday was the first day for ages when it didn't rain and Pam and I were able to go for a walk in Ashridge-quite soggy in places but most enjoyable.

We met a hippo!

and saw some marvelous moss

and got a little lost

and had some chocolate

  All very enjoyable followed by a roast duck dinner.

Monday and it's back with a vengeance-the rain and the wind are persistent. The boat rocks  and the trees sway. The towpath is unusable in many places and the walking boots are losing the will to live.The forecast is unpromising especially in the west of the Country which is where I am headed tomorrow. Deep joy.

To Devizes to look at boats. Ady has taken leave of his senses and is thinking of buying one. The drive down is very wet and windy with lots of incidents on the M3. Across Salisbury Plain was more like the Lake District and the River Kennet was in full spate. Ady looked at 4 boats and at least has some idea of what his money will buy.

Oooh look, Miranda, Lunch!

Don't do it Ady-buy a caravan

To Bradford on Avon for the night. We are booked into the Swan Hotel which is very good value for money with an excellent salmon and scrambled eggs for breakfast. Superb. Unfortunately the cellar had recently been flooded (can't think why) and the beer was off but we found the Dandy Lion opposite were able to meeet our needs. This is Wadsworth Country and the 6X was very good. All 36Xs of it.

The river at Bradford on Avon-not a lot of space left

The Swan Hotel, Bradford on Avon-good hotel, lovely town

A wet drive home plus I got flashed by a camera doing in a 30 zone-bugger-in Aldermarston. 

Wont go there again.

 

 

 

 

In full spate it heads off to Bristol

 

 

 

 

 

  Back at Cowroast the weather gets very nasty with torrential rain throughout the night. In the morning the field behind the moorings has filled up nicely as has the canal

The opposite bank

The new Cowroast Lido

Snowdrops!! Great to see.

Cowroast Lock approach-brimful

The pound is so high the water is over-topping the marina slipway and running down the road to Berkhamsted

Ooo er never seen that happen on the Summit before

Reports are coming in that navigation has been stopped between Marsworth and Stoke Bruerne and that the road to Leighton Buzzard is closed due to flooding. Two years ago the Tring Summit was closed in the Winter and Spring for want of water-that'll teach us to complain

Some respite on Saturday (8th) morning but wind and rain forecast. Perhaps the weather will hold off long enough for a walk somewhere dry but before that I might as well publish this soggyblog