After Christmas shopping in Fenny Stratford which meant we did not leave until 3.30pm.
But the upside was that I have used the nav. lights in anger and cruised in the dark.

Whilst we were moored at Milton Keynes Caroline and James took the opportunity to make a visit

We took the last mooring place at Campbells Park in Milton Keynes only to find that large firework display was to take place.
Cassie enjoyed an hour of barking at the fireworks.

The view as we leave Cosgrove lock and once again the autumn colours in the tree's.

Like a scene from the Hitchcock film The Birds the gulls just seemed to be waiting for us.

Yesterday we started our way to Milton Keynes taking in the autumn colours in tree's as we travel.

After a week back on The Maisibert we returned to Essex to go to Madisons first birthday party at Claire's new flat.
This started the week where we worked on Hilary's house with the help of brother Ray and niece Sacha.

We cruised to Newark on Trent and returned along the river Trent leaving Diane and Peter at the Trent Junction.
On the return trip the leg took a turn for the worse and we had to return to Braintree for medical attention, this has meant that we only returned to The Maisibert this Saturday.

Whilst cruising we encountered the tail end of a hurricane from America which battered us nearly the whole duration of the trip.
Whilst trying to moor I managed to graze my shin.

At the beginning of September we cruised with Diane and Peter on Plan B and we used Penny and Mic's boat Intrepid.

As the day draws to a close we have had a couple long days of cruising to get back on to the Grand Union.
The Oxford was short of water in places but we hit the lock restrictions just at the right times

We spent our last night on the Thames in Abingdon known as the Queen of the Thames.
I must admit it did not disappoint, we are now sitting on the Oxford at Thrupp.

We have enjoyed the trip on the Thames but the poor quality of moorings and services has meant that we have had a few long days cruising.
But we have seen some great sunsets.

I have not posted due to poor single, we stayed in Reading whilst the festival was in progress.
We watched the revellers leaving tired and muddied but it sounded like they throughly enjoyed themselves.

Ray left us today but not before slipping on the bank and dunking one leg in the Thames.
Tonight we are moored near the beautiful suspension bridge at Marlow.

Sunset over the Thames as we moored at Cookham.

Today we have cruised past Millionares row with helicopters flying and landing in gardens.

The Queen was in residence as we arrived at Windsor last night but as we arrived at the castle she had just left.

Last night we were moored outside Hampton Court and have moved on to today to Shepperton.

Ray taking us out of Brentford to start our trip up the Thames.

Sunday we leave Paddington Basin to start the return journey back to Weedon for winter,

Saturday brother Ray met us at Paddington Basin and spent the afternoon in Hyde Park.

Friday we had a visit from Hilary's relation Sue and her friend.

We have now travelled up the Lee and Stort back to Paddington Basin and last night Penny from Intrepid joined me in the pub.

The last few days we have been working at Hilary's house but tomorrow we return to cruising and heading for the Thames.

Andy tackling one of the Moorhen's large desserts.

Sue and Andy helped us cruise from Sawbridgeworth to the Moorhen in Harlow.

Whilst we have been in the area we have had a string of visitor's such as Lynda and Dave, Jenni and Mel, Benita and Chris also Trish and Brian.

We were moored at Sawbridgeworth whilst Hilary's property completed.
Pictured is a memorial to young lad who lost his life,so sad.

And what time do you call this?

This weekend we had Claire and grand daughter Madison stay for the weekend.
We managed to fit in visits for all the family to get together.

Mary and Kelly cooked a fantastic meal.

Last night we had a family gathering of Hilary's family when Hilary's father and step mother travelled from Worcester.

One of the obstacles that we had to avoid was a swimmer in the canal at Islington.

On Saturday it was an early start as we planned to reach Waltham Abbey with Julie and Tom on Wine Down.
The only problem was that we got stuck in Tottenham Lock as the lock gates failed to open.

Sadly a body had been found in the canal on Friday and all cruising was stopped.

On Friday brother Phil joined us for the weekend and helped us cruise to Harlow.

Yesterday we had our second trip up the Thames and this time we managed to see the Houses of Parliament before the rain come down.
Thanks to Joe and Kim for being our radio operators for the trip.

We have braved the wind and rain to cruise from Limehouse to Brentford.

Yesterday we travelled to Limehouse cruising through the Shoreditch Festival.

Friday Craig took us out for a meal in a restaurant on the Edgeware Road

Craig taking us out of Little Venice back to Denham Deep Lock.

Last night was BBQ night with Rita and Scooby.

Craig enjoying his visit to Camden Market and just before he ordered his new phone.

Today we have walked through Hyde Park on to Knightsbridge where Craig wanted to visit Harrods.

Craig has now joined us aboard and yesterday we went to Camden Market.

The market was bustling with tourists.

Today we took Maureen who came up to visit us yesterday to the Portobello Market.