Since we have been back we caught up with Diane and Peter also we went to meet Linda and Peter from New York.
To meet Linda and Peter we caught the train from Milton Keynes stopping off on the way back to admire the winter wonderland set up in the MK Centre.

We have been back to Essex for a couple of weeks for Sacha's and Ray's birthdays and catching with people before the Christmas rush.

Jackie and John bought sparklers to use in Blisworth Tunnel but as the warning states no naked flames in the tunnel we thought it might be a bit dodgy.
So as tonight is the last night of our Milton Keynes trip we have used them today.

Winter moorings booked and we are just a couple of days from completing this years trips.
Hearing the forecast it looks that we are just in time as the weather takes a turn for the worse.

We have come up Stoke Bruerne locks today to save time we strapped the two boats together.
It was a good job we did as the last lock from the top took three people to open because of the amount of water in the top pound.

The last couple of days we have spent at Cosgrove, the forecast was poor for yesterday so we decided to stay put but it turned out to be a sunny day.

 Left Fenny Stratford this morning leaving John and Jackie whilst they watered up so that we could diesel up at the marina.
We waited for John and Jackie further along the cut and as they approached we set off after some canoes past us, but it soon became clear that we were in the middle of a canoe race.

In the Autumn years of our cruising for this year, it is great to see the Autumn colours in the tree's in Campbell Park.

We are now at Campbell Park where we have had a three hour walk to find the C.A.R.T. office and Maplins.
Milton Keynes is not the place to find your way around in the dark.

We have moved off from Stoke Bruerne, a boater in front of us had a lucky escape as their boat got caught and was on the verge of rolling over prior to the lock being refilled.
We then got caught in heavy rain prompting us to moor on the first pilings we saw, only for the sun to come out as we finished tying up.

Yesterday we moved on to Stoke Bruerne passing through Blisworth Tunnel and as it was Halloween Jackie dressed the part and we supplied the eerie sounds whilst in the tunnel.
The trip was completed by having Halloween cakes on Jackie and Johns boat.

We missed the worst of the storm so now we have started our trip to Milton Keynes with Jackie and John on Baba O Reilly.
The bottom picture shows the sunset at Gayton Marina where The Maisibert was put into the canal.

We also had chance to catch up with some of Hilary's family before we returned to the boat to prepare for the big storm.

We have just spent a couple of weeks in Braintree and had a chance to catch up with cousin Brian who I have not seen for many years.
Whilst back we celebrated Maisie's third birthday by having a party organised by Mum and Dad.

As this summer trip comes to an end the last few weeks have been spent getting ready for next summer.
We have fitted a bilge fan to cool the engine box, fitted fans to cool the inverter cupboard and made panels for the cratch board.

Today was Hilary's birthday and the pub at Braunston helped us to celebrate.
Jackie one and Jackie two with John and Nick celebrated with us as well.

Last night Ginny cooked us a lovely meal and tonight was a social evening on our boat tasting the homemade wine.

Thursday we had a an eight hour journey after leaving Atherstone to meet up with Ginny and Bill off Wilver.
Once again the computer fails to allow me to update the blog.

Last night we moored just outside of Polesworth, today we moved on to Atherstone  mooring half way up the flight of locks.
Today they were trying to clear the weeds from one of the side pounds and were having problems because of the number of boats using the locks.

On Thursday we moved on to Fazeley Junction where we met Wendy and Rob for a Chinese meal Friday night.
It also gave us the chance to paint the gunwales and start the modification to the cratch board.

Cassie has had a wash and brush up in Alrewas today.
Tomorrow we leave Scooby and head off down the Coventry Canal.

Monday we cooked tea for Rita and Scooby as Rita was flying off to Canada to be with her son who is having an operation

Saturday night was curry night cooked by Rita.
Paul joined us for a great evening.

Just before Judy and Graeme arrived we managed to visit the The National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, the site covers 150acres so we took train around about three quarters of the site.

Sorry for the delay in posting I have the return of cellulitis in the right leg.
Last weekend  Judy and Graeme with Connor pictured below