When we were moored in Leicester Peter and I agreed to go to the  market to purchase items that you would never get in a store and to cook it.
As it turned out Peter had all the spices and ingredients to cook what we bought on the market and I supplied the dessert.
We had a 99% success on the ingredients bought on the market.

Last night we held our first BBQ of our trip.

Yesterday we cruised on to Leicester in the rain as we were afraid with the amount of water the river would go into flood and we would have had to wait until the water receded.

Our 2017 summer trip has begun.

As today was Fathers Day Claire and family also Craig popped in to give me my cards and presents.
Also James and his dog Andy joined Hilary and Myself for a BBQ this afternoon

Its been a busy week this week as the cottage painting was completed, the gap between the garden wall and fence which has been filled with a pile of bricks since Hilary bought the place has been filled with feather edge board.
New gate made and fitted, had to choose a new colour treatment as the Ronseal treatment was not suitable for planed timber.

This weekend we were meant to go to Sue and Dave's but unfortunately Sue's mum was in hospital.
So as the weather was good it was decided to paint the walls of Hilary's cottage with the help of Ray and Sacha.
Although Dave and Sue joined us for some thing to eat on Saturday evening.

On my Birthday on Thursday we had planned for a BBQ but as the weather was not very promising it was a take away indoors at Claire and Darren's.

Wednesday night we had a get together as this may be the last chance before we go off on our summer cruise.
A great night in Prezzo's in Halstead.

Saturday the new solar panel was fitted to the boat, as the panel was too big to fit in our car so Ray came to the boat with it and with his and Peter's assistance it was fitted and charging.
Finding we had time to fit new rubber fenders to the side on Saturday meant we had time to take the dogs for a long walk on Sunday 

Yesterday was a bitter sweet day, the bitter being it would have been Auntie Joyce's Birthday on Tuesday and Dad's yesterday and it was the anniversary of the death of Mum.
The sweet being we celebrated Poppy's third birthday and seeing the dogs discover a balloon in the garden until Cassie tried to pick it up.

The last two days I have finished putting up Elaine's fence.

It has been a busy last few days, Thursday Diane and Peter came to stay, the following day we took Diane and Peter on a trip down memory lane by taking them to Colchester where they both once taught followed by a meal in The Shed in Mersea.
Ray and Sacha joined us for a BBQ in the evening and we finished their visit with a trip to the Crick Show on Saturday .

 As the sunset on our trip back to Pillings we enjoyed fantastic sunshine as we travelled the Trent and Soar

Tonight we are moored at Derwent Lock the last lock on the Trent and Mersey Canal.
We are now making our way back to the marina tomorrow we cruise on the River Trent and then the River Soar.