The boat had a holiday for 2 weeks at the new Dunchurch Pools Marina on the North Oxford Canal while we caught the train to mid-Wales for a long overdue family holiday.
We rented a large farmhouse that slept 14 people, about 4 miles from Aberystwyth. Not everyone was able to come for the full 2 weeks, so we had people dipping in and out all the time.
We had a super steam train day
on The Vale of Rheidol Railway (which we could see from our garden), which runs from Aberystwyth to
Devil’s Bridge.
We travelled 3rd class, but the kind guard let us have a peek at what we were missing by not travelling 1st class!!
The coastline was stunning, with rock pools and sandy beaches.
There were amazing views from the cliff top, reached by foot or the cliff railway.
We had a games room and hot tub.
The weather was gorgeous, so we took advantage of the BBQ and fire pit.
We celebrated our ruby anniversary while away.
The three grandchildren came back on the train with us and spent a week cruising some, new to them, southern canals.
Luckily, all of the life jackets still fitted them.
They haven’t lost their super crewing skills when it comes to galley duties and boat cleaning!!
They enjoyed going through Braunston and Blisworth Tunnels. We could tell there hasn’t been a lot of rain, as usually you get drenched in Blisworth Tunnel.
It’s been a good few years since they’ve done any lock work, and they’ve not forgotten how to help moor the boat too.
During a couple of the very hot days we were moored near a thicket, which we all sheltered in.
We just had to visit the museum at Stoke Bruerne and play Northamptonshire skittles at The Boat Inn.
The chap on a boat that moored in front of us lost his glasses in the canal. He offered the kids a reward if they found them, so they spent ages with the magnet & net trying their best, with no luck!!
We have had a pram cover fitted, which gives us a lovely semi outside space to sit in. Plus, we’ll be able to open our ‘Jubilee Fibres’ shop even if the weather isn’t too good.
We are attending our first market organised by the Roving Canal Traders Association this coming August Bank Holiday weekend in Milton Keynes. Do pop along to see us during it’s opening hours of 10.00-17.00.
Although we’ve travelled this stretch of the Grand Union Canal many times on hire boats & aboard Burnt Oak, it’s still wonderful. The Iron Trunk Aqueduct at Cosgrove is amazing, as is the horse shaped tunnel there. John loves this one as you can see his halo in this photo!!
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