Daniel Oakley

It was a mild, dry day here in Banbury and the sun even showed her face.
We were joined for lunch, by Chris and Rhona and their two boys Corrick and Dylan.

Christmas lunch

Eddie joined in too, and the boys kindly swung his tuggy toy on a rope for him to chase. Then we went to the park for football and swings (though Eddie had to go in his playpen for a rest).

Corrick and Dylan with Eddie

Eddie is a helpful chap, here he is assisting me with the Christmas cards.

It seemed to take twice as long as usual though, and he left me to lick the stamps. Do your dogs like Christmas?

It has been really cold here. Berlin was warmer (just back from 3 days over there at a conference). We have even had some snow, though just a dusting and all gone by 11.00am.

Dusting of Snow

The wild birds now coming to the food hung in a tree near the boat are demolishing everything And to think I used to worry that they hadn’t found the food. For any interested birdwatchers out there, we have a gang of long tailed tits that descend 3 times a day regularly. At least 8 sometimes 10 attive at 10 past 11 each morning. Fabulous to watch.

First ice on the water this morning, feels like winter has really arrived in south east. Earlier snow showers just didn’t count for a lad brought up in the lakes. Takes me back to last Dec when we set off for few weeks cruise to Kinver and spent a week breaking ice to get there. Apart from needing blacking this year, it was an enjoyable trip, cold days but no wind meant it was pleasant cruising.

I want to ask the question whether others think it is “polite” to cruise when the canal is frozen. We had some complaints and one person said we’d sink his boat (because the ice gets pushed against his “steel” hull). I know the noise is quite loud when you’re inside the boat, so can understand there may be some objection. Are we moving to a time when cruising outside social hours and times of teh year becomes frowned upon by a section of the boating community.