Here are Ian, Phoebe and Ruth, together with Jan, looking forward as we pass under the railway bridge on the Lapworth Link.
Then I got them to turn round for the camera - but they were wreathed in smoke. Yes, I'd lit the stove in the middle of June.
At first Ian seemed a little apprehensive steering...
... but he soon looked like he was enjoying it!
After we'd stopped for a delicious lunch provided by our guests we tackled Knowle Locks. Jan steered while I gently coached Phoebe and Ian in the art of locking.
I tried to be arty with this shot - through the handle of a balance beam - but I don't think it worked. When I get home I can crop it to improve it!
At the top lock we said goodbye. Ian, Ruth and Phoebe, it was a real pleasure to have you on board.
So that's friends "old" - what about "new"?
Well, as I was walking between locks I came across two people carrying baskets who had obviously been foraging. One of them looked vaguely familiar, and I asked them what they had been foraging for (elderflowers and something else), then I carried on towards the lock. But what if the one I sort of recognised was the wife of Captain Ahab? Shouldn't I just check? So I turned round, half caught them up, and called out, "Are you Belle?" (If neither of them was, then I'd have felt silly for a moment, but no harm would have been done.) Of course, it WAS Belle (had to be, really - right activity, right area and right face), and we greeted each other like long-lost friends. (What a strange and wonderful thing this canal blogging community is! What her friend Deborah thought, I don't know!)
We went over to the lockside to include Jan and had a hurried chat - I was conscious of our guests patiently waiting - so if we didn't invite you on board for a cup of tea I can only apologise. Belle, did you say you were going to see Bones on Monday? If so, please send her our love.
Deborah and Belle foraging ahead after our meeting.
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