Computers! - great when they are working

Back to the blog at last! On 26th July I intended to download all my photos from our Lincoln trip - but the computer froze on start up repeatedly and still not fixed (now using son-in-law's computer till fixed). Couldn't write blog either which is why I have 'disappeared' since 13 July.

Trip was fine, although difficult to moor at Cromwell Lock - unless we used a hoist to get the dog off. Luckily we were able to moor alongside a 1 1/2 beam and use steps to get up middle height wall. The low pontoons were occupied by high 'yoghurt pots' (isn't that much better than 'plastic' or 'bobby' boats!)

To be brief, we loved the Fossdyke and Witham, very quiet and lots of places to explore. Lincoln was wonderful - especially the moorings opposite the market and outside Waterside Shopping Centre. So handy for climbing up to cathedral and castle - which we did so many times. We all did tours of the castle and cathedral - and Mary even got to ring bells on practice night. Could have spent even longer there. Son Steve joined us at Lincoln and we travelled on to Boston. The old pontoons are a bit strange but the view of the Stump was great and we had a fantastic sunset the evening our neighbour left. Even managed a BBQ!

Had a look at St Botolph's Church (I didn't know the Stump was the tower until I got there!), Maud Foster's Windmill - privately owned and do marvellous lunches and afternoons teas. After Steve left we went to the Black Sluice lock. Very new and so was the cafe - but it was closed, a window broken and unfurnished - why?!

Now it is time to return to canals before Chris and Mary have to go home, so sadly no time to explore more drains. On the way back up the Witham we stopped at Woodhall Spa (as recommended by Iain and Alison on nb Nobby) and found a delightful 50's type resort town. The museum in the tin cottage was very interesting but Kinema in the Woods was showing a film so closed to us and the spa building was sadly neglected - but hopefully to be restored in the future.

We returned to the High Street and had tea outside a cafe served by an elderly lady in Victorian clothing. Ebony was given a bowl of water and another with biscuits. We sat reading the cafe's historic books of the town. Got the bus back to boat! So many other villages we would have liked to explore more fully but running out of time.

The journey back up the Trent was marred by the heavy rain we had to endure most days. Chris and Mary left at Nottingham - after helping me get in food for next crew, meeting them an hour later when son Graham, Becky with Edward, Tom and baby Charlie. We had a look round Nottingham - the castle was very disappointing for entertaining children. Next day we travelled to Sawley, spending another night before the family set off on Monday pm.