Day 36 Newark to Hazelford Island.
We do like this town, we are staying for another day, leaving this afternoon. It is a very pretty town with lots of interesting things to do, walks and parks. I have taken my bearded one for his walk with my ball launcher this morning in the park by the castle, he likes that while my long haired one is busy provisioning for the next stage of our journey.
Today we are going to be joined by Lawson and Jan, old friends who live in Cambridgeshire but have a house near us in Vinuela in Spain. It is hot and sunny here today and certainly it is the 7th day of summer. A whole week without rain!
Lawson and Jan arrived complete with lunch (for them) and a treat for me. We had an enjoyable feast and made ready for departure. We felt that, as it was a really beautiful day and a weekend, moorings which, at the best of times are like hens teeth on the river will be scarce today.
We set off and said farewell to Newark and arrived at Farndon hoping to stay here for the night but there was no room. We cruised on to the next possibility to find that was not only full but very difficult landing for me, a dog. The walls were 20 feet high! We cruised on to Hazelford lock.
My bearded one performed an amazing manoeuver mooring my long kennel in a space just six inches longer that our 56 feet against a swift current and a 20 ft wall, only to find that I could not get ashore. Again the walls were way above the roof of my kennel. Unceremoniously, I was lifted off.
After a lovely walk around, we discovered that we were on an island and we also found another mooring this one, just 56 feet 2 inches in length and my bearded one, moved my long kennel and he made a remarkable nay an astonishing job of mooring and from here I was able to get on and unaided.
This is a very exciting place, being an island there are lots of rabbits I am having a lovely time. I have not caught one yet but I will, I will.
My photos today: me in the park at Newark, my long kennel in the lock at Newark, our final mooring today at Hazelford Island.
Sent from my iPad
Go for it Douglas, we are looking forward to seeing you with a rabbit in your mouth. Poor old long haired one will have to deal with it, NOT!! What a fabulous time you are having, pea green with envy again. Hope all goes well on the next leg of your adventure.
Do I detect a certain amount of pride in your bearded one’s skill at maneouvring your long kennel so successfully?
Heather and I remember Newark well – it is indeed a pleasant town.
Anyway, good luck with the rabbit hunt – your day will surely come . . .
Simon
So pleased the sun is still shining for you all … although we believe the best time to make friends with rabbits is dawn and dusk!
Clearly your bearded master has a talent for getting long things in small places – we are mightly impressed!!
Not sure if Lawson and Jan are still with you? If they are give them a lick from us and let them know we look forward to seeing them again when the urge to play boules takes them …
All is good here and although we are missing you and can’t wait to see you again, we hope you continue to enjoy your adventures (we certainly enoy reading about them).
Clever at driving the kennel, your bearded one