You heard it here first - we are officially 'nearly old'!

Tuesday 15^th August 2017

Fenny Compton

We are a day ahead of schedule as we are booked in to Cropredy Marina tomorrow and Thursday, so today was to be a day off.  The plan was to get lots of jobs done, however we didn't!!

We were up about 8 and just had a slow start and did a few domestic duties including a load of washing - it was a lovely day and a shame to waste good drying weather.

The Wharf Inn by the canal has a small shop selling basic provisions, but does not have newspapers, so we decided to walk to the village.  It is a long road and Monty definitely had his 'town ears' on - flat back against his head, but he copes well with most traffic that whizzes past.  The odd large or noisy vehicle makes him dive for cover, but always away from the road.  We walked down the road from the pub, but discovered on the way back that there is a ginnel from the main road that leads to FC Marina and that does cut off quite a bit of road walking.  Tow path is so much nicer for all of us.  I have to say it is a long, boring walk just to get a newspaper and the village itself is nothing special to look at.

There is a railway bridge on the long main road

With this warning as you approach

Getting closer you realise they really mean it!

The local store is a small Co Op with basic provisions, but unless you really want something they don't sell at the pub, it probably is not worth the walk.  We did discover that you can get your hair cut, but I suspect you have to call ahead.

The view between the store and houses is far reaching - something that must enhance the back gardens

We decided to break our walk with a drink in the local pub - The Merrie Lion.  It is a Community Pub - it was to be shut a few years ago and the village all go together to save it.  The lunch choices looked interesting, so we decided to stay.  A good decision as it was the best pub lunch we have had in a long time and worth the walk.

So why are we officially nearly old?  When we were in the pub a man probably in his 40's was talking to a couple, probably in their 30's and we overheard the man saying 'they are all nearly old as they are all over 60'!!  I bet he won't say that when he is in his 60's!

Once back at the boat the urge to do jobs had gone!  We will be off early in the morning - there are a lot of boats moving on this canal, but most don't seem to start until 10am.