Taking it easy at Cowley.

Monday 20th April.

With Keith still feeling under the weather, we have been taking it easy whilst at Cowley. Keith has spent a lot of time sleeping and did not get up until lunchtime yesterday, but I have always thought that sleep is the best healer. Whilst he has been sleeping, I have been out and about chatting to other boaters. It was a pleasure to meet Duncan again on NB Zendu. The last time we met was when we had our other boat NB Misty Lady. He and his wife are still selling painted Canal Ware and jewellery. They have headed off this morning. I have also met Keith from NB Crystal Haze, he and his wife Chris are heading for the Little Venice Cavalcade as well. Yesterday a couple knocked on the boat, and it turned out that the lady had been following the diary since Hadar was just a base plate. It is always lovely to meet people who read our diary, whether they are boat owners or not. This morning the Land and River Gravel Boat caught my attention, and as Roy from NB Gerald No13 and I stood chatting, we watched in amazement as this huge boat manouvered into Cowley Lock. I helped with the lock gates and found out that unladen she weighs in at 30 tonnes, but loaded she can weigh 110 tonnes, which is really impressive, but yet she is still very manoeuvrable. Her steerer was telling me that even with her size, boaters still think they can take her on, especially in bridge 'oles. Now we all know which boat will win that battle ha ha ha. Her bow has the battle scars to prove it. At Cowley Lock, there is a lovely tea room called the Toll House. You can get a fabulous Sunday roast for £5.99 if you do not fancy cooking. Over the weekend it was very busy, as was the Malt Shovel pub. Where we are moored alongside the recreation park below Cowley Lock, in the park grounds someone has carved out this really lovely working narrowboat from an old tree trunk. The park is a very busy place, with football pitches, a childrens play area, Crown Green Bowling area and plenty of places to walk. Paddy is making the most of the park. He has loved walking there and playing ball. It looks like we will be here until Wednesday, giving Keith a couple more days to get over this virus he has picked up.