Bartimaeus

We were getting plenty of showers, but we're able to plan our day around them. We had been discussing how bright green the fields were and that before returning to the boat everything had been very brown and dry. The fields were a fresh vibrant green and trees were still full of leaves. Only a very few of them were beginning to tinge yellow or drop the odd leaf. 

We were setting off promptly in the morning in order to get to our next water point before the rain started. It was cool enough to want our fleeces on. As usual, as we wended our way on a winding canal we met people at the narrow or awkward bits.  Shane had recently met a boat at a bridge, and the next obstacle was low hanging willow. I was able to lean out of the way more and was facing back to look at the bridge, Tixall Bridge, but Shane was behind a green curtain. He emerged from the leaves smiling.

Later I thought I saw a boat through the drooping leaves of another willow, then concluded it was just the wind moving the leaves around that gave the impression of a movement behind, a few seconds later and it became clear there was a boat and it was taken by surprise to find us there and on the corner. He had planned on taking the corner wide to avoid the willow but that was the wrong side to pass. A quick adjustment was made by both drivers.

Shane wanted to do the one lock on our route and handed over to me. He entertained himself finding multiple ways to cross. Two boats were moored very close to it and I thought it was a risky mooring. I did steer in without bumping them, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do end up getting bumped as a novice driver tackles steering in or going to the side to pick up crew coming out, especially on a breezy day.

We were heading towards the place known as Tixall Wide. I saw, having passed Tixall Bridge, we were now at Tixall Lock and it had a nice green beside it on both sides. The three Ls in a row stood out. Already the place name seemed odd to me.

As a result of him doing the lock I was still driving as we went through Tixall Wide which certainly looks expansive but we don't know how deep it is on the non tow path side. We passed a boat with attractive Celtic style patterning, though quite angular, in black and gold on the green bow. It looked very smart.

However I as surprised to see at the other end that it didn't have a Gaelic name or Celtic reference. It was called Mushy Pea. Vegetables and pulses don't usually feature as names.

There didn't seem to be anywhere to moor along the wide area so we carried on towards the junction where the water was. There was a fleet of green Anglo Welsh hire boats there, but they had their own water. We came through the junction and turned to the water point which was free.

A small green boat behind us turned out to want water too so we moved forward. There were two taps so this was no problem. Once full we moved back to moor up so we could get lunch and check out the shop. I bought a couple of things for Bryn whose birthday is next week. There was a small vegan chocolate bar with a weak pun and a picture of an inventor rabbit on it which I felt suited his environmental scientist credentials. There was also a spicy chickpea flour mix for making batter for bhajis or pakora, which I thought he would like. I got back just as the rain was beginning.  When I was peeling off the price on the bhaji batter mix, I noticed it was past it's best before date. I didn't think it would be green shifting just yet, but it seemed off to gift somebody something out of date. The rain had set in so I decided to try swapping it the next day.

I was pleased to have some inside time to finish off the cardigan. I had final seaming, buttons to add and sewing in ends to do. 

Now to see if it my gamble of choosing the smallest size fits. It has been a bit awkward and while there is no suggestion of how experienced you should be to tackle the pattern, I rather felt the instructions abandoned you at the most difficult parts, such as armhole shaping over the cable sections. I had to make a few adjustments. I still want to neaten the collar, but it is comfy enough.

The next morning I went to see if I could return the bhaji mix and get milk. The lady at the till was in full agreement that they should not have had that for sale and I got one dated to December 2027 which must be a new batch.

It was a brighter day and there were lots of boats moving and manoeuvres could be intriguing when the wind picked up. Saturday is often a hire changeover day, which could be interesting with green drivers in the green boats. Perhaps the staff see them safely out of the junction. At any rate it seemed busy and green seemed the most popular colour when I looked down from the road bridge.