The Great Escape thwarted at March

The Yarwoods pulled pins around 8.30am and we followed suit about 9.00ish (yeah, I was up before 7 again this morning) but invested the time in dog walking and making ready - G is very confused (well, let's face it he is easily confused) by this new morning person.
We 'phoned ahead to Marmont Lock (as you're meant to) and left a message for Maureen the lockie to say we were heading in her direction.

 

My God it was cold - look at those tights coming down

 

No sign of the lockkeeper...

 

..... only the tips tin. Although I think I might have caught the merest glimpse of movement behind the sofa - I wouldn't go out in that by choice either!

Sorry Maureen, just joking

 

There is very little bleaker than the Fens in a strong Easterly

It was so cold out on the helm that it made you (well me) want to cry with the pain - never understood the attraction of Arctic expeditions

 We are the only two boats in March - quelle surprise - and Lesley's conversation with the River Inspector confirmed that we won't be hitting the River Nene for at least 10 days even without further precipitation. I do hope we're not going to get into a bun fight with the locals over the 36 hour mooring restrictions as we can neither go forward nor back now.

Which is, of course, why it's called the Middle Levels.