I do hate democracy

At least, I do when I'm outvoted!

Despite kind offers of water delivery from Graham on Winnie Bea and the possibility that the water point might de-frost and that we might kindly be allowed to use it; the democratic vote has been exercised and we shall be moving tomorrow. The trouble with this, for me, is that there is nowhere we can go that is even a quarter as nice as here - baring in mind that, 'where we can go' is severely restricted at the moment.

So, once on the move, the priority will be full water tanks and then heading for Downham Market whilst catching up with the washing. Never mind, I've had a fabulous holiday and we can come back again later.

With this being our last day, it was off to Aldi to fill the veg drawer and fridge to maximum capacity before hitting the woods for one last 2 3/4 hour walk. Returning home, it seemed right and proper that the otter came out to play as dusk fell...... perfik.

 In Brandon Park today we found this, previously undiscovered (by us), mausoleum. Evidently it was built by Edward Bliss who bought the Park in 1820. As Lord of the Manor and High Sheriff of Suffolk he wished to be buried on his own estate which duly happened upon his death in 1845. 14 years later his wife Sarah joined him.

 Unfortunately, the Park was sold outside of the Bliss family in 1903 and the new incumbent chucked the remains out to St. Peter's Church in Brandon. A bit off what? Hardly cricket!!!

One last snowy forest picture and it's back to the flood banks for me and the boys. The only thing that can save us now is the desperately cold weather that has been forecast tomorrow. Would you want to be on the tiller for several hours in temps of -3? Not me, I've a Paella to make!

The Kingfishers are still playing hard to get

We've realised why we haven't seen so much of the Kingfishers recently, it's because they've swapped banks onto our side. That isn't, however, as good as it sounds as we only have one porthole on that side towards the rear of MR

 and that porthole is within 5ft of this, their fishing branch - too close. We frighten them off no matter how carefully G approaches the window with the camera. Very good for just watching though.

 The pigs are a somewhat easier subject

 We arranged an expedition to visit Lesley's brother today, so the 4 dogs were in the back of the car together. Any of you familiar with the Tibetan Terrier breed will know how they hate to have their heads at ground level - a chin rest must always be found when at all possible. Fortunately they both managed to find comfortable, black, chin cushions.

 Baxter availed himself of Fletcher's rump

 Whilst Muttley made free with Floyd's withers

 When we arrived, Floyd was very quick to give his 'Uncle David' a birthday greeting

After lunch and a gossip we all headed to the woods with David's black Labrador, Bentley. I haven't put up any more pictures 'cause their's only so many pics of snow covered woods a body can bear - they might be different woods, but they all look the same covered in snow!

It's now two weeks since we filled our water tank

Our time here is now limited as we haven't put water in our tanks for 2 weeks although, this morning, Simon from Aston Precision Engineering, let Yarwood and MR fill a 25 ltr water carrier each. Thank you.
Today I heard from Graham and Corinne off of NB Winifred Beatrice (or Winnie Bea as they call her) who moor just downstream at the lovely East Fen Fisheries moorings. Their water point is iced up, but they have given us a contact for future use. Thank you guys and let's hope we can meet up before they let us out before we leave.
So, like everyone else I guess, there's not a lot going on; we're just enjoying the walking and the easy access to fresh food which is allowing me to cook whatever my little heart desires. There is a pub but their beer is as cold as their premises and, quite frankly, I'd rather be warm and toasty on the boat, after a long walk, than shiver in a cold pub with cold beer - shame as it's from a good local brewery just up the road.  It's saving us a fortune though as a blazing fire might have led us astray!

We didn't get all the extra snow that we'd been threatened with on Friday and I re-visited the horses who had plenty of hay and seemed perfectly hardy and happy - good sensible stock. Sunday wasn't nice - leaden grey skies with strong, bitter wind and fine snow whipping at my face as I walked.

We've upgraded Baxter's coat to a new waterproof with a separate fleece underneath and he seems very happy with it. He loves the snow providing he is warm enough. 

 Muttley is somewhere up in that copse having legged it across the field after a pair of Fallow Deer

 Last night we had another 4" of snow which made the walking less slippery. Fletcher checks out the fresh fall

 NB Yarwood covered in a new fall of the white stuff

 Time to jump on Lesley as she tries to get off the boat

 A bit of a design fault with Muttley - he ends up with ice balls between his toes which hurt to walk on

 So, after dinner it's time to read Baxter his bed time story - are you sitting comfortably....?