Day of rest, play and waxing..

Today was designated a day off from cruising. 
This mooring just on the outskirts of Congleton is so lovely it would have been almost a crime not to stay another and enjoy it.    So, after a lazy start I took the dogs down the into the Dane Valley below the high embankment and aqueduct that take transport the canal across the valley here I just let them play, no long walks just fun and games chasing each other about, jumping in and out of the crystal clear river and playing tug of war with their toy. 

 View of the viaduct that takes the railway line across the valley

 

 Playing chase in the river

 

 In places the river is sufficiently deep to afford a bit of swimming...Floyd retrieves his squeaky toy

 The sun has been out so here come the spring flowers

 

 Primroses

 

 A bank of primroses

 

We spent just over a hour in the valley bottom and shared it with no one but the birds.  I saw my first swallow this year and then wrens, grey wagtails and woodpeckers nesting. 

On returning to the boat I got out the wax and gave the port side a wax and polish while Joe gave the tunnel bands on the stern a scrub.  Other than that, not much achieved.  The fire has been re-lit as today has stayed dry but cooler than yesterday and we have all been  in front of it this afternoon watching a DVD of Life on Mars - well Joe and I watched the goggle box, the dogs just slept.