Two for joy.

Having not sailed Magpie II since April it was with some trepidation that we finally set off on her for a small trip we have managed to squeeze on between honeymoon and going back to work. 

We went to Tibberton and had a meal at The Bridge. 

The food was lovely but a series of power cuts meant that the evening will be remembered for darker reasons than normal. 

The first attempt to pay by credit card was interrupted by a power cut so I had to do it all again. I hope I haven paid twice. 

During our journey we spotted this signal box

 

And this lovely church. 

Nothing else for it this morning then but to go for an investigative walk. 

We followed the road and eventually came to the crossing. 

The signal box is permanently manned for, it appears, the opening and closing of these gates on a quiet back road. 

It is due to be demolished next year and replaced with barriers. Shame. 

The church is St James at Oddingley. 

It dates from the 15th century and had an interesting story about a vicar who was murderd in the 1800s. 

Eventually we got back to Magpie II. We had managed to moor just past the winding hole which made turning easy. 

A short cruise back, stopping in the Fir Tree at Dunhampstead for lunch. 

We are now safely moored, after a slight bump with next door (oops) and giving the batteries a good charge before going home. 

Last night's mooring was much more rural.