Brinklow and our BSS Examination

Once we were freeed from the ice we made pitstop at Tesco Rugby, and carried on to Hillmorton, where we had a lovely chat with Jacquie and Stein NB Like Ducks2Water.  We scraped against something nasty as we passed through BR 58 Rugby, and after reading Stein's blog (click link above), I now discover that it was a load of Tesco shopping trollys, which had been dumped in the canal.  We turned at Hillmorton, and made our way back to Brinklow, to be ready for our impending BSS examination - the 4 yearly boat safety scheme, which makes Beefur 8 years old now.  Thankfully, all was fine, unlike the first test 4 years ago, when we discovered that the cooker did not comply with BSS standards, so we had to buy a new one, get it installed, and re-tested.  The boat fitter had installed any old cooker, and not one specificly for boats.  After we had the "all clear" this time, I took the opportunity to make a quick visit to Rachel's in Kenilworth for a couple of days.  The boat was again frozen in, and it made sense for me to disappear for a couple of days (so saving water on the boat!).  It was the girls' christmas concert in school which was lovely.  Choirs, jazz bands, string orchestra, you name it, they had it - including a steel band.  I was stunned at the amount of kids playing in the string orchestra - 29!  When I was in school, there was only one girl who could actually play a violin - and that was the extent of any stringed instruments!  The rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody as exceptional.  I did refrain from head banging at the appropriate time (Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure style).  Iona (the youngest niece) is lead second violin - not bad for 12 years old!

Rhiannon, Nia and Iona

Their dog, Cole