A bit of Roman Road, a Swedish shop and an Indian tea.

 Not so much of a boaty day today as Helen had plans. We were off to Milton Keynes down the A5 from Daventry. Even on the boat the new house looms large so as there is an IKEA at Milton Keynes we thought we would go and check out what was available in the way of bedroom and bathroom stuff. It would be less of a trip than at home. We have an idea of what we want, it is just finding it that fits into the space we have.

The trip down was quiet traffic wise. We got there about 1030 and the car park was quite full but was much busier when we left.

We checked out what we wanted and came away with some ideas but will need to measure the spaces once again. Not sure it was my favourite stuff though. The journey back to the boat was longer as more people were up and in action. Shops, garden centres etc were doing a roaring trade, and to be honest it looked like it was taking as long to get out of them in the car as it was to go round them!

We just got back to the boat when it started raining. We had had showers all the way back. We sat and did stuff for a while, had some lunch and when the sun came back out we put our boots on and went along to the other basin here at Ventnor. We are in Sunrise but the main one is sunset. They were having their first open day, trying to attract more moorers and introduce the boat sales. There were a couple of trading boats, and stalls too. There was music (a little loud for me) and Napton Cidery had a stand. We had a drink and after a while went to the curry mobile kitchen and purchased our tea. Apparently Aquavista were pleased with the turn out as it is the first time they have done it here.

I can't wait to get out on the canal. I'm not cut out to be in a marina.

Our neighbouring boat went out yesterday so we were able to taker as photo of 'Holderness'. We had washed it yesterday, not that you can tell really. These days pictures are best taken at this distance.

Oh by the way, as you may expect, we didn't come away from IKEA empty handed as we had a plastic step so Helen can reach the top of the cupboards at home and two packets of cinnamon swirls, £8-99. I suppose if all those visitors only came away having spent that much they would do okay. In 2022 40.4 million people visited all their stores in the UK, that's around £363 million at £9 each, in 2022 prices.