Woodford

After dinner last night we did go back to the hide and met the ranger again and also the couple from the boat moored next to us but sadly by the time it was dark there were still no otters to be seen.

As the weather forecast this morning showed the possibility of heavy rain around lunchtime we decided to only move as far as Woodford which we should reach in 2 hours.  Setting off at 9:45 we descended the manual Upper Ringstead Lock followed by the electric Lower Ringstead Lock.

Here I paid a quick visit to Willy Watts  Chandlery to buy some kindling for the fire.  It was difficult to find the place, but the helpful staff at the nearby tearoom pointed out the small door in the next building half hidden in ivy.  Inside the small rather dark room there was a guy on a chair surrounded by boat paraphenalia, that fortunately included a tall pile of pre-packed kindling.  I hope I was not his only customer that day.

Woodford Church

Moored at Woodford FOTRN moorings

We reached the FOTRN moorings at Woodford at 11:45 and shortly afterwards had lunch.  The forecast rain never happened though some very dark clouds passed not far away.  Then we walked up the steep hill to the village centre and enjoyed a recuperative beer at the very good Duke pub.  Returning to the boat there was a notice by the church saying it was open.  As we always like to look around the village churches we accepted the invitation but found that we could not get in.

Statistics: 3.46 miles, 2 locks, 2 hours cruising