We've pounded Paxton and now moving north

Paxton to Brampton, River Great Ouse, About 3 miles 1 lock

Well most of the walks around Paxton Nature Reserve were travelled since we moored there last Thursday and the few days we were here on our way south.. Something in the region of 45–50 miles in total.  At least it is keeping my weight down, and the fitness up.. Yep still 9 stone 6/7lbs since I ended my diet last April after having achieved my New Year’s Resolution of loosing 2 stone by 31^st July, so I am really pleased, and now I can eat ‘normal’ food.. well within reason.. ish!

First and only lock of the day then was Offord…

Nice too that it was already open for us just to ‘sail’ in.  On the River Gt Ouse you leave the locks as they are when you have finished using them, but making sure you shut all the slackers (paddles on the canal system).  On the River Nene the guillotine gate has to be left open, so we could leave this lock with the bottom gates left open..

But they do take an age to work through, the guillotines are very very slow.. Here Vic is getting a very numb finger pressing on the down button..

Even the girls are getting bored!!  I got the backend on the cill at this lock in 2006 trying to squeeze in behind a cruiser.. the white line for the cill is not in the right place, the cill is about 18inches further into the lock than marked.  It didn’t do any harm, and the lock empties so slowly it didn’t take long to drop the front slacker and lift the guillotine to free ourselves.. Was in on my own this time and make sure I was well close to the front gates!

I had a wander around the internet on Saturday morning, well it was raining for most of the day, and I came across a rather good deal for mobile internet connection.  It uses network provider 3 Mobile with a very fast internet connection that, at times and with good reception, can reach speeds as fast as normal broadband.  I have T-Mobile on much the same type of system, and have had speeds of 2.1Mb/s.

Anyway, this deal is for unlimited (capped at 5GB) for £7.50 a month with a free dongle.  To get this deal you need to go to this clicky at quidco and scroll down the right hand side where the special offers are, and click on 3 Mobile BB 5MB promotion.  You can only get this promotion by clicking through quidco.  (Unfortunately offer has now finished) If you have not already joined quidco do so, I have had so much money back by clicking through their site to buy stuff.. and they are offering £12.50 cash back on this deal too! I will let you browse to find out more about their cash back stuff..

There have been good reports on the 3 Mobile Network coverage, it seems they are really making an impact in the UK now with more and more of the country now covered by their network..

We are moored on the GOBA moorings at Mailers Meadow this evening.  A lovely quiet mooring this and there are some lakes close by which I have enjoyed walking round this evening.. In fact I think I saw a black swan over there, but it was a bit on the dark side, I’ll take another look in the morning.. although it looks like swans are pretty well respected around here….

These young cows line up to watch a couple going by.. they just need some flags to wave now!!

Oh PS by the way, I have updated the July picture album..

Edit – Would you believe it, the offer from Quidco has been taken off their site.  It was there when I wrote this blog last night, with the offer continuing until August 31^st, but now Lesley of NB Claxton correctly points out… “ Sue, I believe the 3-Mobile deal ended on 31st July.”  Seems that way now Lesley – Thanks for letting me know.