Napton windmill

One last night aboard the Monaco

September 28, 2012

I chickened out. I didn’t climb back up to St. Lawrence Church today. I did look at it from a distance, though, when Robin and I walked into the village. We went to the local grocery store and asked after train schedules, bus schedules, taxi companies – because tomorrow we will need to get from here to Lyndhurst, Hampshire, and that is no simple matter. At this point, it appears that we will get a taxi from the boatyard to the high street of  Napton, a bus from there to Leamington, and a train from Leamington to Southampton. We should be able to get a train from Southampton to Lyndhurst. While I have wi-fi at The Bridge, I will try to firm up plans for the far end of the trip.

Archie

And speaking of The Bridge, I'm there now, having a glass of lemonade. And while I'm here, I should introduce you to Archie, who is the pub's mascot. He's quiet, but somehow I can't forget about him. That could be because he's staring right at me. I chose my seat for its adjacent electrical outlet, and it wasn't until I turned around that I saw my neighbour. We've come to an understanding.

As usual, just as I’m beginning to feel at home on the boat, it’s time to leave it. I wonder whether there will be a radio in our hotel room, so that I can turn Classic FM on in the morning and leave it on all day, the way I do on the boat. I wonder what I’ll be eating for lunch and dinner. I understand that being a vegan in the New Forest is not easy, unless you like living on chips. This will be a challenge. I’ll bet I can find a salad here and there, and maybe even a veggie pasty. The Manor House will provide a vegan breakfast for me, and they do have a proper restaurant. Perhaps,  if I ask nicely, they’ll prepare vegan dinners for me, too.

Approaching Napton

A little something extra, just for Michael

Meanwhile, life will be about packing and schlepping – and then more schlepping. I’ll report in when we’re safely settled in our hotel room. I hear there’s wi-fi in every room. Woo-hoo!