Along the canal

Took a walk into Banbury this this afternoon and cruised around a few shops and the shopping centre.  I was somewhat surprised to see what looked like summer clothing on quite a few store's racks.  

Right alongside the shopping centre runs the Banbury Canal - the 'local' part of the longer Oxford Canal.  Quite a number of these long boats are inhabited throughout the year and I find it difficult to imagine how life can be comfortable when there's ICE on the canal (the 'lumpy' texture in the water is indeed ice)  I am assused by F, whose friend lived in one for a couple of years, that they are cosy-warm in the winter and the effects of the ice are not apparent.  They're usually insulated and often heated by a wee log-burner which, given the very small spaces that need to be heated, are warmed up very quickly.  Still, I think I would prefer summer cruising along the canal over winter cruising.

Went to see mum who is still in hospital.  This feels a bit repetitive, but we're still waiting for action in regard to the organisation for her home help.  Today the physiotherapist interviewd her, gathered some info, assessed her mobility and then, presumably, went back to the office to make some recommendations.  The long process continues to lengthen.  If the process were the Oxford Canal I think we'd be way past Banbury by now.