TQ at Stanthorne Lock

So, we were expecting an even worse day (weather-wise) than yesterday, after having listened to a few weather forecasts, but we were really very lucky.
The morning was reasonably bright and although you couldn’t actually say it was warm it was a higher temperature than it’s been all week, i.e. not freezing! We set off for the lock about 9:30 and were pleased to find that the gusts of wind were no worse than yesterday, though of course they were bad enough then, as you may remember reading.
Although there was some use of the barge pole and holding off from the banking etc., we got through the locks without too much trouble and only a little light rain and by 1315 we had tied up in the last section before Wardle Lock. Soon afterwards, the heavens opened and the rain lasted for quite a while. We walked to the town about 4.30 -when it had stopped raining- and came across the Post Office on the way, so I managed to post the last of the Christmas cards. Great, all finished! The town now has a few coffee shops, whereas last time we were here there wasn’t one. There are more eating places too (sign of the times) and we went to The White Bear. It was an old pub but had been closed for two years. It has been modernised and has only been open for two weeks. We enjoyed our meal very much. The lamb shank was huge!
The air was rather icy as we walked back to the boat but fingers crossed it will be warmer by morning- we live in hope.