No sparks,fireworks or rain,but wind

TRigidly moored against the shortest pontoon on the Marina due to our valiant failed attempt at leaving yesterday we suffered an uncomfortable night creaking and groaning ( the boat, not us ) as the winds reached hurricane proportions. Mike, the resident engineer and escapologist, has offered to help us this morning after re-sealing our prop sleeve joint, so we have re-arranged our meeting with the electrician at Shobnall to later today, having full confidence in Mike and the weather, plus filling with diesel and gas.

Chelski (Chelsea) won the Premier league yesterday, leaving second place and the FA cup as Arsenal's best hopes this year.

In the event we finally arrived at Shobnall mid afternoon, but it took considerable time and effort to locate Gareth,our recommended electrical engineer. I was reminded of the Kink's song, " They seek him here, they seek him there,cos he's a dedicated follower of fashion." The Marina is really tiny but full of nooks and crannies into which Gareth continually disappeared with a varied entourage of expectant customers. I finally cornered him in the dry dock and we arranged to meet in the morning at 0900. Lynne and I settled into our mooring on the canal for the night, not the most salubrious we have encountered I have to say. The good news is our prop-shaft joint no longer leaks, excusing Lynne her daily dive into the engine bowels.

The day ended in torrential rain.