White Bridge (number 61), Grand Union – Thursday 28 June 2012
Wednesday was a ‘non’ day, after booking the chiropodist appointment I went to Warwick Books and ordered (and paid for) Terry Pratchett’s latest book (the Long Earth) with guaranteed delivery for lunchtime 27th.  Having had my feet sorted (still slightly sensitive after the hard skin has been removed) I went off for a browse around town, and to the bookshop for 13:00 – no Pratchett.  So then I went off to have a meal and a further wander until 14:30 and still no book delivered.  In the Oxfam shop I found a book of humorous verse which I sat outside the bookshop reading.  At 16:30 there was still no delivery so I asked for a refund (readily given with apologies) and walking back found a half price copy in WHSmith.  I hadn’t seen their shop on my wanders.  A whole day hanging around.
Today while I had breakfast a couple of boats went past going up, so I started at 09:00 and as I was re-setting the first lock another boat came up (she’s called ‘Andante’ and crewed by Colin & Ingrid and Andrew & Linda).  They were happy to leave me on ‘Ice Breaker’ and were an extremely slick team with one going ahead and setting the next lock, two operating the paddles and gates of the lock the boats were in, and the two steerers taking the boats into the locks together.  All four do locks / steering / galley, swapping duties as required.  We parted at the top where I went off to find somewhere to moor.  It was very humid all morning and after the flight threatened rain so on went the big coat, after Shrewley tunnel (433 yds) someone cut open the clouds . .  it poured down and I was soaked right through (not just damp – lying in a bath fully clothed soaked through!)  Having moored the rain stopped and the sun came out.  The heater is on and my clothes are steaming away!  In case that gives you a horrible picture I do have more than one set of clothes – I’m dressed in Braidbar shirt & tracksuit bottoms.