Pottering at Alrewas

7th & 8th March

First thing yesterday morning the water tank was down to 20% of capacity, so the first job after breakfast was to boat through to the water point just above the lock onto the river section to fill up. There weren't any spaces on the bit of visitor mooring between there and the lock moorings, although two of them were taken by a Canaltime and a Challenger, so likely to become free later in the day. Whilst filling, we met a couple who proved to be readers of this blog, and the owners of the boat Ben Harp currently has in build and which is planned to be his show boat at Crick.

After we'd filled up, I backed Sanity through the bridge to tie on the towpath just the other side. This was just in front of another Canaltime, Pansy Potter, and no sooner had we done so than the Canaltime moored near the lock set off. Since those moorings are nicer – more open, and not in front of houses to be disturbed by engine running, we unmoored and went back through the bridge to tie just off the end of the lock mooring. This proved to have been worthwhile – both phone and modem have better signals out here.

Whilst I went into the village in search of a loaf of bread and a paper, Sheila checked the email, finding one to her from brother Peter, telling us to look out for a Canaltime called Pansy Potter, as its current crew were friends of his.

Meantime, on my way back, I had had a chat with yet another Canaltime crew .

When I finally got back to Sanity, Sheila popped back to Pansy Potter to see if anyone was about, but did not intrude as they were at breakfast. Later on, just as we'd finished lunch, Jenny from Pansy Potter came and found us, and we had a merry session. First we showed Jenny through Sanity, then went back to meet John and Pat on PP, whilst she was on the water point.

A small libation was consumed, though slightly interrupted by a guy from BW who, seeing that the hose had been put away, rather peremptorily told John that he shouldn't moor on the water point. Accordingly we moved PP to just behind Sanity, the boat which had been tied behind us having moved off. After we'd shown John and Pat through Sanity, they tore themselves away, as they had to get into Burton to meet the fourth member of the crew, Andrew, who was car shuffling.

After all this excitement we settled down for a quiet afternoon. Main tasks were joining the Save Our Waterways campaign, which has now converted itself into a membership based organisation. I also changed the Seagull IV water filter, only splattering myself with it once.

In late afternoon Elanor came across to see us. She's currently taking antihistamine to treat some dermatitis, and is feeling quite doped by it, so she's going to leave her car with us over the weekend rather than try and drive about the place whilst affected.

We went back with her to her house, and I gave her a lift to the vets with Kato, the remaining cat, for a post op check on his dental work. Then we all came back to Sanity (OK not Kato) and went to the William IV for a meal. Must admit I indulged myself with the mixed grill again, the second time in six months, it's getting to be a habit.

Today we spent mostly at Elanor's. Whilst she was struggling to treat Anrheg and clear up after her, the other housework had inevitably fallen rather behind, so we had a blitz of washing up, tidying and taking things to the tip.

Sheila and I came back to the boat after lunch, leaving Elanor in peace, and we've spent the afternoon running the engine and... well, running the engine, mostly. Tomorrow we can actually go out by ourselves in the car – haven't had so much excitement in ages.