A different mooring and some overseas stuff

If not thrashing on, the trip from Fradley to the far side of Rugeley usually takes us two days, and that means we have to think about having enough fresh stuff on board. This time, we knew that we would be short of bread, so before we set off this morning, Sheila kneaded up a batch of dough from a bread kit (Allinson's Multigrain) and I put it in a just warmed oven to rise whilst we worked up Fradley.

All went smoothly, so that before ten we were up Woodend and the rolls were nicely risen. I popped them in the oven, and Sheila suffered torments steering on a chilly morning with the smell of baking bread drifting out of the cabin.

Lockwheeling duties done, I whiled away the time checking email and having a look at where the recent hits on the blog had come from. To my surprise, two of them were from Tokyo or its environs. Whoever you are, I'm glad if browsing my websites gives you some relief from your present anxieties, and I hope that all turns out well for you and yours.

Another person reading from far away is Jacqueline, from Pullman WA, and whose comment on Tuesday's post confirms much of what I already knew about the dangers of an American style healthcare system. It always amazes me that such an advanced nation is still so scared of anything smacking of "socialism" that they put up with one of the most expensive yet least effective health services in the developed world.

As I said at the time, this isn't a political blog, so I've probably said enough!

Instead of stopping at Kings Bromley, we've come on to Handsacre for a change. There's usually quite a crowd of lurkers here by the Crown Inn, but we're on our own for once. There are some shops a short walk away from here, so I've been able to get a paper today.

A good news story to finish: the other day, my precious clock barometer, 60th birthday present from the offspring, jumped off its fixing on the galley bulkhead and fell to the floor via the worksurface. The clock survived, but the barometer was clearly very sick. I emailed the manufacturer, FCC Precision, and they told me to take the barometer bit off the back board and mail it back to them. We did this yesterday, and today I had a phone call from Tessa to say that she's been able to fit a new movement in the case, and for a charge of just £12.75 would mail it back to me.

That's service!