Summer continues in Penkridge

Another night with the Houdini propped open, another early(ish) start saw us heading for Penkridge, getting a cheerful wave from the guy in the very small GRP cruiser tied in front of us who came round to borrow a jar of granulated last night (I kid you not).

It was pretty straightforward boating in ideal conditions, no wind, blue sky, warm sun. And it's still March, the clocks haven't even gone on yet...

There's been a certain amount of traffic about, though most of the hire boats are still in their yards. BW were loading a workboat at the foot of Park Gate Lock, by Midland Chandlers and Teddesley Boats, but as soon as we'd gone past and into the lock they winded and set off in the other direction. MC had had a Freaky Friday discount day last Friday – are they feeling the pinch and having to discount stock to get it moving?

There was plenty of room on the moorings below the lock; we'd started a washload on the way, and had to leave the engine running for a bit whilst it finished rinsing and spun down. It's mostly out on the whirligig now, drying in the continuing fine weather, though it's clouded over a bit this afternoon. Another three boats have rolled up this afternoon, so I think we'll be making another early start tomorrow.

We did a good shop in town, finding the other butcher on the main road (I went off the one nearest the Co-op last time I was here on my own, when he short changed me, and I found his meat a bit average into the bargain).

The real turn up for the books is that BW have repaired the towpath on the lock landing below Penkridge Lock. This was the one they'd fenced off, the collapse was getting so bad, so it's a real boost to see that they can still find the cash to do some much needed repairs.

Elanor phoned this afternoon; our census form has arrived, and she's texted us the number code to use to fill in the census online.

And finally... as I was typing this post, Sheila was outside cleaning the windows. A group of three came past, Mum, Granny and small child. They were carrying a mallard duck, and explained that they'd rescued it "because two drakes were trying to drown it". As Sheila says, how do you start to explain? There's a photo here if any of you haven't a clue as to what I'm on about...

They carefully put the stunned looking duck in the water in front of Sanity Again, and were very concerned because the two drakes had, of course, followed it, and got right back to work, as you they would in the circumstances.

I'm reminded of the Noel Coward story of his being asked by a young relation why there were two doggies in the street with one climbing on the back of the other:

"Well, you see, the doggy underneath is blind, and the one on top is showing it the way home..."