Summer in Rugeley

Readers in the UK will be well aware that we're having a late burst of summer; in fact, it's warmer now than it's been since about June, I think. It's only scheduled to last a few days, being the result of high pressure over mainland Europe pulling hot air up from the south. By Sunday, the high will have wandered off and things will be back to normal.

It was very foggy first thing, and I was glad we didn't need to make one of our flying starts, as it would have been quite tricky navigating through it at half six. We actually got away at eight, by which time you could see beyond the bow from the stern, though to be on the safe side I put the tunnel and nav lights on for the first half hour. After that, the sun had started to burn off the fog, and things got back to normal.

Arriving at Rugeley just after nine, we had a serious burst of retail therapy, both restocking with perishables and getting things like an extra floor mat for the engine 'ole and some fine wet and dry paper to rub down the new varnish between coats.

After putting everything away, we set off once more, meeting a fair number of boats coming in the other direction. Passing Spode House we crossed with Blue Sapphire (I think) whose crew told me that they were readers of this blog. I hope I've got the boat name right; immediately after, we passed that strange unusual looking boat Sapphire Blue on her mooring, so now I'm worried that I've got confused and that my nominal dysphasia has struck again.

By twelve, we'd just passed through Handsacre, so we've moored by Bridge 56, about halfway between there and Kings Bromley. After lunch, I went onto eBay and ordered some 3M Marine Finesse-It for general rubbing down and de-scratching of the paintwork. As I was dozing over the finance pages of The Independent, Sheila suddenly said "It's Streamline" and indeed it was, with Alan and Liz Rowbotham on board.

We've entertained them with tea and biscuits (very nice biscuits, thanks guys) and they are returning tonight to share a small libation.

Tomorrow, on to Fradley and our first rendezvous with Elanor.