Lots to say

I'm not sure where to start today, as there are three different topics I want to mention, and I probably won't be blogging tomorrow, so can't leave any of it until then.

People are more important than anything else, so let's start there.

We had a nice chat with Geoff of Seyella yesterday, together with his dog. Seyella is tied just a bit back up the canal from here, and he'd walked the dog down to see if we were about, which was really nice of him. The dog is another Bearded Collie bitch, like the "Flying Hearthrug" that inhabits Farne, and about as loopy, judging from her behaviour.

Geoff, it was good to meet up, and here's looking forward to more encounters in the future.

Next up is Bill and Eileen's visit this morning, to trim Sheila's hair. It's really coming on, and we are ever so grateful to Bill for taking the time and trouble to do it. They put a lot of time into keeping track of various Braidbar Owners too, so it's always great to catch up on all the gossip with them. For example, they were able to update us on the progress of Chris Herriot, whose boat, Eleventh Heaven, is in build at the moment.

Chris has just had a major operation and is still in intensive care as a result, so we're all thinking of him and his wife Lesley. Best of luck for a full recovery, Chris, and for many happy years boating on Eleventh Heaven.

Finally, as Sheila was sat there being trimmed, Streamline was seen going past, still with Alan and Liz on board. Obviously, we couldn't dive out for a chat just then, so after lunch, we walked down the moorings on the off chance, and there she was, tied by what used to be Rebel's field. It meant we could have another catch up session with them.

Another owner of Streamline, Peter Beckett, is a regular reader of this blog, so hi Peter, and make sure Alan leaves the old boat in decent condition for once…

/floor

Next up, at last we know what the new waterways charity is going to be called – it's to be the Canal and River Trust, with a logo not too dissimilar from the current BW one:

Hmmm… so will it be the CRT, like an old cathode ray tube, or will we all be in the CaRT?

The Welsh version will be Glandwr Cymru, so if the boss of that bit happens to be called Owen, presumably he'll be Owain Glandwr? (Jôc Cymraeg, ydy o).

Finally, a correspondent thinking of making the big move from land to water asked us about the annual costs of running Sanity Again. This worked out more or less as follows, all in pounds sterling:

Winter mooring	1100
Insurance	500
Licence	830
Engine maint	200
Blacking	400
Diesel	2000
Gas	120
Coal	300
Pump out	250
Repair and replace	500
Total	6200

That's all for now; probably no blog tomorrow, as I'll be at the Eye Clinic in the afternoon, so see you on Saturday.