Phew, we're back!

It was a great weekend, if a bit tiring, but it's really nice to be back on board for a number of reasons. Firstly, of course, it's very good for us to go and live in a house from time to time to remind us why we live on a boat. Mind you, I wouldn't want to try to raise two kids under six in a boat, and all respect to those who do manage it.

We had an interesting trip yesterday to a kids farm park type place, White Post Farm. It was excellent entertainment for all six of us; we got there at about half ten and left at three or so, having lunched in their caff.

Meanwhile, the weather has continued to cause serious chaos in many  parts of the UK, especially the South West and now the North East. We've not escaped unscathed here on the Staffs/Derbyshire border; the road out of Willington across the river to Repton is closed, and apparently some of the residents are on standby to evacuate if the river rises much further.

Elanor has been having trouble getting to and from work, and may decide to take Sally to work with her tomorrow. She couldn't get home at lunchtime to let her out today; so many roads were closed in and around Burton the town was gridlocked. The whole of the A38 from Lichfield to the Toyota roundabout (the A38/A50 junction) has been closed this afternoon; if it stays that way, she'd have trouble getting to us.

Meanwhile we've just been getting on with our lives; Mercia Marina is well above the river, and things are completely normal here. We went across to the service wharf and pumped out the toilet tank this morning, and took 100 litres of diesel. That's been almost entirely burnt by the Hurricane, which gives a consumption of 0.56 litres per hour.

Back on the pontoon, we filled the water tank, and I nipped down into the village to get some bread for lunch, as well as some Brussels sprouts which I'm going to use to make rumbledethumps tonight (that's basically bubble and squeak with a cheese topping browned in the oven). It's said to be Gordon Brown's favourite dish, but that's not going to stop me…

So, tomorrow, might be Sally, might be me…

Stay safe out there all of you in flood zones, and the very best of luck to anyone working to save their home/boat/caravan/shed or whatever from floating away.

/bye