Damply to Gailey

The plan for today was to get going in time to be on the water point above the lock at eight, so that we could leave the engine running whilst filling the tank. That in turn would mean that the washing machine could be started immediately after Filance Lock.

It was actually just on eight as we got going, Sheila steering and myself locking. The lock was with us but as Sanity Again rose in it a privateer appeared coming the other way and popped onto the water point. Drat, should have moved first, breakfasted second.

The woman on the other boat was apologetic, though she had no need to be, and said she thought that there was another water point just above the next lock. We expressed doubt about this but since we now had time to spare, I walked on up there (it's not far) and indeed on beyond as far as the next pub.

No water point. I'd thought she was thinking of Gailey. I ambled back to where Sheila had tied the boat on the lock landing opposite the sanitary station and made us some coffee. The rival boat was flying a huge ensign from a proper jackstaff mounted in a socket on the stern cant. It was dark blue, Union Flag in the top left quadrant as usual and the Royal Artillery field gun logo on the fly.

I looked it up out of curiosity, having some time to kill, and it proved to be the ensign of the Royal Artillery Yacht Club. I'd thought her steerer looked a bit ramrod straight...

Some people like flying flags from the stern like that – and fair enough if it gives them pleasure – but it's never been our thing particularly. Mind you, we are thinking of getting a little mast mounted on the forward edge of the roof, just above the bow doors, to fly the new Braidbar Owners' Group burgee, but that's quite small and tasteful (naturally), not the size of a table cloth.

We got onto the water point in due course and filled to about three quarters full as the morning was now getting on a bit. We'll top up above Gailey tomorrow.

We then had a steady chug to below Gailey, crossing with a fair few boats coming down, so the locks were mostly with us. I was feeling well exercised after my walk to Filance, so Sheila took over locking after Rodbaston, walking to Boggs and Brick Kiln locks to stretch her legs.

It rained on and off, never very hard, and we tied just on eleven. It's been tipping it down since, so good timing there. As a result, we've been loafing down below, Squirrel lit to keep the damp out. Tomorrow, on along the summit pound to Coven and our rendezvous.

After that, we'll probably take our time working down to Stourport, though we need to get there before the toilet tank is full as it's the best place for a pump out. On the way back, we may divert to Stourbridge and back, haven't been there for quite a while.