It's all gone quiet, and a message from WW

After the mad socialising whirl of the past couple of days, it's gone very quiet and peaceful on board Sanity Again today. Jane got away on the 9.43 for Lichfield, and I duly attended the dentist for my new crown (still feels like someone's glued a pebble into my mouth) and a small filling. Both were done very efficiently, so still full marks to the Alrewas dental practice.

Since then, we've been pottering about, putting the boat back into two person mode, getting a bit of shopping in and the like.

We managed to have a couple of chats with Doug and James before they left on their way back to Brinklow, and also walked along to where Traveller's Joy was tied. Here we had a good old natter with Dave and Tricia. They were some of the first boaters we met after we'd moved on board Sanity all those years ago, and indeed, they were Sheila's first customers for her porthole doilies and window lace.

They seem to be thriving, and it was good to catch up.

The other day I had a bit of a go at Waterways World about the way the Favourite Boat in Show competition was run at Crick this year. I'd been told that they had taken over the whole thing, but I've had a comment from Peter Johns, the publisher, setting the story straight:

Waterways World did not change anything for 2012. The only change was the fact that RoyScotLarch and Collidge & Partners are no longer in partnership and the sponsorship passed to the former. We offered to help by counting the votes but that's all. We are well aware of the potential for ballot box stuffing - though I am very confident that did not affect this year's results. Actually for 2013 it is likely that we will take over the running of the voting in its entirety (still with the sponsorship of RoyScot Larch). We're ALWAYS happy to put our hand up if we think we get something wrong - mistakes always happen, the key is to learn lessons from them, the final outcome is usually the better for it. Like the online moorings.

I've replied to Peter thanking him for this, and I'm glad to be able to put their side of the story.

Tomorrow, we'll head back to Mercia; typically, after the unsettled stuff we've been having for the past few days, it looks like it's going to be a nice day, now that our guests have gone.