06:00 is not a good time to be woken up especially if it is thrashing it down as was the case this morning. My bearded one seemed to think it was necessary as we have a long way to go to where we have arranged to pick up our friends Bob and Sheila. My long haired one was not amused by this early start and I have to say neither was I and so he was on his own for the first hour or so. I had to be a bit involved as he was standing in my bedroom, his steering position, and he did remarkably well negotiating three locks all on his own before the full crew was up and ready. The rain did not stop and at about 12:00 having completed several miles and several locks on our journey enough was enough and wet through we all stopped for lunch at a lock mooring in the belief that no other fool would be travelling in these conditions. By the time we had finished lunch the sun was once again shining and a few boats were on the move, we joined them and continued on our journey dried and refreshed. When we were about twenty minutes away from our rendezvous point, a telephone call confirmed that Bob and Sheila were also just twenty minutes away. – perfect timing.. It was lovely to meet them again, we had a game of football. We decided to move my long kennel towards Wightwick manor a NT property that we hope to visit in the morning. Love Douglas
Sent from my IPad
Oh dear! Your long-haired one does look a bit fed up in the photograph – but that’s not surprising really because you seem to have had more than your fair share of rain.
The sun is shining in Eastbourne and I’m about to help Daddy with the gardening – or watch him doing it, anyway . . .
Mummy and Daddy say they look forward to seeing you next week: I’m not sure I do, really –
Love
Millie
Dear Millie I am looking forward to seeing you even if this is unrequited I think I am also looking forward to seeing your folks. I expect they are too. Love Douglas
Hello Douglas and a cheery Hi to the bearded one and the long haired one. I have been trying to send these electronic mail things to your long kennel but i think I must be doing something wrong as they seem to have disappeared into the ether wherever that is. I think i am missing something called a pass-word.. or puss word… maybe even a piss word which will let me in! Could you please ask the crew what it is so that I can communicate again!
many thanks, your friend from a couple of weeks back who is now feeling less beaten up but has issues with his wrist ( the windlass-flinging one) and his knee which may well need some attention! Eek!
Please woof soon.
best wishes
Peter
Dear Uncle Peter we have received and all enjoyed your communication, we are very sorry that your windless flinging wrist is still poorly and particularly concerned that you might have damaged your knee. We do hope this is not serious. We are making good progress in a fairly lock free area, as I write we are moored outside the Cross Keys in Penkridge. It is cold. I have a feeling that my bearded one and his friend Bob might well be visiting the men inside M&B I think the are called. I have walked a long way today. Please keep writing, love Douglas x
Oh my dear Douglas, what a hard time you are having, we feel so sorry for you. English weather is not good, especially when you visit. Perhaps it will change soon. Would you rather have 45 deg in Spain?? Talk about the sublime to the ridiculous. But now you will have your new friends with you. We went to Wightwick Manor with you once before, we loved it and remember it well. Today we have visited the Birmingham library from top to bottom, what a view from the top, just fantastic. On Saturday we are progressing on our way out of Birmingham, there is a long flight of locks before us and I for one am not looking forward to it, but then if the weather is good it may not be so bad as it is getting busy here and we might get some help. Like you, we are meeting friends in Leamington Spa, but only for the day and no chance of help sadly. Give our love to your minders and also to Bob and Sheila, much love, Aunty Barbie and Uncle Mike xxxx
Will do, Bob and Sheila send their love and are having a good time, they are off painting at the moment at Shrugborough Hall,