Home to Paxton from Tempsford after a walk through lovely Roxton and refreshments at their Post Office as Joshua Nkomo starts the return of exiled Zapu to Zimbabwe

A hot but windy day. The barometer stayed around 1013 all day and temperatures varied between about 60degF overnight to 78degF in the open saloon cabin during the day. A good sleep and lay in before we all rise for breakfast in The Lady for the last time this long weekend. A walk after to the Parish of Roxton across corn and vegetable fields. We pass ducks and geese and walk through Roxton Hall, a well-kept farm with new sheep pens and outbuildings. They also keep flamingos for their distraction.

Along to the main crossroads and ice creams and soft drinks for all at the Post Office. Roxton is a pretty village with a school and well-kept traditional buildings. A few new houses are being erected and I would commend its circumstance to anyone. Back to the boat across the footbridge and a drink in The Anchor whilst the children play in the games room and Diana makes a salad lunch on board. A steady cruise back through Eaton Socon and St Neots locks without finding reason to stop.

After unloading the boat I use the new electric hedge trimmer to clip the Hayling plot hedge and see that I have so much combustible material in this drought that I am forced to stop and burn some of it slowly before it gathers to high and dangerous. I put The Lady to bed and furl her red ensign, mast flags and life buoy, stowing them safely. Off with her gas and electricity power and back to the house.

Today an exiled African leader Joshua Nkomo returns to Zimbabwe, another Irish Republican Army activist is buried and the Building Societies again have an inflow of funds. I am interested tomorrow to see how Comart has been faring but use my last energies this evening to bathe and wash my hair. I will sleep sound tonight.