Off to Cambridge to drop off my car for repair before back by bus and taxi in an area power cut and then to treat the family and friends to a Little Chef lunch before loading all aboard and setting off through Buckden and Brampton locks set in our favour and then a quiet and relaxing evening in Godmanchester
A sound sleep after a late night and awake to my morning tea and last week’s Economist to read. Then The Financial Times, which I finished before and after a breakfast of rice crispies and milk. Up at 9.00am as Debbie’s friend Emma joined her and then showered and shaved before dressing in my brown casual wear. Out to the birds and 12 eggs, but the weak one did not lay last night. Some pass books from the office and then into St Neots to collect my bank statement, juggle some Abbey National accounts and take back some press cutting refills for changing. Off then to Cambridge where I leave my car for repairs and baby-seatbelt fitment and then a brisk walk to Cambridge railway station to catch the No. 128 bus (£1.30) to St Neots. As we drew into town the queues were long at the traffic lights as the whole of St Neots had been hit by a power cut. The rain was pouring down as I bought some connections from TVC Audio and then, no phones working, I caught a taxi to take me home. Upset on my return to have missed Barry Gamble of Fountain Forestry. Some work on my financial affairs and investments and then across to the house and out to lunch with Di, Daniel, Della and Jason (Daniel’s friend). We go to the Little Chef, which was nice. Back to a hectic hour finishing the process of loading up the boat, until Debbie arrived from school and it was time to go. Much ado as we set off with Daniella wailing from desertion and the unfamiliarity of the boat.
Quite a strong wind now, but mainly dry, we were lucky to find the Offord lock set in our favour and cruised straight in. Down and in to Buckden Marina where Richard opened the shop for us and we got a new kettle. This time we bought stainless steel as the last aluminium one was punctured with corrosion holes this season. We topped up with water, set off, and found Brampton lock set for us as well. I made the same good job of cruising in, despite the wind, and we were soon through and cruising on to Godmanchester. We had the moorings to ourselves this evening and Debbie played on the sandpit and swings as Daniel and I played football, until the ball went in the river. Dan lowered the dinghy from the davits and set off after it; cruising round thereafter and giving a ride to two children from the Oxmoor estate. Diana returned from the fish and chip shop with plaice all round and, after tea, the children went to bed as we read and wrote in peace. To bed without television or other entertainment, waiting for some yobbish youths to stop talking and disturbing us.
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