Feeling well enough to do some fishing first thing this morning and caught a few before breakfast and our cruise afterwards to Ely where Daniel and I enjoyed the chandlers and the Morris Dancers as we met the girls for lunch at Bonnet’s Restaurant. This afternoon working with Daniel on the boats as the girls enjoyed Ely Cathedral before the rain came this evening as we watched the revellers near to The Cutter Inn. A riot today at Lingholme Prison due to overcrowding, long flight delays for holidaymakers at Manchester and Gatwick
A much better night, sleeping well, but I woke up early on a bright, still and sunny morning and decided to do an hour or so’s fishing before breakfast. Wrapped up well and was soon catching fish. First a small Ruff, then a Roach, a small Bream and Perch. Another Roach, Bream and then a much larger fish. It was of Bream colouring, fins and slimy skin, but of Roach shape and so I think it was a hybrid, but a large fish for all that. I had used a double maggot for the first time, which tempted it, but I made such a commotion landing it that I could only catch one eel after and gave up to go in and get ready for breakfast. Had cereal and toast for my morning meal and then we cast off and sailed along the remainder of the Old West and began Pope’s Corner to Ely. Di washed her hair and took advantage of the hot water system and the weather was reasonably kind to us, with no rain and some sunny spells. In Ely, we topped up our water tanks, got Daniel some outboard motor fuel and then moored up to go shopping.
The girls went to the Tesco supermarket and Daniel joined me on a trip to the chandlers. This is now the best chandlery on the river, with the widest stock and friendliest owners, who are always humorous, helpful and eager to please. We bought a few small things and then walked up to Ely town centre to meet the girls at Bonnet’s Restaurant for lunch – our favourite eating place! There were several troupes of Morris Dancers in the town today and their music and bells made very pleasant entertainment. This afternoon, Daniel and I worked on the boats, servicing them and recharging Daniel’s battery, and the girls visited Ely Cathedral and enjoyed the visit. The weather broke again this evening, with incessant rain. It has rained every day so far, but, in some ways, we have been lucky that the timing has not yet inconvenienced us. We spent the evening and night near the Cutter Inn and I was impressed by the numbers of amorous couples and frivolously dressed girls, even though we were spared any late night noise and distraction by the weather dampening their ardour satisfactorily. I bought a set of lawn bowls and jack today, which I can’t wait to use. The news today is of an overnight riot at Lindholme Prison, with over 200 prisoners involved and prison officers taking cover. There is fire damage to the facility and tonight 2 of the 20 escapees are still on the loose. The Government blames a ‘hooligan element’ amongst the inmates, but the prison officers blame overcrowding and outdated facilities. Converted military camps being used are also criticised as being totally unsuitable. Families of holidaymakers are still being delayed up to 28 hours in Manchester, the worst affected airport. Thousands camped overnight at Gatwick. The travellers are exasperated and it is costing the package tour companies heavy in meal and hotel vouchers. The Soviet Block Warsaw Pact has called for conventional arms disarmament between European countries. Nelson Mandela spends his 70th birthday in jail amongst widespread worldwide condemnation of the South African apartheid system. The rain today postponed the penultimate round in the UK Golf Championship and it is due to rain all night, yet again, before brightening up tomorrow. We shall see!