Audlem to Market Drayton - in the dry!

Sun 3 June - constant rain all day.  am - did jobs inside, then sat and watched the Jubilee Pageant on the Thames from 1.30 to 6pm.  It was a fantastic sight to see - I really enjoyed seeing the new rowbarge, the many rowers and narrowboats - would have been nice if someone had provided us with a bit more information especially historical - we could all see that President was a "steam boat"!  It was such a pity that everyone who was there suffered the wind and rain too.  The Queen and Duke have great stamina to last all that time standing - just sad that he ended up in hospital that night.

Mon 4 June - a really lovely day, windless and sunny.  Shopped in Audlem in am, then went back later to have a delicious home-made burger outside the Lord Combermere.  Watched the procession and followed it to the Recreation ground to see the stalls.  Sat to have an icecream watching the dancing and fun dog show.  There was live music everywhere all weekend - outside 3 pubs and in cafe's etc.  A really lively weekend.  Watched the concert in the evening - loved Madness and the changing Buckingham Palace - hilarious.

Tues 5 June - warmish but dry with rain forecast later.  Boats beginning to back down the bottom two locks so I moved up to take up their moorings.   Ex-boat owning friends Roger and Mirjana (ex nb Maggie May) came for an early lunch then we set off to work the 11 locks to Cox Bank.  Not too busy so we made good time - thank you to my efficient volunteers!  Was rather marred though by contractors cutting the long grass.  2 men had strimmers and 1 was strimming beside the boat as I rose in lock - they had goggles and ear defenders - I had nothing - but the cuttings were coming at my face (and newly painted boat).  I had to ask him to stop!
At Cox Bank we moored and had tea, cake and chat - unfortunately Roger and Mirjana unable to join me for a pub meal back down in Audlem.

Wed 6 June - breezy, 50% cloud and warmish.  Had to set off quickly at 8.45 - the grass cutting men were approaching and I had to stop them from strimming beside the boat before I set off.  Worked last 2 Audlem then Adderley 5 locks - meeting 4 singlehanding men coming down!  Went on to moor in Market Drayton, just past the first lot of moored boats.  Dashed up to the market - bought few more plants, but no tomato plants! 

Thursday 7 June - rain all day and evening.  Rang Vimart Signwriting and Martyn said he was coming to paint the roses on my side hatch doors (an indoor job!).  He arrived about 10.30 and spent most of the day painting - fascinating to watch - just 7 round blobs turned into beautiful flowers.  That is the boatpainting now complete.  (Just need to repaint boat poles etc - need 2 consecutive dry days!)  Took Ebony for a few short walks - she doesn't like the rain!

Friday 8 June - today!  Rain all night and forecast all day - getting really fed up with it now!  Strong winds also forecast.  As Tyrley 5 locks are under trees and wet/muddy/difficult at the best of times will not be tackling today - I shall catch up with diary, blog and some family history.  Need have go into town for some food to last till Brewood tho!  (Just had a dry spell of 1 1/2 hours - and dashed to Asda (was Lidl?) but raining again now!)