What a fantastic day yesterday, from start to finish we woke to blue skies with the prospect of a visit from Karl, Kim and the girls. Last night I took down the Union Jack that had been flying at the back of the boat since the Queens Golden Jubilee, and ever since we put it up we have had nothing but rain day in and day out, with only a few exceptions. So I figured that it was the flag causing all the rain, so it came down, and look what’s happened, glorious sunshine with the promise of still more to come, so the flag will stay in the drawer.

The day got off to a good start with Sally taking Socks for a good walk on the meadow, along with Martin, Clare, Jess and Cindy. Whilst in the meadow several other folk turned up with their dogs and all of them off the lead, they had a ball running and playing. Sock’s learned that he was not the top dog as one of the others was a greyhound and could out run him, and with several other dogs surrounding him he got scared and went and sat by Sally. Not for long though before he was off and running again, splashing through the flooded area in the meadow.

Once the walk was finished and the dogs taken home, Martin came down with his son Sam to try out a bit of fishing with a couple of small rods, bought off e-bay. Also down here were young Alex and Sam, a couple of lads from the village who were also fishing. As it turns out they a great, well-mannered pair of lads and we all had a great time together, even Nick brought out his rod so it was all lads together.

 After hours, Martin at last did catch a fish, all of 45mm long, so young Sam his son beat him with a bigger one, (never mind Martin). Once Clare got here and Martin went off to walk the dogs again, she decided to have a go, and would you believe it she got one straight away.

The fishing kind of ended when Karl and the family arrived at around 2pm and we all sat around chatting and having a good laugh together, (it was good to see them). Also the folk from the scout camp came down to the water and built a couple of rafts for the kids to play on, which was in itself fun to watch as each in turn got soaked to the skin, with the chants of “fall in, fall in, fall in” from those waiting to take their turn.

Sally had prepared a bit of lunch and we left the others, going onto the boat to eat and we all had a good fill (thanks Sally), followed by a homemade pudding with dream topping, yummy. After dinner it was outside again to join the rest, either still fishing or like the lads messing around in the river. Karl had a go, with a rod and lure trying to entice and catch a pike, but after lots of casts the pike had won.

 Samantha also wanted a go, and I have to say she did well, picking up the casting very easily, but still no pike. So for a bit of amusement both Samantha and Rebecca decided to go for a paddle in the boat slipway, but not for long as the water was too cold for them.

Soon enough the time for leaving came around and they left us at around 10.30, and like I have said before, after a great day together.

Today Sunday, I have had a real treat and that is a BATH, yes a bath and oh boy was it good to have a long hot soak. Clare and Martin called to invite us up for a coffee and told me to bring a towel, as I had told them that it is a bath that I miss whilst out boating. (Thanks guys so much).