Sunday Lunch

Enjoyed an awesome beef roast, with all the trimmings. Thanks very much, Sue & Vic. That was great.

Sheena wanted a picture of my cooking prowess..

Today's mystery fruit dessert was: Rhubarb, Strawberry and Coconut crumble! Yum! Freshly squeezed orange juice helped offset the tartness of the Rhubarb, and didn't overpower the strawberries. Result!

Where's ours?

pleeeeeeeease...

Sadly, A bloke from across the river (in the million pound houses) tried to wheedle £30 out of Sue. "You have been here 3 nights now", he said. I wish I had recorded the whole conversation, because it was an appalling and nasty display of snobbery. The gist of it was, that they (the people in the expensive houses) didn't want "unsightly boats" moored up across the river, spoiling their view. The £10 a night charge is to "discourage" (his actual word) boaters from staying there.

He then proceeded to dig himself an even deeper hole, by claiming that last summer there had been 13 narrowboats overstaying (a bald faced lie). Then he started waffling on about how "Your boat is alright, it's nicely painted". And "We have had some nasty and dangerous boaters staying here". Rubbish! We think the "nasty and dangerous" boaters, are probably people who have told him to sod off. Which I suspect, is more than a few. Those moorings are in a disgraceful state. The only people I have ever seen stop there, are hireboats up from Penton Hook (who presumably have just experienced the long old stretch up from Windsor, and just want somewhere safe to tie up for the night).

It saddens me that somebody with such wealth, has nothing else better to do, than to spy on people from across the river. And to record how long they have been there for. Probably with binoculars, whilst gnashing his teeth. Also, if it really is official National Trust policy to look down upon "scruffy boats", and actively discourage them from mooring and spoiling millionaires views, they've gone down several notches on the respect front.

On a happier note, I have just dieseled up. Our return trip to Hampton court, including the length of the River Wey and back, only used 74 litres of fuel.

Lemon

Enjoyed a(nother) pleasant madcap evening at the Bounty. Our outside table, reminded me of a putting green at the crazy golf. Quite surreal. But, it was nice to catch up with Sue & Vic, and meet Vic's daughter Louise. I'm deeply honoured to have been invited over for sunday lunch, but am panicking, as the only "dessert suprise" that I can come up with, would be an "oat and syrup concoction" (aka flapjacks). Sheena's spied some of the treats that other boaters have brought round (we're looking at you Lesley Yarwood, with your Peach and Butterscotch upside down pudding, setting the bar oh so incredibly high). I'm feeling slightly inadequate on the bakery front.

We were reminded (and amused) that Labrador's will eat just about anything. Sumo woofed down a chunk of lemon, which had previously adorned some scampi. And was quite partial to a bit of cucumber too. But he turned his nose up at lettuce.

9000

The number of people who've downloaded our new album "Tranklements" for free, rather than paying for it. We're not stupid enough to think that all of those clicks would have translated into a sale. But, it does go to show that piracy is still rampant out there.

Respect to our many fans around the world.
Thankyou for your honesty.
Big Up.



** When I say "many", I realise that it's not a Michael Jackson, or a One Direction "many". We are a small time techno outfit. And I have no delusions of grandeur. But the new generation of musically minded and Black Dog friendly people in Russia and Eastern europe have certainly surprised us. Respect to them.

Hermit Mode

Happy Solstice, everyone!

Sorry I haven't written much of interest, recently. Two reasons... 1) 3's internet service has been appalling for the last couple of weeks. So much so, that I've struggled to maintain a decent signal that didn't drop out after two minutes. From Laleham to Bourne End. 2) On Sheena's month away, I tend to go into "Hermit Mode". Which means reading a stack of books with my feet up, and generally leaving the outside world to get on with it's foolishness.

When they passed through, Doug and James on Nb 'Chance' asked me how I stop myself from getting cabin fever, and going insane. It's debatable whether I was sane to begin with. But, for me, peace and quiet are two of life's greatest treasures and pleasures. So I tend to revel in them, whenever they present themselves. Sumo is also a good listener. And walking him in all weathers is good for the soul. I can honestly say I've never been bored or lonely.

Anyway, today is different. Several things to write about...

I bumped into Sue & Vic, who looked like they were about to bang on the roof. They're booked in for a service at the marina on monday, and are currently moored up on Bell Rope meadow. Sue says she will refuse to pay if somebody pops out of the bushes, as all the signs have dissapeared. heh, nice one. True to his name, Sumo jumped up and launched himself at them. After taking the mickey out of me for moaning about canals, and the River Wey navigation, we agreed to meet up at the Bounty pub at 7pm. Amazingly, it will be their first visit.

Our friends Alan & Sue phoned up yesterday. They've sold their cruiser "Mv Latitude", and are excited about becoming narrowboaters. After several cold winters shivering on a GRP, they're looking forward to the warmth and cosiness of a real fire. Good luck to them, I hope they can get something nice.

Oh, and I've joined the RNSA, which will allow me to fly a Blue Ensign on Dogma. When I looked into the possibility a few months back, there seemed to be several hoops to jump through. Either I had to be an ex officer, a member of an approved sailing club, or have an official warrant. All of those options allow you to fly a defaced version of the flag. RNSA membership is open to "other ranks", and allows me to fly it undefaced. So I am well chuffed.

I have to lower it, if we pass a frigate. But the chances of that are slim.

No Wind in the Willows

Dorney Lake to Bourne End, with no stops. Sumo had a tick bite on his eyebrow, that had puffed up disconcertingly. And another ear infection. So we needed to visit the vet again. The tick decided to bale out of it's own accord before we got there. Sumo's got some meds for the swelling, and is much more relaxed now.

Sunset at Dorney lake, last night.

Bray, this afternoon.

Slipper Launches, at Oakley Court.

Sheena took the mickey out of me, for calling the journey "lovely". She says I have to tell everyone that today was really "lovely". Which it was. There was hardly any current, so we didn't have to stress the engine. Half a dozen tripboats full of sightseers, 3 narrowboats, and a couple of cruisers. It wasn't exactly a busy day. And we all got to enjoy the occasional puff of a gentle breeze, which stopped us baking up.

It wasn't a good day for the lady who unfortunately fell in at Dorney lake (she managed to climb out OK, thankfully). But it was, for us.

Windsor

Yesterday, we enjoyed a tickover cruise up past the Royal estates in the glorious sunshine. We had the river virtually to ourselves, only encountering two other boats on the whole journey. Until we got to Windsor, which was absolutely heaving.

We spent the night at Dorney. Again, all of the visitor moorings were completely stuffed. But around the corner, where many people think it is too shallow, was very fortunately free.

Panorama from the roof, at Dorney Lake.

Bazillions of Mayflies. But, hey, it's free...

Sunshine

Wow, June, already.

We arrived safely back on the Thames yesterday afternoon. Shepperton Junction resembled Piccadilly Circus, with boats of all sizes, shape and description out enjoying the long awaited fine weather. Our time pottering about on the Wey was very relaxing, but it's great to see some wide open water, and have some depth under the keel again. Nice to have the all the lock gates operated for us, too. The sluice paddles were very stiff on the Wey. Sheena has muscles like Popeye.

The Thames is awesome in scale, when compared to a river which is just two boats wide in some places. Stopped at Laleham last night. Sheena sneaked off for a Mr. Whippy.