Sunday 5^th April 2020

Our Eva’s 11^th birthday today. Where do the years go?

We had planned to be with her for her birthday, but Corona Virus rendered that impossible. No doubt there are similar stories all over the world just now, but you do miss them.

The straight we are moored on is almost a mile long and there is a continuous line of moored boats, all keeping a respectful distance, for the full length.

It is very strange. We are 8 miles from Middlewich which is on the flight path for Manchester Airport, Britain’s second largest airport, and yet we haven’t noticed a single plane.

Similarly, the Crewe to Chester railway line is 100 yards behind us. Mounted on an embankment, we are on a level where we see right through the carriages. Since we moored there have been regular services, 2 or 3 carriages on the local Crewe – Chester route and 5 or 10 length carriages travelling from London to Holyhead. There have been very few passengers on any of the trains and the vast majority are running empty.

The wind throughout the day has been really strong causing the boat to rock quiet violently at times. For the last few days we have been letting the fire go out overnight, relighting it late afternoon. It took three attempts today, with the wind blowing the smoke back into the stove, filling the boat with smoke and putting the fire out.   

We sat in the front cratch for a while. Despite it being windy, it has been nice and warm up there. We always try to keep a traditional Sunday with a roast dinner and today we had a lovely roast beef dinner with delicious home-made gravy.

I have always fantasised about Brenda’s gravy.

Weather: very windy. A lovely warm day, but chilly in the wind.