Wednesday 13^th May 2020

We walked up to the chandlery to collect shopping Susan had got for us. So good of her, she has been a lifeline. She told us of an e-mail from CRT regarding the easing of lock-down. As from today, non-liveaboards can visit their boats and cruise for the day, but must return home at night and not pass through any locks. So the canal now, may well become a free-for-all. Mooring restrictions are to be imposed on 23^rd May but will not come into effect for a further 14 days after. This means we could potentially remain here until 6^th June. However, the navigations are to be reopened for free movement on 1^st June.

So we have decided to stay here until 1st June and then, if all remains as it is, start to move then and effectively end our isolation.

The back doors were removed and prepared for varnishing. I would prefer to use the lacquer that was used on the internal woodwork when the boat was built, but do not know what it was called. Terry then told me he uses Osmo Polyx-Oil and lent me his tin. Very expensive at £57.30 for 2.5ltrs, but a lovely finish. Must get some when we can.

Brenda made some lovely fruit scones that again, were shared out and thoroughly enjoyed. They certainly didn’t stay on the plates for long.

Sonia, a trained massage therapist, gave massages on a blanket spread on the ground in the lovely warm sunshine, to those that wanted and Jemima threaded braids into Sonia’s hair.

The daily wood collection took place and again, drinking and chatting around the fire in the evening. Brenda and myself were both tired, so had early nights and left everybody to it. They didn’t finish until 1am!