The dog had a great time on her first trip!

And so did we, though now I’m looking at the rain beat down on our soggy garden while a pile of muddy washing waits to be done. Even though we arrived last Friday in the rain, we had a couple of brilliant sunny days and only one wet one, which doesn’t really count because we were tied up before it got really bad.

We spent Tuesday doing various jobs.  The marina has good facilities so I washed the muddy dog towels which dried quickly in the stiff breeze.  Provided the back was closed up to keep the wind out we could have the side hatch open and enjoy the sun.  In the evening we drove to the Three Magpies at Sells Green, where Caen Hill moorers get 10% off meals! very nice.

On Wednesday the engineer from Foxhangers came to service the engine, and we packed up to come home.

Meg seems to have taken to boat life with enthusiasm, especially the walks.  She loves to watch the world go by from her perch on the locker and the first passing boat she saw had a good laugh at her wide-eyed astonishment as they went by. She has had her first lessons in leaving swans and geese alone though she thinks ducks are another matter – bit of work needed there I think.  She is also learning to stay put until told she can get off the boat, though we are not taking any risks with locks or manouevres like winding or pontoon mooring yet, when she stays shut inside.  We had forgotten the extra cleaning involved when you’ve got a dog on board but we think we’ll put up with that ….