Early Bath

Spotted in the tree this morning


Tavern Wharf


Hi everyone

We have spent the weekend here at Tavern Wharf about three miles south of Market Drayton, its a very nice setting with good moorings and a very nice bar/restaurant across the bridge; it's very very busy and has two caravan sites on each side of the road. I remember Alan and I went for a pint there last year and it took us twenty minutes to get to the bar so this year we gave it a miss, anyway our kid brought me some " G & T in a can" so who needs a pub.
As I said this weekend we have had Carol and Keith with us, they arrive on Friday afternoon. We have really enjoyed their company, and they do not mind loosing party games?? Kieth and I had a great time fishing on Friday and caught a good mixed bag. But Saturday was somewhat a disappointment that is until the afternoon. We spotted coming towards us a little plastic cruiser being tow by two blokes and a lady they gently negotiated a BW tug moored just in front of us by passing the tow lines over the top then it was our turn as they approached Keith and I just looked at each other in disbelieve. Keith's curiosity got the better of him and ask "what the bloody hell are you doing" remember Keith's from Hyde and does not mince words.
anyway after a little discussion we found out that the boat had broke down and was being hand towed to its mooring that was just opposite our boat. It was decided that I would lend them my pole which is a long one (not bragging here) and one would go on the boat and punt it across
Now that task of punting was assigned to one of the men who I must admit looked a bit apprehensive. Now the fun started the man who was going to do the punting was also holding the forward line keeping the boat in to the bank. he decided whilst still holding the forward line to get on the boat ( this is like sawing the branch you are sat on) and yes you have it has he started to put one foot on the boat it started to move away from the bank, and concluded in the longest splits I have ever seen in my life for a man of aging years, eventually the inevitable happened but instead of realising his fete and jumping upright for the bank he just held in there until gravity took over and tipped him side ways into the watery abyss. Now the lady that was him sprang into action and whilst we were onlooking in disbelieve she had darted in and hauled him out she must have lifted close on 16 stone including water, All this happened in about 45 seconds
but it was one of those occasions we have all experienced that moved in slow motion.
I decided to take control of the boat and gently pushed it across the canal to a waiting owner as I found out the man that had just taken an early bath was not the owner just a very helpful boater.
Well it made our day and when everyone had gone from earshot we had a great laugh I know we shouldn't and that we all fall in and it is a terrible experience but I just hope that the next time I fall in I give as much pleasure as that man did.
The rest of the weekend was an anti climax as nothing could top that but it has been a great weekend with lots to remember and laugh about
Thanks to Keith & Carol for taking us shopping we were able to stock up on bulky items its a great help
We are now off to Birmingham and hope to be on the other side before Noreen goes off to summer camp .

That's All for now

Buggerlugs