Change of allegiance??

5.50am. Birds a twittering and I'm wide awake, not from the lovely sound of the song birds, but the roar of the planes taking off at Birmingham airport. Hadn't realised we were so close and at that time of the morning every sound appeared heightened. So nothing for it but to get up, grab a cup of tea and get stuck into a good book. Ian called out a while later 'Can I have a cuppa'? With both now wide awake it was time for an early breakfast, walk up Knowle flight to empty the cassette (no elsan at Black Bouy and with Ian's brother Alan, sister-in-law Angela arriving tomorrow, as well as Christine, Kev, Josh and baby Thomas on Saturday, we felt the less liquid in the loo the better. In the meantime Dennis and Dave had tillers on and ready to get onto the rally moorings. They set off to wind and come back through the bridge and we waited for another 10 minutes before doing the same. As we passed the Ash Tree boat rally moorings, Pat on Charente shouted out to us that only two of their 4 boats were attending. This meant we could get in front of them on their moorings and saved having another boat tied to us on the ECP&DA moorings. Makes life much easier as Icing, Vixen and us need a quick getaway either Sunday pm or very early Monday morning. Dennis and Margaret have their sons 25th wedding anniversary party to attend on Saturday and need to and be in Stoke (by boat) no later then Saturday am. I foresee some long days ahead once we leave here.

 We gave FS a wash and brush up to remove the dust of the past few days and had a good look at the cabin side where the damage was done by the trees  It's not as bad as I had feared and Ian is going to try to to take some of the marks out with T Cut. Then the bunting went up on FS and Icing.

And before we had finished the Golds on Nb Electra, Nixie on Aroamer and John W on Waterlily  turned up.

From the front to back, ECP&DA mob... Tangarama, Electra, Waterlily (outside) Aroamer (inside) Vixen (outside) Icing (inside)  Then the two Ash Tree boats Aeolus and Charente and finally right in the front  is us.

Bunting appearing along the rally site

And our bunting all present and correct.

 The afternoon was spent chatting and generally lazing about. The weather was gloriously hot but clouds have started to build. May get the odd rumble of thunder tonight according to local news. So long as its overnight and not this evening. We are off to sample the food at the Black Bouy tonight and it's a good 10 minute walk from the pub back to the boats. Long enough for us to get soaked. Maybe take brollys just in case.

These photos were taken on one of my walks and it amused me to watch this Coot trying to build its nest.

This could be the right size

Hummm not so sure

Quick measure

Okay maybe not!