The wait is over.

And we are 'almost' off at last. Yep the NHS may have grabbed us back in April but they couldn't keep us here forever. We were finally free to leave Langley Mill but had strict instructions to return November time. So the plan is to take the Beast back to Norfolk and continue where we left off before then jetting off to Poland toward the end of this month.

So what have we been doing for nearly 3 months? Well, we've not been idle. Tethered to our moorings gave us the opportunity to continue with the painting. Handrails had a makeover and are now sporting a nice shade of red. Two top box lids made by Ian's fair hand to replace the old, Solar panels put back on, the dodgy hopper windows (which had leaked like a sieve) taken out and resealed and I rubbed down and painted the well deck floor in a nice colour of terracotta.

And then there was the excitment and continuing saga of the huge log. Completely waterlogged now it had disappeared beneath the waves and only a rope around its girth, which had been attached to a branch overhanging the basin, showed where the thing was.  But trying to get it out and then placing it on dry land, well that was another matter!. The Case, driven by JB, was the chosen means of removal and all was going well until the trunk upended, shook off the rope and, with a mighty splash, disappeared from view once more. There was a lot of head-scratching and 'now what' before finally deciding on a grappling hook to drag it to the surface and boat hook to feed another rope around the trunk and then, with a lot of 'heave too', fingers crossing and straps reattached to the Cases forks, successfully got the trunk onto dry land.

First attempt

Second attempt

I have also been out with the camera again. Found this Bee Orchid in a nearby field.

And mum Grey Wagtail was busy feeding its chick.

The Male Bullfinch returned and treated his lady to a slap-up meal at the bird feeder.

And this moth paid us a visit. Huge beastie but I have no idea what type it was. ( Thanks to Paul I now know this to be a "Old Lady")

Dragonflies darted too and fro in the basin. Correct me if I'm wrong but could this be the Emporer Dragonfly? The female was busy laying eggs.