PETER AND EMILY

The mad burst away from Atherstone ended in tears on the approach to Stretton under Fosse towing Wavy. I ran out of diesel. Perhaps I should have pushed the tank probe to the bottom before setting out.  Perhaps I should have decided to do the whole day on tickover.  Perhaps both options should have been invoked. 

Fuel has been a constant issue since Hillmorton when I had to drain and filter the contents of both tanks.  Perhaps I should have prioritised filling both tanks back in Rugby but I didn't did I?  I am now pegged at Combe Hill about a mile from Stretton under Fosse and much too tired to do any more today. 

Next Day

 Thursday morning I went for it did a complete checkout of the fuel pick up from tank through lift pump through filter to injectors and got the engine to run cleanly after an easystart kick start.  I motored on to Brinklow where the nice people gave me 40L for £50 cash so the port tank (the feeder) is about half full.  I moved on in breezy conditions and tied up at Newbolt just before the weather front landed. Minutes after I tied up the heavens opened

Serendipidy. 

Peter Gifford and I have been friends since we met last year in North Kilworth and Market Harborough.  We used to travel on the same buses and shared many interests.  We keep in touch by e-mail and occasionally meet up last time being at Brownsover about a month ago.

Friday morning I am on board when I hear a call from the water and find Emily alongside. There is space beside me so Emily is tethered.  Tea is brewed; the world is put to rights and then we take Emily down the flight to moor opposite The Kings Head and repair to the hostelry for a very long lunch and banter. 

Peter is constantly cruising now northward bound destination unspecified.   We shake hands and Peter settles in for a siesta while I  shank back to mine via a stand of handpicked blackberries and a small tesco shop at a Large Tesco Shop.  I call by the factors just in case.  No batteries. Wait to see what Monday brings.  Back on board crank the router after its usual monthly collapse and resuscitate it.  Its not the router btw its the inserted EE sim. The yobs changed the ground rules ... bollawkz ...

Shank?  Shanks' Mare qv ... Mare as in female horse not as in Latin Mare the sea