Mendip & Explorer go to Bourneville

Hello again, Pugwash here again. We are well underway now. It's 15:15 BST and we have just pasted Waverton on the Shropsshire Union Canal. We have been cruising for 6 hours and have approx 3 more hours to do before we reach our fiest night mooring, The Shady Oak (a fine tavern indeed). 

 We had a great send off from Ellesmere Port this morning. The mayor (Angela Claydon) and a lot of other people, some museum staff and some BMS members.

 The weather is a mixer of nearly sunshire and heavy showers. We have been in our waterproof clothing most of the time. There is a great team atmosphere on the boats with plenty of banter. We had good help through the locks around Chester from Mike Turpin. Mike will be joining the boats on Sunday night to relieve Steve Stamp our present leader. Lunch today was soup and bread and butter. Served with the expected banter some of it good natured ribbing. Like: we sent you on a food course and all you can serve is soup, I can get that at home. I calmed things by promising bacon butties for Sunday lunch! :-)))

We have bright sunsshine at the moment along with heavy rain as we pass the long line of moored vessels (about 2 1/2 miles near Hargrave. We now have a lovely strong rainbow to study. Joe is trying to get off the boat, spade in hand! OK as long as he share it!

That's it for now. Watch this space. Many thanks to everyone that came to see us off and to those who are following our journey.