ERIC PULLS IT OFF

MONDAY 21st APRIL 2008

Can't say much about Sunday, it rained, we puzzled, ate, drank, read and waited patiently for Monday. Ohh !! I nearly forgot Jacquie baked a cake, splendid.

9.30 Monday morning and this sturdy little tug called ERIC hoved into view. A very thick line was thrown to us and the tug lined itself up to pull us off backwards. The line went taut and nothing happened. The tug repositioned itself and again the slack was taken up, again nothing happened for a moment and then the skipper really opened the throttle, the water at the back of the tug boiled, the rear of Skyy healed over and then suddenly the stern slid of the mud and we were free. HOORAY!!!

We waved to the two chaps on Eric as she stomped passed us on the way back to Wyre and we continued at our more stately pace to stop at Pershore for much needed supplies. Nice town, some of the architecture had a Spa like look to it.

We moored for the evening at Strensham Lock and walked into to the village of Eckington. The centre of the village was full of thatched, black & white cottages, a stout Norman church, a little post office. They could have made Larks Rise to Candleford here. The sun had broken through the clouds and it was a beautiful evening. Thank goodness we are on the move again.