Breakin

Friday

Not a good day!

We meandered gently along the rest of the northern section of the Stratford canal, picking up water along the way. By the time we reached Kings Norton Junction (where we needed the elsan disposal station) it was lunch time so we moored up in the sunshine.

Setting off once more we followed the Worcester and Birmingham route towards the city centre. Although we were not low on most supplies, we decided to take a stop at Selly Oak where there is a Sainsbury's just five minutes from the canal and a 'proper' mooring. (The Swiss couple were just leaving having also been to the supermarket) Whilst Mike picked up some wood preservative for the new boat pole, Christine completed the food shopping and we returned to the boat.

Alas, we found that there had been a break-in and that the laptop, television, jewellery, a small amount of cash and various electrical items had been stolen. the thief had broken in by forcing the front door and bending the catch - we had done all the right things, locked the doors, pulled the curtains etc. Also, it seemed quite a safe place as there were plenty of cyclists, joggers and walkers to deter unwanted activities - it seemed.

Apart from the obvious annoyance, the loss of irreplaceable data on the laptop was especially irritating, both of us having just completed drafting work to send of by email later in the day.

Before long a pleasant young PC arrived to take details and considered it worth asking for a forensic check. That was completed a little later - they speeded it up so that we could get away in time to reach the centre of Birmingham by evening.

Meanwhile, Christine set about reporting the losses to the insurance company and Mike went in search of replacement items - fortunately there were PCWorld, Homebase and B&Q alongside Sainsbury's. At least by midnight we were back on-line with emails!

Eventually we moored in our now familiar spot alongside the Indoor Arena. There was a long queue of people waiting to go in - we found out from another boat crew that it was Britain's Got talen - On Tour with Susan Boyle appearing (for the first time since the Final?)

After repairing the front door catches - and adding an extra hasp for a padlock - we felt that we needed a treat and booked a table at the Japanese we had patronised two years ago. It proved just as entertaining as we remembered and at least it was something we could not have done for ourselves.