Sunday

Although it had been cold overnight, it was a delightful winter's morning with almost clear skies. As a result we opted to walk to church in Yiewsley - it only takes about 20 minutes.

As before the church was both warm and welcoming. The vicar was away so the service, including communion by extension, was taken by the Reader (or Licensed Lay Minister as they are known in these parts). There were around 45 adults with quite a good number of children as well. the church rooms alongside the church are currently being re-built - perhaps by the time we come back to the boat in early spring we will be able to see it finished.

We had a few items to pick up from Morrisons - as the intended beef joint for roasting had been left in the freezer last night we thought that it would probably not defrost enough for tonight so Christine tracked down a small pork loin joint instead.

We were not scheduled to collect Alice and Jess until 4 o'clock so we had a slow lunch and then prepared as much as we could for the evening meal.

The girls were ready, packed and waiting so it was a short turnaround before we set off back to the boat where the TV was immediately sought! (We have learnt in the past few days that televisions are now things of the past as all the family now watch what they wish on-line. Jess found it a bit hard to understand that, on the boat, we have to be a bit careful about how much we download as it is only a mobile connection not a fibre land line!)

We did, howver, have just eough time to check on Geoffrey's state - he seems much recoverd from his escapade.