Showers and essentials

We've been here for over a week now and will be running out of water over the weekend so it is time to move on and replenish supplies. Tomorrow we will be on the way towards Barrow upon Soar. The flood lock has just been opened. Coincidentally, I telephoned BW to find if the rest of the Soar was open and she said "no", and that the flood lock at Mountsorrel was still in place as the water was in the red. I told her that it was orange down here and within the hour Zouch flood lock was opened. Do they wait until someone rings up wanting to come through before opening. Of course not. You'd have to be a conspiracy theorist to believe that. I'm also disappointed that I haven't seen any BW inspector yet as it seems that are having their yearly blitz. I'M HERE BW. I'M HERE. All licensed up.

The shower has finally arrived and I'm currently installing the beast. It's a little harder than I thought it would be as I didn't realize that the floor has to be cut away to get the drainage right. We'll see how it all goes. Lisa is hovering around wrapped in a towel asking if it's up and running yet. Tomorrow dear. Well, then or thenabouts.

I actually was sewing up my shoes the other day as the stitching had split since they are perpetually wet from the tow paths. When did it ever come to this and when did I ever come to believe that it would be a good idea to dig out the shoemakers linen and large curved needle and get to work on my footware? What ever happened to the throwaway society? When did I ever come to think that it will be worth it as I can get another couple of months from them.

I'm sure that my eighteen year old self would have despaired at all this if seen from history. But my eighteen year old self would have seen my current life as a disappointment where, with the benefit of both hindsight and the advantage of age, I see it very differently. I think that a new car and a large house figured quite highly in those days. Today I have neither but enough coal for several weeks, diesel for the month and water for the week are enough. Tell that to the kids today and they won't believe you. Once my shoes dry out I'll let you know if I do.