Hooray it's Friday.

Hi Folks.

It has been a lovely sunny day on and off and the wind has dropped, but if the weather forecast is to be believed it is not going to last, because we are in for a wild and wet weekend and that is just the weather (Opps sorry)

So its Friday and almost the weekend. With the weather looking lovely, I went out early with my camera and tripod to see what was about early doors. Keith went off to the top lock cottage to chat to the lock keeper and Gary who runs the cafe.

Whilst out walking I noticed someone had left some bread on a tree stump and as I walked passed was fortunate to catch a glimpse of a field mouse tucking into a bread breakfast.

Because this was a golden opportunity to take a few snaps I settled down to see what else would turn up for some free food.

No sooner the first mouse left a second one arrived looking for breakfast. A Wren also looked interested but flew off when a walker came past grrrrr. I checked my watch and it was time for lunch, so I went back to the boat, made Keith and I something to eat and drink. Paddy then looked like he had ants in his pants, because he kept running up and down the cabin to me, so I took him out with his ball for a run in the field, this turned out to be such a bad idea. He chased the ball four times in all and was shattered so I put his lead back on and we made our way back to the boat. No sooner he got on the back counter it was clear he was distressed. He could not stand up or walk in a straight line. I had to help him into the saloon and then guided him into his bed. Paddy has always had a breathing issue, so we never over exert him, but it seems his problem has got worse, so there will be no more ball chasing for Paddy in future, because he just cannot take it and I really would hate for him to black out or even worse have a fit. If he had stayed on the back counter, I think he would have fallen in, just because he could not keep his balance. Thankfully he is now fine, now that he has his breath back and has stopped panting.

So with the panic over, I thought I would strip our short engine exhaust chimney, because the paintwork is now very tatty. I hung it in the hold and applied paint stripper, whilst that was doing its thing I went back out with my camera, to see if the mouse would come back for the bread that was left.

First to arrive was a Robin, who seemed very pleased to tuck into the bread left.

Then not long after, the mouse popped its head out of the undergrowth to snatch another piece of bread. It was my awwwww moment of the day.

With the sun being out, there have been a few people about walking today, so as it got busier I decided to call it a day and head back to the boat, where Keith was doing his crossword, Marmite was snoozing in the back cabin and Paddy was in his bed. The first coat of paint stripper has begun to work its magic, so with my scrapper I scrapped off the old paint. I reckon it will take a few goes, but it will be worth it in the end.

Not long now till I have to think about dinner, so I am off to raid the fridge and freezer.

Chat soon xx