Don't want to go too far as we are booked in for blacking. Sort of hoping to see the kingfishers that were here last year. Ellesmere still within walking distance for shopping.

Still hanging around. Apparently Lindsay is up for sale, Rich is aware that he is beginning to find it hard going and knows that he will have to give it up at some point so best to put Lindsay on the market earlier than later to give it a fair chance. They hope to sell it as a going concern, which would be good for us.

Rich.

Used the facilities and popped along to the arm so as to make shopping easier for bulky goods.
Several of the boats in the arm have been here for a month or more. Perhaps they have a special dispensation because of the breach. I can well imagine that if you were just visiting the area in your boat, but actually had a mooring in, say Rugeley, then it would be really difficult to keep travelling up from Rugeley to Llangollen every couple of weeks or so to move your boat.

Went to Oswestry to collect my new spectacles. Tried them on and they were just not right. The assistant passed me over to a supervisor who was most dismissive. I explained that I could see double. She held up two fingers and asked me how many fingers I could see. "Two", I said. "You are not seeing double" she said.
Now I don't know how you would explain this but from my point of view objects more than 20 feet or so away were definitely doubled up. Objects right under my nose were just a bit blurred. I then pointed out that I was expecting two pairs of spectacles and was told that I would have to pay another %pound70 for the second pair. I explained that I had ordered from the Two for One range and was told that the offer was not valid for NHS vouchers.
Red rag to a bull. Full of indignation I asked for my money back and a copy of the prescription. My money was refunded and I left with a copy of the prescription and a copy of the referral letter.
Back at Iowner I looked at the referral letter just to see what the problem might be.
In the referral letter the optician has stated that "Mr Giles has noticed distortion in his left vision for the past week.". I must remember to let the specialist know that it is my right eye that has the distortion and that I would hate for them to remove the wrong eye if the distortion is caused by a tumour.

Hmm mm Back to Blakemere on our way to Bettisfield where my No2 is hoping to see Bitterns which have been reported in the area as their boom can be heard up to three miles away.

Spring bird watching. My No2 has spotted a bittern so she is delighted.
I have been thoroughly engrossed in the rebuilding of my web site. Microsoft Copilot has got me involved in creating a 'Gazetteer' for my diary and it is getting a bit involved but will give me a whole new perspective on my travels.

Sven.

Topped up with water at Bettisfield Bridge. It's best to top up as and when the opportunity arises.
The guy from Drover went past with a wheelbarrow full of logs. Didn't really register. The guy from Drover went past with a wheelbarrow full of logs, again. Registered, so next time he went past I quizzed him as to where he was getting it from. He told me of an ash tree down about a mile away, loads of it still left. We upper sticks and moved a mile to the downed ash tree.
I am glad that my cleaning and winterising of my chain saw had been effective. because it worked first time and I got a number of pieces of ash suitable for turning into legs for stools and also four pieces suitable for turning into bowls.
I set the lathe up on the tow path and started making a bowl, my first ever. While I was turning the bowl two boats went past and moored up about 200 yards further on. The crew of the boats came back and asked if they could have some of the ash and I explained that I had taken all the pieces that I wanted and, go ahead, help yourselves. One of the guys had a good look at the bowl I was turning and asked if I sold them. After explaining that this was my first he offered to buy it when complete. Now that is an incentive to make more.

Organised a delivery from Asda. I did indicate that the tow path was a bit waterlogged but the driver gave it a go anyway. Got mired down about half way to the boat. I started to organise some planks and some matting to put under the wheels but in the mean time the driver went back to the bridge and enlisted the aid of half a dozen burly workmen who were resurfacing the car park. They almost lifted the delivery vehicle out of the mire, but a jolly good push was enough to get it to safety. Carried all the provisions to Iowner on a pair of wheels. The driver got away safely in the end.

Close to Tillstock Park Lift Bridge