The sky before the storm

Though actually the storm didn't happen!

Not today, thank you!

With storms from Abigail to Imogen having swept the nation since November, cries from boaters on the canals for it all to stop and leave them alone, and from the marina, saying that if they wanted waves that high, they'd have moored at sea, Grace and I have officially postponed our return to Kantara. She's safe and sound where she is. We're safe and sound where we are. It's a no-brainer. It'd better just stop soon, for the sake of all of us.

I've just read NB Adagio's blog, a post about their plans to visit Liverpool, and the route they'll take. We're umming and ahhing too much, I think, not deciding where we'll cruise this year. We want to go to Liverpool, too, but I fear we'll be too late to book a passage into the docks. I've booked to moor for up to three days at the IWA Festival of Water over the August Bank holiday. This is to be held at Pelsall Common on the Wyrley and Essington Canal, and will be part of a bigger trip - though we're not certain what the rest will be. Liverpool, maybe.

There's still no live TV that attracts us, so we watched another DVD yesterday.

Inside Llewyn Davis

"In 1961 New York City, folk singer Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) is at a crossroads. Guitar in hand, he struggles against seemingly insurmountable obstacles to make a name for himself in the music world, but so far, success remains elusive. Relying on the kindness of both friends and strangers, Llewyn embarks on an odyssey that takes him from the streets of Greenwich Village to a Chicago club, where awaits a music mogul who could give him the big break that he desperately needs."

Entertaining, interesting in parts, but quite forgettable.

Ooops! There goes next door's fence!

Our noisy neighbours

Right next to Kantara's home berth is a bank of rushes. And in these rushes are Reed Warblers. And they warble in the reeds. Lots! It's a lovely sound. I sent this recording to the kids. Steve's reply was, "Have you shot it yet?" But it's actually very restful. And there are lots more of them around the marina. The air's full of their song. I love it.

I wonder how they felt about the thunderstorm the other night. It must have been more than a little alarming to them. Wow, was that fierce! Amazing, continuous lightning and crashing thunder, the like of which I'd not experienced for a very long time. And the rain thrashed down, driven by a mighty wind. Quite a night! And all that was left in the morning was the wind. The skies were clear, the sun was bright, and it was very warm. Summer perhaps? I'd love a repeat of that night.