Boaters' favourite topic

**L**

Toilets. Where would you be without them? Well, boaters would have nothing to talk about, for a start. Sorry to disappoint, but our outing to the pumpout at Wheaton Aston yesterday went without a hitch (you have to have been following the story). Engine ran beautifully, no queue at the lock, no one else around - and someone had even left an almost unused card in the machine. Nothing nasty happened and we now have fully functioning facilities once more. Add to that the fact that now we're running the engine there's hot water in the shower, and we are really living a life of luxury.

Today we bid a very fond farewell to Stretton Wharf, which will be quite sad - it's been an important part of our life for over a year and we've been very happy with all the work that's been done while we've been here, the last of which is the stovepipe, specially built to reconcile the French stove with the existing hearth and chimney. It's now fitted and it looks great.

Last night we had a little soiree to say goodbye and thanks to everyone who's contributed to making Warrior the boat it is now, but it couldn't compete with Friday night's events, despite a polypin of Harveys and copious quantities of cake. And lots of conversations about toilets, sadly.