Sitting it out

"The battle outside raging
Will soon shake your windows and rattle your walls
For the Thames it is deranging."

Bob Dylan helped me write that.

Well we've hammered on every available stake and tied to a wooden post and we're all nicely sprung in the proper manner so let the wind do its worst.

We set off early this morning and got here in Lechlade just as the wind was getting up Here on the meadow below the bridge, Herbie is rocking gently in what according to Beaufort is a "force 7, moderate gale - whole trees in motion- waves 13 to 19 ft at sea" while we wait for the threatened midnight thunderstorm. I'll probably be fast asleep by then. I'm happy to report that the waves on the river are somewhat less than 13ft, but the trees are certainly getting a workout.

If you're going to be stuck anywhere on the upper Thames, Lechlade is the place to be as it's the only place with shops and such like. I can already highly recommend the fish and chip shop.

Various people have warned us that the cows here like eating rope, but when they came and inspected ours this afternoon, they turned their noses up. What's wrong with our rope then? I feel slighted.

Our planned itinerary is all awry because of this weather, but are we downhearted? Nah!

San Fairy Ann as they say in the trenches