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April 27
Thursday — my last day at work. Lots of good wishes, cards and a gorgeous silver choker and matching earrings. And lunch at the local Thai restaurant as a thank you from Janet and Sue. Sad to say goodbye to people who have become friends over the months but hope to see them next winter.
Mike was already coiling the ropes and getting ready to cast off when I got back. I changed my shoes and off we went. The end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
It’s going to be strange after six and a half months having to find laundrettes, check on public transport to get me to the shops and make sure I don’t run out of essentials such as milk, bread and — of course — dog food. No more just popping down to Sainsburys in the car. No more having to dress respectably and do my hair - but I shan’t miss that.
And it’s good to be “back on the road” again.
We’re now well into “Michael Time” — up and away by 6.30am when there are flights of locks to tackle. Bess at my heels running between the locks, peering over the edge to make sure Mike is still there, getting under my feet when I’m trying to open the gates. And Molly inboard, barking at the window as if to say “me, me, me! Why can’t I be out there helping?" But she’d be over the hills and far away (and would probably fall in). It isn’t safe for her.
By the end of Saturday I’d opened and closed 26 locks (not counting a stop lock) and walked about six miles. There'll be plenty more locks and miles before we reach Upton On Severn in about three weeks.
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