Normally, by this time of year I would have my year planner out, have the festivals pencilled in and be starting to plan my journeys for the year ahead. This year, alas, my planner is blank, my calendar empty, my diary tedious. We are all awaiting the outcome of Lockdown 3.0. I want to see my family and my friends. I am missing art galleries, museums, theatre and cinema. I didn't think I was much into pubs but I am missing the freedom to pop in for a glass of wine or a refreshing half of cider and to imbibe the atmosphere and banter.
Following my post last Autumn, I and several friends (all socially distanced in our own boats) went up the Ashby and enjoyed a month of walking, eating out to help out, a bit of cycling, a ride on a steam train and foraging for blackberries and sloes. We visited the far end of the Ashby at Moira and look forward to further development there. We (five boats) went down to moor in Coventry Basin - a first for most of us. 2021 sees Coventry as City of Culture. It would be nice to pop to events there but will any of them actually go ahead?
In September I had a new sliding hatch fabricated as the old wooden one was rotting and well past its prime and I took on a mooring for the first time in years (normally I just have a winter mooring for three months). I am happy that Olivia is in a safer place as I have had to leave her alone for long periods this winter with all the restrictions.
My friends and family are all beginnng to get their Covid jabs and I look forward to when I will be able to get mine. Hoefully then I will be able to get to work on my year planner.
Take care all and all the best for 2021.
