O what a morning. . !

I was singing "O what a morning, glorious and bright, with the dawning of day in Jerusalem...." yesterday morning and awoke a couple, who we were later to share locks with, as I passed in Fabulous sunshine. This morning we were accompanied by NB Knot Normal with their wonderful crew of Mark and Margaret or (M 'n' M or Mork and Mindy). They have been doing bespoke joinery on narrowboats now for 13 years and are heading for the cavalcade as well. But they stopped to visit friends in Dunstable Boat Club. Not before we had navigated seven locks in the most unsummery conditions possible with heavy rain and hail! We had one set of water sodden drying by the fire after the locking and over 'a full English' brunch break.

We then got a new partner at Marsworth Locks NB Sharp End who were with us with their friend Colin and his dog Mac. Here we took most of the soaking. After lunch, from Bulbourne we cruised the top level in light rain but it had dried up when we came up behind her again. She was waiting for her partner who caught a bus from Berkhamsted and 'normal service was resumed, apart from having to wait at Dudswell Lock No 1 (Top lock) while a BW contractor finished rolling the new tarmac path. They have covered the boaters foot holds with tarmac. When I pointed it out they told us not to worry, they will be cut out tomorrow when the tar is set. I hop so.

We should be in Berkhamsted before six o'clock. We need to be so that we can get to Waitrose. Either that or its tinned mackerel on toast, without toast for lunch tomorrow