August 10th 2011 Sheila does a pole and hat trick

We have turned back and have started the trip back north. Today was a real challenge with really strong winds blowing Shell Bell all over the place. Stopping to fill with water after our only lock of the day the captain found it difficult to get shell bell of the mooring,but Sheila grabbed the boat’s pole and manfully pushed the bows out allowing the captain to get underway. We carried onto Cosgrove and moored for lunch. Whilst we were mooring a boat coming the other way had the misfortune of the lady crew member having her hat blown off into the canal but ever the heroine Sheila retrieved it and returned it to it’s grateful owner. With lunch over we carried on through really strong winds to our planned mooring at Stoke Bruene where tomorrow Cliff and Chris (Bens girlfriend Claire’s parents) will join us to spend a couple of days on board. I really do hope you have warned them about your mad parents Ben.