Just got back on board tonight and was rooting through the cupboards for something. I didn’t find what I was looking for but I did come across something interesting. A couple of booklets that sort of explain what I should be doing. One is from the Environment Agency and has a handy glossary of boaty terms and diagrams.

The equipment checklist shows up a goodly lot of deficiencies in this as a cruising vessel. At least it contains terms I’m not sure that match up to anything I’ve seen so far on the boat. It does have a handy set of knot diagrams, something I’ve not studied so intently since the day I forgot my book on the bus in the 80s and sat opposite an old lady with them on her tote bag (wither now that one, or the ‘Big Shop’?).

When you’re tying your house down to prevent it floating off I guess you’re up for more that just keeping wrapping it round in the hope it holds.

Despite being told how friendly the canal community is, I’ve not seen anyone here for the last few days. Just a few joggers and a few street (towpath) drinkers up by the end of the arm. I’m not entirely sure there aren’t a couple of regular rough sleepers in the bushes out by the road. The tell tale signs of, er, people sleeping in the bushes out by the road are there.

I wonder if they too awake at about 4am every morning wondering where the hell they are.

The other booklet is a map of the local waterways, the Oxford and Grand Union canals and the Thames. I’m not about to push off and travel just yet (I haven’t read the whole of the guide on ‘stopping’—mooring?—so best not start). But it does confirm my suspicions that I would have to have a trip up the Duke’s Cut (also the name of a pub down the road) to get onto the Thames. Now there’s a Carry On film just itching to be made. David Essex would do a good Sid James.

Both really useful documents. That they’re a little damp is disconcerting. But still, a good find.

So, here on the map, is where I am. I’m listening to Liege and Lief and pondering if I’ve slipped into one of the songs. Maybe Matty Groves. Bury my lady at the top.

Days at sea: 10

Rations: Quorn burgers.

Stowed: A cheap desk lamp from Maplin’s as the light in the bed end is too dark to read by. Half an hour walk back from the retail park out by Botley to discover it doesn’t come with a bulb. None on board, so writing this by tea light.