About four o'clock in the morning, Mike awoke (usual trip to the loo!) but noticed that, as well as a completely clear sky, there was a full moon. No doubt with better preparation the photo would be improved but . . .
This morning we went to church in Brinklow - there are several village churches at much the same distance as Brinklow (the marina is not actually in Brinklow parish) but we opted for St John's Church mainly as we went there before in 2018. not long after we had acquired Alchemy. At least we could drive there this time.
It was a lay-led service and the leaders were a little disappointed in the numbers. Including us there were 14 of us, normally a bit more and often with young children - but of course it is school holiday time.
Overall the atmosphere was very welcoming and the roles included as many members as possible, including two young students who are about to go off to university (medicine and drama). Everything felt very genuine but unpretentious.
Over coffee were were told about the display of poppies and memorials in the grounds around Brinklow castle, next to the church, as part of VE 80th Anniversary events in the village.
The silhouette statues are all very much the same - but this seems to make a poignant point that in war, individual tragedies become merged into one. Nevertheless, each represented a specific villager that lost their life in conflict and a short summary of their personal story is shown alongside.
In the background is the display of poppies (that looks inspired by the famous one at the Tower Of London) but here they are mostly knitted, a few fashioned from fabric. Members of the congregation have added strings of doves, which also decorate the church inside.
When we returned to the marina another boat unable to get to their home mooring had come in and tied up behind us. They have been at Chirk (another Aquavista marina) for the past 23 years so, like us, they are refugees here until after a good bit of rain falls and restores navigable levels. They mentioned that they needed to collect their car from that marina and as it is only half an hour drive away, we took them over this afternoon.
The boat electrician resident here came for an initial chat earlier than expected and we went through all the gory details of our history with batteries! (even the short version is complicated . . .) Whilst he has not had to troubleshoot a Mastervolt system before (the equipment seems to be very reliable and so not many boaters need work doing on them after the initial installation) he will make enquiries and see if any of his contacts can help. Yes, we can just replace as we have done before but this time they have started to a fail after only a year which is really not good) so if possible we would like to take this enforced delay to see what can be found, even perhaps a cause.
After the trip to Chirk (just a hour in total) Mike took up room on one of the many outdoor seats around the marina and comfortably spent the better part of two hours just sitting, reading, dozing and internet browsing in the rather warm sunshine - rather different from the past three weeks. (Meanwhile Christine finished off her cleaning routine and then also read)
The sky was almost entirely clear and bright blue but at one point Mike looked up and noticed a very singular cloud.
Of course, the daffodils have long since come and gone for this year but although the poor cloud kicks off Wordsworth's perhaps most famous poem, the cloud is soon overlooked by the almost equally transient but more picturesque flowers. If only the clouds had behaved themselves properly this year and remembered to bring the rain they are supposed to deliver, things might be different. Still, this one definitely looks lonely - like many a single boater - so for both, let's spare a quick thought.
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