Good morning early birds!

[waterboatman]

It's Saturday! A wee bit of frost this morning. I have no intention of going out early today.

Yesterday went very well. everything went like a well maintained engine. Perseverance behaved like the lady she is. The Princess Royal was in a very good mood and enjoyed herself. When she arrived the boat was in the lock. the bottom gates were open so there was a big drop for anyone who went too close to the edge. she looked down and said 'That's a big step!' I said 'We'll see what we can do about that.' She laughed and went on into the Visitor Centre. When she came back to the lock, we had shut the bottom gates and fill the lock so that the boat was level with the top. as she stepped up to the mike I said 'We've lowered the step a bit.' She laughed and said 'Thank you.' She then unveiled a plaque on the wall to officially open the lock. she then boarded the boat for the short (three minute) trip to the bridge, where the boat stopped in the right place in the middle of the canal , where The Princess was able to cut the ribbon across the entrance to the bridge to a wave of cheering from the public. The boat then proceeded through the bridge to a temporary mooring the other side. She walked back to her car and went on to officially open our new hospital in Dursley. A busy lady. We then took the boat back to the lock where she was lifted out of the water onto a lorry to go back to her home mooring on the Gloucester and Sharpness canal at Saul junction. We then went and had a meal that was provided by the Lockkeeper's Cafe.
A good day all round.
Have a happy day everyone.

[DrFilth]

morning Noraq glad to see everyone is surviving the winter

[emmie]

DF too cold for my taste, can't even get clothes dry lately, large woolly jumpers and all the paraphernalia of winter clothing.

[Noraq]

Yep Dr...but we have had a very mild one here...so far....=)

Have to crack on now things to do before I settle down for the Rugby Fest

\Have a happy day y'all

Irlande à gagner!!!!......(I live in hopes)

[TheOtherHalf]

Morning everyone. Still freezing col here but managed to cycle to work ok. Nice hot cuppa to thaw me out before I start.Have a good day and take care

[waterboatman]

Morning em. xxx She is indeed delightful. I've met her several times.

[emmie]

that's what the o/h used to say, a genuinely caring individual. I read that apart from the Queen she is the hardest working royal, and whilst i am not a rabid royalist can see that having her as your patron in a University, charity etc can be a great boon. I like the boat, i once had a nice trip with a couple of mates a few years ago, and they kindly let me steer for a time, until i almost took us down the wrong route to a weir, only a shout from a bloke on the bank caught us in time, ho hum. Mind you we had imbibed a few jars along the way, so that's my excuse.

[lady-janine]

good morning all.

glad to learn that all went well wmb. so pleased for you.

noraq will be cheering for the men in green today as the men in red are not playing. loyalties will switch as soon as they are.

have a good day everyone.

[paddywak]

Morning everybody, just back from walking Max and a beautiful morning it is too even if it's a freezing 17° F

[joggerjayne]

I'm going to have a short run, and get a newspaper.

[boxtops]

Morning all, bitter morning down here in the corner - I've got to get my act together, Rover's due at the vet's for a checkup at 9am.

[DTCwordfan]

Morning all....Glad you had a great day, WBM, bet the café was welcomed at the end, given the temps out there.

Breakfast with friends approaches.

[Philtaz]

Blimey jj, hope you're wearing spikes, it's treacherous out there.

[emmie]

JJ a walk along Brighton beach would be lovely even in the cold, as long as you have the right warm clothing on. I have done that before and it's glorious, you come home feeling exhilarated and refreshed.