Monday 24^th September. Cats & Dogs don’t even come near to it! We decided that today we would stay put, batten down the hatches, stoke up the fire and stay put. Having said that, with all this free water about I decided to get up on the roof and scrub away all the dirt that had accumulated over the weeks. Found out that my 20 year old waterproof trousers aren’t! At lunch time we did venture out to Norbury Wharf Tea Shop for sandwiches and tea and a potter round the chandlery. I thought that they might have a replacement part for the grill on the cooker, so in the afternoon I took the cooker apart but unfortunately the parts they have are for other models. Not to worry, we’ve got the toaster and fried or oven cooked chops are quite as good as grilled ones. Mooched around the outside of the boat smearing Vaseline into all the seams and joints that showed the tiniest signs of leaking. The only real problem areas are the sewn seams on the cover at the front (which always let in water after a time) and a window at the back where I think the seal may have gone. Happily, now not a drip in sight – except me with my soggy trousers. Sausages in cider tonight.

Sorry, no photos today – rain doesn't come out too well in pictures!