Sellers Bridge, Hardwicke

After waving goodbye to Al, we readied Rainboat and cast off to find a spot in the shade for the heatwave forecast over the next few days.

Mid morning and it was already baking. Vicky and the dogs sheltered on the galley steps while Will steered. We joined a number of boats moored just after Sellers Bridge, near Hardwicke. The dense line of towpath trees here would protect us from the worst of the late afternoon sun. We wet the roof, hung dog blankets outside three windows and wet them also, to dissipate the worst of the heat. Unfortunately clumps of brown scum floated along the canal surface so swimming was out, but we put cool water in the bath and cooled down in there, leaving the water in place to absorb some heat.

Our computer was fixed and ready to be picked up from Gloucester, but the little shop was closed at weekends so Will braved it and cycled in. The collection went well but he returned to the bike to find it had a puncture! Walking all the way back in the heat wasn't an option, but as luck would have it, there was a bike shop just a few hundred metres away, which was able to replace the inner tube. Will found an air conditioned pub to have cool drink and a bite to eat while he waited, so it all turned out well in the end.Læs mere