A strange thing to find next to one's boat

I got a surprise when I went to untie this morning. A woman in a bikini was lying on her back, sunbathing, right next to the boat. I was momentarily lost for words, she didn't look up from her newspaper, and the time for a greeting seemed to be gone. She ignored us as we left; I wonder if the boats just heading for the mooring thought we'd left a crew member behind. I didn't think it appropriate to take a photo (sorry to disappoint).

Last night nbs Ketura and Olivia breasted up to us; it was good to meet you, Christine and Sheila. We met up again this evening at the Five Miles from Anywhere pub (where we breasted up to Ketura).

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Returning along Burwell Lode after setting off we turned left onto the dead-end section of Reach Lode. This got quite narrow and seemed just as shallow as Wicken Lode. For some of the time we were brushing past reeds on both sides.

We collected plenty of broken - but long - reeds on the bow as we went along, despite earlier in the year having a piece of steel welded on to smooth off where the base plate jutted forward.

The end of the lode was marked by a weeping willow and a sign forbidding mooring unless pre-arranged with Reach Parish Council. This was right next to a GOBA mooring.

We turned right at the willow and nosed up as far as we could. A low bridge barred any further exploration.

We reversed back to the willow tree and winded, then retraced our steps to Upware Lock. On the way we passed the sunken boat which wasn't seen on the outward journey and was scraped over. It's more visible from this direction.

Through the lock we stopped at the pub, as described above. We patronised the place by enjoying drinks with Christine and Sheila.

It's been hot and sticky today - as I write this at 2250 it hardly seems to have cooled at all. Certainly not on the boat.

Walking along from the pub I saw a large collection of birds on electricity wires.

They don't appear to be swallows, but I'm no expert.

Identification, someone?

I have, at last, drawn up a schedule which takes us to St Neots when we need to be there. One highlight will be on Thursday when we pick up my cousin Victoria and her husband and give them a lift home to Godmanchester.