Bartimaeus

We had in our diaries this weekend Electrika. Our later boarding meant we didn't commit to going but had still been thinking we might, but it seemed like we would have had a rush to do so, and the heat made that uninviting. We have enjoyed the slow pace and being able to meet up with friends for day trips or not move hardly at all and sit knitting in the shade. We had more than enough energy from the panels without being in direct sun. We would have been moored in direct sun in the marina at Electrika.

Being moored outside the pub could have been a noisy spot but we had heard very little from there. We found it a bit busier on Friday, when we tried out the garden tables. It quietened down in the evening. It will probably be busier in the evenings once they start serving food.

On Saturday morning we went to eat out, but our first choice had closed early as it was too hot for the cooks. Tantalisingly one could be seen preparing the "last sandwich" in the background. The place opposite didn't take Shane's fancy, too noisy with the most enormous screen I have ever seen in a pub. The third venue was serving and Shane could see there were places to sit where you couldn't see a screen. There was a sign saying "No shirt, no service" but formal dress was not required and Shane's sleeveless shirt was acceptable and we were served. There were a few different German sausage items. I chose from the basket meals  Bratwurst, which I had enjoyed in Munich (hotdog style) from a fast food stand. When it arrived, I concluded they might not know what the brat part of Bratwurst means but it tasted just as I remembered it though served with "chilli ketchup" not German mustard, which had approximately the same level of spiciness, so I was happy with my choice. I had a later chat with my friend Marion who lives in Munich, and she said that weißwurst are served boiled and look similar but shorter. Shane pinched some of my chips. 

It was all washed down with local beers. Shane has been served a pint when he  intended to have a half and starting on an empty stomach he started to feel a bit swimmy. I helped him finish his pint off, since he'd had some of my chips.

Seated back aboard, I saw two men walk past with huge England flags tied round their shoulders, full length capes billowing in the breeze. I guessed they were heading for the Bird In Hand to watch the England v Norway match. I wondered if we were in for a more eventful evening. Shortly after a hire narrowboat went past looking for moorings. We saw it had a Norwegian flag hanging off the back, perhaps better they didn't moor right outside the pub on that night. We heard a couple of cheers and one groan from the pub and some fireworks at half time. There was a little bit of singing, after we had gone to bed, (probably "It's coming home" but the words and tune weren't discernable) but no other disturbance. They must have dispersed quietly or we were very sound sleepers. 

In the morning, the man from the boat behind came and knocked on our boat. He was the one for whom we had moved a few feet forward, in order to let him moor. We wondered if something was amiss, but he had only come to say goodbye and thank you again. I was surprised to see a policeman with very hot looking clothes, including a domed helmet, walking along the towpath. What had happened? He popped his head into the boat two in front, chatting to someone inside, while our overnight neighbour took his leave. Then the policeman came over to us and asked if we had seen anyone with a catapult shooting birds. I hadn't. We weren't  witnesses to any offence, and that wasn't at all one I expected. Presumably someone had reported it. 

We had a plan to go cycling and it was back to Bewdley as we had spotted a music event at the museum. They have regular events in the Jubilee Gardens and this Sunday the confusingly named Friday Club were playing. Picnickers were encouraged and the event was free. Food was also available for purchase. Shane started to get out the tandem. I was holding the front wheel and handlebars when the policeman returned and asked where the rest of my bike was, at which point Shane was just emerging so I said it was coming. I didn't want to look suspicious.

I had given myself a good lathering of suncream as the breeze was cooling but that can be deceptive and we had no idea if we would find much shade. The butterflies were enjoying the sun and the very pretty blue was fluttering nearby. It settled with wings folded mostly but I caught it mid flap too so it's back and wing pattern could be seen. 

It was lovely cycling in the breeze and we were starting from closer  to Bewdley than last time we went, and knew the route better, so we were there in a jiffy. 

We were early for both lunch and the performance but went in search of a cafe that had somewhere shaded and found a garden tearoom, down a little alley. People at a table under an awning invited us to join them as nearly all the available tables were in the sun. Shane asked me to get him a fruit scone and said he didn't need it with jam, so I went in to order. They said the fruit scones were finished but they had plain or peach Melba. Peach is a fruit so I asked for that and no query was made about serving with or without cream or jam. We were both surprised by what arrived.

At the park many people had brought seats but the venue also provided deckchairs. We sat on a bench under a tree. A group popped prosecco nearby. Families gathered with rugs or chairs. Music was playing then two musicians took to the stage space.

It was just a sound check but they promised to be back soon. I enjoyed the reggae interludes. The Friday club did covers from a wide range of eras and genres, from Friday I'm in Love, their opener, to The Beatles' Money Can't Buy You Love, Dire Straits, Taylor Swift, Squeeze and some I hadn't heard but had catchy choruses all the same. They encouraged us to sing along, to choruses and I did, but it wasn't a space where the audience were loud and our voices were snatched away in the breeze, but we were an appreciative audience all the same. A few people braved the heat and danced, while children ran around happily.

In the interval we got take-away tasty lunches from the garden cafe and more people joined the dancing. It was a very relaxed atmosphere all round. The staff putting the deckchairs away in the lock up remarked how helpful the attendees were bring the chairs back.

When we returned to our mooring, Shane used his strop technique to 'moor' the tandem, which also looked relaxed hanging out with Bartimaeus. It had been a fittingly fun and chilled day to celebrate our fifth anniversary aboard.