At last the readying of the engine is complete. Big Bertha is ready to roll!

A flock of Egyptian geese have commenced paddling up the channel around 8:30 every morning, the lead male honking all the while, and the swans have returned with their days’ old cygnet.

I had an interesting experience whilst doing the oiling today. The best way of working on the rubbing strakes is from in the dinghy. Late morning, the proud parents brought their pride and joy close by the boat.  The curious Bubs came right up alongside Little G2. Next thing, up comes Papa, and he is no small bird. Now viewing me a threat, craning his neck over the the dinghy sides, he leaned in toward me, hissing all the while. As you can imagine, I moved back as far as humanly possible in such a small space.