Yippee, BSSC passed first time.

Still moored opposite Brownsover Park, Rugby .

Today's schedule didn't go quite according to plan. When we woke this morning it was windy but nothing serious, however as the morning wore on the wind got stronger accompanied by heavy rain. By 9am when we were supposed to be at Clifton Cruisers to meet Andrew Phasey, the BSSC examiner, the conditions were such that there was no way we could risk travelling. We rang Andrew and he agreed to meet us at our present mooring. When there was a temporary break in the weather we did move from the towpath side back across to the park side to make it easier for Andrew. We also contacted Clifton cruisers, more out of courtesy to let them know the change in plans.

The boat examination took 3 hours and Andrew made the whole thing as painless as possible by being very informative with every stage of the process. He was very pleased to have done the whole examination without getting his hands dirty due to Derek keeping the engine hole clean and tidy. There was a couple of things that will need attending to at some stage but one problem which didn't affect the BSSC was a faulty valve on 1 of the Calor gas tanks, it still passed gas even when shut off , this will have to be changed when convenient.

Andrew told us that only 40% of boats pass the certificate on the first visit so we were very pleased that we were one of them.

After Andrew had left we moved back across to the other bank again as it is more sheltered. After lunch Iain and Alison on the diesel and coal boat Gosty Hill arrived so we topped up the diesel as the weather forecast for the next 3-4 days isn't good. Including the emergency containers we took on 133 litre's.

Tonight while browsing through our emails, this one from Maffi stood out, I'm sure he will not mind me passing it on.

"My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by. Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance, for Common Sense had served us all so well for so many generations.

Obituary

Common Sense

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost more ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin, sun lotion or a Band-Aid to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing."

We can only agree whole heartedly with what is written and recommend it as a worth while read.