We woke at 9.30 to steady rain, and decided we were not going anywhere, as it was weather for ducks, like these guys who were swimming up and down the river alongside the barge. We often noticed them swimming like this in inverted-V formation, but have no idea why.

Besides, we had 5 bars of 3G reception on the phone here so it would be ideal for watching the AFL game between the Hawks and the West Coast Eagles (who were just above the Hawks on the ladder). After the West Coast got a good start and led for 80% of the game, the Hawks came home strongly in the last 30 minutes to win 88-74. Our loss to Richmond last week meant that we didn’t go into second place with this win, but we remain in touch.

During the afternoon, we got a visit from Americans Mary Ann and Phil Kretz who were travelling through Europe looking at potential barges, especially Pipers. We spent a pleasant few hours in the wheelhouse talking about various aspects of barges and barging, and hope that we added to their accumulated knowledge as they left.

We then had more rain, so I decided to stay indoors and catch up on the Ashes Test Match cricket. After noting a few weeks ago that Australia’s win in the 2nd Test had moved them to the top of the ICC Test Match Rankings, they have now proceeded to change from roosters to featherdusters, losing the 3rd Test to England and now posting a miserable first innings score of 60 All Out in the 4th Test. I can expect to cop some ribbing from English friends (who will no doubt now come out of the woodwork after England’s dismal showing in the ICC World Cup) in the next few weeks. However, even if Australia lose this match (and the Ashes) they will remain 2nd on the ICC Test rankings behind South Africa.

But all was not bad news on the international sporting front with Australia winning the 2nd Bledisloe Cup match against NZ to tie the series 1-1, going into the third match in a couple of weeks time.