After the weekend

So, it was Logan's Halloween party on Friday and after a somewhat reluctant start Logan really got into the swing of things. Wilson, of course, just dived straight in! They went at it for a good two and a half hours, running around with Logan's school mates and even put in a marathon stint on the dance floor! We left around 9.45 and five minutes later Wilson was out for the count, poor little chap.
Saturday morning it was down to Leigh Miners Rangers for rugby training. After warming up they had a stint on the tackle bags then the kids did a routine using nerf guns. I think evasion was the aim, trying to run with the ball whilst dodging foam bullets. Quite what Wilson was doing charging around with his pirate sword remains a mystery!
Saturday night it was over to Tony & Gill's for tapas, beer and wine for an evening that ran on until the early hours. I awoke on Sunday a little worse for wear and Elaine bounced out of bed as fit as a fiddle - so frustrating!
Sunday we had the full roast dinner courtesy of Wayne and Emma (where does she put it?) as we made broad plans for our trip to Wales. With people lining up to feed and entertain us I think we can safely say we had a good weekend!
Nothing lasts forever, though, and today was boat service day. Heading to the car we were escorted down the towpath by a kingfisher, resplendent in electric blue finery against a backdrop of golden foliage. So it was a quick trip to buy oil then get stuck in. Engine oil and filter then gearbox oil then air filter - no problem. Next up was the fuel filter and that's where the day took a sour turn. I wasn't happy with the replacement filter at all. Despite me querying the sales guy at least 4 times when I bought it he insisted it was right for the job, even though it was noticeably shorter than the filter it was replacing.
Convinced it was leaking, I binned it and put the old one back on as a temporary measure until I buy one direct from Beta Marine. Could I start the damned engine? Well yes, eventually, but it took me ages, bleeding and priming the fuel system time and time again. She's purring like a kitten as I write but she put me through hell!
Tomorrow we move back to Plank Lane where Lottie will stay whilst we are in Wales then we will move off again for a week or three whilst I build up courage to put a new - this time the correct type - fuel filter in place!