Goodbye Dai.

Hi,

Our blog this week is going to be a bit on the short side I am afraid.We’ve been here for two weeks and on top of the weather restricting us we have had a very sad event.As you will know from previous blogs,we wanted to be here in Birmingham to meet up with our friends Janice,Dai,and their dog Foxxie,on their boat Jandai.We had hoped to make it here for New Years Eve but the flooding on the Trent at Alrewas held us back,so as a result,we had to wait till the 7th for our celebrations and a good time was had by all of us.We made plans for the next couple of months as we walked around the markets and shops over the following days,and over the odd glass of wine in the evenings.We each had things we wanted to do,but for the foreseeable future our plan was to spend some time together cruising some of the network,before going our separate ways.

Sadly,last Monday,fate struck a cruel blow.While taking Foxxie for a walk along the towpath,Dai collapsed and died.It happened suddenly and without warning and as a result Janice,as you can imagine,is heartbroken.We are now going to stay here with Janice and Foxxie till everything has been sorted.Thankfully we are in a position that makes it relatively easy for Janice and Dai’s family and friends to visit and,as I’ve said before,everything we need is nearby.

Before I close our blog today I would like to thank all the people from the Emergency Services who tried so very very hard to help Dai.Also,thank you to all the lovely local people who have helped Janice or offered to help,some who’s names we don’t know,but who have still made an effort to help a stranger.Thank you too, to C&RT,for their understanding and assistance at this time.

                             

Dai was not someone who liked having his photo’ being taken but here he is in July 2011,admiring the engine room on a boat moored at the Shroppie Fly in Audlem on the canal he loved the most,the Shropshire Union.

                             

Here,from the left, Lisa,Janice and Dai sheltering under a bridge near Brewood in December 2011,the rain was lashing down.

Janice and Dai helped Lisa and I as we searched for our own boat,and helped us to achieve our own dream.

                          Goodbye Dai,It was good to have known you.