I should like to take this opportunity to remind readers that until Charlie reached the age of about 20 or a little beyond, his parents put an absolute block on his setting out if it was raining.  Can you imagine parents trying to achieve that level of control today ?

Well it seems to have stayed dry for the rest of the day – but Arley Mere remains undiscovered for now, although other Mere’s were observed.  But the mere fact of being in the Cheshire lanes was recompense enough, surely.