16:20, 258731 kms on the clock, off to Galloway somewhere to cool off, as it's currently 34⁰C with sun and cloud around. So hopefully the river will provide some cooling! Got to 2nd Galloway and all set up at 16:42, took the chilly bin and a couple of chairs and sat beside the river (and stood in it for ages, up to our thighs, and the river is really warm and also very low) following the shade from the willows around. Had left over seafood salad from last night for tea, and hit the pit just after 21:00.
16 January 2009
Up at 5:38. Had a good night's sleep, and despite the high temperatures it wasn't too hot in the luton at all. Had a couple of coffees and then Mike decided it was too early, so he went back to bed, Marielle went and had a fish - caught 2 (one chocolate, one about 1lb.) While making the coffees, discovered that the fridge wasn't working, so at 9:22 we headed off to Alexandra to see if the guys at Central Refrigeration could have a look at it - not good, not having a fridge in these temperatures - 23⁰C at 9:15. So, the guy hops on board, and the first thing he says is "but it's running?" Sure enough, fridge running happily. Turns out, the fridge has an automatic cut out when the battery gets too low,
and the battery has been getting low really quickly these days. So off to Aitken Automotive to ask about the battery - and found out where we've been going wrong. The battery needs to be plugged into 240 volt to be fully charged - we hadn't had a problem with the battery while it was cold, because we used the gennie. But now that it's warmer, we've been relying on the alternator to fully charge the house battery - but it doesn't. Problem fixed - don't need to buy a new fridge after all! So we decided that we would go home, plug Maggie in, have showers and then head off to Poolburn. So left home at 11:45, 32⁰C with big heavy clouds all around - t
he forecast is for thunderstorms, which should be exciting up at Poolburn if they do arrive. We are going to Poolburn to meet up 
with Kirsty and Chris - and Chris has no idea that he's coming up to the fishing hut. 12:48 - at Poolburn - 23⁰C and blowing a howling norwest gale! Chris and Kirsty arrived just after 17:00, wind has abated and spent enjoyable evening chatting, drinking, sighting in Chris's new .22 and generally having a good time. Had Mike's famous meatballs and spaghetti for tea, and went to bed at 23:30, temperature much cooler at only 11⁰C. No thunderstorms!17 January 2009
Up at 8am, after a somewhat sleepless night at times due to the very, very heavy rain. Big puddles all around, and a mild 11⁰C when we got up. Had coffees and a fry up, then the wind
completely died down, so we all went and had a fish - Marielle caught a beautiful jack, about 3lb, on the fly. Her first BIG fish on the fly rod. Unfortunately, Mike grabbed the line just as he went to net it, and it broke free! Left Poolburn at 11:49 and got most of the way down the hill when we realised we'd left the chocks behind - Mike had taken Maggie off them and then 
washed them in the sink beside the hut because they had got very muddy - and forgot about them. So turned around, picked up chocks and off again at 12:39. Got home, after doing groceries in Alexandra, just before 14:00 (258911kms). Great wee trip and really good to know Maggie gets in and out of Poolburn quite happily - means we can go there any time, and not have to worry about cleaning other people's left overs and mess out of the hut.
