The day nothing much happened 1/4

"Wow, look at these new jambing cleats!"

Jennifer Jane's Dad passed round the latest yachting magazine to show the family.

"We could all go through the wishing fog to Pope's yard and if they're as good as they look we could have them back here by this evening."

Mary smiled. Knowing about the magical properties of the wood at the end of their garden was one thing, but in some ways it was proving to be rather expensive. Jennifer Jane had suggested that Dave could keep a dinghy at the giant's pool and use it to reach the magic fog and any destination on water that they wanted.

Dad had agreed, so she'd taken him to the pool to ask the giant's permission. He'd lifted them both up so that they wouldn't have to shout to make themselves heard, but had been very definite with his answer.

"Sailing boats yes, rowing boats fine, steam boats even, but I'm having no oily smelly petrol engines in my pool."

As soon as they'd got back home, Dave had started looking through all his old yachting magazines and boat catalogues. At last he'd found a firm in Devon who seemed to offer just the sort of boat he was looking for and after a weekend visit to the yard, he'd ordered one and had it delivered to Pope's yard at Attersea creek. From there it was only a short distance to the magic fog and the trip back to the giant's pool.

So now the family had two boats. The dinghy with it's tall mast that was kept under covers except when racing and the new boat kept at the pool which was very different. It had a small cabin, two short masts and was made in fibreglass.

"A low sail plan so that we won't get caught in the trees going downstream to the fog, very seaworthy so that whenever we come out of the fog the conditions won't be too rough for us and low maintenance costs so that we can leave her outside all the year round."

The giant had made a quay for them by pushing some logs into the edge of the bank on the far side of his pool. It was long enough for their lugger and Barnacle Bill's paddle steamer to moor at the same time.

The giant was very proud of his harbour and Barnacle Bill had been pleased to have 'Proper mooring facilities for my vessel at last'

"Come on everyone," said Dave, "let's make a day of it and take a picnic."

"I'm sorry dear, but I've got far too much housework to catch up with. The curtains are already in the washing machine and I really must clean the windows."

Mary made up a packed lunch and waved goodbye to the rest of the family as they set off along the garden towards the wood and the giant's pool.

It was a lovely day and now that she was by herself, the idea of doing the housework seemed even less attractive.

"Oh bother, I can't waste this beautiful sunshine working indoors, I'll go and try to catch them up."

She was running along the path towards the giant’s pool, when she felt a terrific bump as she rounded a corner and something knocked her over.

"Why can't you look where you're going," somebody said rather crossly. "Oh it's Jennifer Jane's Mum isn't it? I remember meeting you at the party."

Mary got up and looked around. She wasn't really hurt and wondered who she had bumped into. Whoever it was must have been very short, she was quite sure she hadn't seen anyone. The voice had come from a nearby bush and as she looked a rather dishevelled goblin crawled out and came over to shake hands.

"My name's Kernell, Nut Cracker in Chief for the local goblin village," he said proudly. "I met Jennifer Jane and her Dad just now on their way to the human boatyard on the Therdle. They said you were too busy to join them."

"I was," said Mary, "but it was such a lovely day and I don't seem to get out much, so I thought 'blow the housework', I'll go and join the family after all. I'm afraid I must have missed them by now."

"Sure to have done, but I think I can help you with your housework problem. I'll take you to see the Oldest Goblin."