Chapter 7. Wobbly ladders and sea-going dogs.

“I think it's time we went ashore,” said the Admiral. “We need some more fresh bread.”

Captain Boxer Shorts and the Admiral climbed down into the dinghy and set off for the shore. They went up the river until they came to a boatyard.

“This will do,” shouted Captain B.S.

They tied the dinghy up to a pontoon, then had to climb up a very wobbly ladder to get ashore. The Admiral didn't like the wobbly ladder. The higher she climbed, the more it wobbled!

Captain B.S. and the Admiral went into the boatyard to see a friend of theirs. His boat was on the shore and it was very high up.

“Oh no!” exclaimed the Admiral, “another wobbly ladder!”

After they had had coffee with their friend, Phil, Captain B.S. and the Admiral walked to Lidl with their rucksacks on their backs. It was a long walk. They took their shopping back to the dinghy and had to climb down the wobbly ladder with their heavy bags.

“Off we go!” shouted Captain B.S. and he untied the dinghy. They set off back to the Good Ship Mithril at a fast pace. The wind was blowing quite strongly by this time.

Suddenly the motor stopped running and the dinghy came to a halt. It was a long way from the Good Ship Mithril.

“Oh no!” cried the Admiral, “What shall we do?”

“We'll have to use the oars and paddle our way back.” said Captain B.S.

They took up the oars and began to paddle the dinghy towards the Good Ship Mithril.

“It's no good,” moaned the Admiral, “It's a long way and the wind isn't helping us.”

Just then another dinghy came past. In it were a man and a woman. The woman was wearing a very large sunhat. In the bottom of the dinghy were two dogs.

“Can we help you?” asked the woman in the hat.

“Yes please!” exclaimed The Admiral.

Captain Boxer Shorts passed a rope to the other dinghy and it set off towing Captain Boxer Shorts' dinghy towards the Good Ship Mithril. Soon they were there and able to climb on board.

“That was lucky. Thank you so much.” said the Admiral.

Once they were on board they put all the shopping away. Captain Boxer Shorts climbed back into the dinghy and took the lid off the motor.

“Now I wonder what's wrong with you?” he mumbled.

He took up his favourite spanner and began to work.
"You can't have too many spanners!" he said.