There was great excitement along the coast at Dawlish a little earlier this afternoon, especially amongst the people who live in the houses near the sea wall (including Chris and me). In fact, I was with my friend and neighbour, Catherine, when we saw it; we were having a chat and a nice cup of tea on her veranda at the time. Suddenly a big pontoon, a tug boat and two other boats appeared in our line of vision (we were looking at the sea, as you tend do when you are on the verandas in this vicinity) and our conversation ended. Catherine grabbed her camera and I dashed home to get my mine. Pretty soon most of our neighbours were outside on their terraces or walking down to the railway line. It was a joyous and momentous event – the pontoon carries the crane and equipment necessary for the completion of the repair work to our sea wall. Hooray!