Back on board after a busy week at home. Sid's cardioversion went well and we just hope his heart keeps ticking normally from hereon in.
Sophie and Gavin's wedding was a lovely day, the sun shone for the happy couple and it was great to catch up with lots of 'old' friends.
We also managed to catch up with the Paynes, the Battens, Jenny's mum and brother.
We decided to have a quiet day today and have done a few on board chores and Jenny has planted her rooftop garden.
Tomorrow we start to head south down the Staffs and Worcs canal which takes us towards Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Stourport and Worcester.
Monday, 30 May 2016
Saturday, 21 May 2016
Shugborough Hall
We journeyed to Great Haywood today to be close to Great Haywood Marina for Saturday morning where we are leaving Hunters Moon whilst we returned to Chichester for Sid's procedure next week.
Having arrived early we took the opportunity to visit Shugborough Hall and the Staffordshire County Museum. A real treat was in store for us! Not only an amazing house, formerly the residence of Patrick Lichfield, with some beinderful architecture and beautifully maintained interiors but also a living museum where we transported back to the kitchens, laundry and farm yards of the Victorian era. The gardens are a tantalising mixture of colours and aromas and such a pleasure to stroll through as well as the most amazing Wisteria we have ever seen. Too much to be seen in just one visit.
This is possibly one of the most delightful times of the year to be on the water with the countryside changing with every passing day. I have mentioned the trees, now nearly in full leaf and even the ash trees are catching up, but now the hedgerows are coming alive and are thick with may blossom, looking as though we have had a snow fall! The aromas of blossoms and emerging wild flowers fill the air and cygnets, duckling, baby moorhens and coots (not sure if they have a special name) can be seen and heard all along the way. Mother nature at her best.
Shugborough Hall across the fields from our mooring
Having arrived early we took the opportunity to visit Shugborough Hall and the Staffordshire County Museum. A real treat was in store for us! Not only an amazing house, formerly the residence of Patrick Lichfield, with some beinderful architecture and beautifully maintained interiors but also a living museum where we transported back to the kitchens, laundry and farm yards of the Victorian era. The gardens are a tantalising mixture of colours and aromas and such a pleasure to stroll through as well as the most amazing Wisteria we have ever seen. Too much to be seen in just one visit.
This is possibly one of the most delightful times of the year to be on the water with the countryside changing with every passing day. I have mentioned the trees, now nearly in full leaf and even the ash trees are catching up, but now the hedgerows are coming alive and are thick with may blossom, looking as though we have had a snow fall! The aromas of blossoms and emerging wild flowers fill the air and cygnets, duckling, baby moorhens and coots (not sure if they have a special name) can be seen and heard all along the way. Mother nature at her best.
Majestic Horse Chestnut
Visitors
A short trip on Tuesday morning took us to Fradley Junction where, not only were we able to dispose of rubbish, fill with water and empty toilet cassettes but also we had arranged to meet good friends, Dave and Val together with Dylan, their working cocker spaniel.
We enjoyed a lovely afternoon with a good lunch, a good walk and tea and cake to follow and look forward to seeing them possibly on the next leg of out journey.
The next day after heavy overnight rain and under threatening rainclouds we turned onto the Trent and Mersey heading towards Rugeley. Having had erratic mobile signals for a couple of days and in need of arranging transport for our return home at the weekend, Rugeley, although not the most appealing town, was at least connected to the outside world! And there is a big new Tesco right by the side of the canal! Easy shopping!
We decided to hire a car to take us to Fenny to collect our car. It was cheaper and obviously quicker than a rather convoluted train journey. We are leaving the boat at Great Haywood for the week whilst we return to Chichester for Sid's hospital visit and also to go to a wedding. We will also catch up with the family and hopefully some friends during our time at home.
We enjoyed a lovely afternoon with a good lunch, a good walk and tea and cake to follow and look forward to seeing them possibly on the next leg of out journey.
Hunters Moon at Fradley Junction
The next day after heavy overnight rain and under threatening rainclouds we turned onto the Trent and Mersey heading towards Rugeley. Having had erratic mobile signals for a couple of days and in need of arranging transport for our return home at the weekend, Rugeley, although not the most appealing town, was at least connected to the outside world! And there is a big new Tesco right by the side of the canal! Easy shopping!
The Canal and River Trust cater for all!
We decided to hire a car to take us to Fenny to collect our car. It was cheaper and obviously quicker than a rather convoluted train journey. We are leaving the boat at Great Haywood for the week whilst we return to Chichester for Sid's hospital visit and also to go to a wedding. We will also catch up with the family and hopefully some friends during our time at home.
Lichfield
What a little gem!
Having decided not to cycle from Whittington to Lichfield we jumped on a bus to take us to explore, for us, this unknown city.
A most delicious egg, bacon and sausage sandwich from 'Tasty The Cafe' in Conduit Street (we thoroughly recommend this little cafe), set us up for our exploration.
We discovered a fascinating city full of characterful buildings, pretty public gardens, a lake (Minster Pool), lots of history, thanks to the city museum and, of course, a stunning Cathedral.
A busy but most enjoyable day and definitely a city to revisit some time in the future.
From a chilly morning it had turned into a beautiful afternoon so, since the engine needed running on our return to Hunters Moon, we travelled a short way down the canal to Huddlesford, where we found a lovely mooring to enjoy the pleasant evening sunshine.
Having decided not to cycle from Whittington to Lichfield we jumped on a bus to take us to explore, for us, this unknown city.
A most delicious egg, bacon and sausage sandwich from 'Tasty The Cafe' in Conduit Street (we thoroughly recommend this little cafe), set us up for our exploration.
Sid at 'Speakers Corner', Lichfield
We discovered a fascinating city full of characterful buildings, pretty public gardens, a lake (Minster Pool), lots of history, thanks to the city museum and, of course, a stunning Cathedral.
A busy but most enjoyable day and definitely a city to revisit some time in the future.
Lichfield Cathedral across Minster Pool
The Library, Lichfield
From a chilly morning it had turned into a beautiful afternoon so, since the engine needed running on our return to Hunters Moon, we travelled a short way down the canal to Huddlesford, where we found a lovely mooring to enjoy the pleasant evening sunshine.
Sunday, 15 May 2016
Cold Saturday!
Saturday 14 May
Cold!
It was very cold today. 10° down from last week! A very cold north wind! Shorts off and thermals on! Jenny had her gloves on! Hope it is warmer tomorrow!
Cold!
It was very cold today. 10° down from last week! A very cold north wind! Shorts off and thermals on! Jenny had her gloves on! Hope it is warmer tomorrow!
The first signet sighted
Still cold on Sunday so stopped early, in Whittington, and went to the Bell to update this!
An observation - Old Wives Tales?
It looks as though we are due to have a good summer. You may wonder how come a non-meterologist can predict this. Well, the oak is out before the ash! However, that may not be difficult with the ash trees struggling but at least they are just beginning to turn a bit green now.
So, just to reinforce the forecast of a good summer we can confirm that there are dandelions everywhere in abundance.
So, there we are oak and dandelions equals great weather! Fingers crossed!
The Ash
The Oak
So, just to reinforce the forecast of a good summer we can confirm that there are dandelions everywhere in abundance.
Dandelions and dandelions clocks
So, there we are oak and dandelions equals great weather! Fingers crossed!
A challenging day!
The sun is shining again with a chilly northeast wind but it is so much better than the past couple of days.
After filling, very slowly, with water, disposing of rubbish and emptying of chemical toilet we are underway heading towards Nuneaton along the Coventry Canal.
Just before we reached Nuneaton we were hailed by a fisherman. He had got the 6 foot end of his very long pole caught in the foliage on the opposite bank and it was floating in the canal. He asked if we could get it for him. This involved much manoeuvring of a 57 foot narrowboat in a tricky wind and in very shallow water! However, ever the hero Sid, managed to position the boat in such a way that between the two of us we were able to retrieve the pole and then manoeuvre back to the towpath side to return the pole to the very grateful angler. Apparently we saved him £30.00!
As we continued through Nuneaton we noticed the engine sounding not so good to point where didn't want to go any further! Obviously there was something wrapped around the prop! Not good! Sid managed to get Hunters Moon to the towpath where Jenny could hold her while the offending article could be removed. In the past we have had plastic bags, bits of rope, fishing lines and even a pair of overalls causing the problem but this was something quite different! Lots of huffing and puffing later involving a crowbar, a screwdriver and side cutters and we were underway again. The culprit was a length of aerial cable!
By this time the day had really warmed up and despite the challenging wind progress improved.
Leaving Nuneaton behind we journeyed through some beautiful countryside with fields if yellow on all sides. Shortly after lunch we came across Springwood Haven, a little marina with all services including a gift shop and Chandlery. Sid needed a piece of string! ( Fancy Sid nor having a piece of string on board!) The piece of string was purchased together with yet another map and also two ice creams! We felt we deserved them!
We moored at Hartshill where we enjoyed a walk up the narrow country lane, flanked by bluebells, to the village where there are some amazing views over the Warwickshire countryside. Another beautiful evening took us onto the towpath yet again for a tasty bbq.
After filling, very slowly, with water, disposing of rubbish and emptying of chemical toilet we are underway heading towards Nuneaton along the Coventry Canal.
Just before we reached Nuneaton we were hailed by a fisherman. He had got the 6 foot end of his very long pole caught in the foliage on the opposite bank and it was floating in the canal. He asked if we could get it for him. This involved much manoeuvring of a 57 foot narrowboat in a tricky wind and in very shallow water! However, ever the hero Sid, managed to position the boat in such a way that between the two of us we were able to retrieve the pole and then manoeuvre back to the towpath side to return the pole to the very grateful angler. Apparently we saved him £30.00!
As we continued through Nuneaton we noticed the engine sounding not so good to point where didn't want to go any further! Obviously there was something wrapped around the prop! Not good! Sid managed to get Hunters Moon to the towpath where Jenny could hold her while the offending article could be removed. In the past we have had plastic bags, bits of rope, fishing lines and even a pair of overalls causing the problem but this was something quite different! Lots of huffing and puffing later involving a crowbar, a screwdriver and side cutters and we were underway again. The culprit was a length of aerial cable!
By this time the day had really warmed up and despite the challenging wind progress improved.
The offending cable!
Leaving Nuneaton behind we journeyed through some beautiful countryside with fields if yellow on all sides. Shortly after lunch we came across Springwood Haven, a little marina with all services including a gift shop and Chandlery. Sid needed a piece of string! ( Fancy Sid nor having a piece of string on board!) The piece of string was purchased together with yet another map and also two ice creams! We felt we deserved them!
We moored at Hartshill where we enjoyed a walk up the narrow country lane, flanked by bluebells, to the village where there are some amazing views over the Warwickshire countryside. Another beautiful evening took us onto the towpath yet again for a tasty bbq.
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