Come Share our Day ……

On days like today it’s easy to remind myself just how lucky we are to be doing what we have chosen to do.

Today we are moored up in a lovely spot in the lovely village of Alrewas in Staffordshire - Mealings – I think this is the village you wanted me to find!  I definitely could be tempted to live here!  We attempted to walk to the National Memorial Arboretum but had to give up as we couldn’t safely cross the busy A38.

  Really nice mooring.       Yes please!

We went for a long walk in the Trent Valley instead, returning just in time to put our feet up and watch the coverage of the Chinese Grand Prix.

Some boating friends of ours went to the RSPCA to rescue a dog – they were turned down on the basis that, as they lived on a boat, the dog would not have a garden and – dogs need a garden!

I still can’t get my head round that one!

We really enjoy walking and, to be honest, it’s the dogs that make us explore.  Without them I’m sure we would miss out on lots of this lovely countryside.  Something that really ‘gets our goat’, ‘cheeses us off’, ‘gets us going’ etc is when footpaths are not maintained.  On occasion we have had to give up, turn round and return the way we had gone.  Keeping footpaths open and maintained has become a bit of a Crusade for us!  Our GPRS has earned it’s place on our boat and, if we are able to report any negligence – deliberate or otherwise – we are going to continue to do so!!  SO BE IT!

                                    

Footpaths?  Where?  They should have been re-instated …………………………………..   like this .

Six miles on and we found a pub!  Result!  ‘imself said I had to drink the bottle of water I had made him carry for me but he did give in and provide me with a pint of proper cider!  Dogs were pooped and had a touch of back-to-back recuperation.  Even allowed in!!

                                  

Re-joining the waterway where the canal becomes a river section, we had that cup of coffee which John had also carried around – for nine miles!

     

The village of Alrewas – lovely.  The surrounding area – lovely!