tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63803029457844823292024-02-20T17:39:31.136-08:00Narrowboat "Ellen"Welcome to the Blog Site of Angela and John Allebone
as they travel around
the canals and
rivers of
England and Wales.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.comBlogger400125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-27734386252662004362014-09-19T02:14:00.001-07:002014-09-19T02:14:29.913-07:00Wootton Rivers to All Cannings<p>After Wootton Rivers our next stop was Pewsey Wharf.  The mooring there is poor but at least we were able to walk into Pewsey to stock up with provisions.  Provisions were not the only thing we were able to stock up with.  I had seen a flyer about the coal boat “<em>Aquilo</em>”and knew that it was going to be in the area.  They carry cheaper diesel, gas, coal, logs, kindling, pump-out cards – just about all the essentials  boaters need!  Job done!  They have a yard at Hilperton and are incredibly well organised.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yYOcmDPYBAw/VBvzpwj9aGI/AAAAAAAAFcI/wtgxAL7gJ1o/s1600-h/Onward-to-All-Cannings-011-480x6403.jpg"><img title="Onward to All Cannings 011 (480x640)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Onward to All Cannings 011 (480x640)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0Y7YuyZv39bYZ5Al-RanpvaUgoa-PjC2AYoIcwv-kXGRljRmn-5AIkg-Li4GPuGLZNVIOIqGkMEMQdu5tOEHWgzzKX5N5VwWr_ux87_LNdpNpY5cFIkD1IczH1FbqRoIcWE5xLw2-e3S/?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Also whilst at Pewsey, Gill and Rodney came to find us and we all went to the dog friendly <em>Golden Swan</em> at Wilcot for Sunday lunch in order to celebrate both mine and Rodney’s birthdays.  Lovely.</p> <p>                                     <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyOa0D6LG72hBBAweuREVLf7MOIvfFBQ729la_BRo50aFOMZz1wj708naSCXd4Ucm1AuSlsuJoXHoeFxNlyLEYiV8VUdiBD0rvLx01Kz_Eb_kGNXaHdgCgvqAgVxsh1t9m4DKbHO32MAX/s1600-h/Onward-to-All-Cannings-009-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Onward to All Cannings 009 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Onward to All Cannings 009 (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jHYC2UNlnqc/VBvzsaTm4qI/AAAAAAAAFcg/BuONdYPatFo/Onward-to-All-Cannings-009-640x480_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Onward from Pewsey.  There’s no doubt about it, parts of the K&A really are very pretty ………………..</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fRC6NZXDcrU/VBvzucthRjI/AAAAAAAAFco/J8BVRA9AVJQ/s1600-h/Onward-to-All-Cannings-002-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Onward to All Cannings 002 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Onward to All Cannings 002 (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-67oHKfGvPfA/VBvzu9Y-8YI/AAAAAAAAFcw/D3rgPFQxpH4/Onward-to-All-Cannings-002-640x480_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Views of the Marlborough Downs</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PLKLPGNFH7U/VBvzw3TJ2cI/AAAAAAAAFc4/bpryCVHPT5w/s1600-h/Onward-to-All-Cannings-016-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Onward to All Cannings 016 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Onward to All Cannings 016 (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DjfAd2eMQxE/VBvzxQEdhLI/AAAAAAAAFdA/R_ALf4FFMcE/Onward-to-All-Cannings-016-640x480_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Picked Hill</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-11Lg6G6TGYU/VBvzzdXAHHI/AAAAAAAAFdI/sGIfjF3RuHM/s1600-h/Onward-to-All-Cannings-017-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Onward to All Cannings 017 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Onward to All Cannings 017 (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nhF8WH71lU8/VBvzz5wrefI/AAAAAAAAFdQ/1xduLKa2SE8/Onward-to-All-Cannings-017-640x480_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Ladies Bridge</em></p> <p>We thought the visitor mooring at All Cannings was the nicest we had come across since Reading.  And, how bizarre!  That very day, whilst we were moored up there, All Cannings featured on “<em>Escape to the Country</em>”!  It’s a really nice village with a community shop, good pub and access to some lovely walks up on the Downs.  We walked up to the site of a neolithic earthworks called <em>Rybury Camp</em>.  The views from up there are breath-taking.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SY0C4LkTU8I/VBvz1XGiF_I/AAAAAAAAFdY/YAJXEUQna_U/s1600-h/Onward-to-All-Cannings-030-640x4804.jpg"><img title="Onward to All Cannings 030 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Onward to All Cannings 030 (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t_6G8HCPlag/VBvz16aXnfI/AAAAAAAAFdg/xyoBoio0Yds/Onward-to-All-Cannings-030-640x480_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="346" height="260" /></a>      </p> <p>On the way up we passed this -</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJDBcBLfMatxzIbtenb81Nc_d7sQfATrMYAm_XLnJ_HcM1SQJxXuIMtliH9OlSp9T4gWMf4QQv4z17_aU7V5DPoPjL8r9_Maqtw1QSSaoK-vhRV19pKpwsJsn8ZrHzUbuGDBtBtyTfgdx/s1600-h/Onward-to-All-Cannings-029-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Onward to All Cannings 029 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Onward to All Cannings 029 (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DSksVGq2_Gk/VBvz4LgCZDI/AAAAAAAAFdw/1gHZpOom4MY/Onward-to-All-Cannings-029-640x480_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" height="184" /></a></p> <p>This is <em>The Long Barrow</em> at All Cannings.  </p> <p>It’s a modern-day burial mound.  When finished it will have a grass roof topped with wild flowers.  Cremated remains can be placed on shelves inside.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thelongbarrow.com">www.thelongbarrow.com</a></p> <p>It’s an alternative.</p> <p> </p> <p>To finish on a more cheerful note – a couple of pictures of Ellen …………..more??????</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vdkv1fFZbEo/VBvz6Je3muI/AAAAAAAAFd4/HDozkRrTV0Q/s1600-h/Onward-to-All-Cannings-001-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Onward to All Cannings 001 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Onward to All Cannings 001 (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PIVv4fhXZL8/VBvz6lseb2I/AAAAAAAAFeA/wWt85-gJpqs/Onward-to-All-Cannings-001-640x480_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>We thought our wood collection was doing well until we passed this lot!</em></p> <p align="center"><em>and</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8U3KU6UmGvo/VBvz8cFOSBI/AAAAAAAAFeI/3Rp29Z_irek/s1600-h/Onward-to-All-Cannings-023-480x6403.jpg"><img title="Onward to All Cannings 023 (480x640)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Onward to All Cannings 023 (480x640)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L9EjQHqcFS4/VBvz88PZAxI/AAAAAAAAFeQ/C0kM0l585m8/Onward-to-All-Cannings-023-480x640_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Another example of determination!</em></p> <p align="left">Our next challenge is to be the 29 locks of the Caen Hill Flight …………………….</p> <p align="center"><em>xxoo</em></p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-5289178722473430812014-09-12T05:09:00.001-07:002014-09-12T05:09:28.654-07:00Kintbury to Wootton Rivers<p>Hungerford and it’s surrounding marshland is a great area for walking.  The crystal clear little river Dun flows through the marsh and there’s lots of choice as to which paths to follow.  The middle picture is of an egret – I’ve only ever seen them flying or on the ground before.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2cnw2kLJ0-I/VBLhgeJJK5I/AAAAAAAAFYg/cFCd82AP6kw/s1600-h/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-006-480x6.jpg"><img title="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 006 (480x640)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 006 (480x640)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g2wK6SojmUE/VBLhhlMyzvI/AAAAAAAAFYo/yGep8RwlJR0/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-006-480x6%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>       <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c6QRlhWZUdM/VBLhlbzPUWI/AAAAAAAAFYw/xs4h1epI0pg/s1600-h/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-0023.jpg"><img title="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 002" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Fijh_sXzAsA/VBLhmIZJznI/AAAAAAAAFY4/3D79qzMbSlY/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="227" /></a>      <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XIvcxw8eOPg/VBLh_WXuHaI/AAAAAAAAFZA/nREUGpkRU1w/s1600-h/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-007-640x4.jpg"><img title="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 007 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 007 (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kdGacmwg7Ng/VBLiALiZ95I/AAAAAAAAFZI/98TeKiY2yyY/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-007-640x4%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>One day we decided we didn’t want to moor where everyone else was but it wasn’t easy and took lots of determination.  It’s not fair to say that there’s nowhere to moor on the K&A – there are designated visitor moorings but they are where the powers-that-be want you to stop for a pub or shops.  For those of us who like to moor in the middle of nowhere with open views, it’s really frustrating!  And, where there are rare places to get into the bank, the Unofficial Residential Non Compliant Continuous Cruisers are generally well entrenched!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e34Sr47kh94/VBLiBOurpDI/AAAAAAAAFZQ/hcUjznPusCA/s1600-h/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-012-640x4%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 012 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 012 (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Dnjf6_5MjFg/VBLiB0xEG2I/AAAAAAAAFZY/u7Bk7zVmgYk/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-012-640x4%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Locks and swing bridges just kept on coming but when some joker decides to put a swing bridge is in the middle of a lock chamber ……………. well, I ask you!!  This is Hungerford Marsh Lock.  The truth of the matter is that when the canal was constructed, permission to re-route the existing public right of way around the lock was refused.  The crossing had to be provided exactly where it had been before and that is where it remains today.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jG0ybbtTuRs/VBLiCqZ1E9I/AAAAAAAAFZg/41a1b66z084/s1600-h/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-008-640x4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 008 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 008 (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lGsOwN5hNH4/VBLiDv-S9hI/AAAAAAAAFZo/mU4jGJJJ1Ww/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-008-640x4%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Now we are in Wiltshire and beautiful thatch cottages abound:-  ££££££££££££££££££££</p> <p align="center">      <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iZxHmtaiuAo/VBLiE_ENOiI/AAAAAAAAFZw/8RKXEzV1fEM/s1600-h/Wootton-Rivers-002-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Wootton Rivers 002 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Wootton Rivers 002 (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hBCJKBQgKcY/VBLiFxIpjbI/AAAAAAAAFZ4/shAkFRaS4W0/Wootton-Rivers-002-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>      <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZOs1hvEYHj8/VBLiG-URy-I/AAAAAAAAFaA/PUiGztsGrNU/s1600-h/Wootton-Rivers-001-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Wootton Rivers 001 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Wootton Rivers 001 (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4dZkx59slpo/VBLiIGKfJ7I/AAAAAAAAFaI/_YHU1Ld-OtE/Wootton-Rivers-001-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="left">They obviously provide a constant source of work for the professionals:-</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e5o11v0JDXw/VBLiJwFd5eI/AAAAAAAAFaQ/4L0crgcwz5c/s1600-h/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-016-640x4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 016 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 016 (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2GA7RyjJmW8/VBLiK0OJ5hI/AAAAAAAAFaY/oRztsXwtQpQ/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-016-640x4%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>We walked away from the canal to see the restored and extremely well cared for windmill at Wilton.  It is maintained and operated by The Wilton Windmill Society.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fawOb9Zkd8o/VBLiMb85jlI/AAAAAAAAFag/CCFzeSWzK3k/s1600-h/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-019-480x6%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 019 (480x640)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 019 (480x640)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZaZbG5894nxs7yGhyphenhyphenABnLad5xgeGJmOHpqEii-JQ2Hr5n4imYMMUQD7Gqj8Otu8zuxwg8hNqj0592zFId57lmddAF2L8TFW8u6m-EQhFTMX8eUlRCo2u8fl2XYP9qWrc97PdelJIrR3S/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>      <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p5PQwTi6-Qk/VBLiQOXpDOI/AAAAAAAAFaw/e29Wgt_cHGI/s1600-h/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-020-640x4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 020 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 020 (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eUosRV6rneM/VBLiRe4QbMI/AAAAAAAAFa4/aBpp0ZOV6J8/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-020-640x4%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>We moored for the night by The Crofton Pumping Station.  <em>April Love </em>was there for a short while and we were able to have a bit of a chat with her new owners.  It was a somewhat noisy night as the main London – Plymouth railway line, which has been our constant companion since Reading, was a just a stone’s throw away!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ex2eu9dEYjI/VBLiSXhqLlI/AAAAAAAAFbA/UoJeU2_wwME/s1600-h/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-028-480x6.jpg"><img title="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 028 (480x640)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 028 (480x640)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudtWDb_rUvKUizM4R_Fayt9CHdpIDe9zuzxy8ckI-YG4GohGF2PdSwehNqcvj9ax63Kbkl2CQ7O6ZHSGfqQPf4UX8x1PJnr3NZZNqj9QUNCMz4kFM1vu3EcaTyhpj83BVabVVai8mg0Gx/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>We have seen very few boats on the move.  After Crofton Top Lock we reached the short summit pound.  After all the effort to reach the summit – 52 locks, 13 swing/lift bridges and 35 miles, it was over in little more than 2 miles!  We are now, however, seeing the appearance of a few widebeam boats and, since coming through the short Bruce tunnel, we’ve had lots of kingfisher sightings.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NMyL7dc4BA8/VBLiUvaX2-I/AAAAAAAAFbQ/PxFOxVmbbVI/s1600-h/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-038-640x4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 038 (640x480) (2)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 038 (640x480) (2)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aXE4FRDTsl4/VBLiW_Eh2AI/AAAAAAAAFbY/xU4xK5SJHb0/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-038-640x4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>      <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F0NlyZFa7DE/VBLiXwLbgmI/AAAAAAAAFbg/W2CtG072qew/s1600-h/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-0403.jpg"><img title="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 040" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Kintbury to Wootton Rivers 040" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6tYdafTRiI0/VBLiY0mI34I/AAAAAAAAFbo/vrwVYZWFUhE/Kintbury-to-Wootton-Rivers-040_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>We moored for the night at Wootton Rivers.  The church clock has the unusual inscription of ‘Glory Be To God’ instead of numbers.  We can now look forward to 15 miles of lock free boating.  The guide books, maps and articles I have in my possession tantalize by telling me about lovely walks on the downs but whether or not we will be able to moor up in order to access them remains to be seen.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PFKmTLlLShI/VBLiaG55chI/AAAAAAAAFbw/y5iF-xgMd0k/s1600-h/Wootton%252520Rivers%252520007%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Wootton Rivers 007 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Wootton Rivers 007 (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ynvbXt5Uphk/VBLicTiFvfI/AAAAAAAAFb4/46C8oy8YFOg/Wootton%252520Rivers%252520007%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-77002626612293486982014-09-06T09:42:00.001-07:002014-09-06T09:42:58.429-07:00Reading to Kintbury<p>I’ve decided the K&A can be a-likened to having a baby!  It’s a painful experience but time forces you to forget!  I remember there being a lot of locks.  I remember the locks being double, heavy and fierce.  What I hadn’t remembered were the number of swing/ lift bridges!  Locks and swing/lift bridges are relentless!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x3ESuJc7zIE/VAs5XQrQfxI/AAAAAAAAFXI/1r5GNbPCEMs/s1600-h/Reading-to-Newbury-004-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Reading to Newbury 004 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Reading to Newbury 004 (640x480)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLoTo7xDSxusGmrnVG9i3Y3gD3z2cAwoAu_leqoSFuasq9vZsF5IlfVk15Z4AmsavdT0B1HM9DrpqoNcMSmOOskyyhr6bPXOSjkl8ch9UjjQb3fZSGbKRmCjwGB-xYgkpl2BETfN4Kkph/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>        <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uKrRilchhmY/VAs5aHlBGmI/AAAAAAAAFXY/RcMRr8BsNxk/s1600-h/Reading-to-Newbury-005-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Reading to Newbury 005 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Reading to Newbury 005 (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q-E46f7ecLQ/VAs5bNpn1mI/AAAAAAAAFXg/cF2LFSzzM9I/Reading-to-Newbury-005-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="left">Before leaving The Thames we spoke to Ricky on <em>Hidden Pearl</em> who said he had recently been as far as Newbury.  He was not impressed!  He told us that not only was it hard work but it was over-grown and there was nowhere to moor – the first two observations are definitely true and, as for mooring, opportunities are seriously insufficient.</p> <p>With the exception of the little Cornish Crabber which I now know to be called <em>Demelza</em>, we had not encountered any other boats going our way since the first morning.  Coming towards us we have met a few hire boats.  <em>Demelza</em> with Ros, Barbara and Nancy on board have passed us and then we have passed them and then they have caught us up and then we have caught them up ……………  You might be interested to read about the challenge, Derek, as they will be coming past your watch next Spring:-</p> <p><a href="http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/rosbennet">www.virginmoneygiving.com/rosbennet</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.cornishcrabberchallengeblog.wordpress.com/">www.cornishcrabberchallengeblog.wordpress.com/</a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FIwhjfRXbdg/VAs5cP8hWtI/AAAAAAAAFXo/yDKkzkku_RI/s1600-h/Reading-to-Newbury-0164.jpg"><img title="Reading to Newbury 016" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Reading to Newbury 016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxGNpwe0_6c7MxhrieS39x-8YwEk5Md84F7KMCs1gnnd4xe9miCry7jbRDu2-bWL_hSmX9CfebuJMeuBEDwQiBVr-gxoyO41YzPRuBLphrcMPrJMKbnIPNekgUuVeP_msPkD98qtreyYr/?imgmax=800" width="355" height="267" /></a></p> <p>And onwards to Newbury.  The navigation passes through the centre of the town.  On reaching Newbury we did, at last, begin to see a handful of other boats on the move.  One of them was …………. <em>April Love</em>, Ben’s old narrowboat!  It was good to see her still being used but she’s seriously in need of a polish!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lvq7zrKTBK4/VAs5e3zkE_I/AAAAAAAAFX4/_skLuvXlnsY/s1600-h/and%252520on%252520to%252520Kintbury%252520001%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="and on to Kintbury 001 (480x640)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="and on to Kintbury 001 (480x640)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fISykLpkTRA/VAs5fqlYgRI/AAAAAAAAFYA/3IH1T9VqxmU/and%252520on%252520to%252520Kintbury%252520001%252520%252528480x640%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Jane and Ron came to find us for the day and we had a really nice meal in a canalside pub.</p> <p>I thought Newbury was a really good town for shopping!!!!!!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Xls8izfF7ww/VAs5gqhiVYI/AAAAAAAAFYI/1jjCoxlNgTM/s1600-h/and%252520on%252520to%252520Kintbury%252520003%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="and on to Kintbury 003 (480x640)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="and on to Kintbury 003 (480x640)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DT2lw7Wu6RU/VAs5jTVB2ZI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/5V9K3U24rFM/and%252520on%252520to%252520Kintbury%252520003%252520%252528480x640%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" height="244" /></a></p> <p>We moored up right by the The Newbury Bypass – noisy but really good for Lola because the lovely Victoria Park was so accessible for ball games.</p> <p>We have now moved on to Kintbury and, thank goodness, we have managed to get on to a good designated mooring – the banks are seriously overgrown everywhere else.      xxoo</p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-18024804432948092852014-09-02T04:10:00.001-07:002014-09-02T04:10:35.976-07:00On to The Kennet and Avon<p>At last I have a waterway to blog about that I have not blogged out before!  That’s not to say we haven’t been on this canal before – it was the first canal we did as liveaboards back in 2007 but that was before blog days.  I remember it being very hard work due to the number of double locks and swing/lift bridges and finding mooring spots hard to obtain – we will see.  We did go to Bristol and back in about 3 weeks – far too fast!!</p> <p>Soon after entering the K&A you come to Blakes Lock, the last under the jurisdiction of the Environment Agency.  The lock keeper was at lunch so we had to sort ourselves out.  (My maiden name just happened to be Blake so nostalgia is hard to suppress!)</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QdfGEqgOndo/VAWk7N7n-bI/AAAAAAAAFUw/UVZob08Q_9o/s1600-h/On-to-The-Kennett-and-Avon-023-640x4.jpg"><img title="On to The Kennett and Avon 023 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="On to The Kennett and Avon 023 (640x480)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcGIaOho03WDnuGkmhQT7WrpByfEYqB9RJ1AjkhnvosBCmlhTMZ2zodM-a-pJpmNcHZjN2TfUKV6fLHsDdC6mlmvWNih35pFW1i1Qznmm5DedxR1tjPBGmqJ6pe9BdB9F3zUO_5DlkIqd/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>        <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8jJT5G9enz4/VAWlBycZzwI/AAAAAAAAFVA/sVcTnIJsG4c/s1600-h/Blakes-Lock7.jpg"><img title="Blakes Lock" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Blakes Lock" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FeY5gOoXR2A/VAWlCzbimoI/AAAAAAAAFVI/Ir1_451NgwI/Blakes-Lock_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>      <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zOnO8fl9a5g/VAWlEujR5EI/AAAAAAAAFVQ/sloTBA7HH0M/s1600-h/On%252520to%252520The%252520Kennett%252520and%252520Avon%252520014%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="What is this building?" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="What is this building?" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bh5dzwoJsAw/VAWlFcSOJYI/AAAAAAAAFVY/5j7X-BI0TU0/On%252520to%252520The%252520Kennett%252520and%252520Avon%252520014%252520%252528480x640%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>We went round The Abbey Loop really just to see what the moorings are like round there and we found Blake’s Wharf:-</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tG0xw_LGK5g/VAWlG9IdFuI/AAAAAAAAFVg/cGs88LaidOg/s1600-h/On-to-The-Kennett-and-Avon-017-480x6%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blake's Wharf" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Blake's Wharf" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-djeSTbCOtYg/VAWlId8qOEI/AAAAAAAAFVo/mVlgJrvPB8Y/On-to-The-Kennett-and-Avon-017-480x6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_lg7c2anHOo/VAWlPA8o13I/AAAAAAAAFVw/0X0JXNmtueA/s1600-h/Blakes-Cottages-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Blakes Cottages" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Blakes Cottages" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R9e6oq8J01I/VAWlRo9y9dI/AAAAAAAAFV4/mVrQdhWaztE/Blakes-Cottages-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" height="184" /></a></p> <p>     Back on the main part of the river we saw his cottages:-</p> <p>              SO …………………………. who WAS Blake?</p> <p>Is this statue in his memory?</p> <p>                                           <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7-NVvIcHIbs6F5vmq423lMYGIXbQYAqK-yjDrHBIc11je2WAWeBhOzUQX82WeS18h9zynGZimfQAUL96dW7AGrgwrDFqfJS-JJG_IL_GsC6mWcdk5fHKqfvMF688LsqEiIBAEald9I_a/s1600-h/On-to-The-Kennett-and-Avon-016-480x6.jpg"><img title="Is this Blake?" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Is this Blake?" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZPdPYvxcDMA/VAWlfryAvII/AAAAAAAAFWI/Fx_UcqO1IyY/On-to-The-Kennett-and-Avon-016-480x6%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o341r4qfA6U/VAWlhDFS41I/AAAAAAAAFWQ/DpTrIMVweCk/s1600-h/On-to-The-Kennett-and-Avon-024-480x6.jpg"><img title="On to The Kennett and Avon 024 (480x640)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="On to The Kennett and Avon 024 (480x640)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FGrMKAwEek0/VAWliWRhB0I/AAAAAAAAFWY/URVzwFiFypU/On-to-The-Kennett-and-Avon-024-480x6%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" height="244" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y1ff0w9tszc/VAWlj9VRzkI/AAAAAAAAFWg/syx3myZMDeU/s1600-h/On-to-The-Kennett-and-Avon-025-640x4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="On to The Kennett and Avon 025 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="On to The Kennett and Avon 025 (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rWD8ZRPSZkg/VAWllVqb3aI/AAAAAAAAFWo/jc_6R4CjWes/On-to-The-Kennett-and-Avon-025-640x4%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Anyway, onward through the Oracle Centre in Reading.  The last time we did this I remember feeling like a goldfish in a bowl but it didn’t seem so bad this time.</p> <p>Yesterday Megan had come to find us and she and I had walked in and around the shops in Reading so I now know what retail establishments lie beyond this centre as well as what’s inside it!!</p> <p>                                 </p> <p>We carried on through and at the second lock outside of Reading we met a lady in her seventies on a small Cornish Crabber – she had set off from Falmouth in the Spring, had gone all along the South coast, come up the Thames and is now making her way to Bristol to go out at Avonmouth.  She’s raising money for the provision of wells in Ethiopia.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ufj5PugUUNM/VAWlozj4w_I/AAAAAAAAFWw/60c9XwJsr7Y/s1600-h/On-to-The-Kennett-and-Avon-027-480x6%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="A Cornish crabber - the captain (female in her 70's) started out at Falmouth and sailed round to The Thames Estuary." style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="A Cornish crabber - the captain (female in her 70's) started out at Falmouth and sailed round to The Thames Estuary." src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YHrlsLQX0b8/VAWlqKwVvCI/AAAAAAAAFW4/m8odTwYXrbA/On-to-The-Kennett-and-Avon-027-480x6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>As in the past we’ve found it difficult to find somewhere to moor for the night so are sort-of stuffed in the reeds up against a meadow!  Lola thinks it’s great!! xxoo</p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-6020143843848695702014-08-30T11:01:00.001-07:002014-08-30T11:01:37.834-07:00The Royal River Thames<p>We are all enjoying being back on The River Thames – “Ellen” is loving the deep, clean water, Lola is loving the open spaces where we have managed to moor, John is loving having stretches of the river to ourselves and room to manoeuvre and me?  I just love it all!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z-sMdVdSWkA/VAIRM_IzlRI/AAAAAAAAFR4/lD0bJ6PX7es/s1600-h/River-Thames-2014-027-640x4803.jpg"><img title="River Thames 2014 027 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="River Thames 2014 027 (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wefZGIwBtIU/VAIRN1-5SbI/AAAAAAAAFSA/d3698YY4Om0/River-Thames-2014-027-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>      <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H8bN7CcCfGc/VAIROjO7zCI/AAAAAAAAFSI/y9p_GiAHw58/s1600-h/River-Thames-2014-026-640x4803.jpg"><img title="River Thames 2014 026 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="River Thames 2014 026 (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PHzaRcsNgAs/VAIRPmIrM1I/AAAAAAAAFSQ/Hy3TEljVfgs/River-Thames-2014-026-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NE64ooslOSk/VAIRQdE1jYI/AAAAAAAAFSY/6ExL2qjX73M/s1600-h/River-Thames-2014-004-640x4803.jpg"><img title="River Thames 2014 004 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="River Thames 2014 004 (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q1NZQrjQd1g/VAIRRK6UotI/AAAAAAAAFSg/ydIL6HfZch4/River-Thames-2014-004-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>      <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bFAnUgQoQII/VAIRScV6wbI/AAAAAAAAFSo/A7EbSG54-is/s1600-h/River-Thames-2014-011-640x4803.jpg"><img title="River Thames 2014 011 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="River Thames 2014 011 (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_dKQOBvzLm0/VAIRTH2YD3I/AAAAAAAAFSw/sjd2EZTtw7Y/River-Thames-2014-011-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>We stopped off at Oxford for a walk around – we hadn’t really done that before.  The city of Oxford was busy!  Lots of people, lots of traffic (with the exception of London I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many buses in such close proximity before!) lots of shops and lots of bicycles.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wIIhv7K_7C0/VAIRUNIKb6I/AAAAAAAAFS4/upOVranxoqM/s1600-h/On-to-Oxford-030-640x4803.jpg"><img title="On to Oxford 030 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="On to Oxford 030 (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r0t3I2Vd81Q/VAIRVNRKcII/AAAAAAAAFS8/JKlqNqVlsvo/On-to-Oxford-030-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>      <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29SPjvZq7eSkxLKn-KOy5qYwI3T1OgKfODmKT0xhIDoS6a8SeFQulCyxT99-_H5Pd3Nqw8ve7r0p677gti1J10wwd10i8SA7Gc8ekHk5F-sD5Rm8kNnCdHYa-05esuefrn_K44A9yNtF5/s1600-h/On-to-Oxford-037-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Parking at the train station" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Parking at the train station" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aL6V6BW8jks/VAIRWsSJmfI/AAAAAAAAFTQ/JO721YLD5dM/On-to-Oxford-037-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>      <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ElH8IXdyccw/VAIRXpNUg5I/AAAAAAAAFTY/ULXlQEdUUPo/s1600-h/On-to-Oxford-043-640x4803.jpg"><img title="At Osney Bridge" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="At Osney Bridge" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hF_qUGgER-I/VAIRYeXyk8I/AAAAAAAAFTg/YzDF4L0skAk/On-to-Oxford-043-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="left">We decided that we also wanted to visit Dorchester – Dorchester-on-Thames that is, not the Dorchester in Dorset!  In order to do this you need to be able to moor somewhere near Days Lock and, in the past, moorings have always been full.  This time we were lucky!  What a brilliant spot!  And, what a pretty little place Dorchester-on-Thames is – lots of thatched and half-timbered buildings, a huge Abbey church which is now the parish church and the happiest, friendliest little Co-op I’ve ever shopped in!  From where we moored it was a really nice 20 minute walk across the fields.  Our friends, Gary and Joan drove from their home in Wargrave and came to have dinner with us.</p> <p align="left">On the other side of the river, accessed by crossing over Little Wittenham footbridge, you can walk to – or rather <strong>up</strong> to – Wittenham Clumps.  These are clumps of beech trees on top of hills (Round Hill and Castle Hill) where there are remains of ancient hill forts and spectacular views of the river and surrounding countryside.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SOk85Hsf7J4/VAIRZpM_kaI/AAAAAAAAFTo/KsySrgkbxww/s1600-h/Johns-assortment-0193.jpg"><img title="John's assortment 019" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="John's assortment 019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LCqS8Pwxpac/VAIRaXlqroI/AAAAAAAAFTw/wQCpGwTORkU/Johns-assortment-019_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>        <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGPd1ohyMVcWw-sZZ1fCU9HH14XivmBnO4pegNRsXPGmoA03wvCKK5t6-IZCknQRcFaFpcAHmSnBHfwA8mHrm8NXJV3WuS52Cspc6KdAWd6Dwf-Yks6ovJ6-KFyKkd8GXK4MIFWCRzcd8/s1600-h/Johns-assortment-014-640x4803.jpg"><img title="John's assortment 014 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="John's assortment 014 (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0F2UtZ27nSA/VAIRb04Pa7I/AAAAAAAAFUA/lQ3RIRZFsRA/Johns-assortment-014-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Spot Ellen’s red back door.</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9840h6ABRoI/VAIRc3uT3VI/AAAAAAAAFUI/X1tFu4W015w/s1600-h/Johns-assortment-0203.jpg"><img title="John's assortment 020" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="John's assortment 020" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVNvH_9Uqyd30cI_5j96nDYuohDGwdaAX-OzxGyz6iN8ZEVZux6YWLimXxHmdgOFIqITSUYqynhAywYDfiNS61KuScQLgRKjeGI7YMx06yYYyfCRngBIQaHO5cKmWbh5mluTjcUMZHCSB/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Wittenham Clumps</em></p> <p align="left">There are also waymarked paths through Little Wittenham Wood and dogs don’t even have to be on leads!  Red kites are becoming more and more numerous the closer we get to Reading.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--c9hgJlKRK4/VAIRer_ugZI/AAAAAAAAFUY/f_3rNAQimfk/s1600-h/Johns-assortment-022-480x6403.jpg"><img title="John's assortment 022 (480x640)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="John's assortment 022 (480x640)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rVH_yeOg2mQ/VAIRfaJJ3dI/AAAAAAAAFUg/rZ2wfoEz1tw/Johns-assortment-022-480x640_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Well worth a visit.</em></p> <p align="center"><em>xxoo</em></p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-89951097653609889402014-08-19T11:20:00.001-07:002014-08-19T11:20:11.418-07:00It’s Debatable …….<p><em>“Times they are a-changin”  (Who sang that and when?)                                                                                                                 </em>Some really experienced and respected boaters have said that things on the canals aren’t as good as they used to be, that things have changed for the worse.  What makes them think that and are they right?</p> <p>I know it’s inevitable because things can never stay still/ remain the same but, we have noticed:-</p> <p><u>AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE BOATS<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nsP2vhComMw/U_OVRP5dwVI/AAAAAAAAFQk/C4l3OfN7ixM/s1600-h/debatable-600x80016.jpg"><img title="debatable (600x800)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="debatable (600x800)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Lykv7GElVRI/U_OVSJVmbyI/AAAAAAAAFQs/8SojfIvGB7o/debatable-600x800_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="121" align="right" height="160" /></a></u></p> <p>Mature, Experienced Citizens, (yes, like ourselves) have most definitely taken a real liking to the canals and narrow boating – marinas are full of boats owned by folk like us and more and more have become Liveaboards and cruise all year.  I’ve been doing some cut research and I can say with confidence that 8/10 private boats are operated by males who have, judging by their hair – (grey/white/silver/dyed or none!), seen the better side of 60 – or at least 50.  At the height of the season, certainly in the Braunston area, it has been ridiculously busy, private boats out-numbering hire boats by about 10-1.  It does make everything much more difficult – passing boats, being passed, mooring, pulling away off a mooring, getting onto the water points, getting through bridge holes, getting through locks etc etc.  <em>All this is bound to increase stress levels and must directly relate to the suspected increase in instances of intolerance.</em></p> <p align="center"></p> <p><u>CRUSING PATTERNS </u>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ojyTCcovcJo/U_OVTDhnz2I/AAAAAAAAFQ0/JKgjP8oyLr8/s1600-h/debatable-600x80020.jpg"><img title="debatable (600x800)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="debatable (600x800)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Jf9lk6aNgQw/U_OVTwut7lI/AAAAAAAAFQ8/e6RLjgHS0TQ/debatable-600x800_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="121" align="right" height="160" /></a></p> <p>At the height of the season and on particularly busy sections it now seems that the thing to do is to set off early in the morning and then stop earlier in the day. In popular places it is now not unusual to be passed by the first boat at about 6.30am.  Not being an early-riser myself, by 9.00am I’ve generally not only lost count but patience too!!  Some boaters pass slowly showing a degree of consideration for those of us who are not floating insomniacs and some pass quietly showing a degree of consideration for those of us who like to confront a new day in a subtle fashion …… but not all!  The early-to-get-going lot also seem to be the early-to-moor-up-for-the day lot.  If you arrive at a popular spot past 4pm there’s little chance of finding somewhere to moor.  <em>Surely this cruising behaviour is directly related to the sheer number of boats now out and about and is really only an issue in the summer months.  Again though, it does add to stress levels and accompanying intolerance.</em></p> <p><u>TOLERANCE LEVELS</u>   </p> <p>Several well-established boaters have expressed their belief that boaters aren’t as nice to each other as they used to be.  I must admit that too often this year I’ve been told tales by very upset people about being shouted at, sworn at, moaned at and most of those with the bad tempers have been private boaters who don’t stop to ask questions or assess situations before shouting.  We are all capable of making a bad decision – like the hire boater who didn’t realise another boat was approaching a lock and proceeded to empty it.  It was a genuine mistake but, boy, did his ears pay a high price for that mistake!  Then there was the teenage boy on his holiday who was doing more than a reasonable job at steering his hired boat but he clipped a lock gate on entry.  My goodness, how rude was a moored up private boater – going on about damage to infra structure – I bet he’s bashed a few lock gates in his time.  That lad was really upset and it took lots of persuasion by this dad to get him to stay on the tiller.</p> <p>Other things that trigger intolerance (some of them being more than justified*) seem to be:-</p> <ul> <li>when you’re trying to pull away from being moored up and, even though the ropes have been untied for some time, you struggle to get the back away before someone comes steaming along and then accuses you of ‘pulling out in front’! </li> <li>when it’s so shallow or silted up that you are forced to go slowly and those behind seem to think you are doing it on purpose.  We met a chap who had a horrid experience in the Chirk Tunnel.  Because of the current, the shallow water and the deep draft of his boat he ended up going backwards!  He resorted to jumping off and pulling it through.  He said he had to suffer dreadful verbal abuse from those behind.  Why didn’t they just get off and help him?  This man refused to go any further – he turned round at the next winding hole. </li> <li>lone boaters*  If they make some effort to help – fine - but some of them just assume you’re going to do it all for them. Yesterday I locked a single hander through a lock.  He made no effort to help.  Standing on the tiller he looked up, grinned and said to me “ It’s such hard work on my own.”  “Yes”, said I.  “I can see that!” </li> <li>Non-compliant Continual Cruisers in very neglected boats, toot all over the tow path and, this year, we passed one that had not only been in the same place for at least 3 months but had also pitched a tent! * <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UVwLgHohSwY/U_OVUxEPosI/AAAAAAAAFRE/wa-492C-Wlk/s1600-h/debatable-600x80024.jpg"><img title="debatable (600x800)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="debatable (600x800)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ye2bElY2hmo/U_OVV16wueI/AAAAAAAAFRM/LAQTJjOxF28/debatable-600x800_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="121" align="right" height="160" /></a> </li> <li>Speeding past moored boats* </li> </ul> <p>Sadly, it’s always the bad instances we tend to remember the most.  The majority of the boaters we meet are lovely, friendly and helpful.  The sheer volume of boats now on the system makes the likelihood of confrontations higher but I suspect the grumpy, ill-tempered minority have always been there and always will be.  Some people are never happy unless they’re moaning about something!</p> <p align="center">xxoo</p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-7928341121046341202014-08-09T02:43:00.001-07:002014-08-09T02:43:30.995-07:00Taking the p**s………<p>We’ve lived all our adult lives believing that it’s cheaper and more sensible to DIY it if you can – painting, decorating, car maintenance, gardening, fitting kitchens, fitting bathrooms, making soft furnishings etc etc  So, boat-related things, in the main, we try to tackle ourselves.  DIY should be a cheaper option …… shouldn’t it?</p> <p>Well, when it comes to the modern-day, CaRT pump out, think again!</p> <p>Was it not bad enough when the price of a DIY pump out card rose 50% in one fell swoop - £10.00 - £15.00?  For a £15.00 card you got 25 points in order to do a pump out.  The Skipper tells me it only takes 20 points to complete a pump out so what happens to the 5 remaining points?  “What can I do with the 5 remaining points on the card?” John asked the lady at the Anderton Boat Lift where we bought some cards.  “Oh, you can use them on an electricity point,” said she.  Right!  Where might they be then?  We’ve seen something suspicious-looking on the Chesterfield canal and a couple going down to Boston but I bet they wouldn’t accept our 5-points-remaining card.  Actually, we now have FOUR cards with 5 points remaining on each!</p> <p>AND, to make matters worse, when we purchased a couple more cards this year, we found they had gone up in price again – they now cost £16.00!  For that you:-</p> <ul> <li>have to DIY </li> <li>get no Blue added unless you put it in at your own extra cost </li> <li>worry that you’re going to run out of time before you’ve been able to give the tank a decent rinse out </li> <li>pay for more points than you actually need </li> </ul> <p>DIY pump out a good financial option?   Not at the moment it isn’t.  Some marinas are not charging more than that but no doubt they will soon ‘wise-up’!  Perhaps this is a sneaky way of getting DIY pump outs off the canals altogether!  Cards need to be 20 points for £12.00.  As it is, whichever way you look at it, it’s a case of taking the p**s!  No wonder so many of our boating colleagues have opted for cassettes!</p> <p align="center">xxoo</p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-55729400018751905412014-07-31T14:42:00.001-07:002014-07-31T14:42:31.880-07:00Guess Where?<p><font size="5" face="Courier New"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TE-wjMdixPI/U9q34Vck9LI/AAAAAAAAFOc/HGqLyAOOrsU/s1600-h/back-down-the-shroppie-030-600x8004.jpg"><img title="back down the shroppie 030 (600x800)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="back down the shroppie 030 (600x800)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RPIQUKDtAus/U9q35V8d17I/AAAAAAAAFOk/KlzneExBjn4/back-down-the-shroppie-030-600x800_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="292" height="388" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Curlz MT">BIG CLUE:- </font>Long, leafy cuttings which look beautiful especially when the sun is shining.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qR1Pp6Wg6eM/U9q36-RQ2wI/AAAAAAAAFOs/waeVSBBCy2E/s1600-h/back-down-the-shroppie-029-600x8004.jpg"><img title="back down the shroppie 029 (600x800)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="back down the shroppie 029 (600x800)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ALPnTq5Hkl4/U9q39TiH-QI/AAAAAAAAFO0/lyOEBHYAr30/back-down-the-shroppie-029-600x800_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="386" /></a><font size="5" face="Curlz MT">BIG CLUE:- </font><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Very tall bridges.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8xiBHH8WQgo/U9q3-2qmbvI/AAAAAAAAFO8/0LGDQVPgM78/s1600-h/back-down-the-shroppie-031-800x6004.jpg"><img title="back down the shroppie 031 (800x600)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="back down the shroppie 031 (800x600)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C9h6vRJil8U/U9q3_2gNCEI/AAAAAAAAFPE/5BWdHDl3Fts/back-down-the-shroppie-031-800x600_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="260" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Curlz MT">BIG CLUE:- </font>Views of The Wrekin.</p> <p>AND, at last ……………… <font size="5" face="Curlz MT">BIG CLUE:- </font>The Anchor Inn which was open!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AtKFncuqhsY/U9q4CfCmHOI/AAAAAAAAFPM/Xer9wyV2fAs/s1600-h/back-down-the-shroppie-033-800x6004.jpg"><img title="back down the shroppie 033 (800x600)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="back down the shroppie 033 (800x600)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HXx6bTZrIjM/U9q4H1LnuFI/AAAAAAAAFPU/JGPhedQiuYA/back-down-the-shroppie-033-800x600_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="286" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">All the guides say that this drinking establishment is in a time warp – an original <em>Public House</em> where the bars are in the sitting rooms.  Every time we’ve passed we’ve stopped but Olive, the Landlady, has had the pub closed.  NOT THIS TIME!  And, yes, it <strong>is</strong> old fashioned and unspoilt.  The tiny bar is at the end of what I suppose is/was the hallway, the toilets are still outside and the garden is immaculate.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0ImKabACKw4/U9q4JtPZrpI/AAAAAAAAFPc/2Om6SeVTdw8/s1600-h/back-down-the-shroppie-037-600x8003.jpg"><img title="back down the shroppie 037 (600x800)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="back down the shroppie 037 (600x800)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vno976vfinU/U9q4KqZmjkI/AAAAAAAAFPk/gsZOqnS0hoM/back-down-the-shroppie-037-600x800_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>        <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4ocaqUaoso4/U9q4LtLIB6I/AAAAAAAAFPs/uYCV_Hexo7c/s1600-h/back-down-the-shroppie-039-600x8003.jpg"><img title="back down the shroppie 039 (600x800)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="back down the shroppie 039 (600x800)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cfJyLRzR-wQ/U9q4MWir17I/AAAAAAAAFP0/3D6-TKJP-mo/back-down-the-shroppie-039-600x800_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>     </p> <p align="center">   <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8A_Dx9cUxHQ/U9q4N7-gu-I/AAAAAAAAFP8/INryBhcu2fw/s1600-h/back-down-the-shroppie-040-800x6003.jpg"><img title="back down the shroppie 040 (800x600)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="back down the shroppie 040 (800x600)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4BSQCS80MPo/U9q4O2kpjdI/AAAAAAAAFQE/97xpQxp65pw/back-down-the-shroppie-040-800x600_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>        <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OJ9NwLTxPbE/U9q4QPNv5PI/AAAAAAAAFQM/QW0id-9HA0o/s1600-h/back-down-the-shroppie-035-800x6007.jpg"><img title="back down the shroppie 035 (800x600)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="back down the shroppie 035 (800x600)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0f07IARH36o/U9q4RJEgA2I/AAAAAAAAFQU/_aivRUJtvtU/back-down-the-shroppie-035-800x600_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">We’ve had a lovely couple of days based at Brewood where our friends Mick and Lynn joined us but are now back on the Staffs and Worcester heading towards Penkridge where we are to be joined by our next visitors.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">xxoo</font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Curlz MT"></font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Curlz MT"></font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Curlz MT"></font></p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-30528518465638690292014-07-27T07:01:00.001-07:002014-07-27T07:01:00.733-07:00Blacking a BIG Bottom ……!<p>When we have to get Ellen’s bottom blacked it’s a significant event.  We’ve never done it ourselves but talking to those who have ……. it’s hard, messy work!</p> <p>Well!  Consider the DIY blacking of a Dutch Barge – that’s the task son, Ben, has undertaken this week.  It’s actually a ship so …………… he has taken it to a shipyard ……………… at Chatham on the Medway.  A big boat needs a big dry dock!</p> <p><font color="#ff0000">Going through London – sights we have experienced ourselves on “Ellen” …………….</font></p> <p><em>(* <font size="1">Little bits of factual info for those who like to know …….)</font></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YUL10wG76G0/U9UF1_xSLnI/AAAAAAAAFME/gUQjyrX3U7M/s1600-h/First-i-phone-pics-0295.jpg"><img title="First i phone pics 029" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="First i phone pics 029" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dQXqbbIqnPI/U9UF2wnKBYI/AAAAAAAAFMM/PtuOWfZqOE4/First-i-phone-pics-029_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="297" align="left" height="224" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Lucida Calligraphy">*The London Eye stands 137 metres above the city.  On a fine day you can apparently see as far as Heathrow Airport and Windsor Castle.</font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--4mEg4iz9bs/U9UF4iZK8vI/AAAAAAAAFMU/WMpXolt1U5A/s1600-h/First-i-phone-pics-0264.jpg"><img title="First i phone pics 026" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="First i phone pics 026" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X3_xrvhTPv4/U9UF5ZCl2FI/AAAAAAAAFMc/idhJW3u7qjA/First-i-phone-pics-026_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="349" align="right" height="263" /></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Lucida Calligraphy"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Lucida Calligraphy"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Lucida Calligraphy">*HMS Belfast was in active service as a Royal Navy Cruiser.  She was commissioned on 5th August 1939 just before the outbreak of WW2 and finally decommissioned on 24th August 1963.  She was launched on St Patrick’s Day 1938.  She is now part of The National Historic Fleet and operated by The Imperial War Museum.  Each year she receives 1/4 million visitors. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DUj2nNaoTZM/U9UF6fG0BgI/AAAAAAAAFMk/SOnnIEMWYSk/s1600-h/First-i-phone-pics-0254.jpg"><img title="First i phone pics 025" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="First i phone pics 025" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gC2-T2eDt4k/U9UF7IcU0TI/AAAAAAAAFMs/ue11QmA6yC4/First-i-phone-pics-025_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" align="left" height="250" /></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Lucida Calligraphy"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Lucida Calligraphy">*Tower Bridge was built by Sir John Barry & Sir Horace Jones between 1886 and 1894.  </font></p> <p><em><font size="2"></font></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><font color="#ff0000">and, going downstream, sights we haven’t …………………<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z2Y5ctgE0rY/U9UF8DiayaI/AAAAAAAAFMw/JTPJPNm2CIk/s1600-h/First-i-phone-pics-0224.jpg"><img title="First i phone pics 022" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="First i phone pics 022" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DY9E3OXua8k/U9UF9Dc838I/AAAAAAAAFM8/3dQzVjyRdY8/First-i-phone-pics-022_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" align="right" height="235" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Lucida Calligraphy">*The Cutty Sark was built on the Clyde in 1869.  She was one of the last tea clippers and one of the fastest sailing ships of her time.  She too is on The National Historic Ships Register and is now kept permanently at Greenwich.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Lucida Calligraphy">She is one of only three remaining other clipper ships built in C19th.  Of the others one is in Australia and the other in Chile.  In 2007 she was badly damaged by fire but she is now fully restored and once again open to the public.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DpyULHkiKzc/U9UF9wR36RI/AAAAAAAAFNA/jW4jGuWmntg/s1600-h/First-i-phone-pics-0214.jpg"><img title="First i phone pics 021" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="First i phone pics 021" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnZyg0aNWNSpKuaMaQXNwhxnhhUb3InsA1Nzwp6q-lARe8joX9eVxuOLtFF-xzq_S3n-B8q5JR-XVZewOTVJDMInFV-TDw-NLzh-1lHQv0ktreoAE73E2I9UX39ObIly50BCe-7SMPnPB/?imgmax=800" width="298" align="left" height="224" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Lucida Calligraphy">*The O2 Arena.  We still haven’t been there!!!!!!!!</font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CWmm_YPYE7s/U9UF_t7_ReI/AAAAAAAAFNU/AfTtt7K_gb4/s1600-h/First-i-phone-pics-02011.jpg"><img title="First i phone pics 020" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="First i phone pics 020" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-589Z3ctr_RQ/U9UGAqnBjII/AAAAAAAAFNc/svH1vkgy65w/First-i-phone-pics-020_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" align="right" height="229" /></a></p> <p><font size="2" face="Lucida Calligraphy">*The Thames Barrier.  520 metres wide and built as part of the effort to protect London from flooding due to rising water levels and tidal surges.  This design was chosen from amongst 41 different proposals.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Lucida Calligraphy"></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Lucida Calligraphy"></font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="2" face="Lucida Calligraphy">*The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge.  It was opened by the Queen on 30/10/1991 and its construction cost £120 million.  It’s 137 metres high and, despite the toll, an average of 130,000 vehicles use it on a daily basis.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m9k-zLaR2TU/U9UGBTaH4hI/AAAAAAAAFNk/numngEu-OkI/s1600-h/First-i-phone-pics-0188.jpg"><img title="First i phone pics 018" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="First i phone pics 018" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZTpEY4gs_K8/U9UGCWWc_1I/AAAAAAAAFNs/6bxYk6zDPSc/First-i-phone-pics-018_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="317" align="left" height="144" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>  At sea …..<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7SW7d4CqPnQ/U9UGDUIfOMI/AAAAAAAAFN0/siwhHRi7VGg/s1600-h/First-i-phone-pics-0344.jpg"><img title="First i phone pics 034" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="First i phone pics 034" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4sI4uMZpKBc/U9UGEhXw5sI/AAAAAAAAFN8/Jzopsw9tibg/First-i-phone-pics-034_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="250" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z-acRRs7heY/U9UGFV1Bz9I/AAAAAAAAFOE/gnNLoG6K3xE/s1600-h/First-i-phone-pics-0354.jpg"><img title="First i phone pics 035" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="First i phone pics 035" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1XaeQgSm8NM/U9UGGalQb4I/AAAAAAAAFOM/HapL30jLU1U/First-i-phone-pics-035_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" align="left" height="250" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Arriving at the dry dock at Chatham.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center">I  wish we had been able to accompany him either there or back but it was just not to be.</p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-75946756489491608052014-07-21T08:33:00.001-07:002014-07-21T08:33:29.873-07:00Adapting Lifestyle<p>For what seemed like my entire career I was told that I had to embrace and cope with change!  Considering the profession I was in, coping with the changes to our lives now should be a doddle!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EQH6071QEUc/U80yrCk1vVI/AAAAAAAAFK8/7cy5s5JrtGM/s1600-h/Back-to-Dorset-012-480x6403.jpg"><img title="Back to Dorset 012 (480x640)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Back to Dorset 012 (480x640)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmyVMagyVI-h7LU-lfLy7akg_NfY0mEL4iltS_tj_Lu1mY4LrcnD0AObhZyQk33SvsZsfIukGQgPfB1GpiNl3Rm6_tx8xEgB_ZtHbY9YAGF-1eSVXpDS1Khm09NNXrrll7a3JO_f9wPpn/?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" height="244" /></a></p> <p>We have been on a mission to get back to Dorset to check on the house and garden and then get back to “Ellen” to continue cruising.  We know of several other boaters who do this every year and they make it look so easy!  At he end of June our good friends, Jane and Ron, came to spend a few days cruising with us.  We put the boat into Swanley Marina and were driven all the way back!  Well, that was easy!</p> <p> </p> <p>We were met by a jungle!  Originally we thought that all we wanted was a small courtyard garden but it didn’t quite work out that way.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0qfQiQUiL_4/U80ytFDSAmI/AAAAAAAAFLM/717zTN6abaE/s1600-h/Back-to-Dorset-016-640x48012.jpg"><img title="Back to Dorset 016 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Back to Dorset 016 (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GnJK7CdPJ3o/U80yuCdzfsI/AAAAAAAAFLU/tlU8S3ERzwo/Back-to-Dorset-016-640x480_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" align="left" height="180" /></a></p> <p>We have spent the best part of the last three weeks gardening!  It’s now back under control and  ………………………. we’ve left it to it’s own devises yet again!  Gluttons for punishment or what!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HVtr7BLMEu0/U80yuz_kvxI/AAAAAAAAFLc/HRIsHazg2xs/s1600-h/Back-to-Dorset-040-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Back to Dorset 040 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Back to Dorset 040 (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lxXoVtWUXY4/U80yvvxE5fI/AAAAAAAAFLk/Z6GQUVF2DA8/Back-to-Dorset-040-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" height="184" /></a></p> <p>We did manage a couple of trips to the coast and Megan came to stay for a few days too.  It was really good to see her.  She is looking so well.</p> <p> </p> <p>I can now officially announce that the thing we thought was never going to happen for us …… is!  In November we are going to become grandparents!  We are going to have a grandson …. how brilliant is that!</p> <p>Lola loved swimming in the sea and wasn’t fazed one bit by the waves.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EhwYOm5XRbA/U80ywoXq1AI/AAAAAAAAFLs/4K0s79fT1QE/s1600-h/Back-to-Dorset-0323.jpg"><img title="Back to Dorset 032" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Back to Dorset 032" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LoZIeHARtqg/U80yxeUMFmI/AAAAAAAAFL0/rQ8JE5Hwjpo/Back-to-Dorset-032_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="left">Getting back to Swanley was much more of a mission!  We let the train ‘take the strain’ (and the bank account!) but, all told, it took us best part of eight hours!  The journey itself was very straightforward – to Salisbury, change to Newport (yes, in Wales!) and then via lots of other places to Nantwich.  We could have gone via London but we thought the scenic route would be much kinder for Lola.  She was superb – most of the time other passengers (and there were lots – train travel IS popular) didn’t even know she was there.   Nantwich to the marina via taxi and we were finally back on board by 5.30 pm.  Despite my best efforts to safeguard my flowers, most of them had perished.  Such a shame because they were looking glorious before we left.  After all these years John is going to get his wish – no pots on the roof!</p> <p align="left">Anyway, we are now heading back down the Shroppie and it feels like we’ve never been away!  </p> <p align="left">xxoo             </p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-22387767706856156992014-06-19T02:23:00.001-07:002014-06-19T02:23:40.884-07:00A Different Kind of Day<p>We are at Froncysllte.  The Trevor basin has been hijacked by Anglo Welsh!  We can’t go the final 4 miles into Llangollen because we are too deep drafted and, from past experience, we KNOW we would get stuck and shouted at!  In actual fact we’ve struggled to get from Chirk to here.  The bridge holes have been difficult to get through, we crept over the Chirk Aqueduct and thought we we going to come to a grinding halt in the Chirk Tunnel.  It was the closest I’ve come to legging!  John spoke to another boater who was very stressed as he said he started to go backwards in the tunnel!  He left his wife in charge of the tiller and pulled his boat through whilst being verbally abused by boaters behind!  Shame on them!  They should have got off and helped the poor man!  As a result he has refused to go any further.</p> <p>So, we thought we would go into Llangollen by bus and have a day out on the steam train.  Yesterday we found the bus stop, studied the timetable and decided to make the supreme effort to get up the hill by 9am for the 9.04am bus.  We waited.  We waited patiently.  Time went by and still we waited.  After about 40 minutes a very lovely young local lady told us that they have cancelled that bus.  In fact, instead of buses going every hour as is on the timetable, they now only go every two hours – BUT no-one has changed the timetable displays!</p> <p>Well, we got into Llangollen OK with plenty of time to organise our train tickets.  John couldn’t use his bus pass here in Wales but we were both given concessions.  OMG – it’s official.  I’m an OAP!  It was printed on my ticket!!  I’m going to campaign for the terminology ‘Senior Citizen’ to be used instead – it sounds so much more respectful!!!</p> <p>The whole experience of going on the train was brilliant.  The atmosphere on the train and in and around the stations is wonderful.  The first carriage we were in just reminded me of Harry Potters first journey to Hogwarts.  AND ………………. the scenery of the Dee Valley!  Well, it’s just magnificent – the river, the hills ……………… fabulous.  There were lots of passengers – schoolchildren on a day out, members of Nantwich U3A on a day out and lots of others like us.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gD56EOxk1Ow/U6Krzu8vMxI/AAAAAAAAFHw/GWQUt8LsQAI/s1600-h/Llangollen-Steam-Train-0213.jpg"><img title="Llangollen Steam Train 021" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Llangollen Steam Train 021" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_0rb7xYxDBQ/U6Kr0kKO0iI/AAAAAAAAFH4/vNL63lSO2go/Llangollen-Steam-Train-021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>      <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qXYbcDIj0Eo/U6Kr27mob_I/AAAAAAAAFIA/fWc7zLxP2R4/s1600-h/Llangollen-Steam-Train-038-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Llangollen Steam Train 038 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Llangollen Steam Train 038 (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gVnykxEXIos/U6Kr3jZf9oI/AAAAAAAAFII/akXRJZLsBq4/Llangollen-Steam-Train-038-640x480_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>      <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_nH8rG5K3So/U6Kr4Wqq0RI/AAAAAAAAFIQ/iuQRaUvkw8E/s1600-h/Llangollen-Steam-Train-050-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Llangollen Steam Train 050 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Llangollen Steam Train 050 (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-37Z2bg1bKto/U6Kr5M2BdVI/AAAAAAAAFIY/bufrQCjCqks/Llangollen-Steam-Train-050-640x480_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e48ajqa8M6Q/U6Kr6K9JZAI/AAAAAAAAFIg/_phrRgPk468/s1600-h/Llangollen-Steam-Train-0033.jpg"><img title="Llangollen Steam Train 003" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Llangollen Steam Train 003" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-mmFJfgmQsLGd4iLeaAnBAzM8we7dGGIO4qoah7wFjV333p7mBpf_gOSC7qShL2hGP_g_OzvSRU-NP9_sYoVcmKNOGKBx11r-v3esmS635e2OTmBVHpwgsTvU184f3CPJOEJSHydI-na/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>      <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZtubdBTmgAY/U6Kr79vqz1I/AAAAAAAAFIw/ioLybKoFUo4/s1600-h/Llangollen-Steam-Train-0313.jpg"><img title="Llangollen Steam Train 031" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Llangollen Steam Train 031" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-shm_4KhK33U/U6Kr8VIM6VI/AAAAAAAAFI4/H9Y2jWTcjtU/Llangollen-Steam-Train-031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>      <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tLtOQITXVsWQInF36MulRK4i3HTZrxp8E2goyxPQH8H9r1CW0bLDAlIM1uMHIyOosXvlJjUQ2nMF4urIY0B6IHqVdB6lgNOKWt-fNbDh9ZzZyeS79bDw1QVJlTZLjks-uvNmLOb2MMND/s1600-h/Llangollen-Steam-Train-0523.jpg"><img title="Llangollen Steam Train 052" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Llangollen Steam Train 052" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrHSw0qFheRO6hqHPGZjfzYlPioibszOCLHZIaVnSsmkSr99Vq6SoZTfUUxgJgYVSy1CQ8UDfMzc2pb2CM-kHhmGgZaUblF3x45LA-sfFx0p1adEvtz96-rFG1SgLbnMVz9Q8YH_h0PP8/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>We got off at Carrog station and, at the recommendation of an obviously seasoned train traveller, we walked to <em>The Grouse Inn</em> for lunch.  What a location!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G0eJaj_h-jo/U6Kr_S0ImHI/AAAAAAAAFJQ/u5gXqoZgl1s/s1600-h/Llangollen-Steam-Train-019-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Llangollen Steam Train 019 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Llangollen Steam Train 019 (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xRVKMCyxPN8/U6KsABKR2EI/AAAAAAAAFJY/pdAh2lPTe_E/Llangollen-Steam-Train-019-640x480_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>        <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l-yyF_jgKCg/U6KsAxud_OI/AAAAAAAAFJg/UlO90DUm8JE/s1600-h/Llangollen-Steam-Train-020-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Llangollen Steam Train 020 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Llangollen Steam Train 020 (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KZB_Up4RBfM/U6KsB0aOYnI/AAAAAAAAFJo/1XI0byvG3B8/Llangollen-Steam-Train-020-640x480_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="left">The Dee is a lovely river -</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3nvn7QAv4Is/U6KsClvyJmI/AAAAAAAAFJw/xKqAmhLygPc/s1600-h/Llangollen%252520Steam%252520Train%252520042%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Llangollen Steam Train 042 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Llangollen Steam Train 042 (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5L4Nvu0arOg/U6KsDW5LYcI/AAAAAAAAFJ4/OusSTzn3tY0/Llangollen%252520Steam%252520Train%252520042%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>            <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBK-zUr1muamiNCBAsk7oQLRytY-iJv80d8bOHkfBzI7-8IwqxYPB8uFxbA4jyWTbZo4LVBsWlgmJsyyemagYeVFI3TJ8SkkjEV-Pr44gIVClG6MvULA3BaLPE_8Qs_IDUTBPiI4H5udq/s1600-h/Llangollen%252520Steam%252520Train%252520053%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Llangollen Steam Train 053 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Llangollen Steam Train 053 (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MMMkvZm57Lc/U6KsE8qTHjI/AAAAAAAAFKI/3RzZk76bCR0/Llangollen%252520Steam%252520Train%252520053%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Lola was not the only dog on board – quite a few had paid their all day fare.  No other dog enjoyed the waters of The Dee as much as she did though. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNEeFnTi_TvSXdIOM3BPjNAUcFeIBF0w8LnFAmY9YP9U6dW3qze-CMLHESr5DFYAjcB431uTxPA2FGivXh17u4JraydYRxR63-7EwAuCe2zos8ek5g6Y1s-GvLziWzoOVt3M-EegSn8pU/s1600-h/Llangollen-Steam-Train-015-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Llangollen Steam Train 015 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Llangollen Steam Train 015 (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sWQ5C7j1bus/U6KsGYunwKI/AAAAAAAAFKY/lFkVF2PS5Qk/Llangollen-Steam-Train-015-640x480_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" height="184" /></a></p> <p>According to the bus timetable and the driver who had brought us, the last number 64 bus back was 5.05pm.  We waited.  We waited patiently.  Time went by and still we waited!  Then we panicked and got on the bus to Wrexham which took a different route via Trevor.  I guess we’ll never know if the last 64 of the day had been cancelled like the first!</p> <p>Despite the bus service, a good day out. </p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-11123056368187877302014-06-13T13:22:00.001-07:002014-06-13T13:22:05.308-07:00The Montgomery Canal 2014<p>If it ever <u>does</u> becomes possible, a trip by narrow boat from Frankton Junction on the Llangollen to Newtown in mid Wales – a distance of 35miles – will definitely be scenically stunning.  When we hired our first canal boat 30 years ago I had my heart set on one day being able to do just that.  At the time I thought it a realistic ‘wish-list’ entry but 30 years later it’s still only possible to cruise 7 miles from Frankton Junction.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dLbba5rbHio/U5tc89JgBwI/AAAAAAAAFEo/e8YOZPdyF4c/s1600-h/Monty-2014-003-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Monty 2014 003 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Monty 2014 003 (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6-t0G8kObY4/U5tc-iDQHpI/AAAAAAAAFEs/ztIQGZ3oZ1c/Monty-2014-003-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>            <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LIHm0FfMrQI/U5tdATNAT-I/AAAAAAAAFE4/PHHdz9cdwkg/s1600-h/Monty-2014-004-640x4807.jpg"><img title="Monty 2014 004 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Monty 2014 004 (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wNlyxRowYFU/U5tdBXJADnI/AAAAAAAAFFA/j4MUQZLGnXo/Monty-2014-004-640x480_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Walking from Maesbury to Gronwen Wharf, this is a taste of the scenery.</em></p> <p align="left">When we were last here, 3 years ago, restoration had reached Gronwen Wharf and things were well underway with the section from Redwith to Pryces Bridge.  That has now very recently been filled with water but if you chose to go to the end you would have to reverse back as there is no winding hole.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TV27-KmBcvo/U5tdDb9dpeI/AAAAAAAAFFI/y9Z3-i_ov18/s1600-h/Monty-2014-002-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Monty 2014 002 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Monty 2014 002 (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gSSC5a7vLN8/U5tdEnh7K5I/AAAAAAAAFFQ/iO3wZbEC7s0/Monty-2014-002-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>        <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kBZMQfnrlDc/U5tdF0Sw1WI/AAAAAAAAFFY/12YGwPHLa5U/s1600-h/Monty-2014-009-480x6403.jpg"><img title="Monty 2014 009 (480x640)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Monty 2014 009 (480x640)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bTrRJaf4IuQ/U5tdG2t0TeI/AAAAAAAAFFg/VvARuXQlWA0/Monty-2014-009-480x640_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>        <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V8xjtNqOOjc/U5tdIjyR7bI/AAAAAAAAFFo/_d7i5QX1cXI/s1600-h/Monty-2014-010-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Monty 2014 010 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Monty 2014 010 (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gGsrY6DjtC0/U5tdKJKFjPI/AAAAAAAAFFw/GGceOdtBUOA/Monty-2014-010-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>The section of canal that has just been filled with water.  I think it took about 4 years to complete.</em></p> <p>The next section to be restored goes as far as Crickheath where a winding hole is to be reinstated.  A development grant of £160,000 has been awarded for this and an application for a much larger amount of funding has been submitted.  That will leave another 2 miles before reaching the Welsh Border at Llanymynech and, according to the lock keeper, when that happens the Welsh Government has promised funding.  I think that’s what she said!  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tPY9BQp3ync/U5tdLgyOShI/AAAAAAAAFF4/ijMKYpzDKNA/s1600-h/Monty-2014-012-480x640-23.jpg"><img title="Monty 2014 012 (480x640) (2)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Monty 2014 012 (480x640) (2)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5CE5uXXBWocFS06o_Ghi7145-jVABQTdL5kQXbsXcLN_xda41ve0L6zCeezt6mS76d25yG5kbGtD1d_xs6B9gX6_ztBK-oXNgeYAPJlVBFaEAXOaShBtW4M5Wo0qhkcTyYZDPakeL8ur/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>           <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_nXLUYWjPFA/U5tdOKrnSgI/AAAAAAAAFGI/zInOIAUi2cE/s1600-h/Monty-2014-011-480x6403.jpg"><img title="Monty 2014 011 (480x640)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Monty 2014 011 (480x640)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PsZdhDGjge8/U5tdPDu2F7I/AAAAAAAAFGQ/RWsIzTTKoP8/Monty-2014-011-480x640_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>         <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LHgl4IvmpSY/U5tdQ16mNUI/AAAAAAAAFGY/U2LkGFHMYbk/s1600-h/Monty-2014-014-640x4803.jpg"><img title="Monty 2014 014 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Monty 2014 014 (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LcoOsQS8-xg/U5tdSKnaxqI/AAAAAAAAFGg/yMgassf7oKk/Monty-2014-014-640x480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>The next section to be restored – Pyres Bridge to Crickheath.  It looks daunting!</em></p> <p align="center"><em>Below -Lots of volunteer support is in evidence from a variety of waterway groups – motivation remains high.</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3QSOjrmwkpc/U5tdTXBq4BI/AAAAAAAAFGo/DYOR5EIMqco/s1600-h/Monty-2014-008-640x4804.jpg"><img title="Monty 2014 008 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Monty 2014 008 (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HT69xm1tX7c/U5tdUflULMI/AAAAAAAAFGw/dzCUrHX593s/Monty-2014-008-640x480_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="212" /></a>          <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iI7KuW3Y2ew/U5tdVzbMh_I/AAAAAAAAFG4/xsDopP8NB7I/s1600-h/Monty%2525202014%252520013%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Monty 2014 013 (480x640)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Monty 2014 013 (480x640)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pVHZgUSOcyA/U5tdW4_FbCI/AAAAAAAAFHA/DcFqJQNuujE/Monty%2525202014%252520013%252520%252528480x640%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Talking to ‘those-in-the-know’, the major obstacles to progress are:-</p> <ul> <li>Funding.  No surprise there then – isn’t it always? </li> <li>Conservation issues.  A lot of the canal has been designated SSSI status due to rare aquatic plants, insects and amphibians.  A great crested newt was caught in a bottle trap in the next section to be restored and, according to a local, that newt, for one reason and another, has cost the project £20,000! </li> <li>Construction issues.  Some locks still need to be rebuilt (many have already been done) and there are several road crossings blocking navigation.  I think I read somewhere that the Vyrnwy Aqueduct is in good structural order. </li> </ul> <p>There’s also the need to maintain the section that <u>is</u> navigable!  Talking to other boaters the consensus is that it’s too shallow in places (we’ve had a few ‘sticky’ moments!), very overgrown in places (we’ve had a couple of serious arguments with over-enthusiastic willows!) and there is a serious lack of places to moor.  Several boaters we talked to said they wouldn’t bother coming back and that’s a shame because it’s true when they say ‘use it or lose it’.  This time we’ve seen many more hire boats down here – they don’t tend to stay more than a night but at least they are utilising the navigable section and sampling the culinary delights of <em>The Navigation Inn</em> at Maesbury!  There is an 11 mile landlocked section between Ardleen and Berriew but apparently this is now badly affected by lack of boats, inadequate dredging and weed growth – ‘use it or lose it’!</p> <p>So, for now the best way to explore the full length of the canal is to don walking boots and ruck sacks.  They say that, for walking enthusiasts, this is a perfect 3 day trip – a challenge then for my friends Rosa and Richard who are said enthusiasts.  Something to think about you two!!</p> <p>Other ways to enjoy it is by canoe or going for a ride on the horse-drawn boat ‘Countess’.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxmQZYUa_eA5AaC3a60PzzZFBEMnaQJnjpfTiDzZj8aoosI2Cjohxk2aa1EiJ9KRQAqKUXRsu7C8jxKnki0Gv3TLksge315dVxhjQYmkWWfv46GtyckG_2AqJnPEa1PBYSVzd_7mV3A_o/s1600-h/Monty%252520horsedrawn%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Monty horsedrawn" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Monty horsedrawn" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nem_I6mHlik/U5tdYXk3KaI/AAAAAAAAFHQ/uJ_MqDuj2FI/Monty%252520horsedrawn_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="213" height="224" /></a>            <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ye3Hohvspe4/U5tdZMfKMxI/AAAAAAAAFHY/31BX-UJk5bM/s1600-h/monty%252520canoeing%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="monty canoeing" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="monty canoeing" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WgzllHto_e4/U5tdaWeMAVI/AAAAAAAAFHg/MjDd1XqLx4Y/monty%252520canoeing_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Me?  Like many others I’m sad that progress has been so slow but remain optimistic that I might just be awarded a very special 80th birthday present!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Ben and Megan will just have to hire a boat!  Ben can be Skipper for his old mum and dad and Meg can be chief lock wheeler.  They can recruit any other crew members they feel necessary!  xxoo</p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-22523891327913851932014-05-29T01:01:00.001-07:002014-05-29T01:01:31.797-07:00As Time Goes By ………<p>Just a few snippets of the last week:-</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dz3zjqgrn_k/U4bpBs7nFlI/AAAAAAAAFBw/tfHhOzFtMAA/s1600-h/The%252520making%252520of%252520the%252520new%252520boarding%252520plank%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="The making of the new boarding plank (480x640)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="The making of the new boarding plank (480x640)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i1hT9gG5abU/U4bpCp7CJPI/AAAAAAAAFB4/2YoED-Cxli4/The%252520making%252520of%252520the%252520new%252520boarding%252520plank%252520%252528480x640%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" height="244" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The making of the new boarding plank.</p> <p>We now have one surplus to requirements!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><u>Walking in the countryside</u>:-</p> <p>Sometimes you see sights that just amuse:-</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TWRov1PNeYE/U4bpDhjqCLI/AAAAAAAAFCA/G1iiE-1a_0c/s1600-h/Little%252520%252526Large%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Little &Large (480x640)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Little &Large (480x640)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Udc1c5BT6BA/U4bpEtG3mOI/AAAAAAAAFCI/lDqzhFFoMz0/Little%252520%252526Large%252520%252528480x640%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>            <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MAYMdHEPGRM/U4bpFtfmbpI/AAAAAAAAFCQ/OgQKnv0cVkM/s1600-h/Wellie%252520store%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Wellie store (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Wellie store (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2XhDckHaEpI/U4bpH0ASloI/AAAAAAAAFCY/s1jTkUQUjcg/Wellie%252520store%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="left">Other times you come across things that cause anger and frustration!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxB3-TsaOQKr6PEswsS8xK0z-I29Vwu4og7dxcHmeL2qpI6WtulwOfFvy96Hs8WzoFSVnMVVGW-7JQPlFlWhxxSK6O-Vux9OiZZUqVKVmIQPc8zvIvZJbhcT_CeKdtrHkOKBDuwyVsF0uq/s1600-h/fly%252520tipping%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="fly tipping (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="fly tipping (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9gh7BMSL1Qs/U4bpKX8AsDI/AAAAAAAAFCo/CoJubta6PxU/fly%252520tipping%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>        <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_oBbi_3GMJc/U4bpLFTTkAI/AAAAAAAAFCw/xMMMVR_FmDs/s1600-h/a%252520stile%252520is%252520somewhere%252520under%252520here%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="a stile is somewhere under here (480x640)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="a stile is somewhere under here (480x640)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MMil-Bd3xUg/U4bpL767v8I/AAAAAAAAFC4/lZlKg5hIRFk/a%252520stile%252520is%252520somewhere%252520under%252520here%252520%252528480x640%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>        <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B0KOmG4gIGI/U4bpNJvblHI/AAAAAAAAFDA/uVLTNODLzNs/s1600-h/0%252520out%252520of%25252010%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="0 out of 10 (480x640)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="0 out of 10 (480x640)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AZ-72lnLL9I/U4bpNhmUTQI/AAAAAAAAFDI/lVwax5K9-pc/0%252520out%252520of%25252010%252520%252528480x640%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>And when friends come to visit, it’s just perfect!  We had a lovely few days at Audlem whilst the music festival was going on.  During the festival in excess of 70 different musical acts performed in the pubs, church and scout hall.  Yes, we ate too much and definitely drank too much but we tried to balance it with a bit of exercise too!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pTWZRDErfCU/U4bpOtsf43I/AAAAAAAAFDQ/z7aB_gMwQlE/s1600-h/Audlem%25252014%252520014%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Audlem 14 014" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Audlem 14 014" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-phchdf8WB8E/U4bpPjs4X9I/AAAAAAAAFDY/0I7s_c7QWWE/Audlem%25252014%252520014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>          <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5qsYEz8EyIs/U4bpQl7Vm4I/AAAAAAAAFDg/8JtA-VtE94w/s1600-h/Audlem%25252014%252520016%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Audlem 14 016 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Audlem 14 016 (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gLSV1ZsHhVU/U4bpRS1F-zI/AAAAAAAAFDo/0weRbQTPVJ8/Audlem%25252014%252520016%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>          <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-en13JwOYxt8/U4bpSLfobeI/AAAAAAAAFDw/cBymuU8HR10/s1600-h/Audlem%25252014%252520017%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Audlem 14 017 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Audlem 14 017 (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rx6HxIBNGIE/U4bpTGR8UYI/AAAAAAAAFD4/HitFvN7J3tE/Audlem%25252014%252520017%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Nantwich is a lovely old town. In Medieval times it was apparently the chief salt producing town in Cheshire. This is where Mick & Lynn stayed (we think?) – Rosie & Molly’s accommodation was much more modest - on board with us – but they seemed happy enough.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TfqIoynw5tI/U4bpTz-OlNI/AAAAAAAAFEA/mlnMZqWDvyM/s1600-h/Nantwich%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Nantwich (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Nantwich (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K3r27pxIql8/U4bpUrBwN0I/AAAAAAAAFEI/YXXbPWJQiRw/Nantwich%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" height="235" /></a></p> <p align="center">Walking around Nantwich yesterday we came across a little bit of yesteryear and thought this very special and very precious:-</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V1xUkTiJDo0/U4bpVUqncwI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/cUCzdLq1mhY/s1600-h/A%252520precious%252520bit%252520of%252520the%252520past%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="A precious bit of the past (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="A precious bit of the past (640x480)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9XWT6Tv3osTsj97T4Qlm1nGYo1xb4j6pAXsPiYHjgZv3pZLE3fL78d3saSTjK0rH6TOcq-FMqJGlGw0MgMjGmSEfJW4dcKKSpOiP7NpqIh15E1XquV-ws25L4ubDjxUDsMwVqdN74-TR/?imgmax=800" width="320" height="241" /></a></p> <p>You will be pleased to know, Lynn, that John managed to get himself a new pair of shoes quite painlessly so no more wet socks or dangers of tripping up!  We also managed to find a Screwfix to get another TV aerial but it felt like we had walked half way to Crewe!   So, market day in Nantwich today – I do love mooching around a good market.  A legacy from my mum I think.  Fed up now with all the rain but ……………………. what can you do?!  Should be on the Llangollen by the weekend.</p> <p align="center">xxoo</p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-83694827171294780392014-05-23T06:48:00.001-07:002014-05-23T06:48:02.442-07:00Complete U Turn ……<p>Four Counties Ring in 6 days?  With a large enough crew – what a <em>great</em> idea!  We were fortunate enough to have such a crew (eight of them) behind us going down the Audlem Flight and they had to get a move on ……………………. <strong>God Bless</strong>!  <strong>What luck</strong>! With lots of crew wielding windlasses and setting locks progress was rapid.  The three single-handers (two going up and one going down) couldn’t believe their luck either!</p> <p>The following map is for my dear friend, Mick, who wanted to know details of the route:-</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r8SdGHIi19Y/U39RhpOtiPI/AAAAAAAAFBE/F2YsODDtwWY/s1600-h/Four%252520Counties%252520Ring%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="Four Counties Ring" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Four Counties Ring" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mnEYCsXou9U/U39RiUhwKvI/AAAAAAAAFBM/G20wu-NSpJM/Four%252520Counties%252520Ring_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="430" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="center">109 miles and 94 locks.</p> <p>We are now moored at Audlem and there is a Music Festival kicking off tonight so that should be interesting.  It’s all been rather ’last minute’ but Mick and Lynn have managed to book a room in a hotel in Nantwich and are coming to find us for part of the weekend.</p> <p><u>Exams</u></p> <p>At this time of year I inevitably find myself thinking sympathetically of all those youngsters who are busily sitting exams. For the records, John used to be really good at maths.  Many years ago, it was only with his extra tutelage in my parents’ front room (!!!!), that I managed to scrape through O Level maths.  However, I don’t think he himself would pass today if he had to re-sit on account of his now very poor understanding of fractions.  I have an excuse because I was <em>never</em> any good at them in the first place but John USED to be exceptional.     The following picture demonstrates his current idea of half !!!!!!!!!!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAcsuFvGt9aVOWYBC8LwZJnIFvW2kwxseaY_MMZUwYgNYzWdYbDrlUxuXGP5g-Ao8ytO6I9sImqnDw7vyTlXPcbCJhiafdR9A6l-aT3uBh6F21bs9UG9V8pEsAAlK41CwMiHPIneYEThj/s1600-h/John%252527s%252520idea%252520of%252520half%252521%252521%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="John's idea of half!! (480x640)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="John's idea of half!! (480x640)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3UiDNojK6sY/U39Rjwk_-kI/AAAAAAAAFBc/rrrEbuV_Q5I/John%252527s%252520idea%252520of%252520half%252521%252521%252520%252528480x640%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="245" height="325" /></a></p> <p align="center">“I rest my case”, as Mr Elliot would say!  I suppose it all helps the economy.</p> <p align="center">I wonder how good at fractions Mick and Lynn are? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  As good as us I suspect!</p> <p align="center">xxoo</p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-84863579916846510032014-05-18T03:43:00.001-07:002014-05-18T03:43:47.923-07:00It’s All a Matter of Choice …<p>Oh, the lure of the ring!  The Cruising Ring that is.  We are currently on a section of <em>The Four Counties Ring.</em></p> <p>I do ‘get it’ – I really do.  To cruise a circular route has most definitely got an enormous appeal.  Hey, I’m one of those who likes circular walks – I can’t stand having to come back the same way that I’ve gone!  So, yes, circular routes are great.</p> <p>BUT ….. <em>The Four Counties Ring</em> in a week?  Actually, hirers don’t have a full week – it’s more like 6 days by the time hand-over and hand-back have been accomplished.  <em>The Four Counties Ring </em>in 6 days?  Clearly it can be done because we’ve met hirers who are doing just that but they tell me that they are having to be on the move for 10 hours a day in order to ensure they are back on time.  Ah!  So that’s why boats are passing us at 7am and 7.30pm!</p> <p>I’m sure there’s an enormous sense of achievement at the end of it and I do appreciate that when you’ve spent a lot of money on hiring a boat you want to be making full use of it – not mooching around little villages or sitting sunning yourself on the tow path but ……………….. 10 hours cruising a day?  It’s just not for me.  Just as well we’re all different.  Each to their own.</p> <p>What about the hawthorn blossom this Spring?  It’s spectacular!  Is it always as lovely as this?  Have I just failed to appreciate it in past years?</p> <p> </p> <p>        <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y2Zj-m6PUj0/U3iOwBAOzeI/AAAAAAAAE_c/QBAu5GgZ5J0/s1600-h/Blossom%252520005%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blossom 005 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Blossom 005 (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LkfG8RbIt2Q/U3iOxIs8KKI/AAAAAAAAE_k/aMzUDHX49a4/Blossom%252520005%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>        <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9wa1htZHCY67vX5MV2kvxp3hL7GSRpHI7SbgNIPqt_W3yI6H0OsO0UFkyJ13tR_grG5BCl1n93frroOyt2Si8SrxYLNVGBWRv2phqorvMQWaHeIxgh3sMIv5ZP4EQBfXt5R4fzDRZo1u/s1600-h/Blossom%252520003%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blossom 003 (480x640)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Blossom 003 (480x640)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-od1i_8CdxYk/U3iOztT5JII/AAAAAAAAE_0/JSAntZoLmBU/Blossom%252520003%252520%252528480x640%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>        <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5elVaCV0vBo/U3iO0ejzPGI/AAAAAAAAE_8/J3I0XQAGg80/s1600-h/Blossom%252520012%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blossom 012 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Blossom 012 (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y1qyY8jJHUI/U3iO1G8LxgI/AAAAAAAAFAE/zpgF0vpnXIA/Blossom%252520012%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>We’ve been on The Shroppie several times before but I have most certainly failed to appreciate just how magnificent the balustraded <em>Avenue Bridge</em> actually is.  Bridges over the canal are not usually as ornate as this one!  It carries a driveway to Chillington Hall and was constructed for the rich landowners of the time who would only allow permission for the waterway to cross their land if such a structure was built for them.  Today, it’s in a bit of a sorry state of repair – such a shame because it’s definitely rather special.  I don’t know anything about the present state of Chillington Hall itself – is it still there?  Is it still owned by wealthy people?  If so  you’d think …………………….?</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LFccpNQQfuw/U3iO13wuaNI/AAAAAAAAFAM/ucEzqZTDHkk/s1600-h/Blossom%252520014%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blossom 014 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Blossom 014 (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bRGcLfeYydE/U3iO2rHmqXI/AAAAAAAAFAU/E5USSjw88Qg/Blossom%252520014%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="367" height="276" /></a></p> <p>We’ve had a couple of disastrous walks of late.  One near Wheaton Aston where, in places, the bridle path was more akin to an Amazonian swamp and another where the farmer, much to our annoyance, won!  We couldn’t get through the thick hedge and barbed wire where there should, according to our map, have been access.</p> <p>Lola doesn’t care! She’s a happy boater, walker and splish-splosher ………  The sun’s out, John’s in his shorts (!) embarking on the task of making a new boarding plank.  All is well. xxoo</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eLrHBfeSDeI/U3iO3gv0T6I/AAAAAAAAFAc/zZR-yAOQDSs/s1600-h/Blossom%252520006%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blossom 006 (480x640)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Blossom 006 (480x640)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MwMNsp0lcJTsGuuBkbQM9ejbDR4g-SFuoUjK4k7C-xMYgrNX3WNvDpahIHRxplJtcicmxs7caN4o6uPAhaOh0QGAhtdzE9qWK0PppxBNzGDSThzuIvfCDTRTOr13Bvp0GxOVhZOCapMo/?imgmax=800" width="252" height="334" /></a></p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-49591186226141851992014-05-15T06:53:00.001-07:002014-05-15T06:53:49.578-07:00Spring Migrants ………………..<p> </p> <p>                                                                                       have arrived from Cypress.  </p> <p>They called in to see us for a couple of days on their way further North.  It was really good to see our friends, Chris and Ray, and spend some time with them.</p> <p>We had a lovely walk together up on The Chase ………………..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bYeoIeoMDSc/U3TGwrXqyOI/AAAAAAAAE90/Tdmmim4Wf-o/s1600-h/Walking%252520on%252520Cannock%252520Chase%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Walking on Cannock Chase" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Walking on Cannock Chase" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CjhowssyIGk/U3TGxgtHCwI/AAAAAAAAE98/Zs0rda9VVs4/Walking%252520on%252520Cannock%252520Chase_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>            <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtuYTCtcmQImKcM9_ws2xcbrqcQnt4KqkJlezzOdfxeVbYxdeieZNPCWYMginkeyca18VxphcVqpfQfDz5rVP_VDAWDKHRKFLwSwJZ2owLXMe6s9WpCVdErScgxFC-RZcmVjbnY0zTsZj/s1600-h/Over%252520from%252520Cypress%252520002%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Over from Cypress 002 (480x640)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Over from Cypress 002 (480x640)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--LJ632LZIBs/U3TGzRVVg1I/AAAAAAAAE-M/afTzWfWT-_4/Over%252520from%252520Cypress%252520002%252520%252528480x640%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>        <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxxGvv18ItJgS4irXFtUjSmP8xMCmQhgUzdI3UU9rHQUcueUpbLqmkqCZ8bR8SsmdKllF4c1etT86wTgJLQJn-GECuLV6X4QtAobpVrc-kXAhOBROz5TKMvj0krcjncqZB4dSepkp1xmT/s1600-h/Komodo%252520Dragon-Look-Alike%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Komodo Dragon-Look-Alike" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Komodo Dragon-Look-Alike" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N7A2gGkHhRM/U3TG1QKvViI/AAAAAAAAE-c/EqZi0hrxKv0/Komodo%252520Dragon-Look-Alike_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>learned how to play Canasta employing ‘Cypress Rules’,</p> <p>had a good mooch around Wolsey Bridge Antiques Centre and inevitably, parted with some money ……………………</p> <p>AND ………………… made good use of their services whilst they were with us!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKn3pLMXmzThJx2Pk_6kFczgipXyvg5_vhw3EZD5zqfPxDHqTwx08fbSRo1R5VRGsJB8RA8c7OaY-boEpBMnXdmjvjKUfLNx2FVePKZo8GxsWRlh7KTKK5TP0MhS_5cQT9-A30idvoL95F/s1600-h/Over%252520from%252520Cypress%252520004%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Over from Cypress 004 (480x640)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Over from Cypress 004 (480x640)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rYwbxfjkftY/U3TG3E0TlKI/AAAAAAAAE-s/qCDQcwtBNko/Over%252520from%252520Cypress%252520004%252520%252528480x640%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>        <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qc4e95cXCM0/U3TG4AwUe2I/AAAAAAAAE-0/peu68s0niGc/s1600-h/Over%252520from%252520Cypress%252520005%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Over from Cypress 005 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Over from Cypress 005 (640x480)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_H2wTvmO9S_cGUWztitwR8C3yMxeDx1GHvz_bTwjgyk3SxmfhifVp52Wya0YrHUboE_XqROkJ3UaTqhRQlp_P2ZnXfXQq-ke0XpvubDsY-FE-pIwXFSVBHmxwYRMkDtMzAKZKJ6SnJLtw/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>        <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AbKdQLLKDjk/U3TG51yRSgI/AAAAAAAAE_E/3KW0PIUeahc/s1600-h/Over%252520from%252520Cypress%252520006%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Over from Cypress 006 (480x640)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Over from Cypress 006 (480x640)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lG5HGnTYa3o/U3TG6tYimTI/AAAAAAAAE_M/1D0XmxPMcBk/Over%252520from%252520Cypress%252520006%252520%252528480x640%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Sadly, unlike the birds, they will not be staying for the Summer.  Safe journey home you two and we’ll see you again whenever your next migration may be  xxoo</p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-1859064550776877432014-05-08T06:05:00.001-07:002014-05-08T06:05:53.797-07:00The Lovely Month of May<p>So far our first couple of days out of the marina have turned out to be the most eventful!  From Norton Junction to Braunston it’s only a few miles:-</p> <ul> <li>The tunnel was completely clear of fumes!  Also, the water was crystal clear – something I’ve not seen before.  The tunnel roof and sides were clearly reflected in the water and you could see right down to the bottom.  Amazing!</li> <li>At the top of the flight we found ourselves behind a single-handed lady taking professional instruction about how to work a flight of locks on her own.  So ……………… no one was allowed to give her any help.  She did really well but, inevitably, it was rather slow going for those of us following.  We ‘overtook’ after the third lock.</li> <li>A boat had to be pulled out of the bottom lock manually as, whilst in the lock, the tiller just snapped off at the bottom!</li> <li>When we were in the bottom lock the skipper of the boat accompanying us got himself caught up on the cill.  Fortunately, those of us locking saw what was happening and rapidly averted the potential disaster.</li> </ul> <p>Since then nothing particularly eventful has happened – we’ve just been trundling along!  With the weather being so lovely over the Bank Holiday weekend we thought here on the Coventry canal it would be really busy but it’s been totally the opposite – so, so quiet.</p> <p>It’s all too easy to take simple, but nevertheless, special things for granted though is it not?</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TV_TvBZ9-mw/U2uBBoRvx-I/AAAAAAAAE8M/OnDC8R0Ru7k/s1600-h/Bluebells%252520at%252520Hartshill%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bluebells at Hartshill" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Bluebells at Hartshill" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Z0E_rA30lQA/U2uBCtuYX4I/AAAAAAAAE8U/tTLWxQbZrSo/Bluebells%252520at%252520Hartshill_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" height="184" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The bluebells in the woods at Hartshill Hayes are absolutely stunning at the moment.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We’ve only seen one brood of cygnets – nine in all – but I didn’t have the camera with me.  Ducklings, however, abound.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tHj-Qqrht2o/U2uBDXRwLsI/AAAAAAAAE8c/vlEMiQHWowo/s1600-h/Out%252520looking%252520for%252520brekfast%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Out looking for brekfast" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Out looking for brekfast" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fh1wveZh3Gw/U2uBEP9xyuI/AAAAAAAAE8k/EfxtJMz_7gM/Out%252520looking%252520for%252520brekfast_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" height="184" /></a></p> <p>This little family of seven ducklings were out getting breakfast in the rain and then mum decided enough was enough, got herself and them onto the bank and tucked them all under her wings.  </p> <p>                                   What a mum!!  There <strong>are </strong>7 under there, I promise!</p> <p>                                          <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dhV9Hy3g00A/U2uBFE-fWWI/AAAAAAAAE8s/PBnqbqe8vZk/s1600-h/What%252520a%252520good%252520mum%252521%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="What a good mum!" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="What a good mum!" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gtN-DrtAEyk/U2uBGMRpDrI/AAAAAAAAE80/d0J3s6lLOqQ/What%252520a%252520good%252520mum%252521_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>We stopped by ‘The Little Chimney Boat Co’ to order Ben a special chimney for his barge.  Actually, that was just an excuse – what we REALLY wanted was a Cavalier –Fix!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kxPhBra92LkgNVZLBN_MB3mzvdWJtPjhjeotL90lTTc76r8ErKvttEcwgYD57KHM7vA08a-BFro30FXKaiUGpFj9G42eYo_pT3c02akRIWutHKLFLpvIuK-M9DFLo2M7GvznuD-PI8hb/s1600-h/Lily%252520and%252520Daisy%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Lily and Daisy (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Lily and Daisy (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TC0spek6pFc/U2uBH53kyII/AAAAAAAAE9E/p1dqF8jxAKM/Lily%252520and%252520Daisy%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" height="184" /></a></p> <p>                         I’m sure Lola would love a little sister!</p> <p>                                  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtp1qX86tkpckJgoUmq_pAO5ZV1zsTabIQnDIapj0B9nUeqNH7w7wTondBq0iBzBfUNVY2lZCG8VP2Ln9IvZ9ghA5QlfwAdA6JHqNW4NV45_2uNB38ZPbGMFi5jOUSl7HbzADmFrJjMOi/s1600-h/One%252520man%252520and%252520his%252520dog%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="One man and his dog" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="One man and his dog" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-brnnKS_DVvE/U2uBJu7JLoI/AAAAAAAAE9U/TQSu2GeC5kc/One%252520man%252520and%252520his%252520dog_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Something else that caught my attention whilst walking Lola this morning was a collection of old motor cars.  There were big, posh old Rolls and Bentleys but, personally, I would choose this one:-</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WUYD6zcw8SE/U2uBKU6OCmI/AAAAAAAAE9c/S2LgRCdNJYc/s1600-h/Oh%25252C%252520how%252520I%252520would%252520love%252520one%252521%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Oh, how I would love one!" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Oh, how I would love one!" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FytMnFHYXjI/U2uBLXeSNWI/AAAAAAAAE9k/h46TvgFLTpw/Oh%25252C%252520how%252520I%252520would%252520love%252520one%252521_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>We are now at Fradley Junction and we’ve never seen the visitor moorings so empty.  We’re staying here now for a couple of days as our friends Chris and Ray, who now live in Cypress, are over here visiting friends and family- us included.  It will be lovely to catch up with them as a lot has happened to us all since we last saw them.  Then, onward to Great Haywood.</p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-86261654266296079712014-04-29T01:53:00.001-07:002014-04-29T01:53:27.215-07:00Back on Board<p>“Time flies when you’re having fun” or so the old saying goes.  Well, the last five months have certainly flown by!  We’ve succeeded in pretty much filling up a small house and have had lots of visitors.  The cows are back in the field so ……………… time to get back afloat.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v52cTACBLBk/U19oXpYMi2I/AAAAAAAAE6k/t_cmEu78sbw/s1600-h/The%252520girls%252520are%252520back%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="The girls are back (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="The girls are back (640x480)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FuP4iMZNf-Y/U19oYhDfUNI/AAAAAAAAE6s/mjS1ZgYCr1Q/The%252520girls%252520are%252520back%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>It only took a couple of days to get organised and reacclimatise.  It now feels like we’ve never been away and we are looking forward to cruising again.  </p> <p align="left">It was sad leaving Crick yesterday because it has been the closest thing we have had to ‘home’ for the last seven years but we think it is definitely a case of ‘Au Revoir’ not ‘Goodbye’ – Crick Marina and the lovely Noel and Caroline haven’t seen the last of us!  After all, someone’s got to do periodic checks to ensure they are maintaining their resolve for a lesser biscuit consumption!  We will also want to check up on our favourite Scotsman, Bob, and Hookna to see how they are settling in to life in the village.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M9lgpnsc9Us/U19oZRwbAwI/AAAAAAAAE60/I9EpXhpxjf4/s1600-h/Au%252520Revoir%252520Crick%252520Marina%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Au Revoir Crick Marina (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Au Revoir Crick Marina (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3divFSKDUGs/U19oaIcmEpI/AAAAAAAAE68/Ajp5Gdo0e3c/Au%252520Revoir%252520Crick%252520Marina%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>                          <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cxKxjFHuGK0/U19oayskwAI/AAAAAAAAE7E/lElux2w7nGc/s1600-h/The%252520lovely%252520Mr%252520%252526%252520Mrs%252520Roberts%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="The lovely Mr & Mrs Roberts" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="The lovely Mr & Mrs Roberts" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zrftVHMLhYo/U19ob_oqqeI/AAAAAAAAE7M/i1Zpx91Dfs0/The%252520lovely%252520Mr%252520%252526%252520Mrs%252520Roberts_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Like the rest of us “Ellen” is not getting any younger and last year we seemed to have lots of boat maintenance issues so we are really hoping that won’t be the case this year.  I am struggling with a bit of a maintenance issue myself at present – dodgy knee – and just hope it won’t make lock wheeling too much of a problem.</p> <p>Life is full of 1st’s.  In all the times we’ve gone up and down the Watford Flight we’ve never seen a workboat doing so ………… until yesterday.  Help was on hand to descend the flight.  It was a joy to see some healthy Horse Chestnut trees in flower along the tow path.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlxoloMS-h33x70-_DT7ideMPGT-prBxGdrj5goQf9WfHrLb1Je9-MSmqGNrGAWV23PICCbXhVms1pq8wzwlQ1cn_6UCPXyDTo9-n1dEFYt4CN6XUUGZ5ZHFzCoauK1o1BQMZuMwl8_rI/s1600-h/Workboat%252520descending%252520the%252520flight%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Workboat descending the flight (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Workboat descending the flight (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1krEV6kYGQk/U19odjGy51I/AAAAAAAAE7c/28K9vJB4EUE/Workboat%252520descending%252520the%252520flight%252520%2525282%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>            <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PmMgzVy4FjU/U19oej-HrsI/AAAAAAAAE7k/DM8MS1_SJQQ/s1600-h/Healthy%252520Chestnut%252520trees%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Healthy Chestnut trees" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Healthy Chestnut trees" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iW1fnLIe-hs/U19offQyklI/AAAAAAAAE7s/gkFWcoV-Uhk/Healthy%252520Chestnut%252520trees_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>This is where it all began over ten years ago:-</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qGNoSNAK1_s/U19ogGTPOAI/AAAAAAAAE70/gPVMLc8andI/s1600-h/Where%252520it%252520all%252520began%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Where it all began" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Where it all began" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1MNnuNtcyO0/U19og3l2zWI/AAAAAAAAE78/e_jPLDatn-4/Where%252520it%252520all%252520began_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Welton Hythe Marina.  </p> <p>We bought “Ellen” from their brokerage.  Well, strictly speaking, John did.  I had only seen pictures.</p> <p>SO much has happened since that day.</p> <p>And now?  Heading North …………………. first!</p> <p>Braunston Tunnel and locks in the rain – definitely NOT a first!</p> <p align="center">xxoo</p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-70571848926820324092014-01-04T03:26:00.001-08:002014-01-04T03:26:41.917-08:00A New Year…………… A New Chapter ………<p>Firstly ……………… <font color="#9b00d3" face="Gill Sans Ultra Bold">HAPPY NEW YEAR</font>   to anyone who may be reading this.  May 2014 bring you joy, peace and prosperity!</p> <p>Secondly,  <font color="#9b00d3" face="Gill Sans Ultra Bold">HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOLA<font color="#000000">  <font face="Times New Roman">who is one today.  </font></font></font></p> <p><font color="#9b00d3" face="Gill Sans Ultra Bold"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">A beautiful little puppy ………………</font></font></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z12NA44bZ7E/UsfvzWZ2ZxI/AAAAAAAAE4g/mBQzJCc9k4w/s1600-h/3%252520weeks%252520b%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="3 weeks b" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="3 weeks b" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KuEXQWioa3Y/Usfv0C-6hjI/AAAAAAAAE4k/mnGMnjz_zu4/3%252520weeks%252520b_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>has grown into a beautiful young dog ………………..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lgPkXrj6Uzo/Usfv0-OV74I/AAAAAAAAE4w/UJ70g6jFVIQ/s1600-h/johns%252520latest%252520003%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="johns latest 003" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="johns latest 003" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ns77m4Rta8o/Usfv1ZtBA7I/AAAAAAAAE40/c4Rm7ZYH3ZE/johns%252520latest%252520003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Thirdly ………….. we have a <em>Change of Status</em>.  We are about to join the ranks of <em>Extended Cruisers</em> as opposed to full-blown <em>Liveaboards</em> because …………… we have bought a house in Dorset in which to while away the winter months.  And, since we’ve moved in , it hasn’t stopped raining!  There’s now enough water at the bottom of the garden to “float a boat”!!  Wish we could!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IyBC86SUko4/Usfv2ASYMUI/AAAAAAAAE5A/5jQzkrLmh28/s1600-h/Garden%2525204%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Garden 4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Garden 4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aAKQ3Jnz8FY/Usfv2UdIDBI/AAAAAAAAE5E/g0ebUTl0Pp4/Garden%2525204_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163" /></a>                               <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VGoZJMmbmM4/Usfv3WxCMvI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/-yl0FJHUVO8/s1600-h/Minstrel%252527s%252520012%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Minstrel's 012" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Minstrel's 012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6kmtHp9EGes/Usfv4PdevKI/AAAAAAAAE5U/8Fr_cUBXYUg/Minstrel%252527s%252520012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>We are looking forward to cruising the system in “Ellen” during the Spring and Summer months like other extended cruisers do.  Having removed lots of ‘stuff’ from her she has already risen in the water!  Maybe this will prevent us getting constantly stuck -</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vg97ypZNMKY/Usfv4yYZUWI/AAAAAAAAE5g/UCn4SOktbBI/s1600-h/Plan%252520B%252520018%252520%252528800x600%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Plan B 018 (800x600)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Plan B 018 (800x600)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cHxUNOD6De8/Usfv5dMehsI/AAAAAAAAE5k/TGdFNlIL3f0/Plan%252520B%252520018%252520%252528800x600%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>and even enable us to moor close to the bank like other boaters do -</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zJRM4qCCTpE/Usfv6KjTeWI/AAAAAAAAE5w/GcnNYaxc5Wo/s1600-h/reaching%25252060%252520006%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="reaching 60 006" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="reaching 60 006" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-POeWRjoy-xE/Usfv6u2j6aI/AAAAAAAAE50/mXbVxr7Aoms/reaching%25252060%252520006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>We now have space in most of the cupboards!!</p> <p>With house prices rising and interest rates worse than ever, it seemed the sensible thing to do.  We once again have our own letterbox,(!) can register to vote(!) and I can have a bath instead of a shower(!!)  We can even rent films!!  We love the Inland Waterways and just hope we can manage to do what others do – that is – sustain the best of both worlds!!  Our plan is to set off cruising again at the beginning of April.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KcpqUoQpEm0/Usfv7sBLRkI/AAAAAAAAE6A/WAbGXEfoxgc/s1600-h/The%252520Chesterfield%252520018%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="The Chesterfield 018" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="The Chesterfield 018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-hOZhguFiDWjQFvN253bU4vVUxX8yQyC3PNwNMEvtEikdXm5QdrTfwrVh5c55Iz_6AyLyOiShMUYfw6M0alFjv18NiN44NGT2vviSlhPZZl-Nr6QU0KFFh_Fi3nP349rC2DK3rTniguz/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center">xxoo</p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-55105648782501569982013-11-17T04:05:00.001-08:002013-11-17T04:05:32.300-08:00Belated update …..<p>In terms of blogging – I’ve been very lax!  Well, to be fair,  …………………. nothing of any particular interest has happened here in the marina.  Things are just jogging along as normal.  So, here followeth  an eclectic mix of ‘stuff’ :-</p> <p><img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iYb949oEwHo/UoiqyU64kQI/AAAAAAAAE2U/M9jZpu611_g/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />I’m so pleased with my new washing machine!  WHY did I not have this 7 years ago?!!  It has a selection of ‘quick’ washes on it and they might have saved an awful lot of stress out there on the cut!!  Faster wash cycles = less battery power and all that!!  Bring it on!!</p> <p><img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iYb949oEwHo/UoiqyU64kQI/AAAAAAAAE2U/M9jZpu611_g/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />My best pal from college days, Rosa, has caught up with me!  She too has had to face the big 6-0.  One of the nice things about maintaining friendships with those met at school/college is that, by and large, you’re the same age and that means you tend to go through major events pretty much at the same time as each other – weddings, babies being born, uni fees to find (!), aging parents, grandchildren (?) etc – lots of shared history.</p> <p>To celebrate her 60th Rosa did a really cool thing.  She hired a somewhat <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SFERbxUA40o/UoiqzVDyIYI/AAAAAAAAE2c/hPSZKcLi0G8/rosa%252520003%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><img title="rosa 003 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="rosa 003 (640x480)" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KQj10skrC7U/UoirFzcQVqI/AAAAAAAAE2k/rPczGA9Z7A8/rosa%252520003%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>remote hostel up on the South Downs and invited all her friends and family to join her for a weekend of fun and frolics!!  Unfortunately, as dogs are <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r-2h6Xxo0qA/UoirHykgncI/AAAAAAAAE2s/cFbz3JX7lcA/s1600-h/rosa%252520002%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="rosa 002 (640x480)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="rosa 002 (640x480)" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CzzIEqT46jg/UoirI3XWpOI/AAAAAAAAE20/OpcH-VkbHGs/rosa%252520002%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>strictly forbidden in hostels, we could only join her for a walk along part of the Downs on the Saturday.  The weather was somewhat inclement!  On the way to the pub for lunch it poured with rain but it was still easy to see how spectacular the views must be on a warm, dry day!  The English Channel one way and a magnificent escarpment the other.</p> <p>On the way back it was so misty that we were lucky to see the people in front let alone anything else!!</p> <p>DESPITE the weather, however, it was really good to be able to participate in some small way and I know just how much my friend enjoyed the whole weekend.  42 years worth of friendship – a lot of special times have been shared and we both look forward to more.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DeMb2f-0EBQ/Uoiw8RD8tqI/AAAAAAAAE3M/_LdVkEwueo4/s1600-h/me%252520and%252520roasa.jpg"><img title="me and roasa" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="me and roasa" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hpwjjq6ZAgc/Uoiw9Pc1oVI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/m-lVcpXL0Xk/me%252520and%252520roasa_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="243" /></a></p> <p><img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iYb949oEwHo/UoiqyU64kQI/AAAAAAAAE2U/M9jZpu611_g/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /> We broke the journey by staying with Ben the night before.  He’s had a large canopy fitted over the back deck of the barge.  It’s created a sort-of conservatory area and has made a huge difference.  You can now take off wet clothes and muddy boots under cover AND clean up dirty dogs!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qEp7M29_Whs/Uoiw-VtjM8I/AAAAAAAAE3c/I1jThp1BAug/s1600-h/rosa%252520008%252520%252528640x480%252529.jpg"><img title="rosa 008 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="rosa 008 (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ljCiK118D-M/Uoiw-9ibD3I/AAAAAAAAE3k/JoWoNGRGHJE/rosa%252520008%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="327" height="247" /></a></p> <p><img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iYb949oEwHo/UoiqyU64kQI/AAAAAAAAE2U/M9jZpu611_g/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /> <em>Talking of dogs …………………… here I am!</em><em></em></p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R2BW0ITsqdc/UoixAFnZWBI/AAAAAAAAE3s/-NsWHDtiNw4/s1600-h/lola%252520001%252520%252528480x640%252529.jpg"><img title="lola 001 (480x640)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="lola 001 (480x640)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1qQWuz3Twu_Vp0BrVXA8BFCSB6g08ejr_M8Dlqt4JcfVCsrhK8EmfSqvxv-MbgS1euirAU4cp6YT6YSX7nEx1-GyKhdapdQ77724mpIf3mxi4oqwJr7tug0_fQLI6FFVHHcegqeCQuMK/?imgmax=800" width="286" height="382" /></a> <p><em>The saga of my broken leg continues BUT progress is definitely being made.  Throughout it all I’ve attracted a great deal of attention and sympathy from lots of marina folk and I’ve certainly been getting away with things that I didn’t in the past and undoubtedly won’t in the future!!</em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xc1GXarbV0g/UoixBjIu0BI/AAAAAAAAE38/uSQisFg2gfI/s1600-h/lola-005-480x6403.jpg"><em><img title="lola 005 (480x640)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="lola 005 (480x640)" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGdLz83bGiNCuSddmWXkCZldb3MFeXvSZNkF-n6MtZu1aBg94GLGnNWGBpduZOvyRNyBXp__MT027JIAn8cWbLG5Q5AmcVOAtv1c9uT1XzClT2ev8o0usSdVpR4mPRS8fO_f2Kv2UVWin/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></em></a></p> <p><em>After more anaesthetics and x-rays, that pin in my leg has been removed!  Good job too because it was rubbing me and causing some nasty swelling.  Just as my fur was growing back …………….. they’ve shaved off another patch!  The vet’s a bit keen with that razor!  Another tempting area to lick and nibble though!  BUT it feels SO much more comfortable – I now feel a distinct lack of caution and just want to run and jump again.  That, however, is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN for at least another 2 weeks so it’s still on the lead for me!  FRUSTRATION for us all!   The vets, nurses and receptionists at</em> ‘The Animal House’ <em>in Rugby have all been so lovely to me – I’ve made some friends there too.</em></p> <p><em>I can’t wait to be fully recovered and get back to normal.  Patience!  It WILL be rewarded!</em></p> <p align="center"><em><font color="#9b00d3" size="5" face="Curlz MT">Lola xxoo</font></em></p> <p align="left"><img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-secrettellingsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none" alt="Secret telling smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BTUcziAw6Io/UoixCnXp-NI/AAAAAAAAE4I/7dVSivKpvrw/wlEmoticon-secrettellingsmile2.png?imgmax=800" />  Apparently really cold weather is on the way next week.  SO – it seems that we will be exchanging our jumpers for thicker fleeces Monday or Tuesday.  </p> <p align="left">All for now. K-e-e-p smiling. xxoo</p> <p><em><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font></em></p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-80980397151940849352013-10-26T15:56:00.001-07:002013-10-26T15:56:53.124-07:00Brian No-Mates ……..<p> </p> <p align="center">Whatever hast thou done lad?  Whatever hast thou said?</p> <p align="center">Whatever hast thou bin doin’ to upset thy neighbours?</p> <p align="center">Eee by ‘ek - even the ducks hast deserted thee!!!</p> <p align="center"><strike>Billy</strike>  Brian No-Mates!</p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PxUGCHnSMnI/UmxIsPbKDQI/AAAAAAAAE18/7Dwsk_S2ijs/s1600-h/Brian%252520no%252520mates%252520003%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Brian no mates 003 (480x640)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Brian no mates 003 (480x640)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ftItk7_KlwE/UmxIs719a7I/AAAAAAAAE2E/poKjg6uQxws/Brian%252520no%252520mates%252520003%252520%252528480x640%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> <p align="center">Keep up the good work lad!  Target our pontoon next please!!</p> <p align="center">xxoo</p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-27341539813783981302013-10-23T02:05:00.001-07:002013-10-23T02:05:25.151-07:00Simple? If Only …………<p><u>1996</u>  A full size Zanussi Washer/Dryer was installed IN the back cabin.</p> <p><u>2013</u>  Said full size Zanussi Washer/Dyer needed to be got OUT of back cabin as it had ‘given up the ghost’/gone ker-put/ had enough!</p> <p><em>“Right,” said John, “both of us together, one each side and steady as we go.”</em></p> <p>Tried to shift it, couldn’t even lift it – we was going nowhere and so we had another <strike>drink</strike> think:-</p> <p><em>“Right,” said John, “ let’s try to tip it over, mind your fingers and be careful of your toes.”</em></p> <p>After straining, heaving and complaining we was getting nowhere and so we had another <strike>drink</strike> think:-</p> <p><em>“Right,” said John, “I’ll have to take the door off, we need more space so I’ll take the thing apart ….”</em></p> <p>Had bad twinges taking off the hinges BUT we was getting <strong>somewhere </strong>and so ………………. </p> <p>As well as the door and the hinges, off came the switches, drum, casing, motor, lid, hoses and wires and ……………….  it was out in bits!  The man at the tip was very impressed!</p> <p>Nothing ever seems to be simple!  There was no way it was going OUT in one piece!  It must have been put IN in one piece <strong>before</strong> the door and slide of the back cabin were assembled around it!</p> <p>So, thanks to shopping-on-line a new machine was ordered and two days later at <strong>7.30 am (!!!!!!!!) </strong>it was delivered.  This one, of course, <strong>could</strong> fit through the back door!  <strong>BUT:-</strong> nothing is ever simple!  The handle on the drum is in a different place from the old machine and means that the decorative wooden door and drawer that hides the machine now has to be modified.  Something else for the skipper to sort out – just as well he has a full set of tools and is good with his hands!! </p> <p><u>Changing the subject completely,</u> yesterday we finally got to meet the crew of n/b <em>Yarwood </em><strong>properly.</strong>  This blogging lark is a funny old thing!  When you follow other boater’s blogs you get to feel that you know people when you haven’t even met them!  It was really good to put this right last night in the comfortable surroundings of <em>The Red Li</em>on.  So, Lesley, Joe, Fletcher and Floyd and David and Lisa from n/b <em>What a</em> <em>Lark</em> – thank you all for a lovely evening.  Safe cruising to Welford today and, hopefully, we will see you again soon.  xxoo</p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-44153366902155583322013-10-20T01:44:00.001-07:002013-10-20T01:44:26.615-07:00Back on Board<p>Having had a lovely week at the seaside …………………. we are back on board in the marina. Back now to sorting out ‘stuff’!</p> <p>It’s hard to believe that Lola had her operation only three weeks ago.  She is now putting her foot down very gingerly but not putting any weight on it.  We have been told that we need to keep her calm for 12 weeks so 9 still to go!  Lola, on the other hand, is beginning to think that things are back to normal so it’s definitely going to be a challenge!!  She too really seemed to enjoy her week away.  It must be a complete mystery to her why she has to be on the lead all the time.  Patience, Lola, patience!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-574mW4U7Al8/UmOXuL9x5YI/AAAAAAAAE0k/cdoYttQqNf4/s1600-h/more%252520gower%252520038%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="more gower 038" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="more gower 038" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nm1iKGOcPug/UmOXvPHAS4I/AAAAAAAAE0o/DQNTUe75JuY/more%252520gower%252520038_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>              <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ncefFwHONaA/UmOXxwz8UMI/AAAAAAAAE00/bW7VjF2K3-M/s1600-h/more%252520gower%252520042%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="more gower 042" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="more gower 042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EFGDJONl_MIbCZEhMRV7vyZFbsqNLE3M2KVod6psA-xGNJrHSyep966-NP5QLZp7ascZ2BR4-UCZkOkj2qiUm-29ydqOUUUBiFzwJjp3Sgs4141u0HoRONb9d3QroWZIGLnecLynL-eX/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="left">Me?</p> <p align="left">I think I need to live by the sea ……………</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ga0_sc16u38/UmOX0x_PYQI/AAAAAAAAE1E/AaL0sCLrUxE/s1600-h/more%252520gower%252520009%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="more gower 009" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="more gower 009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_4sYZZOr_VA/UmOX1kP-HcI/AAAAAAAAE1M/6oBrsJwGIgU/more%252520gower%252520009_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="412" height="310" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HcDumdlpvNs/UmOX3bdrTEI/AAAAAAAAE1U/R-bOxa0upeE/s1600-h/more%252520gower%252520008%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="more gower 008" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="more gower 008" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9nFDbz4xBlQ/UmOX4IRm7eI/AAAAAAAAE1c/04SB3367iME/more%252520gower%252520008_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324" /></a></p> <p> </p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nSb19ri0qZI/UmOX5szTA8I/AAAAAAAAE1k/tWSsGbF9aSU/s1600-h/yet%252520more%252520gower%252520003%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="yet more gower 003" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="yet more gower 003" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C5ZSqvcx3QI/UmOX6MwWj7I/AAAAAAAAE1o/rPuHRWRmhtg/yet%252520more%252520gower%252520003_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="332" /></a> <p align="center">xxoo</p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-89356814913670594102013-10-15T13:41:00.001-07:002013-10-15T13:41:55.018-07:00Sand, Sea and Sunshine<p>What could be better?  How lucky are we?</p> <p>Just a few words ……………….. pictures say it so much better:-</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tAQX6OlQiRI/Ul2oVOCuSAI/AAAAAAAAEx8/u75UWT-0cTw/s1600-h/Worms%252520Head%252520Gower%252520001%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Worms Head Gower 001 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Worms Head Gower 001 (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kLlxTg22Ooo/Ul2oWP4YSUI/AAAAAAAAEyE/IzGt46MX5-w/Worms%252520Head%252520Gower%252520001%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="281" /></a></p> <p align="center">Rhossilli Bay.  So crowded??????</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VKqOWsN_m2_jgkjkOVKQoqL1K5Rc8mVeAONXs9Nf5nHIHpBHt86lACiR_-JUXwCqGudf7ZcakvfInEJ9Ql8uznn-FEzt4YoVyoVE-flh6NLTtJ7TLZBXCnGRC44lvUfqq3vIYgpxN8Go/s1600-h/Worms%252520Head%252520Gower%252520003%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Worms Head Gower 003 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Worms Head Gower 003 (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YkDxvIqFUM0/Ul2oXubAobI/AAAAAAAAEyU/Pkj7n47iHZg/Worms%252520Head%252520Gower%252520003%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="290" /></a></p> <p>Worms Head – I was chuffed to see a pair of choughs here!  (Birds like crows but they have red beaks and red legs and are quite rare.  I tried to take a photo but I only had my humble little camera with me and it couldn’t cope!  I may return …..)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rI2bPgBz-Ls/Ul2oYWamAaI/AAAAAAAAEyc/7480a6veYwQ/s1600-h/Worms%252520Head%252520Gower%252520013%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="Worms Head Gower 013 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Worms Head Gower 013 (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OS37dtMotCM/Ul2oZChNkZI/AAAAAAAAEyk/2rOi-M6ado8/Worms%252520Head%252520Gower%252520013%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="382" height="287" /></a></p> <p>This one’s for you, Del Boy – Volunteer coastal watchers.  Your Welsh colleagues are, as you do at Cape Cornwall -  working hard, drinking coffee, eating biscuits, having a laugh and watching the <strike>girls</strike> ships go by!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1Sva9Yfgosg/Ul2oZ6GmqWI/AAAAAAAAEys/Sfzrfr1nhis/s1600-h/G1%252520009%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="G1 009 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="G1 009 (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aY8qwLQQEh0/Ul2oar_WjuI/AAAAAAAAEy0/3lIz6AczElk/G1%252520009%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a></p> <p align="center">Lola - not phased by the waves!  Salt water can only do it good!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rSmvwqPOORA/Ul2obT6YwFI/AAAAAAAAEy8/wlTfP9N2ZFU/s1600-h/G1%252520012%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="G1 012 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="G1 012 (640x480)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtRsIB843_yGYkZZSEd9f7kPUhvjKO-IPGBM-IXWxhtFbGST5ze-BKjuMtN-EmobqQqs54hYZQ8D3oMj9wqx_CjEEQcvPjzsrfE86cgtQnsTv4nhXH11DS4nB6pWr4oRahr7rG7cOZtq1/?imgmax=800" width="406" height="305" /></a></p> <p align="center">Waiting patiently whilst mum has ‘done a bunk’!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4hdfNstQoiI/Ul2oc6oNsPI/AAAAAAAAEzM/-lQp3WYNnHg/s1600-h/JG1%252520028%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="JG1 028 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="JG1 028 (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TEpiAMeWG-8/Ul2odsRMG8I/AAAAAAAAEzU/d6uu_0YLn58/JG1%252520028%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="306" /></a></p> <p align="center">15 days today since major surgery.  That leg is a ‘Peaky Blinder’ haircut!  Because her leg is pinned SHE thinks she’s now recovered so it’s quite hard trying to keep her calm.  She’s just as quick on 3 legs as 4!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YDPM_7ymBb0/Ul2oeo_87VI/AAAAAAAAEzc/mkBZZ9OE3SA/s1600-h/JG1%252520016%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="JG1 016 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="JG1 016 (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MWfKabFyBG4/Ul2ofaKlAdI/AAAAAAAAEzk/lqDNA0vWEYI/JG1%252520016%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="301" /></a></p> <p align="center">Stunning.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwluxvTrkQmMiyXS-bA_j8jFi6HTEEJtythc4rJ44Hv-3ZOQjoePfY9qJ6ixjErUyWqG5SU2VEg-m7bapg3wrDc0CMJnh68P3gSGlOznbHwkczapcHxmghp2w3nPf689BOj2g7H2pIxfP/s1600-h/G1%252520013%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="G1 013 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="G1 013 (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8_WTo6pr2_U/Ul2ohOLpFRI/AAAAAAAAEz0/TyWBKCZp7rU/G1%252520013%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="418" height="315" /></a></p> <p align="center">Stunning.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kykm10MG1pY/Ul2oh1wo75I/AAAAAAAAEz8/ypT3wsZgq6g/s1600-h/JG1%252520017%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="JG1 017 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="JG1 017 (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tyt4py_25O4/Ul2oiovUZQI/AAAAAAAAE0E/rulFQWODZwI/JG1%252520017%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="414" height="312" /></a></p> <p align="center">Stunning.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kCtwjW36XlA/Ul2ojewW9GI/AAAAAAAAE0M/KH8VilLIaI0/s1600-h/JG1%252520021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="JG1 021" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="JG1 021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0MgqJ511VDE/Ul2okPI-BTI/AAAAAAAAE0U/DKWoCc-lnN4/JG1%252520021_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="318" /></a></p> <p align="center">Raven or Crow?  Please help settle a dispute ………  Seen at Oxwich Bay Nature Reserve.</p> <p align="center"><em>Invigorating the soul and replenishing the spirit.  Yes, how lucky are we?  xxoo</em></p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380302945784482329.post-39925973670601771642013-10-12T14:48:00.001-07:002013-10-12T14:48:59.423-07:00Against the Odds<p>Now I know it could be argued that our lives are just one long holiday – living on a boat and all that – but to mark my ‘coming of age’ I decided I wanted a seaside holiday.  So,  a while ago I did what I <u>never </u>do!  I booked a cottage in Wales for a week!!   “Oh”, I said to Lola, “you’re going to love it!  Lots of lovely coastal walks, digging on the beach, waves to experience and seagulls to chase!  Wonderful!”</p> <p>And then – two weeks before departure, she goes and breaks her leg!  It really didn’t look like it was going to happen but, against the odds,  ….. we’re here!</p> <p>Last Monday, stitches were taken out and between then and her next check up which was on the following Friday, the difference in her was remarkable!  She wanted to play with her toys again and jump!  NO JUMPING ALLOWED!!  Anyway the vet said that short walks on the lead would be a good thing so …… here we are on The Gower!  It was going to be a walking holiday ……. well, not now but the change of scene will be good for all of us.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K0EUYIZ__SA/UlnDmW8rQBI/AAAAAAAAEvs/AhVtqp6M-L4/s1600-h/Wales%252520004%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Wales 004 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Wales 004 (640x480)" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vdObJqpcOo4/UlnDnACiRaI/AAAAAAAAEv0/MCfzNOdRdpo/Wales%252520004%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FDd2Iv2BpxQ/UlnDnyCsI1I/AAAAAAAAEv8/NImv3AhnSzI/s1600-h/Wales%252520002%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Wales 002 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Wales 002 (640x480)" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrP1j8NWb_7iwpQKckJXvTyOksvBb55f1s-suAAWCTogUn_xMLQbewoTXwMK5g3r70Ubg9uq-rij_Wig34CHFMAUwxbGR9DQuThF4GpqO6kWcT78VxnvNS8P0cLXyLOP2Xcjb_-EK6-z_f/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p><em>Crossing the Severn Bridge.  </em><em>The water in the Channel looked so calm – calm enough for a narrowboat.      </em></p> <p><em>Gertie (our little old car) has been washed and given a stern talking to!  Despite her age, she has to get us there, all around and all the way back again!!</em></p> <p><em>I used to take my mum to South Wales regularly to see her remaining family.  £6.20 for a car now!!</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w48Akujc-yM/UlnDpV0U2kI/AAAAAAAAEwM/UyPKdfINRdA/s1600-h/Wales%252520015%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Wales 015 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Wales 015 (640x480)" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aQEIAhsWDDLQuhtq3x1yYEzZkRDfzMTvEI1FvPokO41O4gZ_fzuuIfZbr_8NZ7ZODYkO7oHOYz-AxfMX08DRLHFbWiv_sjedzSGrKhRNKHfEYoYfTt46iLV_d4WRs09sPwPJbq7TGNwE/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p><em>Bluebell Cottage is part of a converted barn.  The setting is lovely.  The cottage itself is lovely too.  It seems that the other two cottages are empty this week so we’re <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R7AD7qLTMgA/UlnDq1pgmgI/AAAAAAAAEwc/sG6GJDHmZQo/s1600-h/Wales%252520009%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Wales 009 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Wales 009 (640x480)" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VnKRacn_9Lw/UlnDrk2YFGI/AAAAAAAAEwk/XeiZp0JVJSU/Wales%252520009%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>on our own.  <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2MFnzXxtX-c/UlnDsInOZHI/AAAAAAAAEws/7M9_9CyRueo/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></em></p> <p><em>Well, the punk ducks on the pond will keep us company. </em></p> <p><em>We saw one like this on the Ashby Canal.  What’s going on?  Here are a whole family!!</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jfp1gaPa0EI/UlnDs3S8QgI/AAAAAAAAEw0/McM6g9VTdMc/s1600-h/Wales%252520019%252520%252528480x640%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Wales 019 (480x640)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Wales 019 (480x640)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP3FbLDlcOHcwfdKqfxGkAGNxCg-dg4vn_IO-Y7owIVP04BoclJsdBFU4O8oGlqC3I5PywbS8QezuJ538O40ZLIJ1p3e2RzDCGlNoyjZmiCFPgWRlP4cNCb8qioy9DHUxxZvF1AnjgXIG/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="left">Lola was such a good girl for the journey.  She was so excited when we got here.  She’s not used to having so much room!!  She, and us, are going to love all the beaches and the sunsets ……………  Croesco  xxoo</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vsoE_OxQHk0/UlnDukpWNRI/AAAAAAAAExE/N6mo-CiJDUU/s1600-h/Wales%252520021%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Wales 021 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Wales 021 (640x480)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CzQwVnmMMgA/UlnDvLxgkYI/AAAAAAAAExM/eALctBrKTNI/Wales%252520021%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>          <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g8PAULGThTI/UlnDwFPvXtI/AAAAAAAAExU/R1e66D51_Uk/s1600-h/Wales%252520006%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Wales 006 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Wales 006 (640x480)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lMNyWChtOE0/UlnDwwHDUzI/AAAAAAAAExc/2n0w9ACsR90/Wales%252520006%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>      <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8hhWDJCEgJI/UlnDxttj4jI/AAAAAAAAExk/Lyr6NiBlYNo/s1600-h/Wales%252520020%252520%252528640x480%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Wales 020 (640x480)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Wales 020 (640x480)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sM6ELa9BO94/UlnDyd8sEaI/AAAAAAAAExs/NC_1l4nqBQ4/Wales%252520020%252520%252528640x480%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="left"> </p> <em></em> <p><em></em></p> <p align="center"></p> Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04530251930876806856noreply@blogger.com4