tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3856477580447232272024-02-21T02:19:07.616-08:00nbTentatriceJenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.comBlogger554125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-10722378210000781562023-09-05T07:18:00.008-07:002023-09-05T08:08:03.562-07:00Sad News and many other things.<p>What has prompted me to blog again after almost a year - I am sorry to say it is with the news that Monty went to Rainbow Bridge last week. He was an amazing dog, a great companion, utterly faithful and was a superb supervisor when I was working locks. He was 11.5 - his Mum is still alive at 16, so this is a lot sooner than we ever expected. He started to develop signs of a cognitive disorder/dementia about 2 years ago. These things creep up slowly, so it is impossible to say when it started and I won't bore you with all the details. We did everything we could, but nothing worked and his life had become very difficult for him, so we made the decision on the advice of our vet to stop his suffering. Our last act of love. The house is very quiet - the only thing I don't miss is the dog hair! May he rest in peace. </p><p>Monty where he loved to be at the end of our final trip on Tentatrice on 4th July 2021</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlP0oyRqMFqE8fw4auc47AQt7HeWia9eoE7TTiYGtnEOpPqYeMYtS9NCYEQrOBedsY8RMqbXkQV3nI1E-b5e5NA0y7BsaXGIzBxUbTUtCHlnbc2kpVKMYlNzVRWBrfPUhIwR1PzX-ZikasP5vsHDxQr4qYLZ_JTAtGnk2yvR99WCL0OfXFkKYyZKh5ws/s1840/001_Monty_04Jul2021.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlP0oyRqMFqE8fw4auc47AQt7HeWia9eoE7TTiYGtnEOpPqYeMYtS9NCYEQrOBedsY8RMqbXkQV3nI1E-b5e5NA0y7BsaXGIzBxUbTUtCHlnbc2kpVKMYlNzVRWBrfPUhIwR1PzX-ZikasP5vsHDxQr4qYLZ_JTAtGnk2yvR99WCL0OfXFkKYyZKh5ws/w640-h480/001_Monty_04Jul2021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Chris and I plod along and manage to keep ourselves busy. I am on the WI committee and somehow or other I seem to have been awarded 5 different hats! I book the speakers, I am membership secretary, I also update our branch's website regularly and at the end of the year I will be producing a printed programme for each member for 2024 and the year book for 2023! Enough to keep me out of mischief.</p><p>I am glad to say that there have been no more trips to hospital for Chris and he keeps well enough. We do still miss the boat, but know we made the right decision.</p><p>We have had two holidays this year - one for 2 weeks in Wales where Chris has family. We were there for the last week in May and the first in June and we had blue skies every day and not a drop of rain! Our daughter and her family were with us for a few days and some friends joined us for the second week. Trains featured highly in the holiday - we went on the Talyllyn Railway and the Vale of Rheidol. Both were fabulous trips. Finally Chris and I took the train from Machynlleth to Pwllheli and return all the way along the coast. It was stunning and well worth doing if you are ever in that part of the world. We also visited the Dyfi Osprey Centre and oh my goodness what a huge amount of pleasure that has given me over the last few months. They have a live stream and I have watched the two chicks every day since we got home as they grew, fledged and it now appears they and their parents have migrated. Mum went first, then the female chick. The male chick was last seen on Monday and Dad has not been around since yesterday afternoon when he was circling around with a large fish looking for someone to feed. I have been entertained and educated. I will be back watching and waiting for the return of the parents next March.</p><p>Mother - Telyn</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2B1FdU4AaVGG-tAuv-NE2Q9BtUuedPcQYPyp4rHuTWW6kTS2r58U8GsOSbqAFjS7IVsHAh-3OSSEQ2emX7NLiaijoOQEprNg2ejZbmGC-CjFUl4oPUr-ELesv57RjjiHhBlKn9Sd51OA-qcmQYV0kj2D2oGDFVwiS1yU07lKFRoAcR15r9-XSAhD6BNc/s512/Telyn_15Aug2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="512" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2B1FdU4AaVGG-tAuv-NE2Q9BtUuedPcQYPyp4rHuTWW6kTS2r58U8GsOSbqAFjS7IVsHAh-3OSSEQ2emX7NLiaijoOQEprNg2ejZbmGC-CjFUl4oPUr-ELesv57RjjiHhBlKn9Sd51OA-qcmQYV0kj2D2oGDFVwiS1yU07lKFRoAcR15r9-XSAhD6BNc/w640-h354/Telyn_15Aug2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Father - Idris - he is an amazing provider for all the family</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Y3Twl9_41OYl0YfShK7KrKFULDMHFxPg6OLpIuqjCcmVqxT_oT6yp9I1lFQxWeMU2HqQbdn8p0sB4UJIRW8G3QqcvjHrfcXqpRt7CaGQhwEwd59D2ydnNuwYakuCOx5inusm4YFqKveB-D5Vl6GSKKNsDqnUBh-gI6WvWhLbhHeGH_XVo-8VNaVeF6k/s538/Idris_19_Jul2023_edited.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="538" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Y3Twl9_41OYl0YfShK7KrKFULDMHFxPg6OLpIuqjCcmVqxT_oT6yp9I1lFQxWeMU2HqQbdn8p0sB4UJIRW8G3QqcvjHrfcXqpRt7CaGQhwEwd59D2ydnNuwYakuCOx5inusm4YFqKveB-D5Vl6GSKKNsDqnUBh-gI6WvWhLbhHeGH_XVo-8VNaVeF6k/w640-h402/Idris_19_Jul2023_edited.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Cennen - female chick<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRXVFnm9Gz2qG6OGnl9wh7NupKygQVAx82xocFXl0muHJjie87jwnd2r_ApsNMjUFzF5RMbABvncdWm9k9U8jatxQ8PUYr7w2OLCdidxgtSkPbqqy6vMnpDMkr2sg_ggkKfSSBOqZbyzVoUAa8G_2MwPa183rx1MUpIq3gy97FXpVrkbsEH4LjbTlndY/s512/Cennen_26Aug2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="403" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRXVFnm9Gz2qG6OGnl9wh7NupKygQVAx82xocFXl0muHJjie87jwnd2r_ApsNMjUFzF5RMbABvncdWm9k9U8jatxQ8PUYr7w2OLCdidxgtSkPbqqy6vMnpDMkr2sg_ggkKfSSBOqZbyzVoUAa8G_2MwPa183rx1MUpIq3gy97FXpVrkbsEH4LjbTlndY/w504-h640/Cennen_26Aug2023.jpg" width="504" /></a></div><br /><p>Seiont - male chick<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZKhLyYMgOMB61d5rlhKPQSD10K8HD6xoz-i99dfGL0gZIJrlium-mUcBGBi3F3P2DOhDfcbwed2sRa2wwVKq0Pr8Q011Vw7_jNuw2cGlXGtLeEXHiX3Q0UfFbTRM6p00lNVBllnONRm5UEknURrsKKxBqABpkA3iyvFhUNvkm6KALXNh1kggJrNE2hA/s602/005_Seiont_02Sep2023.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="602" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZKhLyYMgOMB61d5rlhKPQSD10K8HD6xoz-i99dfGL0gZIJrlium-mUcBGBi3F3P2DOhDfcbwed2sRa2wwVKq0Pr8Q011Vw7_jNuw2cGlXGtLeEXHiX3Q0UfFbTRM6p00lNVBllnONRm5UEknURrsKKxBqABpkA3iyvFhUNvkm6KALXNh1kggJrNE2hA/w640-h360/005_Seiont_02Sep2023.png" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The quality of the live feed is amazing. I got all the above photos either from screenshots from the live feed of from their blog where there are many more and loads of information if anyone is interested - </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uHzmY4w1aAi_YvvM_wxqYAtISZxaCgMSKRZfv5PtMe0/edit?fbclid=IwAR2j0hmJdVyi_EU3ITYNChbgF8TrRC2qxv60x_xa-329dzeYtlUYpNPaO9I#heading=h.83w42uz6034l" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Dyfi Osprey Project blog</a></div><div><br /></div><div>In June Chris and I celebrated our Golden Wedding Anniversary with a night away in a superb hotel in Malvern. That weekend our family gathered for a BBQ on the Saturday when it was warm enough to eat outside (so rare this summer) and then Sunday lunch for us all at a local pub.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first weekend in July saw me take 4 trains to and 3 trains back to Aldershot, Surrey where I was met by an old school friend. Another friend joined us on the Saturday and we headed off to Ashford, Kent to visit our old school who were celebrating their 125th Anniversary. It was an interesting exercise and good to catch up with Liz and Sue. The lady on my right was in our house, but a year above us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZTqMH18lnuRN5npsr_ww_CW61Q_t-j2JI6IVXrVPSphUMJGEDS1RG0_SgbQk-8tIMhtzX22mpoZEKW0neU4yVvZk4J-nfUZmpwj_77E6CtDnNWN_OaOHVaASPxqq5UZRtt0XPu-VSrTnh7jArJMGOgc7JiInVj0CQF-2p9kkertvce0NfupUEEdpAuM/s1400/006_Jane%20Seaman,%20Me,%20Liz%20and%20Sue.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZTqMH18lnuRN5npsr_ww_CW61Q_t-j2JI6IVXrVPSphUMJGEDS1RG0_SgbQk-8tIMhtzX22mpoZEKW0neU4yVvZk4J-nfUZmpwj_77E6CtDnNWN_OaOHVaASPxqq5UZRtt0XPu-VSrTnh7jArJMGOgc7JiInVj0CQF-2p9kkertvce0NfupUEEdpAuM/w640-h480/006_Jane%20Seaman,%20Me,%20Liz%20and%20Sue.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Sue even still has her school blazer!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8lSN2uhsJuYVWe4LL9j2dJ6FlUeYaLN9_ae9qdJ_npxueJGWyOFMi_U1GRUX3gNl07L6cYhWY_Fgt62e-VLgSiEXgEbgXywrhH2k2cDx8Qfa83GOnKhYAUR4q9sAB-hrkWIzBMgI1U7ZKOyWwsiDKwa5ed2vGYjRFzt_Q_31sZMVN_CLlq9nyojYyvg/s1400/007_Sue%20in%20blazer.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8lSN2uhsJuYVWe4LL9j2dJ6FlUeYaLN9_ae9qdJ_npxueJGWyOFMi_U1GRUX3gNl07L6cYhWY_Fgt62e-VLgSiEXgEbgXywrhH2k2cDx8Qfa83GOnKhYAUR4q9sAB-hrkWIzBMgI1U7ZKOyWwsiDKwa5ed2vGYjRFzt_Q_31sZMVN_CLlq9nyojYyvg/w480-h640/007_Sue%20in%20blazer.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>The events kept coming - the following weekend saw us (along with two friends) make a very early start to catch a train from Droitwich which left at 06:20!! The instructions were firm - we stop for 2 minutes and if you are not there - well too bad we will go without you! It was a steam heritage trip to Dartmouth and back. A treat the four of us had been promising ourselves since 2019 when we were booked to go on Tornado (the only modern steam train in the UK) when it went unserviceable and the trip was cancelled. Something occurred in 2020 that stopped the world, 2021 was not a lot better and somehow we did not get around to it in 2022, so this was a long awaited treat. We had expected to catch the train an hour later (and that seemed early enough!), but there were engineering works on the line, so we had to go and come back via Newport and the Severn tunnel. The upside for Chris and I was the trip along the Severn when we remembered our jaunt down there with Tentatrice and Sue and Ken on Cleddau in 2015. We picked up our steam engine in Taunton and it was not just any old steam engine - it was non other than Sir Nigel Gresley.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8k1mBGMvX_HFepd5hFyLaUrFrcRYQeVcOxIbGp8gmzUhAK1no6beUYvENtjpKz4j4a-5MDor2ela7-lkXkS3zVjU3x1m94GhqDZ7Ux44PZqJDEx1Q9-3Q5KoOQB-oVmvaScs7cpIyiCm_0l6RMKdLQcmqM9-9AKXGfyyLgEjuJwwH_aOGrpn57ExZBU/s1400/008_Sir%20Nigel%20Gresley.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8k1mBGMvX_HFepd5hFyLaUrFrcRYQeVcOxIbGp8gmzUhAK1no6beUYvENtjpKz4j4a-5MDor2ela7-lkXkS3zVjU3x1m94GhqDZ7Ux44PZqJDEx1Q9-3Q5KoOQB-oVmvaScs7cpIyiCm_0l6RMKdLQcmqM9-9AKXGfyyLgEjuJwwH_aOGrpn57ExZBU/w640-h480/008_Sir%20Nigel%20Gresley.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> A very rare photo of Chris and I where we both look okay!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsv0rJEVJ4wiiK-tOm1DnFCJq8a39je13FTOr_UCSfYxjSBpKotLonBPHLQGiXTLFzd_pQg9UmXpd8IfVufhRz3VB-Nd5fiMEgI2WVoDa0axEnoh_bU73FOfeA_WfY6dydxYffUufr1x9JNfkCvTkDaRrXWpKBxW4_kflerr-2IEYfIO7VHDtXjMipTY/s1169/009_Chris%20and%20I%20on%20train_08Jul23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="1169" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsv0rJEVJ4wiiK-tOm1DnFCJq8a39je13FTOr_UCSfYxjSBpKotLonBPHLQGiXTLFzd_pQg9UmXpd8IfVufhRz3VB-Nd5fiMEgI2WVoDa0axEnoh_bU73FOfeA_WfY6dydxYffUufr1x9JNfkCvTkDaRrXWpKBxW4_kflerr-2IEYfIO7VHDtXjMipTY/w640-h334/009_Chris%20and%20I%20on%20train_08Jul23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Not such a good photo, but the fish and chips in Dartmouth were the best we have ever had<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFi-bqxILOl2PFWDeU43z0AIEz5k8Xn1bCNtReN150kIg2vMC4_7si-oaJqSjsJ9aytpY4C3UWJdEKJtuZNtb3BKtGvk9g96lVnHVxWqTaYN7qfJ6eq2TSkxqul_CoiiDnWyUv31jsop2dE1CA5_sEUsEG1ro4EujSYmGRRARY9_p6vK6SxgyVAqVopY/s1410/010_F%20&%20C_Dartmouth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1410" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFi-bqxILOl2PFWDeU43z0AIEz5k8Xn1bCNtReN150kIg2vMC4_7si-oaJqSjsJ9aytpY4C3UWJdEKJtuZNtb3BKtGvk9g96lVnHVxWqTaYN7qfJ6eq2TSkxqul_CoiiDnWyUv31jsop2dE1CA5_sEUsEG1ro4EujSYmGRRARY9_p6vK6SxgyVAqVopY/w640-h360/010_F%20&%20C_Dartmouth.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It was a fabulous day and well worth doing.<div><br /><div>Then before we knew it Chris and I were off to Whitstable in Kent - why there you may wonder? Well it is all the fault (unbeknown to them) of Ian and Irene on Free Spirit. A couple of years ago (I think?) they visited the Battle of Britain Memorial in Folkestone. That suddenly rang a big bell for Chris and I as his Dad (Fred) was a B of B veteran and he and Chris' Mum went to the laying of the foundation stone by the Queen Mother in July 1993. Sadly they did not live long enough to see the completed memorial and somehow we had never got round to going. We had the most amazing visit and found Fred's name on the wall of names. In the entrance their is an electronic display of all those who were in the B of B along with details. Fred was a rear gunner on Defiants - not a plane that most people associate with the B of B, but they were a vital part of the defence of our country. Very few survived, so Fred and his pilot Frederick Hughes, but known as Des, were lucky to make it through relatively unscathed. I found the scramble experience so moving, I was reduced to tears. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaR8w5BoujvMadp2yaETKYaPBiqw1jGaSQNnrzKrowvhz9cg2Aw4Pk6bqbN-mCTLYrTAaBLUMEgjyi0nIz9c0xvO3OafIh47bjcZ9mvVDBGxhYeJCbrLE0W_oL1uf2JBxlls3fr3uuDu2EHjbX3foOEAmBuNXCVgUz7gquqAZBsTiO5RzDg7LTdmQvtQ/s774/011_Looking%20down%20at%20the%20wall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="580" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaR8w5BoujvMadp2yaETKYaPBiqw1jGaSQNnrzKrowvhz9cg2Aw4Pk6bqbN-mCTLYrTAaBLUMEgjyi0nIz9c0xvO3OafIh47bjcZ9mvVDBGxhYeJCbrLE0W_oL1uf2JBxlls3fr3uuDu2EHjbX3foOEAmBuNXCVgUz7gquqAZBsTiO5RzDg7LTdmQvtQ/w480-h640/011_Looking%20down%20at%20the%20wall.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7S-_2pdFHrJrDNasMyGs3oA_2ISLYp-8w8Co4-OsqsYpt-RvMesYPAxpj6nIFstxeqITw9kFPc3Fjcbb0Gfm9QQ0JM-OBqKmTk6ps2bEBjFUFOqYGFNwcQc12_qnM2ubMXk-sgt4voRluNj6zAj2XJFTQBLXen8elToJiZ5p1bYigt8LlZQJY05NLrzI/s1032/012_The%20wall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7S-_2pdFHrJrDNasMyGs3oA_2ISLYp-8w8Co4-OsqsYpt-RvMesYPAxpj6nIFstxeqITw9kFPc3Fjcbb0Gfm9QQ0JM-OBqKmTk6ps2bEBjFUFOqYGFNwcQc12_qnM2ubMXk-sgt4voRluNj6zAj2XJFTQBLXen8elToJiZ5p1bYigt8LlZQJY05NLrzI/w640-h480/012_The%20wall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPM60VKzH947uNUl8iEOAduli6ijDsrRRGXz55N84QMIZNQCnTkF80fNHXPd0RJd-EpCkwT0KJSXd43QJhZfAxEW4gt-MvVZTbVEnE5e-cZc6gcQnoTghbk3FubydLyg1q68pzGONEe4LZprRziMW784ruarDzJxOoWjALThq8jJfcyemxL1cca9kEeU/s774/013_The%20airman%20gazing%20out%20to%20seaq.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="580" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPM60VKzH947uNUl8iEOAduli6ijDsrRRGXz55N84QMIZNQCnTkF80fNHXPd0RJd-EpCkwT0KJSXd43QJhZfAxEW4gt-MvVZTbVEnE5e-cZc6gcQnoTghbk3FubydLyg1q68pzGONEe4LZprRziMW784ruarDzJxOoWjALThq8jJfcyemxL1cca9kEeU/w480-h640/013_The%20airman%20gazing%20out%20to%20seaq.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmUPBlkRWvQTlSaLarhg8pUIWAgCXRJ2tsIDqzCppbALZ_H1iHaufPKDTyCOzrHBlEeV_YJf78poZQim5b6A210XHNxfibPPSguD8izqpjA1Rxu8hYxDdeqKT5PkytFYq32JIeWg2Ix9PgR3lSo_EHrA_5OLtWXj-2Nbo0rxvj72p6waJieimox0C54Y/s1032/014_Looking%20down%20at%20the%20airman.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmUPBlkRWvQTlSaLarhg8pUIWAgCXRJ2tsIDqzCppbALZ_H1iHaufPKDTyCOzrHBlEeV_YJf78poZQim5b6A210XHNxfibPPSguD8izqpjA1Rxu8hYxDdeqKT5PkytFYq32JIeWg2Ix9PgR3lSo_EHrA_5OLtWXj-2Nbo0rxvj72p6waJieimox0C54Y/w640-h480/014_Looking%20down%20at%20the%20airman.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pM35VoDgXBTmTidmbjwgZ8IfvcC-7VWOSpqQ01C0_F2PwhXCaVVtDJe3p9Vab5roL8em1qRLa_NB9BQiNr4jPVajiDusznrUIZaSCPZEFcfpu-hgg4-CEb0E2qiD5L9JUH8RuislpKyky4SO1ocn5fqwBiXkxqOBIFVywnxkLlMSvm9smqqxDapnEYE/s1032/015_Looking%20back%20at%20the%20building.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pM35VoDgXBTmTidmbjwgZ8IfvcC-7VWOSpqQ01C0_F2PwhXCaVVtDJe3p9Vab5roL8em1qRLa_NB9BQiNr4jPVajiDusznrUIZaSCPZEFcfpu-hgg4-CEb0E2qiD5L9JUH8RuislpKyky4SO1ocn5fqwBiXkxqOBIFVywnxkLlMSvm9smqqxDapnEYE/w640-h480/015_Looking%20back%20at%20the%20building.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Before we left we went for a wander round the shop when we came across something astounding (well to us it was) - a model of a Defiant, but not any old Defiant - it was the one that Des and Fred flew in the Battle of Britain. It is a limited edition and if you look at the bottom you will see the names of both of them. Also note the Red Hand of Ulster on the nose - Des was from Ulster and the five symbols (two are red and hard to see and three white) under the cockpit which denotes the number of planes they downed. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfdROavQ2bmtJ2EenEckd1glMuJwL4rvIHtHGidyLAlzxfPIJzFVitHuNxrfYvSU0ClFOy--UUPNKd1jJQuDJ2ZTVGGvLNRhW9b57rQ-Fb847CaamE9drXzcgj-FCGG9E_2h4AagT77hy6YIyH5q1P0JSTEyDBDmz4fZ7jRY5Nyk9273xXO4enSx4CwA/s1032/016_The%20Defiant%20box.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfdROavQ2bmtJ2EenEckd1glMuJwL4rvIHtHGidyLAlzxfPIJzFVitHuNxrfYvSU0ClFOy--UUPNKd1jJQuDJ2ZTVGGvLNRhW9b57rQ-Fb847CaamE9drXzcgj-FCGG9E_2h4AagT77hy6YIyH5q1P0JSTEyDBDmz4fZ7jRY5Nyk9273xXO4enSx4CwA/w640-h480/016_The%20Defiant%20box.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And this is a picture of Fred under that very plane.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ataTWYY4EKzbjRPM5w6kwPehIGsW1xx-82gs3Lp_oZXGavRibulxkUEYNk9lWcUvBchf4dqN3hBkzaShelsgCTnNTyfhlDyoyEZWqYumQOzQ0FiZTso9XEriGkFmawRwzXaJ_MUFTKOFRax8YqAJEpNfcmLcxBkPg7Js7fqzPjuikxfpAyzX1XojWZc/s823/Fred%20Gash_His%20Defiant.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="519" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ataTWYY4EKzbjRPM5w6kwPehIGsW1xx-82gs3Lp_oZXGavRibulxkUEYNk9lWcUvBchf4dqN3hBkzaShelsgCTnNTyfhlDyoyEZWqYumQOzQ0FiZTso9XEriGkFmawRwzXaJ_MUFTKOFRax8YqAJEpNfcmLcxBkPg7Js7fqzPjuikxfpAyzX1XojWZc/s320/Fred%20Gash_His%20Defiant.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><br /><div>We obviously had to buy one, but ended up getting two so we have one to leave to each of our children in due course. A very moving and emotional day and one we will always remember, so thank you Ian and Irene.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whitstable is a fabulous place and the house we stayed in was so well placed that everything was within walking distance. It also had private parking behind a locked gate for two cars. That is worth a fortune in Whitstable where on road parking is almost non existent and the car parks cost a fortune. If anyone fancies a visit I can highly recommend <a href="https://www.cottages.com/cottages/sea-scape-uk35432?adult=2&child=0&infant=0&pets=0&range=3&nights=7&accommodationType=cottages&sort=nosort&page=2&regionName=Whitstable&regionId=21678&clickcd=21500&s_kwcid=AL23643569264402633pgwhitstable+holiday+lets68426890131401185815&gclid=CjwKCAjwo9unBhBTEiwAipC110h3_U3DZdLMWlOuOnwF7_xlwdWquW0_DyY_fssn_bb_fdPqUGNvvxoCZmQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&index=search&features=&siteFeatures=" target="_blank">Seascape, Whitstable</a></div><div><br /></div><div>August was a bit of a non event for us. I will try to do better in the future and not leave posting for quite so long. Even if no one reads my ramblings - I do enjoy looking back every now and then. I still read quite a few blogs and we have recently met up with the Cleddau crew for dinner in the Fleur de Lys, Lowsonford and then the Chouette crew (non bloggers, but we met when we crossed The Wash with them in 2014) at The Boot Inn, Lapworth, both places on the Stratford Canal. If anyone is a car journey away from us, please let me know and we will try to pop over and say hello.</div><div><br /></div><div>And finally - Tentatrice as she is now. Please give them a wave if you go past. We believe it means 'Our House' in Malay. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVq_RA8NmitVMrOwb-J272x1otPdKeMBqx90dUuaJ7NYxpeiuBuIWZd2hOEN1iSlvLYUY2dpeOnY_TVldlmWxRJrB1TNsUWJg9inypEFAZdIZNVz2vAKffaQIr-7JbcSSgt1cIzwkuuXEOdWwtKlE7dQi2EhI4ZX9RgatRxfKOmi3MBet1gXuer5E4Jzw/s640/018_Rumah%20Kita.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVq_RA8NmitVMrOwb-J272x1otPdKeMBqx90dUuaJ7NYxpeiuBuIWZd2hOEN1iSlvLYUY2dpeOnY_TVldlmWxRJrB1TNsUWJg9inypEFAZdIZNVz2vAKffaQIr-7JbcSSgt1cIzwkuuXEOdWwtKlE7dQi2EhI4ZX9RgatRxfKOmi3MBet1gXuer5E4Jzw/w640-h480/018_Rumah%20Kita.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-90436011370011538752022-11-30T09:52:00.000-08:002022-11-30T09:52:34.053-08:00Oh Yes It Was!!<p><b><u> Sunday 27th November 2022</u></b></p><p><b><u>Chipping Norton Pantomime - Dick Whittington</u></b></p><p>I know many of you who may read this will have followed Pip Leckenby's (nb Oleanna) work on the set design for this production. Sue (Boatwif from nb Cleddau) and I have been avid followers for many years and it was decided that, this year, we should go and see for ourselves.</p><p>Step One - book 4 tickets which included a stage tour so we could see all Pip's work close up. We were early enough to get Row C in the stalls.</p><p>Step Two - book two rooms nearby that, if possible, were in easy walking distance to the theatre. I researched many of the local hotels and was about to hit 'book' when I decided to have a quick peek at past reviews. They were pretty dire - one stated that 'when as we checked in and they issued us with a small tablet of soap, we realised we may have made a big mistake'! In the end we decided we would find a Premier Inn and drive only to find out that the latter is just 0.2 miles from the theatre! Booking made and all we had to do was sit back and eagerly anticipate the event.</p><p>Ken was due to have a hip replacement after Christmas, but was offered a cancellation four weeks prior to the theatre trip. Whether he would make it was in the balance until the last minute, but I am delighted to say he did. The easy walk there and back became even more important. We arrived at the hotel within 5 minutes of each other, booked in and made our way to the theatre for the 4pm performance. </p><p>Was it worth the trip - 'Oh yes it was'! It was a 'real panto' with lots of corny (but clean) jokes, 'boos', 'Look behind you', 'Oh no it wasn't, oh yes it was', some singing with actions, sweets for the children, 'shout outs' to audience members including to 'Ken and Sue the Cleddau crew' and 'Jennie and Chris the Tentatrice crew' (thanks Pip!!). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YaGpXZpB2Bpv2aBg7y4EbEQGw1kXZWN7sdfConl4R7XVRRHnh1YsN0HLNKm-OueKbFcZ6Ax-bbpzvkI2hoqBvuHUV4MZtmtzwu5y7fuUcJoD8alMCHFp1JCHzeneEdqx2rb8twdY1KLmKez4gB-S2oaQjosliYqDUuEiGkYit5cN16DcSh_qMgsJ/s1800/P1010650%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YaGpXZpB2Bpv2aBg7y4EbEQGw1kXZWN7sdfConl4R7XVRRHnh1YsN0HLNKm-OueKbFcZ6Ax-bbpzvkI2hoqBvuHUV4MZtmtzwu5y7fuUcJoD8alMCHFp1JCHzeneEdqx2rb8twdY1KLmKez4gB-S2oaQjosliYqDUuEiGkYit5cN16DcSh_qMgsJ/w640-h480/P1010650%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>The acting and singing were excellent - the Queen Rat, the Dame, the Cat and actor who played three parts (Fairy Fee, Nance and The Contessa of Petiti) stood out for Chris and I. The costumes were just brilliant and as over the top as you would expect at any decent panto. As for the set design - what can I say, but that we were in awe of Pip's talent and so many hours of hard work. The level of detail is quite extraordinary. It was worth every minute of your blood, sweat and tears, Pip. There is a display area celebrating 50 years of panto at Chipping Norton which included one of Pip's models which is 1/25th of the real thing and accurate in every detail.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsF2PBmbZD9tqBOEsFmpIP9f4sGbvZ5AHMHsZ_eRMTY_c--viY1JgN6zOhe0tSTq3Uqxj6uWmXO9DWRHpNSbY-zbdh06zElC1GCGaTZDzHJhACjJqWYNLwkGFbaO82G2czzYJccNitwoC_ilw4zRFSOqcEDYMxZEJHLvotzIcNslElkGWCpivd0wqB/s1800/P1010651%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsF2PBmbZD9tqBOEsFmpIP9f4sGbvZ5AHMHsZ_eRMTY_c--viY1JgN6zOhe0tSTq3Uqxj6uWmXO9DWRHpNSbY-zbdh06zElC1GCGaTZDzHJhACjJqWYNLwkGFbaO82G2czzYJccNitwoC_ilw4zRFSOqcEDYMxZEJHLvotzIcNslElkGWCpivd0wqB/w640-h480/P1010651%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>None of us had ever been to the theatre in Chipping Norton before. I had no pre-conceived ideas, but was surprised at just how small it is. It leads to great intimacy and I would urge anyone who lives close enough to go. Even it you have to travel, the Premier Inn is a good place to stay. There has been talk of making this an annual Cleddau/Tentatrice event!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QBuVVo5yYB4o2e86qWqwZDDVicLK_Ef4VKt-c_fI-7tN6nQZ3R-Ul6eVS98NTK3cyP9EssxJS6ubEAzTsKgMm1WImMEWxT3Xv5awttTwU5FpNFuNoYZxzMbNqJGVx5WQdVWUXExi0dSNEWp80XUoJbuTdtYobDa1xMoSQN_hTiUVS56La-1N5n1r/s1800/P1010649%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QBuVVo5yYB4o2e86qWqwZDDVicLK_Ef4VKt-c_fI-7tN6nQZ3R-Ul6eVS98NTK3cyP9EssxJS6ubEAzTsKgMm1WImMEWxT3Xv5awttTwU5FpNFuNoYZxzMbNqJGVx5WQdVWUXExi0dSNEWp80XUoJbuTdtYobDa1xMoSQN_hTiUVS56La-1N5n1r/w640-h480/P1010649%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken looking back from row C in the stalls</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The evening was rounded off with dinner in The Blue Boar just round the corner from the theatre. <div><br /></div><div>Some months ago we ordered solar panels which we were told would arrive in October. A phone call advised us that it would now be November. Then suddenly last week Chris got a call saying the scaffolding would be erected on Friday 25th November - this is my current view from my craft room/study/spare room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOZKHaHU_RTEOhxSEsMFAHa0fIgbYWFQiite-jw7p2Cib2CAT-VwOvy8AIF_NjCjsecR0YHu57Rn_itWKhP8l_SogJZmXqJ0-FcDvDSpaLkYPIHU5-7nmqLrZ3Zdm0d8bjKdfJ7HyGeTPPmZ949hF21DXsdVZPc1-BfUsJtlXAR5cww50HBk-uYFH/s1800/P1010641%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOZKHaHU_RTEOhxSEsMFAHa0fIgbYWFQiite-jw7p2Cib2CAT-VwOvy8AIF_NjCjsecR0YHu57Rn_itWKhP8l_SogJZmXqJ0-FcDvDSpaLkYPIHU5-7nmqLrZ3Zdm0d8bjKdfJ7HyGeTPPmZ949hF21DXsdVZPc1-BfUsJtlXAR5cww50HBk-uYFH/w640-h480/P1010641%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The panels were going to arrive at 08:00 on Monday 27th ready for installation starting that day. That meant a 06:00 start on Monday to get home in time until Chris got another call to say they were very sorry, but that the earliest they would be there was midday - Phew! It meant we could enjoy breakfast with Sue and Ken before heading home. It is now 17:45 on Wednesday 30th November and we are still waiting for the panels which we gather have not arrived yet! Watch this space.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a very successful trip and rounded off my 'theatrical November' in style with the added bonus of a catch up with Sue and Ken. I miss the days of sailing around together for several months over the spring, summer and autumn. C'est la vie. </div><div><br /></div><div>We will be seeing the family over Christmas. I don't think anything of great note will occur (unless we do actually get the panels!) before the New Year, so I will wish you all a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2023.<br /><p><br /></p></div>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-53920228061676373912022-11-20T09:57:00.001-08:002022-11-20T10:02:00.382-08:00An Unwanted Gift in September, a lost October and a better November!<p>Continuing from where I left off last time - Chris came home from hospital with a bit of a cough and cold which we assumed was a hang over from the infection that had made him so ill. It was only when I became ill at the weekend and was so poorly by the following Tuesday that either of us thought to do a covid test. The only place it could have come from was the hospital! At one time Chris was on a ward that had bays with covid patients, so I guess we should not have been surprised. Thankfully, Chris was hardly affected by it and although it took me a while to get back to full fitness (well as good as it gets these days), all is well with both of us now.</p><p>We had been due to have our covid booster and flu jabs the day Chris was taken to hospital. The next date was the 13th October, but that had to be delayed as you cannot have them within a month of having covid. We are now due on 30th November and hope it will be third time lucky! October was almost a non-event for us, but things are back to normal now. November has turned out (well for me at least) to be 'Theatre month'. Our daughter, daughter in law and I went to Birmingham on 5th November to see The Mousetrap, which is on it's 70th anniversary tour of the UK. An evening we all enjoyed.</p><p>The day before yesterday, our daughter and I went for our second Mother/Daughter weekend away (Malvern last year). We caught the train to London. We found a really lovely Italian restaurant for lunch on Friday after which we slowly made our way to the Airbnb apartment we had booked. We wandered past Buckingham Palace. The King was not in residence. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnao6LQzCItBAgR3oJiaVHEmTerdA8PLMQsAkNZsW3rJdeP8sgc50cu5yNDWiFoVXP4MCrGFU1Kl_yjXhkvrfSe2Aq2oG-frMAdhTPM35y8StH6b_CUyRv53qpnGNYOPApmSyUT1DKCOnuOp5u_w-kSZ2Qoj3hntKNLL0omaRZ4vSfF-3CtipVpxs/s1800/01_Buckingham%20Palace%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnao6LQzCItBAgR3oJiaVHEmTerdA8PLMQsAkNZsW3rJdeP8sgc50cu5yNDWiFoVXP4MCrGFU1Kl_yjXhkvrfSe2Aq2oG-frMAdhTPM35y8StH6b_CUyRv53qpnGNYOPApmSyUT1DKCOnuOp5u_w-kSZ2Qoj3hntKNLL0omaRZ4vSfF-3CtipVpxs/w640-h480/01_Buckingham%20Palace%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Then along Bird Cage Walk to catch a bus to the apartment. I have known for years that there are many wild parakeets in London, but have never seen them at such close range before. What he/she would not do, was look round to face me!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wYVJzmQi1uHKBIbMfpBKnCVfLY_AF-vB81-a1lmoWAGpCB51NM-uuQ3Ilf80dHA07nssOzgfQTHqzpg_XdI4mDaOckHHKXXy1I7PRbMhPGcKgqTC8FqnCygcxFIPv8Y9QD1WWQ-VyY_flXHWrDIuQy171J76vxqSA-MNCoKBcNqdNcArCMctgVAY/s1800/03_St%20Jame;s%20Park%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wYVJzmQi1uHKBIbMfpBKnCVfLY_AF-vB81-a1lmoWAGpCB51NM-uuQ3Ilf80dHA07nssOzgfQTHqzpg_XdI4mDaOckHHKXXy1I7PRbMhPGcKgqTC8FqnCygcxFIPv8Y9QD1WWQ-VyY_flXHWrDIuQy171J76vxqSA-MNCoKBcNqdNcArCMctgVAY/w640-h480/03_St%20Jame;s%20Park%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>What also surprised me was the girth of the squirrels - they are obviously very well fed by the many tourists in London.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqay-b9UJB5I1DV6iv6tDyeuTDPD2IZwgqyTauB7B0LynYRpnKxlP-idmDw7ksJLiG8dVaCWnCF6isXDpQmCkJ5TjZ0b_I-tPXdPeeHqCvV-YzlHeJidNX9ngmxv4Umpe1OY_Ltwk3UdE3K1gvcjBbp_HCK6lSIe--JmLmqvc3TxID8ZI5RqKVRlm/s1800/02_St%20Jame;s%20Park%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqay-b9UJB5I1DV6iv6tDyeuTDPD2IZwgqyTauB7B0LynYRpnKxlP-idmDw7ksJLiG8dVaCWnCF6isXDpQmCkJ5TjZ0b_I-tPXdPeeHqCvV-YzlHeJidNX9ngmxv4Umpe1OY_Ltwk3UdE3K1gvcjBbp_HCK6lSIe--JmLmqvc3TxID8ZI5RqKVRlm/w640-h480/02_St%20Jame;s%20Park%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p>I grew up just south of London, so catching a red London bus was the normal means of transport locally when it was too far to walk or cycle, however, the last time I caught a bus in Central London was getting on for 60 years ago when travelling with an Aunt who worked in London, so knew exactly which bus went where. I have always used the tube as there is far less chance of me getting lost (I have no sense of direction), however, these days I have to consider two arthritic knees. The tube means a lot of walking along underground passageways and also many steps up and down, so we decided to be brave and give the bus a go. What a revelation it was to find it is so easy these days - call up Google or Apple maps, put in your destination and it tells you which bus stop to go to, the number of the bus, all the stops including the one you are aiming for. Once on the bus they either have a visual display of which stop you are approaching or a recorded message, sometimes both. Gone are the days of asking the conductor to tell you when you have got there! They were so easy and the biggest bonus for me was I was able to use my bus pass and travel free! The views are also a lot more interesting than on the tube.</p><p>The bus stop was also a much shorter walk to the Airbnb. The area itself was not that salubrious, but the apartment was very modern and first rate - it was a penthouse on the 8th floor. It was situated just south of The Elephant and Castle, so not quite central London prices! Neither of us were disturbed by proximity of the trains overnight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBNoZD_xR6afnK4zQ8C7-Efc4hMREvcYa6v2pHX68nhj5EGOEts6D8UU4h2-4jtso8SM-_DATT9AtbwjIXcaleOhKl7fv2YK7CN5gKA3JpeW5vrigEmYXaYF0by2Jtxg2o1eax977vLRBdy2x9_aZslft0yaLY1QllF01kpv47U1yEtbXo1HZmaZ6/s1800/04_View%20from%20Apartment%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBNoZD_xR6afnK4zQ8C7-Efc4hMREvcYa6v2pHX68nhj5EGOEts6D8UU4h2-4jtso8SM-_DATT9AtbwjIXcaleOhKl7fv2YK7CN5gKA3JpeW5vrigEmYXaYF0by2Jtxg2o1eax977vLRBdy2x9_aZslft0yaLY1QllF01kpv47U1yEtbXo1HZmaZ6/w640-h480/04_View%20from%20Apartment%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WdozpXnyUp_lUM0L-fomYIvvOdgBJkG8V679C68hGaisIb4mFgui5YRNj3UFDEBhWviB1maySAOz5clgyQYKxUw-HdV2vPek96JM-LFgeDz3IkjsF08OihyFuxBfnUJBh_nTjCU0RYCrS8WndT82H89FJ_xIDAR3e2o33coRhhEeLtHThU15HqJb/s1800/05_View%20from%20apartment%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WdozpXnyUp_lUM0L-fomYIvvOdgBJkG8V679C68hGaisIb4mFgui5YRNj3UFDEBhWviB1maySAOz5clgyQYKxUw-HdV2vPek96JM-LFgeDz3IkjsF08OihyFuxBfnUJBh_nTjCU0RYCrS8WndT82H89FJ_xIDAR3e2o33coRhhEeLtHThU15HqJb/w640-h480/05_View%20from%20apartment%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Sunset Friday evening promised we would have a fine day on Saturday<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdGIu-KsT-lZLpt97xRe0EKk0R9Wq2djFfgIEDpzCZCSBGFIzPhbBGA497_3VQI4nTb3XZtBAR-tvSIgO8G1AEoY8agMhUXVBoVcRZNdK2LWUiWGrYO5e467Huxezgcxuv8EYLIvY1AY2NwKH_ByB3_mE_lMLXM_Zx-waKB6TPYF9hYsvPSn0tGrg/s1800/06_Sunset_18Nov2022%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdGIu-KsT-lZLpt97xRe0EKk0R9Wq2djFfgIEDpzCZCSBGFIzPhbBGA497_3VQI4nTb3XZtBAR-tvSIgO8G1AEoY8agMhUXVBoVcRZNdK2LWUiWGrYO5e467Huxezgcxuv8EYLIvY1AY2NwKH_ByB3_mE_lMLXM_Zx-waKB6TPYF9hYsvPSn0tGrg/w640-h480/06_Sunset_18Nov2022%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Friday evening we headed back on the bus to County Hall. On our way we diverted along the bank of the Thames on the Westminster side to find the Battle of Britain Memorial which Chris and I stumbled across some years ago, which is when I took the following photos. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXzBIKcs9QLkj5Grr2Ivak1yb1mrOSoAet45IeutKkMyxjb_xsp9kBxvMs8KXccNrjj1gWuOW3xnPkBzlBGI4Y9wKiX4BuehlJe6i3dNmeSGI7d9D6E1hlxz2sttnX6uWfWRVm8BjDbPSL8QAH33G4rerg9LAYNqV45XQBj4p3tnHWBMLR_fxcStI/s1152/06a%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1152" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXzBIKcs9QLkj5Grr2Ivak1yb1mrOSoAet45IeutKkMyxjb_xsp9kBxvMs8KXccNrjj1gWuOW3xnPkBzlBGI4Y9wKiX4BuehlJe6i3dNmeSGI7d9D6E1hlxz2sttnX6uWfWRVm8BjDbPSL8QAH33G4rerg9LAYNqV45XQBj4p3tnHWBMLR_fxcStI/w640-h480/06a%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It lists the names of all the aircrew who took part in the Battle of Britain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQZ-5vYsjD9fN-zgk7YghwTSBDW3ZCQrEltJgCICnxZumpPYp9bPFsGkRceiAm6deUFEeJEWPU-UiDWreeObD2KvIIZpvLLkWQDmdZZ3oVBZxOV6kU9b8TJan9D0M15ZtnLG4rXz6gQ9R2c-ESU4CmyHcDM6-7X7WRJip37epNaxmxj0Gx3rljMtZ/s1920/P1090196%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQZ-5vYsjD9fN-zgk7YghwTSBDW3ZCQrEltJgCICnxZumpPYp9bPFsGkRceiAm6deUFEeJEWPU-UiDWreeObD2KvIIZpvLLkWQDmdZZ3oVBZxOV6kU9b8TJan9D0M15ZtnLG4rXz6gQ9R2c-ESU4CmyHcDM6-7X7WRJip37epNaxmxj0Gx3rljMtZ/w640-h480/P1090196%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted to show Sarah her Grandfather's name (Sgt F Gash)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNRsbA8AMWkWP1Hscz45EGpVA88m86_h4GmlJPMYleApjmmTEZNVTZbvn6D1yC1gidyH4sC8_y26ReDWLIBowhB8TZARRxVMpRo0li8cTKpnDcKRfAuUU5r8Zzxq8_cZyxTja0TaCC_Sgcjaws-PiKYdEiolcpSwm7A2lUF3sxTJpBdZtvas818x6/s1152/06b%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1152" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNRsbA8AMWkWP1Hscz45EGpVA88m86_h4GmlJPMYleApjmmTEZNVTZbvn6D1yC1gidyH4sC8_y26ReDWLIBowhB8TZARRxVMpRo0li8cTKpnDcKRfAuUU5r8Zzxq8_cZyxTja0TaCC_Sgcjaws-PiKYdEiolcpSwm7A2lUF3sxTJpBdZtvas818x6/w400-h300/06b%20(Copy).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>and that of his pilot (F/O FD Hughes). Chris's Dad was a rear gunner on Defiants - he and Des Hughes were rare survivors of those on the Defiant Squadrons. We did take some pictures on Friday, but the monument is not lit up and the photos were a bit dark.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWq4sUE4MRGgjnTj-sZU8ydswKUXgcs72FrpydRPisy0-fH6jVFdAMySmA2zlPqc6dQ1Nw_KJKjacH9R35pdShQs-iXeTyfq0Ohze1X12TbaBEbpKXSZXPU6pUztt9Z8x-p2l4LxHvHoHtNB5nK7R6Gp8lBNys_gdlcxBMKAEdLLF92CkCwNYVw5O/s1152/06c%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWq4sUE4MRGgjnTj-sZU8ydswKUXgcs72FrpydRPisy0-fH6jVFdAMySmA2zlPqc6dQ1Nw_KJKjacH9R35pdShQs-iXeTyfq0Ohze1X12TbaBEbpKXSZXPU6pUztt9Z8x-p2l4LxHvHoHtNB5nK7R6Gp8lBNys_gdlcxBMKAEdLLF92CkCwNYVw5O/s320/06c%20(Copy).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Other London views on our way to County Hall<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_avzzLpyciSMmMEB0w3q0AflZHpf99PXKKim_7XecQUJ8jwF5q5lv5wfjAZX1A0SVc-5l_ZWAp3IOLx52RL8DQE9hOQRaEDAkR9m2DzcWBbQbHaoa_vsYgsekU32WEUoEDzy5x8NuCA48gJz7IfQJAXgOwkR_a9cIPw4GaYyi0nyp44e0Bc377A4m/s1407/07_Palace%20of%20Westminster%20(Copy).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1407" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_avzzLpyciSMmMEB0w3q0AflZHpf99PXKKim_7XecQUJ8jwF5q5lv5wfjAZX1A0SVc-5l_ZWAp3IOLx52RL8DQE9hOQRaEDAkR9m2DzcWBbQbHaoa_vsYgsekU32WEUoEDzy5x8NuCA48gJz7IfQJAXgOwkR_a9cIPw4GaYyi0nyp44e0Bc377A4m/w640-h480/07_Palace%20of%20Westminster%20(Copy).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLW_7hAF5uNtIiq9nZWQdHdIpAbr3KzyDv9KNC-5YOVkP8Kqq1POyy5WEEi-j2ojjp9qIzZcLVvInMJGOCmZiIyVTmgVVy-IqCLumuPuoLSitGb10bjJ8BIeNlzOJTUkQAHvvcrIA27hACSBgH7EoB8mx-Jnx_1_WnU2Oi3vv9AvejLa2IwZ3YEzt/s1381/08_The%20Eye%20(Copy).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1381" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLW_7hAF5uNtIiq9nZWQdHdIpAbr3KzyDv9KNC-5YOVkP8Kqq1POyy5WEEi-j2ojjp9qIzZcLVvInMJGOCmZiIyVTmgVVy-IqCLumuPuoLSitGb10bjJ8BIeNlzOJTUkQAHvvcrIA27hACSBgH7EoB8mx-Jnx_1_WnU2Oi3vv9AvejLa2IwZ3YEzt/w640-h480/08_The%20Eye%20(Copy).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Another surprising wildlife sight that evening was a fox just ambling along a quite busy road without a care in the world! </div><div><br /></div>So why County Hall on a Friday night? It is no longer Council offices and what was the main council chamber is currently being used as a setting for a production of 'Witness for the Prosecution'. As with The Mousetrap, I am sworn to secrecy about the ending. All I will say is that was very good and well worth going to see. The view below was taken from our seats (we were early arriving - it was full before the production started).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnUVSbgzVaq62mkebUNcrcbhwCF7h-hXEX5anX1ntcKM6CuANALaRxA8j2Ne60d5QfuydMRviYbRUKr0c5a8mHtjc5Qz7yaxk-HuruTFbFAcrJSrh_ekar7l9iLs5MnFszXhu_IBEWe_Gj9M4aEXvsNrgpEqlC6Pc5GXhdNlThe6bCSXJypzqBMZK/s1364/09_County%20Hall%20(Copy).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1364" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnUVSbgzVaq62mkebUNcrcbhwCF7h-hXEX5anX1ntcKM6CuANALaRxA8j2Ne60d5QfuydMRviYbRUKr0c5a8mHtjc5Qz7yaxk-HuruTFbFAcrJSrh_ekar7l9iLs5MnFszXhu_IBEWe_Gj9M4aEXvsNrgpEqlC6Pc5GXhdNlThe6bCSXJypzqBMZK/w640-h480/09_County%20Hall%20(Copy).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Saturday did dawn relatively bright and once again we were off on the bus. This time to....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KpbrHYkJJGyCaLacA2gcJqPq0gHN0RhN_NUMW73XEisfnNRNuOaspWMwBJnduH9Q65d68NICcTUewG97hsjRqNB9Ii6U-BS31lVHiZcJkQIbEa_DnFKyIi4gUel6-2IGdUyiy52FL4m9WiVX7O0bigIOqYkdwXEQD1YVztJx_Djog6QmtCbcraCG/s1635/011_Sky%20Garden%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1571" data-original-width="1635" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KpbrHYkJJGyCaLacA2gcJqPq0gHN0RhN_NUMW73XEisfnNRNuOaspWMwBJnduH9Q65d68NICcTUewG97hsjRqNB9Ii6U-BS31lVHiZcJkQIbEa_DnFKyIi4gUel6-2IGdUyiy52FL4m9WiVX7O0bigIOqYkdwXEQD1YVztJx_Djog6QmtCbcraCG/w640-h614/011_Sky%20Garden%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div>which is at the top of The Walkie Talkie building - not an easy thing to photograph from below! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-YXq25bgGieJfvYV88cygPMqInaUklWODjpbnSnbAkIH1o0PS2XPSrEkSzn5hmLI59ldfpDmrrhtofAD4wjFS1kFI0RhC1_BGBlJT5xNw8pTVbCIqjfTN6QNd1ZtD8aQJR_U61W24iGEh0Q-T1vH1Yngs8hX5xMYmrDHp0z_mFxNNiZafDXgEGbh/s1800/012_Walkie%20Talkie%20buidling%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-YXq25bgGieJfvYV88cygPMqInaUklWODjpbnSnbAkIH1o0PS2XPSrEkSzn5hmLI59ldfpDmrrhtofAD4wjFS1kFI0RhC1_BGBlJT5xNw8pTVbCIqjfTN6QNd1ZtD8aQJR_U61W24iGEh0Q-T1vH1Yngs8hX5xMYmrDHp0z_mFxNNiZafDXgEGbh/w640-h480/012_Walkie%20Talkie%20buidling%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The gardens are free to enter, but you do have to book online ahead of time. We had, however, decided to treat ourselves to the five course tasting menu in the restaurant on the 37th floor. We were told to take ID (it was never asked for), but you do have to go through Airport type security on arrival. A lift whisks you up to the 35th floor where you can wander round to admire the gardens and the views. As you will see, it was a little murky, but at least it was not pouring with rain.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagjAEDEThjb4BxSovwQO0zGA9190xEqL3_5YIBBCYP_lZNlM94UsKzN6bDDeHzz86DeG3RbyYBRGizhRwpMw8-nmGUCZeEBMdzoR-_ull5581HHzvdFEOPigKkkUKW7dLtvOiNIujaNXajqtTSgzniTyC_Z-bIbWciie4PGON2YkZjtSpFcgXkcqf/s1867/013_The%20Shard%20(Copy).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1867" data-original-width="1400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagjAEDEThjb4BxSovwQO0zGA9190xEqL3_5YIBBCYP_lZNlM94UsKzN6bDDeHzz86DeG3RbyYBRGizhRwpMw8-nmGUCZeEBMdzoR-_ull5581HHzvdFEOPigKkkUKW7dLtvOiNIujaNXajqtTSgzniTyC_Z-bIbWciie4PGON2YkZjtSpFcgXkcqf/w480-h640/013_The%20Shard%20(Copy).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0NYqsXpgxqkoEOC48vr71Fa71hesRpSZk_V4ZX5TVS_EJtBnPMYrvXsnGn2HP0YjypqWpEP6XmrHtoPzh1An5nupWlEtrlnm4nLD3CO8uhwh8fWFW1qyKecbA8uAazcJNrBImf93OHF8l_AE3tcCm9X3fLGcuNPL373Bs_duv7ViTgVtE7MYJH5a/s1290/014_HMS%20Belfast%20(Copy).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1290" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0NYqsXpgxqkoEOC48vr71Fa71hesRpSZk_V4ZX5TVS_EJtBnPMYrvXsnGn2HP0YjypqWpEP6XmrHtoPzh1An5nupWlEtrlnm4nLD3CO8uhwh8fWFW1qyKecbA8uAazcJNrBImf93OHF8l_AE3tcCm9X3fLGcuNPL373Bs_duv7ViTgVtE7MYJH5a/w640-h480/014_HMS%20Belfast%20(Copy).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMPd9yv9mW91JezO5u_2OGeFCFNS86X7l5x468ohhUyqASUTQ64IhwMazrgXPFznYE0WGDwIVJ3HeEqq2oqtkeoZ6kgqvzcP0GnOC4NZQTJ5QFisWvekJ6jrvXed78yRg18unNUSbWk9Mcr3q4XxTUAfj1NqccotbT9woV4iOlVM-neAkK8ErnlPY/s1800/015_Tower%20Bridge%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMPd9yv9mW91JezO5u_2OGeFCFNS86X7l5x468ohhUyqASUTQ64IhwMazrgXPFznYE0WGDwIVJ3HeEqq2oqtkeoZ6kgqvzcP0GnOC4NZQTJ5QFisWvekJ6jrvXed78yRg18unNUSbWk9Mcr3q4XxTUAfj1NqccotbT9woV4iOlVM-neAkK8ErnlPY/w640-h480/015_Tower%20Bridge%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMVmL266xDdR-2m6cUDRJ8NIQGm_bAxLJziX1V97_cnhCR6ntLFc-ifOZCgPfjEDguLylEyEZMPILvKg3vAVNrRn7FghU1ha4Zn7P2U8G7vtQCFAW8wUUSA-zI0LVN8V5q2cN8KO4ChN9ixmizlFDhrBFtDyjvARtScrvymLrUhvjghywR0PwXd1v/s1800/016_The%20Tower%20of%20London%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMVmL266xDdR-2m6cUDRJ8NIQGm_bAxLJziX1V97_cnhCR6ntLFc-ifOZCgPfjEDguLylEyEZMPILvKg3vAVNrRn7FghU1ha4Zn7P2U8G7vtQCFAW8wUUSA-zI0LVN8V5q2cN8KO4ChN9ixmizlFDhrBFtDyjvARtScrvymLrUhvjghywR0PwXd1v/w640-h480/016_The%20Tower%20of%20London%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu9RWDp_er6z_R4DRWN4Bje8VR-4bFJREO4EoSR05CCC-5NI4e6ZUACmdgsBSuNKiHlVR6qYESTmFWKduxCph0HOncSsYivGXUvFqJObcsV3_3lrCRhn7kRczko5z0Nzlk9AS872d5bA5sAz6SIMwYZajI7QvVwwgBaTjFM4sj_3kySM0D_-Vg0SD/s1800/017_View%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu9RWDp_er6z_R4DRWN4Bje8VR-4bFJREO4EoSR05CCC-5NI4e6ZUACmdgsBSuNKiHlVR6qYESTmFWKduxCph0HOncSsYivGXUvFqJObcsV3_3lrCRhn7kRczko5z0Nzlk9AS872d5bA5sAz6SIMwYZajI7QvVwwgBaTjFM4sj_3kySM0D_-Vg0SD/w640-h480/017_View%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We were just making up way up the final two floors to the restaurant when the fire alarm sounded and we were told to evacuate the building! It could only happen to Sarah and I! Many years ago we had gone Christmas shopping and were in Oxford Street when the world went mad - suddenly from a relatively quiet street there were sirens coming from all directions and the road was full of ambulances, police cars and fire engines - there had been a notification of a bomb in three different stores given by the IRA. It was just a scare, but naturally Oxford Street was shut for most of the day. Bearing in mind there were a lot of people in the Sky Garden and we were 35 floors up, the evacuation was very ordered and there was no panic. My over riding issue was the thought of going down 35 flights of stairs - it would have taken me quite a long time and would have been very painful. Getting less able folks out has been catered for - they have a 'fire brigade lift' operated by an employee - it took, me, a young man in a leg brace and on crutches and two Mums with children too small to make the trek down, but too big to carry. Sarah did the long descent and said that it was all very well ordered with no panic. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVfZy5lEM7A2lgHetO52bBdpfpwyuaKMZVFGq1BPgSwLCgIaoTTwHzseDNCIH8BPzuPJLSbegP0citIqVI3URKMguBPPdo18ij5OQZGQ9JXzDIKwqsEf-iT0Gmy0pxpdMAxKyhlwY9HCoCKFPP7N9W_qVoVv5K7a9b4OJ7mEvIrdGHVQIJicOAPCl/s1800/018_Heading%20up%20to%20the%20Restaurant%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVfZy5lEM7A2lgHetO52bBdpfpwyuaKMZVFGq1BPgSwLCgIaoTTwHzseDNCIH8BPzuPJLSbegP0citIqVI3URKMguBPPdo18ij5OQZGQ9JXzDIKwqsEf-iT0Gmy0pxpdMAxKyhlwY9HCoCKFPP7N9W_qVoVv5K7a9b4OJ7mEvIrdGHVQIJicOAPCl/w640-h480/018_Heading%20up%20to%20the%20Restaurant%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Just as Sarah made it out the London Fire Brigade arrived in force.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEEnGxzRLwaJqhnmAtbWOuOyHJ7QXI-Fr8p5auI4IxTaxprib528aSWHTkhYKjwWd_5nvPjoLBcKaWDyUJcG3CbFmlNbSVC3tR9Fghd6VKvEkHF-NbGO7aR2GCK43BIKreEcjpsOEE1myBTpUE8uZ6-_paPPwA88u7j1LFpWDAOYxZ9hVts3_ZyC1/s1800/019_LFB%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEEnGxzRLwaJqhnmAtbWOuOyHJ7QXI-Fr8p5auI4IxTaxprib528aSWHTkhYKjwWd_5nvPjoLBcKaWDyUJcG3CbFmlNbSVC3tR9Fghd6VKvEkHF-NbGO7aR2GCK43BIKreEcjpsOEE1myBTpUE8uZ6-_paPPwA88u7j1LFpWDAOYxZ9hVts3_ZyC1/w640-h480/019_LFB%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkU3vqu6aVmaxMBou2OQ7bOZBCWiumFCPski5U-Vd51kf11kQKLT6x-Dhnn-ZhnWbAV9ut2zMO9yI0mKw23L0CSy5_8GsgcBNtolqKFKIY-I2n9XV-QYXtA2pbVcVIDyzzU5K9IaD0V80RKzMNMyAnel71EDBQDcvexHHppOdhHVH-q35k0qVnpTX/s2179/020_LFB%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2179" data-original-width="1971" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkU3vqu6aVmaxMBou2OQ7bOZBCWiumFCPski5U-Vd51kf11kQKLT6x-Dhnn-ZhnWbAV9ut2zMO9yI0mKw23L0CSy5_8GsgcBNtolqKFKIY-I2n9XV-QYXtA2pbVcVIDyzzU5K9IaD0V80RKzMNMyAnel71EDBQDcvexHHppOdhHVH-q35k0qVnpTX/w578-h640/020_LFB%20(Copy).JPG" width="578" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaO4Obt7OMdUAL3XIgmDITd3j6oMA_6ovCS8-1F_xAmRGyMeileIHyqYlDpWDBMI1P-bJqbDoPBIO8iQHUOlfwH-OjjVYIWgbgWE9Bx5VxW6IZHplHRoatFEZM8SyEGWBlUUO8slA7ncvrueACQcclfQXxlK5IuFAX1qpiP6iv8x9rz7eN1eGfHU2/s2202/021_LFB%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1582" data-original-width="2202" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaO4Obt7OMdUAL3XIgmDITd3j6oMA_6ovCS8-1F_xAmRGyMeileIHyqYlDpWDBMI1P-bJqbDoPBIO8iQHUOlfwH-OjjVYIWgbgWE9Bx5VxW6IZHplHRoatFEZM8SyEGWBlUUO8slA7ncvrueACQcclfQXxlK5IuFAX1qpiP6iv8x9rz7eN1eGfHU2/w640-h460/021_LFB%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We ended up waiting (with many others) for about an hour. The fire was a real fire and it transpired it was in the restaurant we were booked into and it would not be opening up for the rest of the day! The reservations manager assured us that we would not be charged for non attendance and that we will get an invite back if we can make it. Sarah did have the presence of mind to ask for a recommendation of where to have lunch and he pointed us in the direction of<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRdhpEHdd0QvbZshnEDYztN1ClRN3UJ4JxleXVsTqQ-TPwiIyxvFilMMtdum61xLroaRG76-OKrGfThBN-drIwWUCmH5cmwO28d2wDvnNkMqHXouFnMdzfaGRMcKqRwnMsyM8ayLmFFHuAYIDtiZeAjcXgI1YpCcXviqd6dFDgVvbdl5t-ak3Fskj/s1800/023_The%20Garden%20at%20120%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRdhpEHdd0QvbZshnEDYztN1ClRN3UJ4JxleXVsTqQ-TPwiIyxvFilMMtdum61xLroaRG76-OKrGfThBN-drIwWUCmH5cmwO28d2wDvnNkMqHXouFnMdzfaGRMcKqRwnMsyM8ayLmFFHuAYIDtiZeAjcXgI1YpCcXviqd6dFDgVvbdl5t-ak3Fskj/w480-h640/023_The%20Garden%20at%20120%20(Copy).JPG" width="480" /></a></div>It is only on the 14th floor, but it does have some garden areas <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWWntiNOlgByOagWv3MZX8HjvD6J01u0bcYIXQ1j7qAHf1ytA19DmzWLFcB_JwcUhCWkN5bQ5oW90yoaq1JJlNPkanemIYL4HErx5Lc69jUWp0jjzbetfiwheEq7usSpL7T7DVAn12dO3LV3lvpqKHuZgWVcClOQrZ0U4H5neGC0uYsdwesjg4HMy/s1800/024_The%20Gardens%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWWntiNOlgByOagWv3MZX8HjvD6J01u0bcYIXQ1j7qAHf1ytA19DmzWLFcB_JwcUhCWkN5bQ5oW90yoaq1JJlNPkanemIYL4HErx5Lc69jUWp0jjzbetfiwheEq7usSpL7T7DVAn12dO3LV3lvpqKHuZgWVcClOQrZ0U4H5neGC0uYsdwesjg4HMy/w640-h480/024_The%20Gardens%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsVJz8uzLpVSVFRkQlEFvt1rUimJ3Ud0HZK4MYMiI99mRj8toDOVzwSx2_Dw4RUp1RpsOEpP0T3jkJ7J-3UKegMgz_z8Y7-NGI7T3-nmkUE03oxqS32T1rINfV3tGbL5f8Lz0ksBlHciKHV7ZpILO3kJICYQvf3rBWWfUmN8oiLS2fP1pdAia3GRm/s1800/026_The%20Gardens%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsVJz8uzLpVSVFRkQlEFvt1rUimJ3Ud0HZK4MYMiI99mRj8toDOVzwSx2_Dw4RUp1RpsOEpP0T3jkJ7J-3UKegMgz_z8Y7-NGI7T3-nmkUE03oxqS32T1rINfV3tGbL5f8Lz0ksBlHciKHV7ZpILO3kJICYQvf3rBWWfUmN8oiLS2fP1pdAia3GRm/w640-h480/026_The%20Gardens%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and views - the Gherkin was not visible from the Sky Garden</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPme-ovJSlx6iK0EnIMofnHEmU1suB_G4aWas_bYXFx5Cud6emN7JnUmjUk6VCeON1vQsYXDfyBbPUN_CATotEtPgrUy0X5Gca69eN8R8Clpu4WQFx5if6fykUKX92MyIC5BXFZFAiMDlPTYridskOyqAifrTA71BxyDvAylBPSwvXtvU4tGP7mQF/s1800/025_The%20Gardens%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPme-ovJSlx6iK0EnIMofnHEmU1suB_G4aWas_bYXFx5Cud6emN7JnUmjUk6VCeON1vQsYXDfyBbPUN_CATotEtPgrUy0X5Gca69eN8R8Clpu4WQFx5if6fykUKX92MyIC5BXFZFAiMDlPTYridskOyqAifrTA71BxyDvAylBPSwvXtvU4tGP7mQF/w480-h640/025_The%20Gardens%20(Copy).JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>including a great view of where we should have been having lunch!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-JI0OPGXQGeGzR7S6UfXMBxtHgrVzGqBRKwnSJiC2-C6z-C6IgJocZgVS0B5VibZuaI_v0iwwVqWUKbeGsdYU_Ol0gvP0gJ5cKJ1MTshBy3Mv92Iop6DP_-kJBk1N3NYqJ1lkPyQesqyl206CWRyo5Isk6ZlZ1_Oes4cuTe-QFOKIT_MAlD91wOM/s1575/027_The%20Walkie%20Talkie%20(Copy).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="1181" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-JI0OPGXQGeGzR7S6UfXMBxtHgrVzGqBRKwnSJiC2-C6z-C6IgJocZgVS0B5VibZuaI_v0iwwVqWUKbeGsdYU_Ol0gvP0gJ5cKJ1MTshBy3Mv92Iop6DP_-kJBk1N3NYqJ1lkPyQesqyl206CWRyo5Isk6ZlZ1_Oes4cuTe-QFOKIT_MAlD91wOM/w480-h640/027_The%20Walkie%20Talkie%20(Copy).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>By the time we had finished our late (but really good) lunch, we just made our way slowly back to the apartment via Borough Market where we picked up some bread and cheese and then a bottle of wine at our local Co-op for a quiet night in together. <div><br /></div><div>All we had to do this morning was pack up and get a couple of buses to take us back to Marylebone to catch the train home after a really successful weekend together. The bus took longer than the tube, but we saw a lot of sights along the way including Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and Regents Street. </div><div><br /></div><div>The icing on the cake when I got home - plantation blinds were fitted into our conservatory on Friday. We are both really pleased with the result. We had a new 'proper' roof fitted in July which has meant we now have a room we can use without freezing in winter and boiling in the summer. All that is left to do now is buy a rug for the floor, a few 'nick nacks' for the window sills and something to put on the one solid wall.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-7vD8Aige2hNwzziTWn1sT4FwYG-gkZmcN-luQrcH7GtOucwITFlBF6AgGO2zJxFsiDvH0jP7Fl8lwPdNElLwWwyFaIslosC7HuTMqsWCQ8CeOrrektgW3EuuZGcyBgaA0shHmGKQyNQUlG7GUqhuHlwzBHwm5njT7Lz7LmTYSAA1DZ-DXDGZIDN/s1800/P1010637%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-7vD8Aige2hNwzziTWn1sT4FwYG-gkZmcN-luQrcH7GtOucwITFlBF6AgGO2zJxFsiDvH0jP7Fl8lwPdNElLwWwyFaIslosC7HuTMqsWCQ8CeOrrektgW3EuuZGcyBgaA0shHmGKQyNQUlG7GUqhuHlwzBHwm5njT7Lz7LmTYSAA1DZ-DXDGZIDN/w640-h480/P1010637%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnmkBkEc2Y52A1Wda9v0m8vBrv-D-PG5qMR5OUF33i_6BnAwPXNY0E38BZbmZvBYMWaUW2tnpqUrItMG-1t6OjORX4pEoCoIU4u3xR1iCJJLZnbcfvaWbaM-w-QIdwP64FoDZCiFhYYUA0B0IgHvPMWXfPZEoXt12qLS6XGbuurBOEWf3BP2jzXY5/s1800/P1010638%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnmkBkEc2Y52A1Wda9v0m8vBrv-D-PG5qMR5OUF33i_6BnAwPXNY0E38BZbmZvBYMWaUW2tnpqUrItMG-1t6OjORX4pEoCoIU4u3xR1iCJJLZnbcfvaWbaM-w-QIdwP64FoDZCiFhYYUA0B0IgHvPMWXfPZEoXt12qLS6XGbuurBOEWf3BP2jzXY5/w640-h480/P1010638%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpEiaMVJighp0i0gzQllEZOr6j2Am0Gl6T09-e9jVHJakfSL4ZDieXefK30gKym-KrYj48SinyEK1bY8Zm75bFswK5WsU5ORrXiWmKIm81gsz3GNCIL8667L678qCKzDE921SN3VSSnIsw2jEakpSYgmpxWmme9QUyQoT5IOn5qUVpPfNA6Tr5AjE/s1800/P1010639%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpEiaMVJighp0i0gzQllEZOr6j2Am0Gl6T09-e9jVHJakfSL4ZDieXefK30gKym-KrYj48SinyEK1bY8Zm75bFswK5WsU5ORrXiWmKIm81gsz3GNCIL8667L678qCKzDE921SN3VSSnIsw2jEakpSYgmpxWmme9QUyQoT5IOn5qUVpPfNA6Tr5AjE/w640-h480/P1010639%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-79115007043404020932022-09-30T02:46:00.001-07:002022-09-30T02:46:33.017-07:00Damp Devon and other things<p>I started to write this post in early July, but never finished it! This is a bit of a catch up!</p><p><b><u>24th - 30th June 2022</u></b></p><p><b><u>Instow, Devon </u></b></p><p>Monty went to stay with friends on the Thursday and Chris and I set off for Devon on the Friday only to find that the M5 was similar to the M25 in places - ie stationary. We did, however arrive safely to find that the cottage we had booked for the week did have, as we had hoped, a fantastic view of the sea (well tidal estuary to be more precise). </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmREw9Y-Hg-vU2tbX2OWGpKkPUg72MBBVwQchoZ6GvJcDyStVwBeRtKdbusQAXw2jIVBng1OUtDMxkrr1qfLL4Y7xtrvL72yTz9gZoV8hEmLH8DHM5rh-eFocayOVDmOBuS81VoJkZdWrG9U6apmhh8XgyUNBf2y_GeQhuOhRzf9nlyuZZdJ3oYkNz/s1800/P1010054%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmREw9Y-Hg-vU2tbX2OWGpKkPUg72MBBVwQchoZ6GvJcDyStVwBeRtKdbusQAXw2jIVBng1OUtDMxkrr1qfLL4Y7xtrvL72yTz9gZoV8hEmLH8DHM5rh-eFocayOVDmOBuS81VoJkZdWrG9U6apmhh8XgyUNBf2y_GeQhuOhRzf9nlyuZZdJ3oYkNz/w640-h480/P1010054%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day after we arrived and the only bit of blue sky all week!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoJZ3UL1ufv7dEm-5cHl7vr1B28n1LyambD7tgZHpGgxCgwHtDAheixRaP1bxzDcoMJ22adxrH2Nu-ylfcYa4rALh91AeOyLyJL5vkPc4RYUi7cMBsUjE8YLUH2bPVEBYfqx57e115fpI0skSMGozYy1yaHPLKgZFc9V-3PHSkqhsYu9lpZpduxf4/s1800/P1010055%20(Copy).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoJZ3UL1ufv7dEm-5cHl7vr1B28n1LyambD7tgZHpGgxCgwHtDAheixRaP1bxzDcoMJ22adxrH2Nu-ylfcYa4rALh91AeOyLyJL5vkPc4RYUi7cMBsUjE8YLUH2bPVEBYfqx57e115fpI0skSMGozYy1yaHPLKgZFc9V-3PHSkqhsYu9lpZpduxf4/w480-h640/P1010055%20(Copy).JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9_aV2XcoEz_JXIxMuQhBXDj3BWqKQfMJHJAtil_520Hv3PQl9njD4BBZJ9kKKe-OtmEzOnkNkxqsstNbOlaNFzez9fYexnZ6lIfp6Fx4nNOCiX9i7qTIcW2nm1UAtAWplqLl2KzOBOi3ZLuTrkTFaYVXxEZpOL5OUtTxZGsUGwMrLJWpnCD54PLX/s1032/P1010060%20(Copy).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9_aV2XcoEz_JXIxMuQhBXDj3BWqKQfMJHJAtil_520Hv3PQl9njD4BBZJ9kKKe-OtmEzOnkNkxqsstNbOlaNFzez9fYexnZ6lIfp6Fx4nNOCiX9i7qTIcW2nm1UAtAWplqLl2KzOBOi3ZLuTrkTFaYVXxEZpOL5OUtTxZGsUGwMrLJWpnCD54PLX/w640-h480/P1010060%20(Copy).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The cottage was just a few yards from Marine Parade. Everything was spotless and the fixtures and fittings were of a very high standard and I would not hesitate to recommend it as a holiday home. <a href="https://www.classic.co.uk/cottage-availability-4684.html" target="_blank">The Old Stables, Instow</a> We did, however, have a few issues due to the layout and the fact that the stairs were open on one side - that does not work well with arthritic knees! Downstairs was a double bedroom with a 4'6" bed and an ensuite with a huge walk in shower. We chose to put all our 'stuff' in that room and use that shower, just sleeping upstairs in the 6 foot bed. The kitchen and dining room were downstairs and the living room was upstairs which made the most of the view, but made taking tea/wine/G&T etc up and down not as easy as we would like it to be.</p><p>We did like Instow - it is small and probably to be avoided in the school holidays, but just right in June, We had parking at the cottage which is essential. There is a public car park, but it is not very large. There are a few pubs - we did not eat out, so I cannot say what they are like. The deli on Marine Parade is just wonderful with excellent coffee and light snacks.</p><p>It was wonderful to have a break, but we could have done with slightly better weather. I had visions of sitting on the little veranda with a cuppa or G&T, but the reality was that I did sit out there, but only once and then for about 5 minutes just to say I had!</p><p>Post the holiday, I had my second cataract operation and oh my goodness, what a difference. Colours are amazing and I can do most things without glasses. I need off the peg reading glasses (I have two pairs - one upstairs in my craft room and one downstairs in the kitchen), but they are only needed for very small print. The only downside is that the cupboards in the en suite that were white have yellowed - something I did not notice before plus I can see small amounts of dirt lurking in cracks and crevices that I have not noticed for years! </p><p>The summer seemed to whizz by with nothing of much of note apart from a huge effort on our part and with some help from our daughter to tidy the garage and get rid of things we will never be able to use again. We have solar panels on order and we need space in the garage for the battery, so a good clear out was essential. The panels were due in October, but are stuck somewhere, so there will be a delay. As long as they are in place by the spring all will be well. We also had a great weekend in Bedford for the Bedford River Festival where we spent our time with Sue and Ken on Cleddau and a fair bit of time with Pip and Mike from Oleanna. </p><p>On 2 September we (the two of us, our daughter, her husband and two sons) all went up to our son's in Derby to join them and our DiL's family to wish our granddaughter a very happy 19th Birthday and to wish her well as she starts the next chapter of her life at Aberdeen University to study Conservation Biology. Her parents took her up the following weekend. They left after the Queen's cortege had gone through Aberdeen on its way to Edinburgh, which meant they had to go via the Cairngorms - scenic, but slow going. They then discovered the M6 was shut due to road works, so had to head back across county to join the A1. What should have taken 7 hours, took 10, but they made it safely which is all that matters. Molly has settled well and is enjoying life. </p><p>Last Friday (23 Sep) we were due to go to mid Wales for a 2 week holiday, but it was not to be. Chris woke on Thursday feeling really poorly. He suffers from COPD and has had a couple of flare ups in the past. He has an emergency pack of steroids and antibiotics which usually do the trick, however, before he could take anything he collapsed. For the first time in my life I had to call 999. You hear so many horror stories of waiting for hours and then ambulances queuing outside the hospital for yet more hours. Well we were very lucky, the ambulance arrived in 15-20 mins (I lost track of time, but it was quick). The paramedics were wonderful and stabilised Chris and then whisked him off in the ambulance. There was no wait when they got there - straight in and was seen immediately. He was admitted to a ward around 7pm and only came home yesterday. I am glad to say that he is much better. It was frightening for both of us, but we are so grateful for the care he got from the moment I called 999 to the moment I picked him up yesterday. We are both just so grateful that if it had to happen, it happened whilst we were at home and not in Wales as the Health Service there is in dire straits. Chris' cousin's son broke his pelvis playing rugby in October 2021 and he was left lying on a rugby pitch for 6 hours with no pain relief before an ambulance got to him. </p><p>We will plod on with life and I will pop in every now and then - November is a month with a few interesting things planned, so watch this space. For now, we are taking life easy and allowing Chris time to fully recuperate.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-24590227778634133282022-05-21T14:53:00.000-07:002022-05-21T14:53:40.685-07:00Are we still here?<p> Yes! </p><p>At the end of March Chris and I went off to Sussex for a holiday. The main purpose was to catch up with friends and ex-colleagues. It is 10.5 years since we left Sussex for Worcestershire, so it was definitely time to visit. We hired a holiday let in a small village called Findon, near Worthing. It was superb and I would highly recommend it if anyone wants a break in that part of the world. <a href="https://www.cottages.com/cottages/little-longmead-ukc1998?pets=1&nights=7&range=3&adult=2&infant=0&start=25-03-2022" target="_blank">Little Longmead, Findon</a>. It was spotless, the best equipped holiday home we have ever been to. The owner lives next door and is very friendly and helpful. How is this for a view from the back garden? It was very peaceful.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzisi5yTIzFEXYE2o7vK-QQOF4vkJBsVsGsE0HmixAJjuX23bteh2D2B7lR0RLO2Okg3shKzqFKTeNLkq8xxzSM3FIN7Gn0L1_K-R_Zsxsx1qG3KPR-FsmEfzqc43SwFUheihXu271-soRJaK0kUeMjR1JrEurnKXbNvMqMhyjX3RJZKapa5CK_RR/s1800/P1000582%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzisi5yTIzFEXYE2o7vK-QQOF4vkJBsVsGsE0HmixAJjuX23bteh2D2B7lR0RLO2Okg3shKzqFKTeNLkq8xxzSM3FIN7Gn0L1_K-R_Zsxsx1qG3KPR-FsmEfzqc43SwFUheihXu271-soRJaK0kUeMjR1JrEurnKXbNvMqMhyjX3RJZKapa5CK_RR/w640-h480/P1000582%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>We had no plans for Saturday and Sunday, so on the former we decided to pop to Worthing to find a sea front café for a spot of lunch - not a hope as we could not find a car parking space for love nor money, so we ended up at a M&S café - not quite what we had planned. </p><p>Sunday we went to the RSPB reserve, Pulborough - a much better option for a gentle very peaceful stroll and a quiet sandwich enjoyed in the sun with a wonderful view.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFDaTQLU_8ueIGOFobAo_knW-dJIA41Ufc4Nt8vsUT2gwk1gYZ86a9WWWN3gzFWUfO89Gx0b6kPXFnIOJ46HCNUnRRZ12zGXvGGIh_C7EVnr4zuf6kGDRlNCJthD_TPAio1yjrF2daVC6PJq3UIeqo8heTStz80K4dQZuKmzEaXnLHJdYf3aYl6v_/s1800/P1000642%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFDaTQLU_8ueIGOFobAo_knW-dJIA41Ufc4Nt8vsUT2gwk1gYZ86a9WWWN3gzFWUfO89Gx0b6kPXFnIOJ46HCNUnRRZ12zGXvGGIh_C7EVnr4zuf6kGDRlNCJthD_TPAio1yjrF2daVC6PJq3UIeqo8heTStz80K4dQZuKmzEaXnLHJdYf3aYl6v_/w640-h480/P1000642%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We did drive up to see our old house, which has changed a bit, as you would expect in 10 years.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGxi_46Is1m2Wjs0Tln9UbL7sLyBqUjWiaDjfZtd7lbrnJoZAvrINnBtczmPZjmehsgY_Nhq3vW4sDMz5IbfC3uHRWZxFwQ1rUjkXq6xfj8Nr3_fpcB0C-Z6opjQE_wWEmpCUF8zYb-pbuM8sbqQZfVHBI4GPbJ4OPy0_DHL_8F2noC1ypYYzq9UY/s1280/Pics30Oct03%20013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGxi_46Is1m2Wjs0Tln9UbL7sLyBqUjWiaDjfZtd7lbrnJoZAvrINnBtczmPZjmehsgY_Nhq3vW4sDMz5IbfC3uHRWZxFwQ1rUjkXq6xfj8Nr3_fpcB0C-Z6opjQE_wWEmpCUF8zYb-pbuM8sbqQZfVHBI4GPbJ4OPy0_DHL_8F2noC1ypYYzq9UY/w640-h480/Pics30Oct03%20013.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011 as we left</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuxoHvzjDfmTCWKyVDGYq3KdNE4tYwO7UxzMO7P_9u4F6QLa7d1zqutiCEKgCXLpgKYfncH2VP_YGyl_gyPAzJhDam1jq0te6DmuzHcybgyLp4tJlSUlPcEcPUz7tRagwExbIagHDf7_OC57EXkcjeI3n81Ozf0iLcr7Ock2z3fraCmaKr4G9wnRQ/s1800/P1000656%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuxoHvzjDfmTCWKyVDGYq3KdNE4tYwO7UxzMO7P_9u4F6QLa7d1zqutiCEKgCXLpgKYfncH2VP_YGyl_gyPAzJhDam1jq0te6DmuzHcybgyLp4tJlSUlPcEcPUz7tRagwExbIagHDf7_OC57EXkcjeI3n81Ozf0iLcr7Ock2z3fraCmaKr4G9wnRQ/w640-h480/P1000656%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March 2022</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We came away with the feeling that we were so glad we moved to Worcestershire when we did. The number of new houses (and in one case a whole new village) was unbelievable. Also the traffic was pretty dire and the countryside not as nice as where we are now. The week was definitely a great success as we both caught up with the people we intended to meet and I even had lunch by the sea in Goring by Sea (Sea Lane Café - which I can recommend) with a couple of my friends. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKl0BH0c_KlQC4vTmwpJgGEemTVuiV8ORgkOjvbx9hcc3rhjWHXmpJBS79xY0T1Rz2I58cU14DrE1lMmmiy72_bYRnz6uhl1sL6bVQvW9RpL2gphGSSmB8kqSlteBJmZNXuFsisD_aoQXg_uhKFUGg_rZ7Nff2-XXWUx-Vm596SfM0AUJ0nqYNr433/s1800/P1000651%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKl0BH0c_KlQC4vTmwpJgGEemTVuiV8ORgkOjvbx9hcc3rhjWHXmpJBS79xY0T1Rz2I58cU14DrE1lMmmiy72_bYRnz6uhl1sL6bVQvW9RpL2gphGSSmB8kqSlteBJmZNXuFsisD_aoQXg_uhKFUGg_rZ7Nff2-XXWUx-Vm596SfM0AUJ0nqYNr433/w640-h480/P1000651%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkyhqsmDH9mdZqcORRZYkR909NJKxzk-Ynz7rPaoLJBwxlme3jVpex-3NO9hRt0heh20v7u_60_F15LflFxm_tDrI-QGybvMA8Uqz_P0a5PjBv27s2OBELjM4w23ODswPH3mkoZNTQ3RbERhn3MBU3Po-SLyZtIx7BZw9lab0LzmK0MGMToDvaPxI/s1800/P1000654%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkyhqsmDH9mdZqcORRZYkR909NJKxzk-Ynz7rPaoLJBwxlme3jVpex-3NO9hRt0heh20v7u_60_F15LflFxm_tDrI-QGybvMA8Uqz_P0a5PjBv27s2OBELjM4w23ODswPH3mkoZNTQ3RbERhn3MBU3Po-SLyZtIx7BZw9lab0LzmK0MGMToDvaPxI/w640-h480/P1000654%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Just after we got home I had a cataract operation on my left eye and oh my goodness, what a difference. Even though that was my better eye sight wise, I now find I can do most things without glasses. For very small print I have an old pair of glasses with just one lens for the right eye or a magnifying glass. The right eye will be done on 4th July. Hopefully, four weeks after that I will be able to drive again - for now I am being chauffeur driven.</p><p>We have had a landscape gardener in to make our rather dull garden look a little better now we are here most of the time. My favourite part is the raised bed for herbs (and a few strawberry plants) made from reclaimed cobbles.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5jVjx9KiViD-A4XAWb5yh87617eLZV3lkVAAQ474PSCraRmHG5R9SX4XvqAew1H7MXbu5Qy67T5MsiyzIdrHGH7nnbQPhF-NWXgGrfBhB9WhJx123kKSHqGh1va3GHcpR3ZgWSe0067Zt1b_FcGbS_Xx4s7rU4aQs3Mhm_KYUat1bdFbkQWHhjQf/s2160/11%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="2160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5jVjx9KiViD-A4XAWb5yh87617eLZV3lkVAAQ474PSCraRmHG5R9SX4XvqAew1H7MXbu5Qy67T5MsiyzIdrHGH7nnbQPhF-NWXgGrfBhB9WhJx123kKSHqGh1va3GHcpR3ZgWSe0067Zt1b_FcGbS_Xx4s7rU4aQs3Mhm_KYUat1bdFbkQWHhjQf/w640-h480/11%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66CAZQVlpE5LH3jL1Fk1HVVKlJF584zJWMrtM6XEDrx9X9VMCex6w_CMJLo4-bs-6Lp8UwifoxYbxmz7lAgYTGce5muBuGqdyB0nc2oCD6aOb7s4EFQHhp3cWSmyyDeQ2zMxk2G6tTfS7lYphRCVsCuWKcxQV2fV212HebrJ66gIcj9hauqaPeeH-/s2160/12%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="1620" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66CAZQVlpE5LH3jL1Fk1HVVKlJF584zJWMrtM6XEDrx9X9VMCex6w_CMJLo4-bs-6Lp8UwifoxYbxmz7lAgYTGce5muBuGqdyB0nc2oCD6aOb7s4EFQHhp3cWSmyyDeQ2zMxk2G6tTfS7lYphRCVsCuWKcxQV2fV212HebrJ66gIcj9hauqaPeeH-/w480-h640/12%20(Copy).JPG" width="480" /></a></div>We also have a couple of troughs for mint and tomatoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgUZxd2_E0S2Vc3v1KG61ZdFNip9thCvm0vvOcL8giatLXtnJejRT2PWmvC4j1VMUaNW3bxlP2eDnaO6KgDptxNPwqFfq6B_j7JZlnFG0S8O0iwf9tgWu-LoXWG8gWp1E6d-hRe1cQTQ6Krejdmy0Mw-LvKjBCbUWOUhdCn76USGQj8uAn8yWRSPB/s2160/13%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="2160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTgUZxd2_E0S2Vc3v1KG61ZdFNip9thCvm0vvOcL8giatLXtnJejRT2PWmvC4j1VMUaNW3bxlP2eDnaO6KgDptxNPwqFfq6B_j7JZlnFG0S8O0iwf9tgWu-LoXWG8gWp1E6d-hRe1cQTQ6Krejdmy0Mw-LvKjBCbUWOUhdCn76USGQj8uAn8yWRSPB/w640-h480/13%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbfa9g783z6lZyhzLT6pDk9ZaD5AFGNdFACi-_jIn4Z1tG6jsgRdQPcBXYBZvFrXmAArGgClF3csjEj_UkJ3wWPH-U6ULVFr5ADsZvkjZ9WYSsW_RWCMCl7TpVNYzuOtJyZuzXNK1snv9NSqZGO04_M1-QO2oKf9RJpPWLK0EAVRD0EsTn_4NOsBU/s2160/14%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="2160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbfa9g783z6lZyhzLT6pDk9ZaD5AFGNdFACi-_jIn4Z1tG6jsgRdQPcBXYBZvFrXmAArGgClF3csjEj_UkJ3wWPH-U6ULVFr5ADsZvkjZ9WYSsW_RWCMCl7TpVNYzuOtJyZuzXNK1snv9NSqZGO04_M1-QO2oKf9RJpPWLK0EAVRD0EsTn_4NOsBU/w640-h480/14%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />We made a brief appearance at St Richard's Festival in Droitwich. The weather was glorious on the day we went and after our couple of hours serving on the Worcester, Birmingham and Droitwich Canal Society Stall<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWu39_WyAMyCjMGebustrm9VwP6HhoZG2a8SmSfnzUm9sHcPPmkvPuai2LVjvEf5axjg27-kc0n-GFOiy2k_6hWHNhh0pHZbbpYraGPHvUISoe7TLfVrSOGoyuONAVPDQXbusYJ1x6Kg_LY73tPB8TNPfOGB3y9UwWE7pXN8t5MZfObCAw284NnA3L/s1800/P1000728%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWu39_WyAMyCjMGebustrm9VwP6HhoZG2a8SmSfnzUm9sHcPPmkvPuai2LVjvEf5axjg27-kc0n-GFOiy2k_6hWHNhh0pHZbbpYraGPHvUISoe7TLfVrSOGoyuONAVPDQXbusYJ1x6Kg_LY73tPB8TNPfOGB3y9UwWE7pXN8t5MZfObCAw284NnA3L/w640-h480/P1000728%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris selling duck race tickets closely supervised by Monty of course!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>we were able to wander around and enjoy a beer in the sun. It was so good to see so many people out enjoying themselves again after a two year gap.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfP_jL9RTKY9cPyDQUtZtcpbdA_cVcWjnHXTJl4-SbjmF5gGtBWtQnkvPfRHSIPALF5a-877MhqsdbTSKm0wknSsvHdC87hTHE-bWlYtREQICUiweJ1aMhLBGw2kcFZwPr0RqQLxdVOU17kEoZYlIvFp_2ivBPj3TNqMIqxaKqSfInVJz9pnyvBZGp/s1800/P1000729%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfP_jL9RTKY9cPyDQUtZtcpbdA_cVcWjnHXTJl4-SbjmF5gGtBWtQnkvPfRHSIPALF5a-877MhqsdbTSKm0wknSsvHdC87hTHE-bWlYtREQICUiweJ1aMhLBGw2kcFZwPr0RqQLxdVOU17kEoZYlIvFp_2ivBPj3TNqMIqxaKqSfInVJz9pnyvBZGp/w640-h480/P1000729%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></p>On the May Bank Holiday Monday, I went to a tulip festival at Morton Hall, Redditch with a friend. It was well worth the visit which we ended with a rather fine light lunch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYTQEp9xKU_h3Ot_VgB3KZFJKC1tSUH43guWdIR5QPt6g7mFFXqke9e7WHflGrnaAcr3IhER_bwDRx4YLH67aHz4isskfadWIOPiImAVLXGrcsfkK_Gve95L4_6YdG1w1oGTVGMRTtdHPjiqnEz5KdFc_mk81GfreulModVWXIkCTpBHSy_TN0lnA/s1800/P1000741%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYTQEp9xKU_h3Ot_VgB3KZFJKC1tSUH43guWdIR5QPt6g7mFFXqke9e7WHflGrnaAcr3IhER_bwDRx4YLH67aHz4isskfadWIOPiImAVLXGrcsfkK_Gve95L4_6YdG1w1oGTVGMRTtdHPjiqnEz5KdFc_mk81GfreulModVWXIkCTpBHSy_TN0lnA/w640-h480/P1000741%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0D6tijLNMPN35HAHJMbVpyxeaRRpN5s68IdZcDEWJlOELy2uA2pPeXKKBQSkXCveZ6JP5KaVblDdpoKU7sZx93cTeJB7W2aYq9gpNmZ4dgwiZSph7HmescuEsqkdtmWHLYGbh8h1efEeiz5694s8g4fLJRHcUU5aFF1IU2Hqyo2raI_AZpKackWur/s1800/P1000768%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0D6tijLNMPN35HAHJMbVpyxeaRRpN5s68IdZcDEWJlOELy2uA2pPeXKKBQSkXCveZ6JP5KaVblDdpoKU7sZx93cTeJB7W2aYq9gpNmZ4dgwiZSph7HmescuEsqkdtmWHLYGbh8h1efEeiz5694s8g4fLJRHcUU5aFF1IU2Hqyo2raI_AZpKackWur/w480-h640/P1000768%20(Copy).JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD70DcONvgCW_FcUpHxdF5Ibw3hYC5PJtymRqJHgN4FiGE77hbBdimqSLZWz8K4zRk35dW913Gyv4grS7LDeakn1j_7_CRK0OP8M2wludiuGuGH7u6n5tijK6hxotd9ICsCc61Pl1dw9qgEApUIWTH91iAnXKrEZZAZ-9CbhvtEYV4-6ZA80QaekO9/s1800/P1000781%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD70DcONvgCW_FcUpHxdF5Ibw3hYC5PJtymRqJHgN4FiGE77hbBdimqSLZWz8K4zRk35dW913Gyv4grS7LDeakn1j_7_CRK0OP8M2wludiuGuGH7u6n5tijK6hxotd9ICsCc61Pl1dw9qgEApUIWTH91iAnXKrEZZAZ-9CbhvtEYV4-6ZA80QaekO9/w640-h480/P1000781%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1h4RPbOVtKhBGqJ6HzgGcJLZY9pPiNZH8sMQ0cKJ1C5C3CDrp7UIVhEqRv20lCM3nk_W7nHvfjPMxEVHJOZR8i19ro5rF6iuLdYqv6EgOIq2tYBz5TtUd-CvpK9TAOq7iyuKCtLLUAnv4n85S42LCC3qhQTCh-i70p3rUGuh_l-N-MRzbvXov0PKC/s1800/P1000789%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1h4RPbOVtKhBGqJ6HzgGcJLZY9pPiNZH8sMQ0cKJ1C5C3CDrp7UIVhEqRv20lCM3nk_W7nHvfjPMxEVHJOZR8i19ro5rF6iuLdYqv6EgOIq2tYBz5TtUd-CvpK9TAOq7iyuKCtLLUAnv4n85S42LCC3qhQTCh-i70p3rUGuh_l-N-MRzbvXov0PKC/w480-h640/P1000789%20(Copy).JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Listed Chestnut Tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNXFFuutSEwh5AiT82Iwiv0TEbLHCEShBllxOJSCHCa6wRdYmETYlg57CjI_lhoc_TV4KkHdsq4Z6C1hsxZgba0DHOh1FMc5bfBiNO_Cf4iCbU_AUiy_uHiO6p65UGt9ZmCX1ttv-NexVjyTjtQf-IXGv3XTLKLJOnbN5g2pepaDszhVwfh2q-liQ/s1800/P1000793%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNXFFuutSEwh5AiT82Iwiv0TEbLHCEShBllxOJSCHCa6wRdYmETYlg57CjI_lhoc_TV4KkHdsq4Z6C1hsxZgba0DHOh1FMc5bfBiNO_Cf4iCbU_AUiy_uHiO6p65UGt9ZmCX1ttv-NexVjyTjtQf-IXGv3XTLKLJOnbN5g2pepaDszhVwfh2q-liQ/w640-h480/P1000793%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese Tea House</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VJZCHmr_8rd5Klaj2_wJERCLkihbS3yYrhY2Hwhn_ERQha_0ZZ7HcW2z6tk64-ha9Kb3ZapnLH5SYZb9l1Dq1FjIQOLsOKcw8cBb8jisRBs8e7JgsvP6dEyFotd1oxr23X1CUQEcJY79zy7uXafqt0ZMGdiIJ5sk5vJBPVwxu3DBCknFdK0-7fxb/s1800/P1000797%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VJZCHmr_8rd5Klaj2_wJERCLkihbS3yYrhY2Hwhn_ERQha_0ZZ7HcW2z6tk64-ha9Kb3ZapnLH5SYZb9l1Dq1FjIQOLsOKcw8cBb8jisRBs8e7JgsvP6dEyFotd1oxr23X1CUQEcJY79zy7uXafqt0ZMGdiIJ5sk5vJBPVwxu3DBCknFdK0-7fxb/w640-h480/P1000797%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>All profits go to the RSC and they had a few costumes on display. I think the crew of nb Cleddau will recognise this rather magnificent outfit from a recent production of Much Ado About Nothing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1r0R0H1h-AVIGyYTTaRUeYbsQVbqPBSh5-WCW3es3ahf6EeHOm4l7kdgaD_fgfHPEbYF1_qlmFAfULhEO8qg74_QpSi-kanMHNSWPRebC0e5TWvYmGzAtNSngLARTTdp1h-TyzQJwte1bdW-otPQu4CjhPqolawk51NK2xr0L8tCOuRzPCGEoLEWG/s1800/P1000802%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1r0R0H1h-AVIGyYTTaRUeYbsQVbqPBSh5-WCW3es3ahf6EeHOm4l7kdgaD_fgfHPEbYF1_qlmFAfULhEO8qg74_QpSi-kanMHNSWPRebC0e5TWvYmGzAtNSngLARTTdp1h-TyzQJwte1bdW-otPQu4CjhPqolawk51NK2xr0L8tCOuRzPCGEoLEWG/w480-h640/P1000802%20(Copy).JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This morning we drove out to Droitwich to walk along the canal to witness the sad sight of a boat that had been sunk in a lock. It is a long story of three boats hired by a Stag Party which ended up with two of the boats being abandoned and the third sunk. I gather that they were moving after dark and tried to go down a staircase lock around 10pm. The paddle on the offside is always locked. They, however, failed to check the other side, assumed they were stuck, so went to bed. The boat drifted backwards onto the cill, the water leaked out of the lock and the boat sunk. They woke at an awkward angle and had to be rescued by the fire brigade. RCR and C&RT were in attendance when we were there.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-cJ9KgGiJUk-6UvdOQmW6cYGYiP6ZgF3WLyhpzykaF5_4zfNZtIyvcu_r3zImGRb8yWKJRQ5rIGbu2OFEPD0I3XcX31LSwFoZuJHy1-dqjcnrlft3xFY6OgGNFq1Osn7t8aFMK4tM1VQJN6FCqmqGps1kNOo-xSQLRK3O7U5_dHKv0AvHfVUrOxo/s960/283072613_1394386127742502_7426668294453750126_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-cJ9KgGiJUk-6UvdOQmW6cYGYiP6ZgF3WLyhpzykaF5_4zfNZtIyvcu_r3zImGRb8yWKJRQ5rIGbu2OFEPD0I3XcX31LSwFoZuJHy1-dqjcnrlft3xFY6OgGNFq1Osn7t8aFMK4tM1VQJN6FCqmqGps1kNOo-xSQLRK3O7U5_dHKv0AvHfVUrOxo/w480-h640/283072613_1394386127742502_7426668294453750126_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WJGw68T5j4Kh0RnMIMHpQ6KHmH3gLETywHiVb71846JM92-H6cjAGYz5AG5mwkcBPnI9wYfcoAdXxPbGg14vwlj7phHrKpOJnfjoBEgQqwsXqMITo5DLduJhpaJ2NojMCEK0dLrH7Xv7z1CKtpLItrXVdFfOngGGbxat4vbI1HTe2o6qnc8l7_zW/s2048/282196510_5407420625944743_1457766924802743284_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WJGw68T5j4Kh0RnMIMHpQ6KHmH3gLETywHiVb71846JM92-H6cjAGYz5AG5mwkcBPnI9wYfcoAdXxPbGg14vwlj7phHrKpOJnfjoBEgQqwsXqMITo5DLduJhpaJ2NojMCEK0dLrH7Xv7z1CKtpLItrXVdFfOngGGbxat4vbI1HTe2o6qnc8l7_zW/w480-h640/282196510_5407420625944743_1457766924802743284_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJt7VrdT7AzDgzTc2DfyeelEWKvDDoAMgAOe7855Ph2stVP3ozS2IESPlc_DaM_mggT8251oL-eAxpoM8JJW8RLR07NLgIHNsgqz28vG4Vs8uSi6xksss5Sg0Ge1OJnNSKelQpqnWfA1DmtWIaR7q--eB9n_u4IXeP_Q5QrFewzn0wkhL5Ueq2-0N/s2048/281348484_5407420152611457_6105014460977524272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJt7VrdT7AzDgzTc2DfyeelEWKvDDoAMgAOe7855Ph2stVP3ozS2IESPlc_DaM_mggT8251oL-eAxpoM8JJW8RLR07NLgIHNsgqz28vG4Vs8uSi6xksss5Sg0Ge1OJnNSKelQpqnWfA1DmtWIaR7q--eB9n_u4IXeP_Q5QrFewzn0wkhL5Ueq2-0N/w480-h640/281348484_5407420152611457_6105014460977524272_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoK2ayBmvJZrgqkvgJFlutpVDm2Qp5OwsST4DzaXEZ-6svDJaLrANzVCKTR5OIihsXdMR_DBAULxbo58ISKBeq7DQVCPgR8NuU--DkQtUONAX0QwmRVzVAWAarnxD1VgURXxYJWf1WOsNel54q8vBNH2avzzSWggUkZmNXZvR69422PUVZLfAEEq2s/s265/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="160" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoK2ayBmvJZrgqkvgJFlutpVDm2Qp5OwsST4DzaXEZ-6svDJaLrANzVCKTR5OIihsXdMR_DBAULxbo58ISKBeq7DQVCPgR8NuU--DkQtUONAX0QwmRVzVAWAarnxD1VgURXxYJWf1WOsNel54q8vBNH2avzzSWggUkZmNXZvR69422PUVZLfAEEq2s/w386-h640/Capture.PNG" width="386" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Re-floated and now above the top lock<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Fortunately the only casualty is unlikely to complain, but I hope someone fishes her out before she ends up round someone's prop! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yV3G86sSKquRt496khGedEyzwlIFiOBFmAAragtr4_XznNXP9x39m0jR9xvKFefnzqZx0v4-MnsfAfxKM-sMNMywDNztySm_TIeHjAjfOZvaeULa3CabhfPyQ1RBbUonOdurXU1jgUotZ2H13h_uJOo6IOD0MomlZO_Qkk9JnyyACs9nIR7x0Wq9/s4000/P1000900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yV3G86sSKquRt496khGedEyzwlIFiOBFmAAragtr4_XznNXP9x39m0jR9xvKFefnzqZx0v4-MnsfAfxKM-sMNMywDNztySm_TIeHjAjfOZvaeULa3CabhfPyQ1RBbUonOdurXU1jgUotZ2H13h_uJOo6IOD0MomlZO_Qkk9JnyyACs9nIR7x0Wq9/w640-h480/P1000900.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-90395442983201604872022-03-27T10:41:00.000-07:002022-03-27T10:41:05.478-07:00Just to say.....<p>.......... Hello, Happy New Year and we are still in the land of the living! You would think we have done nothing since November, but that is not the case - I just did not get round to writing a blog! Can I claim 'winteritis?!!</p><p>In early November we escaped for a week in mid Wales. It was very much a trip to visit Chris's family, but we did escape to the beach a couple of times which Monty loved. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrgHigspAPbKiIUtDvwWFszvJYLcXRQo4YkejRBPd9STP_EGn937ZleveLx7HEeGPS5Fo0CYb7Zq8efgVAiLWyibKGXrt_iOuZdhLx7JUuJQeo1itaW0H15lV-elujw0uh0rVmrVrw89XJjPhGCdudgAtZrpM6rvOEwE99CfQMzBLq65BtcIn2y0Y/s1032/05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrgHigspAPbKiIUtDvwWFszvJYLcXRQo4YkejRBPd9STP_EGn937ZleveLx7HEeGPS5Fo0CYb7Zq8efgVAiLWyibKGXrt_iOuZdhLx7JUuJQeo1itaW0H15lV-elujw0uh0rVmrVrw89XJjPhGCdudgAtZrpM6rvOEwE99CfQMzBLq65BtcIn2y0Y/w640-h480/05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Mind you he still does not trust those pesky waves!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAAxLgV-QXyaPk7vcSYdCIh1Rl8l0sK_wROxY65oKsYi7SKHRBndAtW_zL5tIlnywi7hKzD1MPvCW_aQY0LO30LNLAKpczD3fynuENEG0rvCnkZ3aeA_zKAdcbXjMwHWpAU9VVMros-SsTAyVMq73L-l3U4eena-oAdCoXoixS1EkhF7YQrOVVg91/s1032/06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAAxLgV-QXyaPk7vcSYdCIh1Rl8l0sK_wROxY65oKsYi7SKHRBndAtW_zL5tIlnywi7hKzD1MPvCW_aQY0LO30LNLAKpczD3fynuENEG0rvCnkZ3aeA_zKAdcbXjMwHWpAU9VVMros-SsTAyVMq73L-l3U4eena-oAdCoXoixS1EkhF7YQrOVVg91/w640-h480/06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Looking across from Ynyslas to Aberdovey - another firm favourite of ours and we did get up there for a wander on one of the days.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJB-QGYL9LUFQ_SK9X2JJFOOLj9n-84A_WyLexviiSNgotjKRb3AtLxbasLyIIl_hcO7sdm6fCRTiBGzx8jgqhCMYu7SuchxSkLJDKIE6K-Zv9IuqxEHID2eItHWhXiUoKhyxt4snPhEEXPoPyyvTZtyFmv_lHCPyaw58o8MzcsHdksaJ7DdN5rWh/s1032/07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJB-QGYL9LUFQ_SK9X2JJFOOLj9n-84A_WyLexviiSNgotjKRb3AtLxbasLyIIl_hcO7sdm6fCRTiBGzx8jgqhCMYu7SuchxSkLJDKIE6K-Zv9IuqxEHID2eItHWhXiUoKhyxt4snPhEEXPoPyyvTZtyFmv_lHCPyaw58o8MzcsHdksaJ7DdN5rWh/w640-h480/07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We took a day out from family visits to meet up with a couple who own four Border Collies who are all related to Monty! Monty (9.5) is on the far right looking very proud to have so many ladies to look after! From the left they are Menna (6 months), Gwaun (8), Dot (3) and the grand old lady, Mair who is looking her age, but doing well - she is 15.5. Jane and I had a lovely walk in the woods with Monty, Gwaun and Dot whilst the men sat and chatted and kept an eye on the Menna and Mair.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0A9lxQyY5Jay_SCWs7LBkHVsn-5rt3vnzadLra-H0Ey9ujPWDJd6GNbmQeoF59V2glEPzpnDzDFcJsBlNLvGJg1B5Tmt_h8jgcqt32lOzl7Po8zr7c_z5jM8Se49eWWjyxedELEHPleSLMwkSHLKBgt4MQ0_GMn7BdRLdKYd5lg_xR8ckaZADzvC9/s846/08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="846" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0A9lxQyY5Jay_SCWs7LBkHVsn-5rt3vnzadLra-H0Ey9ujPWDJd6GNbmQeoF59V2glEPzpnDzDFcJsBlNLvGJg1B5Tmt_h8jgcqt32lOzl7Po8zr7c_z5jM8Se49eWWjyxedELEHPleSLMwkSHLKBgt4MQ0_GMn7BdRLdKYd5lg_xR8ckaZADzvC9/w640-h340/08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The 27th November started with a surprise - a walk in the snow for Monty and I!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQlY-KplKNzkc348XrZzCZKsLoo2uZvpPRos4d8zyeO8pc3iEVw-EXnL-rQ-wdeldkiEBsea8R1XRnZiGpupZR4XilLJUJKg38udxpgsUgFDJhHFAM42bsK2xtLVMsS-IcjJvBW4B2VwoH74138L8laR9uehpq5Y0R_LkvQdK9OoOwa6CLbVNfUFP/s774/01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="580" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQlY-KplKNzkc348XrZzCZKsLoo2uZvpPRos4d8zyeO8pc3iEVw-EXnL-rQ-wdeldkiEBsea8R1XRnZiGpupZR4XilLJUJKg38udxpgsUgFDJhHFAM42bsK2xtLVMsS-IcjJvBW4B2VwoH74138L8laR9uehpq5Y0R_LkvQdK9OoOwa6CLbVNfUFP/w480-h640/01.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>The family (our son and daughter, their spouses, the five grandchildren, Chris and I) had gathered for an outing to Stratford. We had lunch in Fourteas then headed to the RSC to see 'The Magician's Elephant' which was superb. If any of you saw the stage production of 'Warhorse' - it was the same puppeteers who worked the almost life sized African female elephant. Just stunning to watch. Another RSC triumph. This will probably be the last time we all go as our eldest granddaughter will be off to university next September. </p><p>A gentle stroll back through the town to the car park allowed us time to admire some of the Christmas decorations.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YCCNPKcBDiAN4YX3xBadurqBzv_GvKctiBoheJG4Oj4uZwQUrvbGeDfQnvX0UXeboAJy7UZXZPNO90mA1j7BdVOTOvjCESpWfdz_QWcetagj3d2phtyXITM-OWX-H1MZGFWQlSnupqFPgxqWhzCz1OI54RKAvvVbQCeRCbDuH-WXbp-Sxrh0BNXP/s3000/P1000440%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="3000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YCCNPKcBDiAN4YX3xBadurqBzv_GvKctiBoheJG4Oj4uZwQUrvbGeDfQnvX0UXeboAJy7UZXZPNO90mA1j7BdVOTOvjCESpWfdz_QWcetagj3d2phtyXITM-OWX-H1MZGFWQlSnupqFPgxqWhzCz1OI54RKAvvVbQCeRCbDuH-WXbp-Sxrh0BNXP/w640-h480/P1000440%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0DlbFCSMI85tOVtZFX6MaNcOqNC_znvziryicnbBtG8_MhsXm1g-PQAXm6Myh5yuR3aWhsh6FEi4ZR9OehvftJVTuQwItH7eBdskBQbI789TmD8cX04Er465v5U8-h3kfwmtdjhkhufpexDlavx8W7YTCiJIQpn_T0UBCKemwWPqCetaYBJ_nmc3/s3000/P1000441%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0DlbFCSMI85tOVtZFX6MaNcOqNC_znvziryicnbBtG8_MhsXm1g-PQAXm6Myh5yuR3aWhsh6FEi4ZR9OehvftJVTuQwItH7eBdskBQbI789TmD8cX04Er465v5U8-h3kfwmtdjhkhufpexDlavx8W7YTCiJIQpn_T0UBCKemwWPqCetaYBJ_nmc3/w480-h640/P1000441%20(Copy).JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnP1DFZ23bEphV-VkxisZ6mSG-jn-NxGVAd1QnGbwtq8CP9zBWIuv5M8m7h5-07BqwNXdZSE7J58ynOKMLgFLhwLGr2YDR9nVZePycWLNoO-fTEtRUuzLFwkvJ4Vz0RsOkRWejp3IbMvR7LcC_EYnTNUbd0FlESr4JTWRlparUgc9kaUOxCpC2M26/s3000/P1000442%20(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="3000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnP1DFZ23bEphV-VkxisZ6mSG-jn-NxGVAd1QnGbwtq8CP9zBWIuv5M8m7h5-07BqwNXdZSE7J58ynOKMLgFLhwLGr2YDR9nVZePycWLNoO-fTEtRUuzLFwkvJ4Vz0RsOkRWejp3IbMvR7LcC_EYnTNUbd0FlESr4JTWRlparUgc9kaUOxCpC2M26/w640-h480/P1000442%20(Copy).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Our son and family came to us for Christmas and our daughter and family joined us for New Year. It was the first time her sons had made it through to midnight. A lot of fun and games were enjoyed on both occasions by us all. </p><p>A couple of weeks ago I went up to Derby on the train to see our son and family. I was shocked at how packed the trains from Birmingham to Derby and return were - standing room only both ways, but I did, thankfully manage to get a seat both ways. The purpose of my visit was to go to the Theatre Royal in Nottingham with them all to see 'Gangsta Granny' - what a brilliant author David Walliams is and the stage production was amazing. I also met the newest edition to their family - Coco who was just 10 weeks old at the time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqdiA90ZTSf7-GY9jWJVfNCN7BWzKrmyZcZ088g654lWjsydIV0-EU7Yt8__npIzxolL4kcl9SGUYhV-9LFEA6LyNkt9t6qYMurajyia6Tr-N-xJjG4DL2xvF14NOClHtSkRBjjmvkicM2At5aosQ_V7sXAH1weASXrxUN9x6qvvINTUE8DB87giq/s1024/09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqdiA90ZTSf7-GY9jWJVfNCN7BWzKrmyZcZ088g654lWjsydIV0-EU7Yt8__npIzxolL4kcl9SGUYhV-9LFEA6LyNkt9t6qYMurajyia6Tr-N-xJjG4DL2xvF14NOClHtSkRBjjmvkicM2At5aosQ_V7sXAH1weASXrxUN9x6qvvINTUE8DB87giq/w480-h640/09.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Life is beginning to get back to some sort of normality, but some things are still not quite there. Our canal society is still doing zoom meetings, but that is mainly due to the loss of the venue we used to go to. We did attend the annual lunch last Sunday - it was wonderful to see so many people 'in the flesh'. We had the privilege of sitting with Heather Wastie (Alarum Theatre which some of you may be aware of) and her husband. They were very entertaining company. </p><p>I have attended one WI meeting, two WI fun evenings and one WI book club meeting and despite reports that people had subsequently tested positive, I have (so far) escaped catching covid. There is so much about at present that I fear it is inevitable, but we are both triple jabbed, so we should be okay. We have taken the decision that we cannot stay locked up for ever.</p><p>My knees are not doing too badly, but Chris does struggle with his COPD - however sad the sale of Tentatrice was, it was the right thing for us to do. She is moored in Kinver and in May she will be re-named 'Rumah Kita', which is Malay for 'Our House'. I am fairly certain she will retain her distinctive livery, so if anyone spots her out and about (or on her home mooring), please post a picture and let us know! It is good to know that she has gone to experienced boaters who will care for her and use her.</p><p><br /></p>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-68730515537296782612021-11-01T10:48:00.003-07:002021-11-01T16:07:42.315-07:00Three Weekends <p>We are still here! Whilst we miss Tentatrice and life afloat, we are both certain that we made the right decision to sell her and move on to other things. </p><p>My knees are better than they were, so we are managing to get out and about a bit. Some recent highlights are as follows:</p><p><u><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Weekend 1</span></b></u></p><p>Two friends came to stay for the weekend along with Monty's best pal, Labrador Kiera. On the Saturday we went across to visit Pakwood House, a NT property in Lapworth. It is a fine Tudor house that has been owned by the NT since 1941. We had been before, but it was a first visit for our friends.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWaUh6V3Yh5IQA5yDSkaofC_HwqEA5cLqfFXdkqO9RH2K8nWrDO4D7sDwFjvqZ2oXZcRI5ARHJ2GUMMT8CTPVAAAkmOkvGZMClji1fkwdAFLTq0Vm4du4q-egQ2PXkUDOekscQBXGtNwfhw6J-E18n5jp9h19Y5UEIXahcn8byUNkqBj5SO50aS3Gt=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWaUh6V3Yh5IQA5yDSkaofC_HwqEA5cLqfFXdkqO9RH2K8nWrDO4D7sDwFjvqZ2oXZcRI5ARHJ2GUMMT8CTPVAAAkmOkvGZMClji1fkwdAFLTq0Vm4du4q-egQ2PXkUDOekscQBXGtNwfhw6J-E18n5jp9h19Y5UEIXahcn8byUNkqBj5SO50aS3Gt=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The weather was dry with even a bit of late September sun. The first thing to do was to take the two dogs for a walk through the woodland.<span style="text-align: center;"> There are not many things better than being able to kick your way through fallen leaves!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrYHGbdXMTuK_RPFTlK5vG2aQ8idhfu5K8FtGBwM8elix6fvRX4DRCAR80S1KC1UYxB-RXJ4cXnz5QxTo7Ze7swve0z1gsrUyoWzOFtyV9_F8RyKcC_KNNX-xLDGyf_dy3ReEIVwcMk8C3Pj3hgtoZnyDy89kM0FI_8CuWmUEebUzEZEm13pWsGXWB=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrYHGbdXMTuK_RPFTlK5vG2aQ8idhfu5K8FtGBwM8elix6fvRX4DRCAR80S1KC1UYxB-RXJ4cXnz5QxTo7Ze7swve0z1gsrUyoWzOFtyV9_F8RyKcC_KNNX-xLDGyf_dy3ReEIVwcMk8C3Pj3hgtoZnyDy89kM0FI_8CuWmUEebUzEZEm13pWsGXWB=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Kiera was too busy in the undergrowth to pose for a photo.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCjRih6Ig2EecTk-_PG4WTgEEJcg1dWHN82Jkd7uBJmEy6UJJBz_vVO3np_zcSxzaazgaOCNFKdh0KiAT-8QULQxAZWCE5-limzDKcsZsdCof9qmASvLWDxYwqqDJohgVrRBZETjWi1pFG5Sdk_qlwfkY2Q2y4XKMbYmD74nk_mGIMgJL1tn3b7ipC=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCjRih6Ig2EecTk-_PG4WTgEEJcg1dWHN82Jkd7uBJmEy6UJJBz_vVO3np_zcSxzaazgaOCNFKdh0KiAT-8QULQxAZWCE5-limzDKcsZsdCof9qmASvLWDxYwqqDJohgVrRBZETjWi1pFG5Sdk_qlwfkY2Q2y4XKMbYmD74nk_mGIMgJL1tn3b7ipC=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>We came across this sign</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoFPjP7Y_Fgx4GUbCVgfB6RT6LY15jyGZ286jiI2iE7vYdJ7WieKKrcI4VUh0GzWKyzMtIFqKZN5wgpdwoZFXMeJk4jBxf8PVzK62MyVNeG366dhvANu7oWPBrIm9-5j3V3AQYIWCx0aa3uTMsLCMF1cb_O3ibp5Y2mpoZ74_8i3gqFGKW9N1BN_Ej=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoFPjP7Y_Fgx4GUbCVgfB6RT6LY15jyGZ286jiI2iE7vYdJ7WieKKrcI4VUh0GzWKyzMtIFqKZN5wgpdwoZFXMeJk4jBxf8PVzK62MyVNeG366dhvANu7oWPBrIm9-5j3V3AQYIWCx0aa3uTMsLCMF1cb_O3ibp5Y2mpoZ74_8i3gqFGKW9N1BN_Ej=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Well who resist such a challenge - not us!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMGPptbcuLXh8__iY4NLT1uA0RCAOqR2Sm8uUmBfGx9AWaa4X_zGknAU76IuGPFbOh-Ue03Y9z2zLZZJsJRG3N-yXO-71IWkXq0x8TCri4eEfjwU4OOJjU9q8I4yB68jouMNUrKJbKcETieAaTV5Vq2y9tYY610P94tr1StSFxD4y-9yxnLdx3edRZ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMGPptbcuLXh8__iY4NLT1uA0RCAOqR2Sm8uUmBfGx9AWaa4X_zGknAU76IuGPFbOh-Ue03Y9z2zLZZJsJRG3N-yXO-71IWkXq0x8TCri4eEfjwU4OOJjU9q8I4yB68jouMNUrKJbKcETieAaTV5Vq2y9tYY610P94tr1StSFxD4y-9yxnLdx3edRZ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A post walk coffee and very large slice of cake was next on the agenda. Both were really good and the cake so large, that no lunch was required!</div><div><br /></div><div>After that Chris and I found a bench in the sun and stayed there with the dogs (it was too warm to leave them in the car) whilst our friends went and had a quick look round the house and formal gardens. The grounds are famous for the avenue of Yews.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqdKKKIPNOBPzodeIL2UDISwmp-RM2aE-QIttGH4I7DpNxSiF4_nU2X6vrz32iDPuJR5Vm8Fy_KcjZ0w9grfqbadx5QOU7jBTYDXYATGntwOlW_jlkOTSUrlWyWTDkJvTlfTpgXCuXHDs7Okjg7b_9sslKtOb_R3Qda-CMiwJqgeHAacA5tZOI2ofz=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqdKKKIPNOBPzodeIL2UDISwmp-RM2aE-QIttGH4I7DpNxSiF4_nU2X6vrz32iDPuJR5Vm8Fy_KcjZ0w9grfqbadx5QOU7jBTYDXYATGntwOlW_jlkOTSUrlWyWTDkJvTlfTpgXCuXHDs7Okjg7b_9sslKtOb_R3Qda-CMiwJqgeHAacA5tZOI2ofz=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>Sadly some of them are very sick</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzuY5x4UOaVEvlrCvOkQKy2hdrljPUVWLBo1kHX_Tt1a5ySIZFoxx2f1a3y08qwKYHTPAED3zzYYrmy-9qaUYVln1EUAwMbU4GhfFU0A_WRvq7eWVriCo9Ww34sRFm6zvBQIUd1ijvMl5-u8amq5KonYIvvdcSUxG29FdPQOEVZeTsPCNjd4JXewNh=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzuY5x4UOaVEvlrCvOkQKy2hdrljPUVWLBo1kHX_Tt1a5ySIZFoxx2f1a3y08qwKYHTPAED3zzYYrmy-9qaUYVln1EUAwMbU4GhfFU0A_WRvq7eWVriCo9Ww34sRFm6zvBQIUd1ijvMl5-u8amq5KonYIvvdcSUxG29FdPQOEVZeTsPCNjd4JXewNh=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>What a shame that common sense does not prevail and they have to ask folk not to climb on the sick trees.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMXwheoGJvq4S0Fmt_IJ766BISuOEj-DBdUe2V8Z2DjBxbpmkJR3rii5bDl744kHi-ysFl-w2P3ai0WyfGYXNaQYKKlgJJjJiMazfC3zyeGZfe4fUgTuZQ0vjGcPqJ5uwt66zS3UyS_Ex3SKFeHtkoH2h7qIa3-2Ajne2Z5LDxU1u3Nb7o7hOGp3Q-=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMXwheoGJvq4S0Fmt_IJ766BISuOEj-DBdUe2V8Z2DjBxbpmkJR3rii5bDl744kHi-ysFl-w2P3ai0WyfGYXNaQYKKlgJJjJiMazfC3zyeGZfe4fUgTuZQ0vjGcPqJ5uwt66zS3UyS_Ex3SKFeHtkoH2h7qIa3-2Ajne2Z5LDxU1u3Nb7o7hOGp3Q-=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The only time we have been in the house was one very wet New Year many years ago when it was full of the most amazing paper Christmas decorations - we must go back again one day. It was a great day out and we enjoyed the rest of the weekend just chatting, walking the dogs and eating well with the odd libation here and there!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Weekend 2</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div>This time we went to visit friends who moved back from Spain to Melton Mowbray (or just Melton if you are local!) a few months ago. They have been very busy doing a lot to the house, but they were now ready for visitors. Our visit was well timed - it was the weekend of the Melton Mowbray food festival. The weather was wet and pretty miserable. All the stands were under cover, but open to the chilly elements, so we did not linger long. Long enough to see a demonstration on how a MM pork pie is made which was fascinating and to buy a few things including, of course, a pork pie! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1O7dUeGTRrGVS4BeFCLlei4CpPJYebz0Du6-R_x83-OemyXi74wS7A4BbpRleroLGlSe6Fl_HRLk9Es02Cym5noVgu4xodKWNcQIQPutg0xTwREv2c_LOL-Viu6j93c0Ay4tNbJ0qKv_YemfUBAv02FyiZuCr2-bUS7yr0jIYxdfgi-B1YpjYB5Yr=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1O7dUeGTRrGVS4BeFCLlei4CpPJYebz0Du6-R_x83-OemyXi74wS7A4BbpRleroLGlSe6Fl_HRLk9Es02Cym5noVgu4xodKWNcQIQPutg0xTwREv2c_LOL-Viu6j93c0Ay4tNbJ0qKv_YemfUBAv02FyiZuCr2-bUS7yr0jIYxdfgi-B1YpjYB5Yr=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMu8XixZFqoclQWnpHXXVuxqnuFgXpWxbFw260-FrfovSzLkSujTcivLIfoS0MFUHXRva1HLwKy0bfMQPqt3yRG4HUFB-Q8VpS0xHmZHFXePPITujy4hJG4e15Eus33g3sBn3Jp5maaBYmVUUqiPMt9qpb_o1TqsUqWfzUNyZNNYXg7kCkHmv_rRjj=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMu8XixZFqoclQWnpHXXVuxqnuFgXpWxbFw260-FrfovSzLkSujTcivLIfoS0MFUHXRva1HLwKy0bfMQPqt3yRG4HUFB-Q8VpS0xHmZHFXePPITujy4hJG4e15Eus33g3sBn3Jp5maaBYmVUUqiPMt9qpb_o1TqsUqWfzUNyZNNYXg7kCkHmv_rRjj=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPt_16L_fzpq7_JPAHNWAUOM2NPglyi95hXojk7eqfZ8kiKDZp71owPLgPYY9os4Ayssoy6NshedNGFbm4NojNkvD54eey_QVkqPXsKlNC-94WclM1XTorSrjsJJysFknKgkvbpEsQvUKmTYT4di8LBbOrDhG0g6aFDzx9hUhpjG_1rZQx_ASylXtD=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPt_16L_fzpq7_JPAHNWAUOM2NPglyi95hXojk7eqfZ8kiKDZp71owPLgPYY9os4Ayssoy6NshedNGFbm4NojNkvD54eey_QVkqPXsKlNC-94WclM1XTorSrjsJJysFknKgkvbpEsQvUKmTYT4di8LBbOrDhG0g6aFDzx9hUhpjG_1rZQx_ASylXtD=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Quite close to their house there is a country park which Monty loved. I am sure I took some photos, but they have disappeared - we will just have to go back to take some more! </div><div>When they bought the house it came complete with a pond including the occupants - coy carp! Monty was fascinated.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhK1vpBq9fuUGM17DdNch6NYCoWQbEQefHzCFZXpFxtmm8auKiOdaovqQ14FMF1VNdTTj-CqIJZhIB95gFqstIf1wzHDDcIzvtjlPUSyTAmDVBkSdWWgth7-6WmtL59fIiXLUVsUutJY3cIluggi8FVLccrIekdrT9pLUEz8SvCYp-6m8kNoPpB2UJ7=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhK1vpBq9fuUGM17DdNch6NYCoWQbEQefHzCFZXpFxtmm8auKiOdaovqQ14FMF1VNdTTj-CqIJZhIB95gFqstIf1wzHDDcIzvtjlPUSyTAmDVBkSdWWgth7-6WmtL59fIiXLUVsUutJY3cIluggi8FVLccrIekdrT9pLUEz8SvCYp-6m8kNoPpB2UJ7=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja3gW7mExQ-o8C2eKgOhOKM88EcGa0RxpCrNBnqjra4LhIi9hEvnGhf__nXzJh57gJQgt93DqgeVpGnO2vzy_u3zUhPf9XwoGvk-iXDTlH8ASqAJX-UDhhDtQCqAGI4T65InxWJP28WdW8w72_ZcLrgp1Aini-Id3est7CDAVrJeQlidjMVQrXqg5v=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja3gW7mExQ-o8C2eKgOhOKM88EcGa0RxpCrNBnqjra4LhIi9hEvnGhf__nXzJh57gJQgt93DqgeVpGnO2vzy_u3zUhPf9XwoGvk-iXDTlH8ASqAJX-UDhhDtQCqAGI4T65InxWJP28WdW8w72_ZcLrgp1Aini-Id3est7CDAVrJeQlidjMVQrXqg5v=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Once again a lot of chatting and good eating (and yes the odd libation or two) was enjoyed by all of us.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Weekend 3</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This just involved me - I left Chris and Monty at home whilst I swanned off with our daughter for our first ever mother/daughter weekend away. We only went to Malvern, so not much travelling, but we had a ball. Our first stop on the Friday was at Malvern Spa. To me that name conjured up a rather grand stately home made from beautiful stone at the end of a long tree lined drive. I was completely wrong - it is a very rectangular ugly building on an industrial estate! Inside, however, it was wonderful and we enjoyed a day or being pampered and just relaxing. We left mid afternoon to head to the centre of Malvern to an Airbnb apartment. It was far from grand, but it was clean and had everything we needed including a space to park the car for no extra charge. </div><div><br /></div><div>These two views were taken from the entrance to the car park</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieGFo-oh0pkKU8XP0UqiEwaPcrOnlAEmxOdAnCoFTT73JeBhqM0VIJngivB9KMM6QYpX8DpnSHFwvjD_dOaKoCAkT1wHko9ucFmrMPGHNYtUmWIY0YTZXuRZwqQFJaSkpdGiw--gAYkt3UX9Y1UdQmp4sJ8Dr0gvUBXKWc6fsXW0fik-SkfgZ94pBS=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieGFo-oh0pkKU8XP0UqiEwaPcrOnlAEmxOdAnCoFTT73JeBhqM0VIJngivB9KMM6QYpX8DpnSHFwvjD_dOaKoCAkT1wHko9ucFmrMPGHNYtUmWIY0YTZXuRZwqQFJaSkpdGiw--gAYkt3UX9Y1UdQmp4sJ8Dr0gvUBXKWc6fsXW0fik-SkfgZ94pBS=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgljQzjiXbG46PypkOPNx_4_IHRp0DFOUA-B9hdNxz1VJlYFxQG-HW3GiLffOIWfkPjO7rs0fA6rnqBErYbkqHNkULf4Vh22hRdqH9rr5-d8HAWHjVOTaR5p6b-c9P8MRGZXUZeqtmTAqf5YbLtdhBjpLjnEz-jd9lYiCXjYEpeMK3TEwjDM3wafaSn=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgljQzjiXbG46PypkOPNx_4_IHRp0DFOUA-B9hdNxz1VJlYFxQG-HW3GiLffOIWfkPjO7rs0fA6rnqBErYbkqHNkULf4Vh22hRdqH9rr5-d8HAWHjVOTaR5p6b-c9P8MRGZXUZeqtmTAqf5YbLtdhBjpLjnEz-jd9lYiCXjYEpeMK3TEwjDM3wafaSn=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>That evening we had a 7 minute walk (at my pace which is still a little slow) to <a href="https://cotfordhotel.co.uk/the-cotford-hotel/" target="_blank">L'Amuse Bouche at the Cotford House Hotel</a> where we had booked a table for dinner. It was pricey, but we both agreed it was worth every penny and I aim to go back again with Chris one day. The food was pretty much Michelin standard. </div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday we spent just wandering around Malvern - somewhere neither of us had been before. Our first stop was The Priory. It certainly dominates the town</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhg4IbIZGUhM22l7vXzBPWVwglgSzyP5TsNKK-RDpKpf7rDG-YwovWPU-MtEZY1ZC7wGw3s_yMhNROY7uX6eoPYGq267SLK3I0Ww8OviTD_simcsjqaIxfX6k_H9Qb7v-nDI6s7rbYdoYzgLQmmua6GNRq3GCdZVujdUkicDxp6Pot-ZdrEmQ_fEO6F=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhg4IbIZGUhM22l7vXzBPWVwglgSzyP5TsNKK-RDpKpf7rDG-YwovWPU-MtEZY1ZC7wGw3s_yMhNROY7uX6eoPYGq267SLK3I0Ww8OviTD_simcsjqaIxfX6k_H9Qb7v-nDI6s7rbYdoYzgLQmmua6GNRq3GCdZVujdUkicDxp6Pot-ZdrEmQ_fEO6F=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> I got this information from Wikipedia:</div><div><b style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></b></div><div><b style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Great Malvern Priory</b><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> in </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malvern,_Worcestershire" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Malvern, Worcestershire">Malvern, Worcestershire</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="England">England</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">, was a </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedictine" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Benedictine">Benedictine</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Monastery">monastery</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> (c. 1075 – 1540) and is now an </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_England" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Church of England">Anglican</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parish_church" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Parish church">parish church</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">. In 1949 it was designated a </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listed_building" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Listed building">Grade I listed building</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">.</span><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> It is a dominant building in the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Malvern" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Great Malvern">Great Malvern</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_area" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Conservation area">Conservation area</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">.</span><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> It has the largest display of 15th-century </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stained_glass" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Stained glass">stained glass</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> in England</span><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> as well as carved </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misericord" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Misericord">miserichords</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> from the 15th and 16th century and the largest collection of medieval floor and wall tiles. In 1860 major restoration work was carried out by Sir </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Gilbert_Scott" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="George Gilbert Scott">George Gilbert Scott</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">. It is also the venue for concerts and civic services.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I should have looked at that before we went as we missed the miserichords. Mind you there was a service going on so we were not able to get everywhere, but it was definitely worth a visit. The stained glass windows are magnificent - the photos do not really do them justice.</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6W7NLJ3u-shCj-0A2TuOQOoFKBxgAuQ3CZjzbIPDN1848NkrqVrWUaJvkn2ygcmauJK-IqFp7aHlsE_7-8XowvACkQqY_nKUQTV0pDSXJgnIXbJsvisaduzjbQGiLqrFPX5vuzR6PDquOg0KurMZ2r5jhFdSZNOHrQ7Gt5aaOIQqNHIuexjfKK8PI=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6W7NLJ3u-shCj-0A2TuOQOoFKBxgAuQ3CZjzbIPDN1848NkrqVrWUaJvkn2ygcmauJK-IqFp7aHlsE_7-8XowvACkQqY_nKUQTV0pDSXJgnIXbJsvisaduzjbQGiLqrFPX5vuzR6PDquOg0KurMZ2r5jhFdSZNOHrQ7Gt5aaOIQqNHIuexjfKK8PI=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgO318TZwqRZSxU9_QUo0mMyE0tgFL8Dk6nT0nGv6xhFayP0Mllq7_L6tYftP7THQ7JsfDTqzC7kfyv5pujS3vXAZYnUnOAZo9TNX5OhmUX2i0kpSlxCjq6niqoNNe_edEI9kTRdWTwxyLrC-oc4vLpxzz5yFhWDx3WQbmvTjBChD1CCiPIQMb3Ha5S=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgO318TZwqRZSxU9_QUo0mMyE0tgFL8Dk6nT0nGv6xhFayP0Mllq7_L6tYftP7THQ7JsfDTqzC7kfyv5pujS3vXAZYnUnOAZo9TNX5OhmUX2i0kpSlxCjq6niqoNNe_edEI9kTRdWTwxyLrC-oc4vLpxzz5yFhWDx3WQbmvTjBChD1CCiPIQMb3Ha5S=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>Outside there was an arts and craft market where we spent quite a while admiring their wares. We did both leave with our credit cards intact!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzlu-JkYllU-CghU3FZRk4AeyP39n9x2cV6EUwC2wQo0aY--MGODO2YInz8BVYMKyA3zzXDGGFghPGQdrc-CNVAJ4vtNT_K6wiFIdMZrZNLPQO84TfDSBHyztVqP0aTldN6Ocb6HVPcVMKcm_yYYRvqip9d9xyTcAoyCqSIvG9o-opyaKSJ-O_q-1P=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzlu-JkYllU-CghU3FZRk4AeyP39n9x2cV6EUwC2wQo0aY--MGODO2YInz8BVYMKyA3zzXDGGFghPGQdrc-CNVAJ4vtNT_K6wiFIdMZrZNLPQO84TfDSBHyztVqP0aTldN6Ocb6HVPcVMKcm_yYYRvqip9d9xyTcAoyCqSIvG9o-opyaKSJ-O_q-1P=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>After that we headed up the hill to the shops passing an area with the last of the natural gas lamps that used to light up Malvern on the way up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbfV4oR8nc1j1BnFIOS-J-5eFSoIChCO0fhfhi_sSEBtDOFG7uEfo8ReJXKaFgtpfB8w-KgZ8EXsZUIEM1d49laVWZfdRHveJvPyZ3axvLe3N4aHwMQH4ri9FLiNg7SO21NgmAtlr-v201EDQsttNXOQq09x0N65IYCnLPB2-9gbjURHQII47Ge0VB=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbfV4oR8nc1j1BnFIOS-J-5eFSoIChCO0fhfhi_sSEBtDOFG7uEfo8ReJXKaFgtpfB8w-KgZ8EXsZUIEM1d49laVWZfdRHveJvPyZ3axvLe3N4aHwMQH4ri9FLiNg7SO21NgmAtlr-v201EDQsttNXOQq09x0N65IYCnLPB2-9gbjURHQII47Ge0VB=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY2xXd15d5bE4X0CFYYATuo6c2PRVpvegnkXJM7weIcvlMBrAGtqNSsKOpvPt_PWybYdZvMN4OExCkn6od3mRc78x1YCKh_JC8mR5VxXsNNnDYJ22XGh2JA14b_kOdM8qJYvWZvHnSDOD4pvhWEim6EWJWLQa8lvSiJFyPjVGtptlIKE3b2gd6c7Hf=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY2xXd15d5bE4X0CFYYATuo6c2PRVpvegnkXJM7weIcvlMBrAGtqNSsKOpvPt_PWybYdZvMN4OExCkn6od3mRc78x1YCKh_JC8mR5VxXsNNnDYJ22XGh2JA14b_kOdM8qJYvWZvHnSDOD4pvhWEim6EWJWLQa8lvSiJFyPjVGtptlIKE3b2gd6c7Hf=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Close to the above was more information - now this is something I don't fancy and I am surprised it lasted as long as it did! I will stick to the modern spa with a comforting massage, a pampering facial, a float around inside and out in warm water with the occasional visit to the steam room!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyc_I_ajun7NGtttGwc9ITvBqVSlcmKf2GOPqo_jwaahVGPRa1KgsFUhsQmrWTZfnSGa_lkglRRKnWwNmyolbSkCiRqJY4BGjr7job22o0MWshD8AI3z8hyd_hBiAaObSuvjCBgTswI8AaybsblfFPuoszEPF1Q41PqhnrZe5dUyYz_ByypPmPpmu3=s1727" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1369" data-original-width="1727" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyc_I_ajun7NGtttGwc9ITvBqVSlcmKf2GOPqo_jwaahVGPRa1KgsFUhsQmrWTZfnSGa_lkglRRKnWwNmyolbSkCiRqJY4BGjr7job22o0MWshD8AI3z8hyd_hBiAaObSuvjCBgTswI8AaybsblfFPuoszEPF1Q41PqhnrZe5dUyYz_ByypPmPpmu3=w640-h508" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We had a main meal for our lunch and then spent some time wandering around the many shops. The amount there is available to buy was extraordinary, but once again we resisted temptation (it wasn't hard - I am sure some people must buy the 'stuff', but it was not for us) - our only purchase was made by Sarah - 3 candles and a pack of Christmas paper napkins.<div><br /></div><div>Then back to the apartment via what must be one of the most scenic Waitrose's in the country where we got a French stick and some cheese to have for our supper before we headed out to </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZdA7TwY27oGlpwAKLxj5dHD0c2b1urxU6_IB2RqMX4J8WN_dO8gXcU_QyQZKy5GfVf4uYAVfWSWK-5yttliBTgk618LSKHNjojL-a1m1jEVHf2yt1e5jXpWbpT4D_o165Wd4_iY8hk3sibPzG2d-pItrlFyoqu5ThOIzlHHuDq2hIjUYvjNCXZJ72=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZdA7TwY27oGlpwAKLxj5dHD0c2b1urxU6_IB2RqMX4J8WN_dO8gXcU_QyQZKy5GfVf4uYAVfWSWK-5yttliBTgk618LSKHNjojL-a1m1jEVHf2yt1e5jXpWbpT4D_o165Wd4_iY8hk3sibPzG2d-pItrlFyoqu5ThOIzlHHuDq2hIjUYvjNCXZJ72=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>the theatre which was about 100 yards from the apartment.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKyJYohTvoVlne-3Vr7UwxxEm5A9hh9hHf8Xkc98WqWLcWUp8msb2KMAB6kbrRvtalp4YUxdHwqHf4azMICV4sQ8v9_vZvPso3Gw8C--tD0r6PjMRegLY82OFo3yR8QEVYDIrkjRDfLCr8497bWwvB9mOC_8jY57tNExHZgin89qYJrksaTkWzJseM=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKyJYohTvoVlne-3Vr7UwxxEm5A9hh9hHf8Xkc98WqWLcWUp8msb2KMAB6kbrRvtalp4YUxdHwqHf4azMICV4sQ8v9_vZvPso3Gw8C--tD0r6PjMRegLY82OFo3yR8QEVYDIrkjRDfLCr8497bWwvB9mOC_8jY57tNExHZgin89qYJrksaTkWzJseM=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>To see </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEkejS3_NOPQNhecmDK0eL_6e9dZyFNXPsdN7SiGTshRh9-PoxPZ7wrK9APCqOXBLY5YezpHloXflD_xIt0ffCuG3WX2gOEuC_yQbTN00-n5nzXLfAph3U5KfdfNBdnrJvIIF_3BF5j0dcF4eUVGruWVDl9OUgPGcJsgLAfQkQv5-oOJlAWemEv4sZ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEkejS3_NOPQNhecmDK0eL_6e9dZyFNXPsdN7SiGTshRh9-PoxPZ7wrK9APCqOXBLY5YezpHloXflD_xIt0ffCuG3WX2gOEuC_yQbTN00-n5nzXLfAph3U5KfdfNBdnrJvIIF_3BF5j0dcF4eUVGruWVDl9OUgPGcJsgLAfQkQv5-oOJlAWemEv4sZ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>It was wonderful to be in a theatre again for a live performance and it was an interesting version of this play in that it was performed by just three actors (2 male, 1 female). They did cover the entire story with a lot of costume changes and a great deal of dashing around the stage. Props were minimal and were well used, but I am not sure I would advise anyone to go out of their way to see it. At times it descended to a farcical level, which this play most definitely is not. <div><br /></div><div>As you will have seen from the photos taken on the Saturday, the weather was grey and murky, so no good scenic shots. This must be fabulous on a clear day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg27lb8AxoQ5QZtjKMSgIz2AyJSMKXCEI6BbbwkA6AQy_N6O5J27g8y_yXES4b6bqtDaixM-oscF1mNg1bcLZU6Fx7vRUcjx2XvzVoBaWHHGh3On1QvPotXPgoqFMgEnLa_3oN4s9dnZ0yksk1NglFBccJbgsoPJ3_hCWUhyiw7sH4LLSeqGWRd2Yda=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg27lb8AxoQ5QZtjKMSgIz2AyJSMKXCEI6BbbwkA6AQy_N6O5J27g8y_yXES4b6bqtDaixM-oscF1mNg1bcLZU6Fx7vRUcjx2XvzVoBaWHHGh3On1QvPotXPgoqFMgEnLa_3oN4s9dnZ0yksk1NglFBccJbgsoPJ3_hCWUhyiw7sH4LLSeqGWRd2Yda=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Typically when it was time to leave on Sunday the sky was bright blue and the sun was shining! We both had a fantastic time and have decided we need to take ourselves off again next year, so watch this space! It is a town well worth a visit if you have not been before and I would definitely recommend the <a href="https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/37586999?adults=2&check_in=2021-10-08&check_out=2021-10-10&source_impression_id=p3_1629748323_UUXa%2FxApUR7YjQnO&guests=1" target="_blank">Airbnb</a>. It was not posh, but it did the trick and was so much nicer than being stuck in a hotel room. <br /><div><br /></div></div>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-9069267287032168552021-09-04T08:53:00.001-07:002021-09-04T08:53:35.867-07:00That Special Event<p><b><u> Saturday 28th August 2021</u></b></p><div style="text-align: left;">At the end of my last post, I mentioned a special event that was on the horizon. The day dawned bright, well dry and not too chilly at least. We needed a dry and relatively warm afternoon.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What was afoot? It was my 70th birthday. I had not had any intentions of marking the occasion due to the uncertainties of life with covid around. When things looked as though some sort of normality was on the cards our daughter in law (Jo) suggested that I might like to share some sort of celebration with our eldest granddaughter (Molly) who would be 18 on 2nd September. Her due date had been the 20th August, but she kept us waiting. At one time I thought she might even be a birthday present for me, but no she waited that little bit longer and shares a birthday with our boating friend Sue (Boatwif) from nb Cleddau.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once the idea had been planted, I put my thinking cap on. It was decided to have tea, cake and bubbly in the garden in the afternoon followed by a meal out in the evening.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The day started with a family Zoom call - three households from England, one from New Zealand, one on the Isle of Wight and one in mid Wales (note their enviable blue sky!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPPnvpBrGwMMZzIjYiyy0RuYYk3HNCfsgfe80IYZN4fHIU8-Ry8VThQEvnLnyAxEQpH47DEKIsrJ6IC23vYsnKv4sQzCjvuFBbN4r9bIUEz24zF1toB1dH7ch8REG8RZkureW0FWJqKk/s1050/01_Zoom.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="1050" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPPnvpBrGwMMZzIjYiyy0RuYYk3HNCfsgfe80IYZN4fHIU8-Ry8VThQEvnLnyAxEQpH47DEKIsrJ6IC23vYsnKv4sQzCjvuFBbN4r9bIUEz24zF1toB1dH7ch8REG8RZkureW0FWJqKk/w400-h175/01_Zoom.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The weather played ball for the afternoon and we even got a bit of sunshine every now and then. I was assured by Jo and Sarah (our daughter) that cake would be provided and they did us proud. Sarah made an amazing sponge cake and a selection of small cakes as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIde6ES3naGyH2Q3XflT7HE6EWHYaiIGMHjpKV1gmnbyACn4cXiRwOpKPD-FEOE_ftSHrZfn8mN6q6Hsi5f43XXZ5XB0UTZbk6sAA8zt3f2it3mIEWzwJEXChbsunejb9nWnyzhuNovk/s1400/02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIde6ES3naGyH2Q3XflT7HE6EWHYaiIGMHjpKV1gmnbyACn4cXiRwOpKPD-FEOE_ftSHrZfn8mN6q6Hsi5f43XXZ5XB0UTZbk6sAA8zt3f2it3mIEWzwJEXChbsunejb9nWnyzhuNovk/w640-h480/02.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">and Jo provided doughnuts and macarons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQguvp1PKxKIYPusTaoRKzGiB_IsbDXZVPtEs7JcqgO-x8sjFXIJz9fRGrkrOYSr9Xw8anogmmtfzW4-fYa0-736olMHOBOpO8Ui4a6BjC6AE3ZE6IaZW2FoYkPosTfB4PF1oXnaWxAeM/s2160/03.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="2160" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQguvp1PKxKIYPusTaoRKzGiB_IsbDXZVPtEs7JcqgO-x8sjFXIJz9fRGrkrOYSr9Xw8anogmmtfzW4-fYa0-736olMHOBOpO8Ui4a6BjC6AE3ZE6IaZW2FoYkPosTfB4PF1oXnaWxAeM/w640-h306/03.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Molly and I cut the cake together<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzRLxcY71KIcrBGdcAsMopOSghNeYzZMPmjDCYJPuRsGRyGou69YpITlpXladdpSxjHcRUSXKsyh0Gt4-9SRvZe6gPJGKSzQoxYoY35iWdgnud9tfPpV7W13gyeEAm2nTCf6gZXcBP0U/s755/04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="716" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzRLxcY71KIcrBGdcAsMopOSghNeYzZMPmjDCYJPuRsGRyGou69YpITlpXladdpSxjHcRUSXKsyh0Gt4-9SRvZe6gPJGKSzQoxYoY35iWdgnud9tfPpV7W13gyeEAm2nTCf6gZXcBP0U/s320/04.JPG" width="303" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The obligatory group photo!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_UoBQLx1xT41lUwOJMZ4Wd4DZblZslVxmett-u0wuipeVMqMg5N2z4C0w0SFo2IM6PEcOsHUCUsDBB3oPLdHmLKS_8gi78ejujf_aonE6_D40XfojskCKWXUawKXttMKvQGoxxYT5-c/s1409/05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1409" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_UoBQLx1xT41lUwOJMZ4Wd4DZblZslVxmett-u0wuipeVMqMg5N2z4C0w0SFo2IM6PEcOsHUCUsDBB3oPLdHmLKS_8gi78ejujf_aonE6_D40XfojskCKWXUawKXttMKvQGoxxYT5-c/w640-h330/05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We spent a wonderful couple of hours together before we all headed off to prepare for the evening. There were 8 of us staying here, 7 in a local Premier Inn and 4 in their home not far from here. The fleet (5) of taxis arrived on time at the respective places and conveyed us all (suitably booted and suited!) to our chosen venue called The Orangery which is part of an establishment called The Old Rectory.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVVMh6Hurj9lipJg66MVu1YR2Rd-abPlMLnlDDU62WEtdOdd8JEj5IAAOpOsIqt7JG8XSlq_eMUcSyu99PWcIo6ZvzYXpxeTux5gdoYfNNnJeSaGhGaS7BjSDB52NDWMcyxlmEdUTqL8/s1840/07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVVMh6Hurj9lipJg66MVu1YR2Rd-abPlMLnlDDU62WEtdOdd8JEj5IAAOpOsIqt7JG8XSlq_eMUcSyu99PWcIo6ZvzYXpxeTux5gdoYfNNnJeSaGhGaS7BjSDB52NDWMcyxlmEdUTqL8/w640-h480/07.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Main Entrance<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKtOZQoKrdzXMwllQWMcS_lEzaNqVrzOpPb8qbTsTgL0JaIVUmpEbY6ofLAW1vjPAmmb8IHHAFJT2MhsDMCsjHGx9CmzpzDZefdT0ZX6DsX4Jy1-pipoCL0vHgzpXyU2UWZj3eyPE-qg/s1840/08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKtOZQoKrdzXMwllQWMcS_lEzaNqVrzOpPb8qbTsTgL0JaIVUmpEbY6ofLAW1vjPAmmb8IHHAFJT2MhsDMCsjHGx9CmzpzDZefdT0ZX6DsX4Jy1-pipoCL0vHgzpXyU2UWZj3eyPE-qg/w640-h480/08.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Lavendar Room as we saw it when we first visited a couple of months ago - it was to be ours for the evening.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TsMS6JXz_lZBweeVM_wZdA7akLwgssRkNcfVQnTMKnXH5SpwPkJ6c3pMeFiY5VEM8u7v1LgfNV3-SoptYYEWb6xZHS_u2hSoowd0zBAx_zL0ztLO9jqiv1HgVI4vQdh-bhjsZBh5e30/s1840/09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TsMS6JXz_lZBweeVM_wZdA7akLwgssRkNcfVQnTMKnXH5SpwPkJ6c3pMeFiY5VEM8u7v1LgfNV3-SoptYYEWb6xZHS_u2hSoowd0zBAx_zL0ztLO9jqiv1HgVI4vQdh-bhjsZBh5e30/w640-h480/09.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sarah and family had gone ahead with suitable decorations. The only stipulations from the venue were no confetti on the table and no blu tak on the wallpaper on the far wall. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The eagle eyed will spot Sue and Ken (Boatwif and The Captain) were among the guests.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsG1sNEGSAnMqQVeV5tkDZz5yvluapBAdDKAfrm3iajPybcJKnBzbmcXTTs09HDzrI8xaybIiI_QgKlnzboCnVNnMwzuafx4JwJzg3bOZYKbOC2MYW2rotkRwgyX0LqePTCYGNKaORmo/s4000/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsG1sNEGSAnMqQVeV5tkDZz5yvluapBAdDKAfrm3iajPybcJKnBzbmcXTTs09HDzrI8xaybIiI_QgKlnzboCnVNnMwzuafx4JwJzg3bOZYKbOC2MYW2rotkRwgyX0LqePTCYGNKaORmo/w640-h480/010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzolruX3gpE70qDQF8_S5gh5v_Ba7TlAOmUOWb9wENfQv_cv1QQAoW0KsNH9OOGVoiqkQnmmF0stnXxDiajlbtU4Lvc3R9R8dQ4TpyWRA7FSMctJhKewPbfXHgKMbMwNl7xepVyNPS2hs/s4000/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzolruX3gpE70qDQF8_S5gh5v_Ba7TlAOmUOWb9wENfQv_cv1QQAoW0KsNH9OOGVoiqkQnmmF0stnXxDiajlbtU4Lvc3R9R8dQ4TpyWRA7FSMctJhKewPbfXHgKMbMwNl7xepVyNPS2hs/w640-h480/011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The food was first class and the service exemplary. With that number of people we had had to pre-order. The first course arrived and as if by magic and every person had the correct dish delivered. When the same happened with the main, we felt compelled to ask 'how'? There was no shouting of ' who is having the ****', there was no visible list in front of us, so how did they know? If you look closely at the table you will see little cards in front of each person. I had provided these with the name of the person and what they were eating (we all ordered 2 months ago and my brain is like a sieve, so I guessed others might have forgotten as well!). The head waitress said that as we all sat down she had made a note of our names and where we were sitting. She then went off and wrote out a plan that they all worked to. It was most impressive! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all it was an immensely successful day. What more could I ask for than a day with our closest family members and friends. 'Perfick' as a certain fictional gentleman from Kent might have uttered.</div></div></div>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-82895094498534302822021-08-26T09:33:00.001-07:002021-08-27T01:11:12.104-07:00At last it has all gone!<p>The last of the 'stuff' from the boat that we, family and friends did not want was packed up and taken to our local hospice shop on Tuesday. What a relief to get our conservatory back! It has gone to a good cause and I hope they make a bit of money from it all.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyv5rkEC3ZiHEvabuyfAMiWBa605l2AF9jkL_iChbMlBg-flqsNRWT8L-A__gHzv_lNdEWEo8QIaEO5WFBA_fE0C45ih0itQw8wGqibHr55Hr0U3pkaCOLjOL0qW1RbJp3U9Zq3-qF2Gs/s1400/P1000042+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyv5rkEC3ZiHEvabuyfAMiWBa605l2AF9jkL_iChbMlBg-flqsNRWT8L-A__gHzv_lNdEWEo8QIaEO5WFBA_fE0C45ih0itQw8wGqibHr55Hr0U3pkaCOLjOL0qW1RbJp3U9Zq3-qF2Gs/w300-h400/P1000042+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1Sqbq3qLvodwtdhsBIfn-U3fxlCmrbXK_1mBz62-bMBOTpdWlpRu7-_kOVIuQDRX69fIYpVjLQi1R27SrVsXIzFLHI8mfgG98AxUKQ_ntQeiDHhc-4iBqI1pXTY2OchKmHvJJpyZUdg/s1400/P1000043+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1Sqbq3qLvodwtdhsBIfn-U3fxlCmrbXK_1mBz62-bMBOTpdWlpRu7-_kOVIuQDRX69fIYpVjLQi1R27SrVsXIzFLHI8mfgG98AxUKQ_ntQeiDHhc-4iBqI1pXTY2OchKmHvJJpyZUdg/w300-h400/P1000043+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The only things we have left are two canal plaques - one for the Oxford Canal and the other from Chirk Aqueduct. Are there any collectors out there who might be interested. We don't want money for them - but just would like them to go to a good home. If you are interested just leave a comment with contact details (I won't publish the comment, so they will remain safe). <span style="color: red;">NB The Chirk plaque has been spoken for.</span><br /><p>I am still struggling with both knees, but we are still here and plodding (literally) on. We find enough to do to keep ourselves busy and we have a special event coming up this weekend... more of that will follow in due course. </p>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-21238308972389992792021-08-02T07:38:00.004-07:002021-08-02T07:53:47.437-07:00Farewell<p><b><u> Monday 2nd August 2021</u></b></p><p>We certainly cannot complain about the speed of our sale. She went on the market with New & Used Boats on Wednesday 21st July. On Saturday 24th we got an offer which we accepted. So here we are just 10 days later and everything is done and dusted, the money is in the bank and we met the new owners in the marina this morning to hand over Tentatrice. </p><p>David and Deborah have been out on a boat at least once a year since they got married 35 years ago and they have owned their current 42 foot boat for 12 years. The time has come for them where they want a bigger boat and will go off further afield. I know we probably shouldn't care what happens to Tentatrice now she is no longer ours, but we do and we are so glad to know that she has gone to a couple who will love her and look after her in the same way we did. </p><p>David and Deborah's mooring is in Kinver. They sailed to Hanbury Wharf in their old boat arriving yesterday. This morning they walked across to Droitwich Spa Marina and were there when we arrived. We have a granddaughter with us at present and once we had 'handed over' (ie gone through the general workings of the boat etc and answered their questions) David and Deborah were kind enough to allow Evelyn, Monty and I to travel to the top of Hanbury locks on Tentatrice.</p><p>Just a few photos of our final trip and David, Deborah and Tess's (Cockerpoo aged one) first trip on Tentatrice.</p><p>Tracey (our next door but one neighbour) was there to wave us off. We will miss seeing her, Jo and boat dog Shackleton, but we will, I am sure, keep in touch. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqTazytmefl626hcaBYzvaYGsHV-dTPpwGf0Ox2qvGz7vkP3gYrnOAYqROCMvTLZvUOAX1SWWVpEExt-qloi9rNgF4tQcsnI87I07YEtjfJj0MLLAWzcGcRmeWU3uVJJArnM1okz_UAU/s1840/P1120359+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqTazytmefl626hcaBYzvaYGsHV-dTPpwGf0Ox2qvGz7vkP3gYrnOAYqROCMvTLZvUOAX1SWWVpEExt-qloi9rNgF4tQcsnI87I07YEtjfJj0MLLAWzcGcRmeWU3uVJJArnM1okz_UAU/w640-h480/P1120359+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Into Hanbury bottom lock</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYecjJt0FZa2hM_B2tc37LrJ5qxUhLoSHAc7etbnWNQk2FubOfWOJ3iGFX6VRBXpE67o07zH63L2vUk5B4Ol_aJwY5-m-GeLFeDSU_CFzatnInKQKQblDmyhr_1KyxYjzmJtt2iki1uNQ/s1840/P1120363+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYecjJt0FZa2hM_B2tc37LrJ5qxUhLoSHAc7etbnWNQk2FubOfWOJ3iGFX6VRBXpE67o07zH63L2vUk5B4Ol_aJwY5-m-GeLFeDSU_CFzatnInKQKQblDmyhr_1KyxYjzmJtt2iki1uNQ/w640-h480/P1120363+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monty and I got off as the boat got to the top of the lock - Monty was not at all bothered about other people and a 'strange' dog being on 'his' boat!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8N7zuws8xhyJZiC477ygZJgZ6GG_JwsI0UjOp4XrlUnrq7tEfL7xmUmdYYkssC6otkK0lVAfRVC4dL7NAZiWegPNnu8INnpT6mrvJtDauPHA_179wqNIUDfN9Fj9QTRg_UN44N2FVi68/s1840/P1120365+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8N7zuws8xhyJZiC477ygZJgZ6GG_JwsI0UjOp4XrlUnrq7tEfL7xmUmdYYkssC6otkK0lVAfRVC4dL7NAZiWegPNnu8INnpT6mrvJtDauPHA_179wqNIUDfN9Fj9QTRg_UN44N2FVi68/w640-h480/P1120365+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Tess is not quite tall enough to peer right over the top<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrBJNqukIDSg9Teep-QZS4cjJmhVJJ56Wj_FeDJG3efuMFBoZrntVH6Xu26IcwTy2TEH7gK1lZHmqq6HSvcKMcWAH5Trsiti4V_3ZQxPhkmeexNceIWS6A3sU6L4KaSFUTLB2alf4vlE/s1840/P1120366+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrBJNqukIDSg9Teep-QZS4cjJmhVJJ56Wj_FeDJG3efuMFBoZrntVH6Xu26IcwTy2TEH7gK1lZHmqq6HSvcKMcWAH5Trsiti4V_3ZQxPhkmeexNceIWS6A3sU6L4KaSFUTLB2alf4vlE/w640-h480/P1120366+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There was a boat waiting to come down, so Evelyn had a 'lock mate'.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlbtrxUp4goYnZMkWEyZL_IL-wIJOOmF_3qKEllDrlyq7IE8QxZKOc47Xl0kLmcab3BQN9WboYwiN29mXj5IF3elxDJE_UBK_D-YPaZHqF7qZF5NmelsuYYvXYBu8gPE-4ldy9hWPytU/s1840/P1120367+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlbtrxUp4goYnZMkWEyZL_IL-wIJOOmF_3qKEllDrlyq7IE8QxZKOc47Xl0kLmcab3BQN9WboYwiN29mXj5IF3elxDJE_UBK_D-YPaZHqF7qZF5NmelsuYYvXYBu8gPE-4ldy9hWPytU/w640-h480/P1120367+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBsO18UN1hHh7uAHxpV8eLegAxk_w2U8RG7dbEV4oVKTOxcfW8EgiiE4dxdwrFD39GgulmyrGi6sSaj51ASssP9O6WjDAnU1dgrEgdViIYAn1ePdOQ3R4uzhF1GOQbMOxsyhK1dJOeWg/s1840/P1120369+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBsO18UN1hHh7uAHxpV8eLegAxk_w2U8RG7dbEV4oVKTOxcfW8EgiiE4dxdwrFD39GgulmyrGi6sSaj51ASssP9O6WjDAnU1dgrEgdViIYAn1ePdOQ3R4uzhF1GOQbMOxsyhK1dJOeWg/w640-h480/P1120369+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last locking duties for Monty</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAIlmfqdEA2M2vhlJPr6ZTvSXkg9NE_L85_hGSmwQTvCnRazGUyX-z71FkkfhfbCV6g9xTFVvm66AVHrwYtl4AROGmk0Bv-51XqLjzam0Ijxo3me5LGEdy9tX3vcExvCtcPi_J4OLYdE/s1840/P1120371+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAIlmfqdEA2M2vhlJPr6ZTvSXkg9NE_L85_hGSmwQTvCnRazGUyX-z71FkkfhfbCV6g9xTFVvm66AVHrwYtl4AROGmk0Bv-51XqLjzam0Ijxo3me5LGEdy9tX3vcExvCtcPi_J4OLYdE/w640-h480/P1120371+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Deborah and Evelyn waiting for the side pound to empty<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOf3xZY0DwXaue_k1YcfDBBns3kk95rYRTcJYjdJD5FAtniCmRUjrnE0RHprKKbOsXDLs4n4Jc90EUUTIru1SysF95hwxiIg1xHj-RAhByG12ddQED-hOsNfUKvWtmPw3rxolIg8YoCzE/s1840/P1120373+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOf3xZY0DwXaue_k1YcfDBBns3kk95rYRTcJYjdJD5FAtniCmRUjrnE0RHprKKbOsXDLs4n4Jc90EUUTIru1SysF95hwxiIg1xHj-RAhByG12ddQED-hOsNfUKvWtmPw3rxolIg8YoCzE/w640-h480/P1120373+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The top lock plus volunteer lock keeper and Chris arriving with milk for the new Tentatrice crew<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKvAqVDsGsSozTgHssNkOJ-pbSxyM7QHiq4oPDdjFcL1ZkPuPxP0lEtwjTB935xZYSerKQTBluhw6jHgs7eEtQ5nKpdAkCTf-jAXk1uoizT6if24HVPA2gqX0lmPUsyzdMoMJO4hySA0/s1840/P1120376+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKvAqVDsGsSozTgHssNkOJ-pbSxyM7QHiq4oPDdjFcL1ZkPuPxP0lEtwjTB935xZYSerKQTBluhw6jHgs7eEtQ5nKpdAkCTf-jAXk1uoizT6if24HVPA2gqX0lmPUsyzdMoMJO4hySA0/w640-h480/P1120376+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another boat coming down so Deborah joined David on the back deck for the top lock.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUXXO9nqZvKsmrMek8hFhfVOOy4DxFiRPfbhFqP5tOOYNvJGdReJj9g7Ny2rfsfmoaOisRRMhVo-F_6G-37LU15RsKaadr4DfWBp9DuvF_EaOkhwIKlrS4FQe8xOT79CPKm9xAu2hjZo/s1840/P1120381+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUXXO9nqZvKsmrMek8hFhfVOOy4DxFiRPfbhFqP5tOOYNvJGdReJj9g7Ny2rfsfmoaOisRRMhVo-F_6G-37LU15RsKaadr4DfWBp9DuvF_EaOkhwIKlrS4FQe8xOT79CPKm9xAu2hjZo/w640-h480/P1120381+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monty reunited with his master and the other VLK</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZGDYA6lXnDidcBVD0MTZEgmYPPAqI8VSoI6Y9vDj7DqH6dE75dD0z9Ly910VtmCzbAPr0jWgAwqc3vesWQCoWowgihsUhP8saH3cbhm816yZ-C32aOqhGzAFxt0Nun3H3f5XfC_0470/s1840/P1120383+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZGDYA6lXnDidcBVD0MTZEgmYPPAqI8VSoI6Y9vDj7DqH6dE75dD0z9Ly910VtmCzbAPr0jWgAwqc3vesWQCoWowgihsUhP8saH3cbhm816yZ-C32aOqhGzAFxt0Nun3H3f5XfC_0470/w640-h480/P1120383+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Only three locks today and he still had a lie down on the job,<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMJX2a6hyphenhyphencdl5OrP61bpejh9GcXhN_YtjfJsGUwF7s0EL14HtYikE0YvW87vVDJfZ04x04v_0YWlhwxbTW9yZtrP5aJJhzy5tKKjlqsCjehzd93Ch4yiiEV06Hn4z-QF17ZNoH-V-p7k/s1840/P1120384+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMJX2a6hyphenhyphencdl5OrP61bpejh9GcXhN_YtjfJsGUwF7s0EL14HtYikE0YvW87vVDJfZ04x04v_0YWlhwxbTW9yZtrP5aJJhzy5tKKjlqsCjehzd93Ch4yiiEV06Hn4z-QF17ZNoH-V-p7k/w640-h480/P1120384+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Evelyn putting her back into the last paddle to be wound up<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_27DeHARNn62qw-j5YLAI5StQN12O9T37q4-b7ohgKtkk7IaSaWqpqS0PVYFuUH1WnNjwrjvMMBUMO0o99hbR09EnBxVq4KK8NfbttfMabmL4X0XOwPvbLahFirQikzEGOjMpoHfr89s/s1840/P1120385+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_27DeHARNn62qw-j5YLAI5StQN12O9T37q4-b7ohgKtkk7IaSaWqpqS0PVYFuUH1WnNjwrjvMMBUMO0o99hbR09EnBxVq4KK8NfbttfMabmL4X0XOwPvbLahFirQikzEGOjMpoHfr89s/w640-h480/P1120385+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tess has found a good look out point</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3-lLC-q9rMvBufwIw2S-FJd3XbszlJcKC5xnHbcLAl03-pwUtAQ5e4IQUcbDjHvKv62dpBajUf3LqzhSK41855FGj6AmwYg0UPEJmc4FJyTmyIh39fWjolkDE3uWzG5sJ8ivT18vXqQ/s1840/P1120391+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3-lLC-q9rMvBufwIw2S-FJd3XbszlJcKC5xnHbcLAl03-pwUtAQ5e4IQUcbDjHvKv62dpBajUf3LqzhSK41855FGj6AmwYg0UPEJmc4FJyTmyIh39fWjolkDE3uWzG5sJ8ivT18vXqQ/w640-h480/P1120391+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They are off</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfnYc3HXR1mkJ68_qA1duTxt6JTHXuLpmAw-ZPHmg5glucffF7-mXITOMN8zBFjmXqKA9s37_STzA5OxIhEPKMUcRLguVz4tSCrYQLMafgl-jJRaT6z-RUQFU9T5AT8VpaRIysbHPuPg/s1840/P1120393+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfnYc3HXR1mkJ68_qA1duTxt6JTHXuLpmAw-ZPHmg5glucffF7-mXITOMN8zBFjmXqKA9s37_STzA5OxIhEPKMUcRLguVz4tSCrYQLMafgl-jJRaT6z-RUQFU9T5AT8VpaRIysbHPuPg/w640-h480/P1120393+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Through Hanbury Junction </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-rdGD4Mns-scDCCC6h8NNUxAtIwXvoPb3iERltWAc_VsaOD1oVe_hTX7f8h0b3cuDJd7fhZNJCe2YeDC0u1yKNGTL5XfSLqCj1_vUauUfImNXwAj9Ccy6O5pM6bBcvNbh5Kvavp8GIY/s1840/P1120396+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-rdGD4Mns-scDCCC6h8NNUxAtIwXvoPb3iERltWAc_VsaOD1oVe_hTX7f8h0b3cuDJd7fhZNJCe2YeDC0u1yKNGTL5XfSLqCj1_vUauUfImNXwAj9Ccy6O5pM6bBcvNbh5Kvavp8GIY/w640-h480/P1120396+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And away</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSosgV2gUoKX5tMkAL-E7BXwh794hcdKMtjp9G5OpOnYaR5-WRpHKr-R_6r0exvxwLXxaKdC4y_8i9S9Lib0jf6OT92SzQGGnO-ma3wuDWPo9Yg0jP4SxOrzNvsKII_TwiFWFvkuPckOI/s1840/P1120397+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSosgV2gUoKX5tMkAL-E7BXwh794hcdKMtjp9G5OpOnYaR5-WRpHKr-R_6r0exvxwLXxaKdC4y_8i9S9Lib0jf6OT92SzQGGnO-ma3wuDWPo9Yg0jP4SxOrzNvsKII_TwiFWFvkuPckOI/w640-h480/P1120397+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We walked to Hanbury Wharf to help them moor up against their old boat Rumah Kita (our home in Malay)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5rXa0ntrr7uocLyggKblAL40PIjCN6oohv9n5VPebBM4ojbpAzlmD_GNNqFYNNJJFwAPV5GNGme4SjbsDlH59TSbXIHj3JuO11nAAa62OMM7qNo2kjH7TQryKN1SvP6mm1jMu-Z0P_I/s1840/P1120399+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5rXa0ntrr7uocLyggKblAL40PIjCN6oohv9n5VPebBM4ojbpAzlmD_GNNqFYNNJJFwAPV5GNGme4SjbsDlH59TSbXIHj3JuO11nAAa62OMM7qNo2kjH7TQryKN1SvP6mm1jMu-Z0P_I/w640-h480/P1120399+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They will certainly have more room now!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7io8TT68QX2vosiv65Krz3UQc9luaJ1Emk6OfYQikHyt0rJiF2zpWtvgwRIySdcUdxJcDP7u9Ai3e0fWzZaNx1mGr2Tvev3sjaNsup3JgttsjVlXwTY2bK76ZJYi-tRZPaf9Ml6RARSc/s1840/P1120400+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7io8TT68QX2vosiv65Krz3UQc9luaJ1Emk6OfYQikHyt0rJiF2zpWtvgwRIySdcUdxJcDP7u9Ai3e0fWzZaNx1mGr2Tvev3sjaNsup3JgttsjVlXwTY2bK76ZJYi-tRZPaf9Ml6RARSc/w640-h480/P1120400+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We waved farewell as they were already transferring their belongings on to their new boat. They are aiming to be down on the Severn tonight, so a long day ahead. It is, at least, dry and warm and I hope it stays that way for them. Rumah Kita is staying for New & Used to sell for them. I cannot fault the brokerage - they made the whole process very easy and I would recommend their services is anyone is in need of a broker. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEq-I_wsGjr5Dz14XgmLoPW70xyyOHxJgO2qbcA6rNcMPi-boa7Hv73Ttq_SwWdbMRfk9se1h0-rRmdolJUn5nsSROga0PVHw6XBujfhMKqsPgtyOFxWNbXP0GFVVeLa6MrfjpsLztoR4/s1840/P1120402+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEq-I_wsGjr5Dz14XgmLoPW70xyyOHxJgO2qbcA6rNcMPi-boa7Hv73Ttq_SwWdbMRfk9se1h0-rRmdolJUn5nsSROga0PVHw6XBujfhMKqsPgtyOFxWNbXP0GFVVeLa6MrfjpsLztoR4/w640-h480/P1120402+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>We wish David and Deborah many happy years and a lot of great adventures on Tentatrice. If you see the boat, do wave and say hello. The name may change, possibly to 'Rumah Kita II' - that is a decision they will make in the fullness of time. The colours and scroll work make her fairly easy to spot, whatever her name is. We know Tentatrice is in good hands. </p><p>Our final stats are:</p><p>3942 miles</p><p>3664 locks</p><p>240 swing bridges</p><p>135 tunnels</p><p>I may well pop in every now and then when something special occurs and I will certainly keep reading the blogs that I follow. The next big event for us is the end of this month....</p><p>Until then I will say Au Revoir and if anyone is down this way please give us a shout - we are always ready for a cuppa/ pub lunch etc. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-2311354386683243622021-07-29T08:14:00.003-07:002021-07-29T08:14:53.788-07:00Preparations for Sale<p><b><u> 6th - 18th July</u></b></p><p>I am sure our decision to sell may seem precipitous to some, but it is something we knew might be on the cards and has been discussed between ourselves for quite some time. If you look back to when we set off on 29th June, you will notice that we were not certain we would make it to Derby, but we were determined to give it a go. Sadly, it was not to be, so the only sensible option is to sell up and find other less strenuous adventures to occupy us. My knees will (I hope) recover and allow me to walk Monty again and I guess eventually I may get new ones. Chris's COPD will not improve and we did not want to leave Tentatrice languishing in a marina for a year or so in case I got better. She was built to cruise.</p><p>Boats are selling well at present, so it was just deciding how to sell her - through a broker or privately. The latter was not an option. Part of our mooring agreement with the marina specifies that we cannot sell a boat privately from the marina. New & Used have the concession as brokers at Droitwich which really made the decision for us.</p><p>They required us to move everything not boat related (ie windlasses, fenders, boat hooks etc etc) from the boat. A mammoth task done over many days. We now have crates, bags and boxes of 'stuff' all over the house! Once it was empty, the next job was a thorough clean inside and out, neither of which were too bad, but the job still needed to be done. Sarah once again came to the rescue and on Friday 16th July she came over and spent the day with us getting to all the low down places inside that I cannot get to at the moment. The next day (one of the hottest of the year) she and her younger son came over to help with the outside. Sarah was to help me with the blue sides and the roof (she ended up doing at least three quarters) whilst our grandson got stuck in to clean the black. His lack of height is a definite advantage doing that job! I have to say he worked very hard and never complained. I heard him negotiate his 'fee' with his mother - he settled on a bottle of Lucozade! Needless to say he got some folding money from us!</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSnEEecMQ81Z6spZtuBe7Ugy5P_LbTExamDRkRWYp9i7_GbSV0OM8XZYD-BDlDbayhACgSyIBvX5kOcUTerw63Rv9BruHQK7dEP6QE26vpQeOWgpcWzHo_LLlSMWkBn8SNKPX8PL_oic/s892/01_boat+cleaning+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="669" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSnEEecMQ81Z6spZtuBe7Ugy5P_LbTExamDRkRWYp9i7_GbSV0OM8XZYD-BDlDbayhACgSyIBvX5kOcUTerw63Rv9BruHQK7dEP6QE26vpQeOWgpcWzHo_LLlSMWkBn8SNKPX8PL_oic/w480-h640/01_boat+cleaning+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></p>As you can see above the job was made easier as our pontoon neighbours are away (floating along the Thames I believe), so we could just pull Tentatrice across to do the port side.<div><br /></div><div>The final jobs were for Chris - paint parts of the stove</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40cHkW0vZJaRd-v4SeIROgewY038gnrBoiQbcQpwJONuAuD5F5oBuGJhaae_2LbkDmzFah2R0gBDOa4HE5tZg6KbFk7P3FMcJimjQChyphenhyphenr0uWmJm5uePpmLej9yG0mGjw9Y0XNIfkWBbY/s2048/IMG_20210718_093936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40cHkW0vZJaRd-v4SeIROgewY038gnrBoiQbcQpwJONuAuD5F5oBuGJhaae_2LbkDmzFah2R0gBDOa4HE5tZg6KbFk7P3FMcJimjQChyphenhyphenr0uWmJm5uePpmLej9yG0mGjw9Y0XNIfkWBbY/w480-h640/IMG_20210718_093936.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>and touch up the sides<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TKAzAqn77419KFsisdQ1RlN4O4VLMHH81eLkQ5JJzHF01cprbEj4TTyP9ZqKKKpvCELGSnJXRC6S359WzhV8QbZNnkntmBuPtdjIU7d_Q2Jf7toIqHDt_cWCsFpDPo-j8ztYjS4wMqw/s1840/P1120274+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TKAzAqn77419KFsisdQ1RlN4O4VLMHH81eLkQ5JJzHF01cprbEj4TTyP9ZqKKKpvCELGSnJXRC6S359WzhV8QbZNnkntmBuPtdjIU7d_Q2Jf7toIqHDt_cWCsFpDPo-j8ztYjS4wMqw/w640-h480/P1120274+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>On Monday 19th July we formally handed her over to New and Used. As I published last week, the details went live on Wednesday 21st July.</p><p>We still have mountains of stuff to sort out at home. That will take a while. The family have first pick. Most of the rest will end up going to charity. We have a charity called "New Start" down the road who help those in need to make a 'new start'. Some will go to our local hospice shop, so I am sure it will all find good homes.</p><p>So now on to new adventures. On Monday 19th July we went out for a pub lunch with a friend. She and I attended our first face to face WI book club since March 2020 in someone's garden that evening. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to see 11 other people in the flesh rather than on a screen. The book was not the best we have read, but we managed to cram in a lot of chatter. When life was normal whoever was hosting would provide tea and cakes. Over the last 16 months our numbers have increased (I wonder why?!), so a few people were asked to provide cake. We ended up with so much, we all <b><u>had</u></b> to have 2 slices each!! Such hardship! It was a memorable evening. I don't think any of us will ever take meeting people in the flesh for granted again.</p><p>The next day was our daughter's eldest son's 14th birthday and we went out for dinner with them to celebrate. On Friday we headed to Derby to visit our son and his family. I cannot actually remember when we last went to them. They had a new kitchen in January, so it was good to see that in real life rather than on a screen. We had a great time with them just relaxing and catching up on the months we have missed in their lives.</p><p>Back home now to await the arrival of our daughter in law and youngest granddaughter this today. Evelyn was supposed to be on the boat with us now, so as a small compensation she is going to spend a few days here instead. She has recently been gifted a sewing machine that had been languishing in someone's attic for years. I was able to instruct her how to thread it and sort out the bobbin whilst we were with them and whilst she is here, we hope to get her some material and a pattern, so she can go home in something she has made herself.</p><p>I am having an x-ray on my knee on Saturday and I am already receiving physio. All that is left to do now as far as the boat is concerned is to wait for her to be sold, so watch this space!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-66467099895726117382021-07-27T10:54:00.001-07:002021-07-27T10:54:11.605-07:00The end of our very short 'summer cruise' 2nd - 4th July 2021<div style="text-align: left;"><b><u> Friday 2nd July 2021</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Commandery</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A rather belated post!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We woke to sun with every intention of going down one lock to the sanitary station, emptying and filling as required and then heading down the two Diglis locks on to the River Severn and mooring up on the Racecourse moorings.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">However.... it was not to be. Before we set off I wanted to put some washing up to dry on our lines in the bow. As I stepped up into the bow, my left leg 'cracked' and I was left in a lot of pain. It is exactly what happened to my right knee 2.5 years ago. Chris heard my cries for help and somehow I made it to the saloon and the dinette. It was obvious that we were going nowhere. What to do and how to get back to the marina? Our first course of action was to email C&RT and let them know that we might have to overstay (we were on a 48 hour mooring). As usual, the response was swift and positive - we could stay until the following Wednesday if necessary and if we needed more time we were to get back to them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We could manage another day without visiting the sanitary station, so we decided to stay put where we were. I did get out of the boat and stagger using a walking pole to the Commandery all of about 30 feet away. We enjoyed some time in the fresh air and a toasted sandwich for our lunch.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b>Saturday 3rd July 2021</b></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Commandery to above Bridge 2 via the sanitary station and the winding hole</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">A few hundred yards and 1 lock</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We woke to rain and then a lot of activity outside</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29qwyjdgMmdodu9l6XrKp0AM7KYQ8ttv7zatGoKihyphenhyphennZHHryWDJBBIOqnDdsRuqnUbchnBPLCEpWcdGQsvmpwNQva8h_2Q7k_gGRgqeeY4w4WT7HrSNLoZcaAXemU746uLvMbeu8qIDg/s1032/P1120204+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29qwyjdgMmdodu9l6XrKp0AM7KYQ8ttv7zatGoKihyphenhyphennZHHryWDJBBIOqnDdsRuqnUbchnBPLCEpWcdGQsvmpwNQva8h_2Q7k_gGRgqeeY4w4WT7HrSNLoZcaAXemU746uLvMbeu8qIDg/w400-h300/P1120204+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB50y0KDC59NGhZv1tx5JIcOtFy8uJgmGyGBi3604_EzOUQ-RQT30z-Hm0mNtYaXg0iqYb0szmhUlRUJVPfGII0fzH75AeyKPKccMQEtwYexr3iAGYc53QxsVvPfKOpbtPbRauQ8MfpDg/s1032/P1120205+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB50y0KDC59NGhZv1tx5JIcOtFy8uJgmGyGBi3604_EzOUQ-RQT30z-Hm0mNtYaXg0iqYb0szmhUlRUJVPfGII0fzH75AeyKPKccMQEtwYexr3iAGYc53QxsVvPfKOpbtPbRauQ8MfpDg/w400-h300/P1120205+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAxtWz3H-GFMVqyjjkoHME3yK3aeRLuv44yug9a1md7uCvi9y1et6pazgbbdRiy661uIF31KFp-vOSchq16-w9p-h8ydlQblEyK813vfB401ZHW2Vc11V0LGng-EazfVFol1BzHetzJU/s1032/P1120206+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAxtWz3H-GFMVqyjjkoHME3yK3aeRLuv44yug9a1md7uCvi9y1et6pazgbbdRiy661uIF31KFp-vOSchq16-w9p-h8ydlQblEyK813vfB401ZHW2Vc11V0LGng-EazfVFol1BzHetzJU/w400-h300/P1120206+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The first of the competitors in the Droitwich ring paddle - 21 miles in total.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The rain stopped. The competitors kept coming.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bcc5xnTs6-lVv_shzjTIbOaO056Y_QtwJ78rZX1d_XOIJirmg_7a0si3qB-ochuIKz30MaOI7_KKnf5mgUENy1cCAJ8GU5hEqZQvh9Tf-az19te69EFZANhRfsf5zM_vzDi2GdLLzXw/s1032/P1120208+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bcc5xnTs6-lVv_shzjTIbOaO056Y_QtwJ78rZX1d_XOIJirmg_7a0si3qB-ochuIKz30MaOI7_KKnf5mgUENy1cCAJ8GU5hEqZQvh9Tf-az19te69EFZANhRfsf5zM_vzDi2GdLLzXw/w640-h480/P1120208+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqEiuC53iMSo_dmfw6bkWTcQZ5vknySxTSoV1yVo9Q4JpD6rK4tJWRAv5VowRGVtvOkDfYx9A5bmt1qYYkwfaDbiZt3UhZ2odtaMz7dS1efb1d3cC_Y4y6XbNnVUgXAVHyehK2OsPCFs/s1032/P1120209+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqEiuC53iMSo_dmfw6bkWTcQZ5vknySxTSoV1yVo9Q4JpD6rK4tJWRAv5VowRGVtvOkDfYx9A5bmt1qYYkwfaDbiZt3UhZ2odtaMz7dS1efb1d3cC_Y4y6XbNnVUgXAVHyehK2OsPCFs/w640-h480/P1120209+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We had to move - both urine containers were full! I hobbled to the lock, filled it, Chris moved the boat in. I took over at the helm. There was only one bottom paddle working which Chris struggled to operate - he just does not have enough puff. He managed, I moved the boat out, picked Chris up and we headed to the sanitary station. This one lock was enough to show us we would never get back to the marina without assistance.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloK2luWjhPclaRf76tTai-6AXso3pBECin8ABIgoW_2lQCE6abetQhsyGz4uebCXSPu33bSdWGqedIlJnai_l-TRYHdgeOrui5SkTkx7l_YqnnALxwgIBdXsIniK8JSnFJtEYLp5KaRA/s1032/P1120210+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloK2luWjhPclaRf76tTai-6AXso3pBECin8ABIgoW_2lQCE6abetQhsyGz4uebCXSPu33bSdWGqedIlJnai_l-TRYHdgeOrui5SkTkx7l_YqnnALxwgIBdXsIniK8JSnFJtEYLp5KaRA/w640-h480/P1120210+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I am not sure why Chris' face is blurred, but it is him!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The competitors kept coming</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrPohIzNL8UlO26Bj8EIa9ZO8u0rhPbm594iehI9se4suikvhyBegtkXiCy3UwGalU6Ccce_NzY_KNqsrJln85bXsUFl0_CsTLSpOAZr5julxR5DWLK3W8lzL59DU6HWEtRDz_ddWitM/s1032/P1120212+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrPohIzNL8UlO26Bj8EIa9ZO8u0rhPbm594iehI9se4suikvhyBegtkXiCy3UwGalU6Ccce_NzY_KNqsrJln85bXsUFl0_CsTLSpOAZr5julxR5DWLK3W8lzL59DU6HWEtRDz_ddWitM/w640-h480/P1120212+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>We made it to the sanitary station, emptied and filled as required with plenty of action to look at whilst we were there.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7K16rj3IgLPO74mJkU5wMwO1oUN-Tc5S-lehhG1RXT0uGO7KhvVZnGa1_MaRpKqPQoXvTmobmAbTbFmOMlBbX33dRGi5ACBLa8i4HAt8UOUK3CQzGuCKbvNEgw4q_eoFtarhycD8wTs/s1032/P1120223+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7K16rj3IgLPO74mJkU5wMwO1oUN-Tc5S-lehhG1RXT0uGO7KhvVZnGa1_MaRpKqPQoXvTmobmAbTbFmOMlBbX33dRGi5ACBLa8i4HAt8UOUK3CQzGuCKbvNEgw4q_eoFtarhycD8wTs/w640-h480/P1120223+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwAoRMlA01QO5Kb1CeHmaPq0ki8wW8e-1YFGqccUXfPH8Lx8MZf70GRv8r-4NJqDp5XjlZ6Ibg1PXhaqHpPfD_mHWpjx9jVsc3ISmquBsnghXCQob1mNqnM17xiMVBSGpmCJDBejXNhg/s1032/P1120221+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwAoRMlA01QO5Kb1CeHmaPq0ki8wW8e-1YFGqccUXfPH8Lx8MZf70GRv8r-4NJqDp5XjlZ6Ibg1PXhaqHpPfD_mHWpjx9jVsc3ISmquBsnghXCQob1mNqnM17xiMVBSGpmCJDBejXNhg/w640-h480/P1120221+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>It took us back to 1993 and 1994 the years that our son and then our daughter took part in the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race that takes place every Easter - well Covid, foot and mouth and weather permitting. I am sure some of you are aware of this event, particularly if you have ever been on the K & A over the Easter weekend, but for those that aren't here are a few details. </div><div><br /></div><div>The start is on Good Friday. First off are 19 to 35 year olds in K2s (seniors). They race straight through. The current (non-stop) course record stands at 15 hours 34 minutes. The course is 125 miles with 77 locks to portage round. Those under 19 (juniors), over 35 (veterans) and K1 crews take four days. Devizes to Newbury, then Marlow, then Teddington and finally from Teddington along the tidal Thames to Westminster. When we did the route from Teddington to Westminster on Tentatrice we felt very small, so to do so in a canoe takes guts. Each team needs supporters to feed and water them at the various locks en route. With two in a canoe that meant two sets of parents and siblings to support, so we could leap frog locks. Supporters were not allowed to help portage canoes. If there was a break down, the crew had to lift the canoe out of the water and place it on the ground. The support crew were then allowed to assist. It is a really hard event which we enjoyed as support crew and took our hats off to all those who competed. The interesting thing was that a lot of the younger siblings who supported their older siblings, then decided to give it a go themselves. They were not put off by the sheer hard graft required to finish the event. When our daughter took part she and her friend 'hit a brick wall' on the tidal part of the Thames. All padding is taken out of the canoes for this last stretch to keep the centre of gravity as low as possible. They were both in a lot of discomfort/pain, both were in tears of exhaustion and pain when a crew of two lads from another school came alongside, chivvied them along and stayed with them giving them encouragement all the way to the finish. Real sportsmanship to put the girls needs before their own time. The PE master/canoe coach at their school did the event as seniors with his wife one year (and never again!). He said you needed the speed of a race horse, the stamina of a cart horse and the brains of a rocking horse!</div><div><br /></div><div>I have just done a search on Mark and Sarah's results:</div><div><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white;"><tbody><tr><th><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://canoeraceresults.co.uk/icons/ecblank.gif" width="16" /></th><th></th><th></th><th align="left" nowrap=""><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Av Time</span></b></th><th></th><th align="left" nowrap=""><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Place</span></b></th><th></th><th align="left" nowrap=""><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Races</span></b></th><th align="left" nowrap=""><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">1st</span></b></th><th></th></tr><tr valign="top"><td colspan="3" nowrap=""><br /></td><td align="center" nowrap=""><br /></td><td nowrap=""></td><td align="center" nowrap=""></td><td nowrap=""></td><td align="center" nowrap=""></td><td align="center" nowrap=""></td><td></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td colspan="3" nowrap=""><b><span style="color: green; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Gash M R</span></b></td><td align="center" nowrap=""><span style="color: grey; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">21.2</span></td><td nowrap=""></td><td align="center" nowrap=""><span style="color: grey; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">28</span></td><td nowrap=""></td><td align="center" nowrap=""><span style="color: grey; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">1</span></td><td align="center" nowrap=""><span style="color: grey; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">0</span></td><td></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td colspan="3" nowrap=""><b><span style="color: green; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Gash Sarah Margaret</span></b></td><td align="center" nowrap=""><span style="color: grey; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">25.6</span></td><td nowrap=""></td><td align="center" nowrap=""><span style="color: grey; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">38</span></td><td nowrap=""></td><td align="center" nowrap=""><span style="color: grey; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">1</span></td><td align="center" nowrap=""><span style="color: grey; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">0<br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table>The more I dig into DW, the more fascinating it becomes. The very first race of senior doubles took place in 1948 with 4 boats and the average time was 79 hours (surely they must have stopped a few times?). The first race for junior had 2 entries back in 1952 and the average time was 73 hours. In 1993 there were 48 entries and the average time was 21 hours. In 1994 there were 44 entries and the average time was 21.8 hours. For some reason there was only 1 junior entry in 2000. In 2000 there were only 6 boats in the senior race. In 1987 176 boats took part in the senior doubles. I have now discovered why the numbers were so low in 2000 and other years were missed all together:</div><div><p style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;">In 2000 heavy rainfall had brought the River Thames up to flood levels with fast flowing water. A number of crews found the conditions on the Thames challenging, especially during the darkness of night-time for the non-stop crews. After an incident at Old Windsor wier the race committee took the decision to abandon the race. As some teams had already reached Teddington (and were waiting to access the tidal stretch) when the decision was made, they decided (against the race organisers instructions) to remove their race numbers and carry on unofficially to Westminster.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;">In 2001, along with a large number of events in the UK, the race could not take place due to a nationwide outbreak of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot-and-mouth_disease#United_Kingdom_2001" style="background: none; color: #0645ad; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Foot-and-mouth disease">Foot-and-mouth disease</a> restricting unnecessary access to the countryside (and thus large parts of the course).</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;">In 2016 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015%E2%80%9316_UK_and_Ireland_windstorm_season#Storm_Katie" style="background: none; color: #0645ad; text-decoration-line: none;" title="2015–16 UK and Ireland windstorm season">Storm Katie</a> brought storm force winds to London on Easter Monday meant that a decision was made to cancel the last day of the staged race and the results were based on the times taken to reach Thames Young Mariners. Finishers medals were awarded to those that reached this point and certificates issued marked "shortened course". This decision didn't impact the non-stop race, which had already finished on Easter Sunday</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;">In 2018 heavy rainfall prior to the Easter weekend and throughout Good Friday once again brought the River Thames up to flood levels with fast flowing water. The race committee initially made a decision that no night-time paddling should occur on the Thames, but with conditions worsening then decided that all classes would finish at Reading (Wokingham Canoe Club at Dreadnaught Reach).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-8" style="font-size: 11.2px; line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devizes_to_Westminster_International_Canoe_Marathon#cite_note-8" style="background: none; color: #0645ad; text-decoration-line: none;">[8]</a></sup> No finishers medals were issued and certificates were marked with "shortened course".</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;">In 2020 & 2021 the event was cancelled because of the Covid Pandemic</p></div><div>Tragically in 1991 a canoeist from Worcester died on the last leg between Richmond Bridge and Westminster - the only fatality in its 71 year history. They say it is one of the hardest endurance races - much harder than the London Marathon. I gather that Sir Steve Redgrave pulled out after 87 miles back in 2012 when he was 50.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway I digress. We managed to find a lull and safely winded (turned round) without impeding any of the competitors. We moored up just past B2 below the lock we had come down that morning to await rescue. That evening we heard something moving around on the roof. I hobbled out to have a look to find two ducks plodding around. The male kept his distance, but the female was a lot braver (or hungrier) and came right up to me, eventually taking food from my hand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4V3KR0UpnKHe5OwIX0DglzHM9eRdUrUc6smLq8nodLU7TX5UUjFJITmXghgyXhjBj2nUZUqxoWhzA_NTYvx6h5nyYp-trOXWz84CK5KOrY_KiRSzYUzFisH3X5k-q2MWfQBDKvZH6bGg/s1840/P1120225+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4V3KR0UpnKHe5OwIX0DglzHM9eRdUrUc6smLq8nodLU7TX5UUjFJITmXghgyXhjBj2nUZUqxoWhzA_NTYvx6h5nyYp-trOXWz84CK5KOrY_KiRSzYUzFisH3X5k-q2MWfQBDKvZH6bGg/w640-h480/P1120225+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKte8IuV59Y_jczQJyhc38_YrIDj40JDeLbWwy9W2sVSoUR_QSwcHnoAiSq0DijtHLNT29RW2aELep3kw3KBKtvBg4Ksn3GgF2Q8KytjibhZ5yFDgAvPOxy_Q2Ldiw3aygVaP3QISVo4/s1840/P1120231+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKte8IuV59Y_jczQJyhc38_YrIDj40JDeLbWwy9W2sVSoUR_QSwcHnoAiSq0DijtHLNT29RW2aELep3kw3KBKtvBg4Ksn3GgF2Q8KytjibhZ5yFDgAvPOxy_Q2Ldiw3aygVaP3QISVo4/w640-h480/P1120231+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Sunday 4th July 2021</u></b></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Bridge 2, Worcester Birmingham Canal to Droitwich Spa Marina</span></div><div><span style="color: red;">9.14 miles, 17 locks</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Rescue came in the form of our daughter with transport provided by our son in law. Sarah arrived at 09:50 and we headed off straight away - we had a long day ahead of us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAzvlEufurMeokIj_HcNhOJ3LL3zYZyQP1OWQ8XzOLK8Nqu3vJMcSojOGDQEoLrIwXnwLpbNyqFj-kl3BDGj33kwJE7WakMvo6Oa4R1WqXFPTRh8u-H-ArM7oAO5k3Ir1FQBrl8zwPto/s1840/P1120232+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAzvlEufurMeokIj_HcNhOJ3LL3zYZyQP1OWQ8XzOLK8Nqu3vJMcSojOGDQEoLrIwXnwLpbNyqFj-kl3BDGj33kwJE7WakMvo6Oa4R1WqXFPTRh8u-H-ArM7oAO5k3Ir1FQBrl8zwPto/w640-h480/P1120232+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>There is not a lot to say about the journey apart from it being painful and we would never have made it without Sarah. I managed to hobble about and could work one side of the bottom gates, so at least she did not have to keep walking round. We were following other boats up all the way, but we all went at the same speed, so no hold ups. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was below this lock on the way down that we spent four hours with Chris down the weed hatch. This time we got though without incident.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCACoduOGNKezOf03bfe6gFMgIpKBSlvAYQdF2m05r5YekPFJ4JrBPOsF52H6XJlBqFRA_LXn-UHVoM1LKhKHFf-4CpXlcv8rMoZ31QUP5bLcSKWEOjR_GOQ2TfEhQoLdinjJVnWO95gM/s1840/P1120235+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCACoduOGNKezOf03bfe6gFMgIpKBSlvAYQdF2m05r5YekPFJ4JrBPOsF52H6XJlBqFRA_LXn-UHVoM1LKhKHFf-4CpXlcv8rMoZ31QUP5bLcSKWEOjR_GOQ2TfEhQoLdinjJVnWO95gM/w640-h480/P1120235+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Some pounds were still down, so a bit of scraping along the bottom again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZxMsvHRDPCjMJCc9ybzlAnwFTtyfaTilHi26BDC8ZZp5QGw_T5xa9hm81qP4MtdW-ziwFF8XPB-OtHEXypKMzNnZN-u4vy8lQS2-Ps5tpoGgVGl9u7GE5eo0eyuy8t8gTfvxPHrt_8o/s1840/P1120244+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZxMsvHRDPCjMJCc9ybzlAnwFTtyfaTilHi26BDC8ZZp5QGw_T5xa9hm81qP4MtdW-ziwFF8XPB-OtHEXypKMzNnZN-u4vy8lQS2-Ps5tpoGgVGl9u7GE5eo0eyuy8t8gTfvxPHrt_8o/w640-h480/P1120244+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>A few hold ups with boats ahead, but no massive queues.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3B4PeGBi3QPmDTFsXVK1FbffzlAU_Cw_t5e8XCN6ABooJsyVWnebtKcB42EFapLDIPgOA7k69hoexrm3MYPgUhaAntNdQaEewhrkpVU5FvNl7hR-0xj-IQ_AOfMmdrPL29Hkh1oSxQ0/s1840/P1120246+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3B4PeGBi3QPmDTFsXVK1FbffzlAU_Cw_t5e8XCN6ABooJsyVWnebtKcB42EFapLDIPgOA7k69hoexrm3MYPgUhaAntNdQaEewhrkpVU5FvNl7hR-0xj-IQ_AOfMmdrPL29Hkh1oSxQ0/w640-h480/P1120246+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The occasional boat coming down</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayHkm7na83xXAsXASrx6Lt7EYsdcJhfHA2AIai7JwHeF88WatVvOvXTvqhoRs_Ait3OrM9mpCpaKlM7aX-GlU5PZ_Rk4ii_b9vOrFUwrVA0ZEY0J7V42V1qZm7IZqiCtSxQ6wmSa6pa4/s1840/P1120249+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayHkm7na83xXAsXASrx6Lt7EYsdcJhfHA2AIai7JwHeF88WatVvOvXTvqhoRs_Ait3OrM9mpCpaKlM7aX-GlU5PZ_Rk4ii_b9vOrFUwrVA0ZEY0J7V42V1qZm7IZqiCtSxQ6wmSa6pa4/w640-h480/P1120249+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The horse and the sheep were still in their field, but today the horse had no coat and the sheep were sheltering from the sun under the tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29RgRFdYVqwbnVDRjIitvHAnDX5Hr74uxgZ7Tg4XU1psFCfZuOIB3Ydjme8xhhLLrMESi5TQrRF6_QzuSWxp4YGOOzSwEtzxKpM0-mDxRJ9ncW6fo3EwC4EONckmbXmfms7zrQmq_mMY/s1840/P1120253+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29RgRFdYVqwbnVDRjIitvHAnDX5Hr74uxgZ7Tg4XU1psFCfZuOIB3Ydjme8xhhLLrMESi5TQrRF6_QzuSWxp4YGOOzSwEtzxKpM0-mDxRJ9ncW6fo3EwC4EONckmbXmfms7zrQmq_mMY/w640-h480/P1120253+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Sarah hard at work as we exited the top lock and before we went under the M5.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCHNZddubMVi_g_hLe1Ljd2v34EIbxKp_r-bdFrtvcgkucWImwovsvCtsyYOdMQBgA0XXSkCf9WRUVZPgihIDrxs-_0xIoN8pHiywuM12BcJpqeKh3mdFN5r7UWXx4QAX4A_iRC7ZQM4/s1840/P1120255+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCHNZddubMVi_g_hLe1Ljd2v34EIbxKp_r-bdFrtvcgkucWImwovsvCtsyYOdMQBgA0XXSkCf9WRUVZPgihIDrxs-_0xIoN8pHiywuM12BcJpqeKh3mdFN5r7UWXx4QAX4A_iRC7ZQM4/w640-h480/P1120255+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Fun and games at Hanbury Junction when the boat ahead of us made the left turn towards the Hanbury locks. It took a few goes and the use of the barge pole, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlM_p5cTp50uqvrLODznkbfHfxQ_qRGiES0i7YRfLDVdnRCJhyUhfWcKh8wdYfqASAYM99hZ_ieqZ5-q9UxZAleTTeR5EIMAlAbNCuOyhb0l8ORXJ0FiOzMk1szFZGnAVrQHCGgp4cHg/s1840/P1120258+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlM_p5cTp50uqvrLODznkbfHfxQ_qRGiES0i7YRfLDVdnRCJhyUhfWcKh8wdYfqASAYM99hZ_ieqZ5-q9UxZAleTTeR5EIMAlAbNCuOyhb0l8ORXJ0FiOzMk1szFZGnAVrQHCGgp4cHg/w640-h480/P1120258+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPka8BAgpu3ohRe_byncWP2eEengfTdu6PRqQJvi2LkG4E4o52zyqHSdGKPS3oFHGUjS0C7a9T9buDvSyg_5PDsUwx7i_UPjPX9BWB6_d_1vrQ0IjuJViY7cYjyY3BkdVwCmYvXbbLO54/s1840/P1120260+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPka8BAgpu3ohRe_byncWP2eEengfTdu6PRqQJvi2LkG4E4o52zyqHSdGKPS3oFHGUjS0C7a9T9buDvSyg_5PDsUwx7i_UPjPX9BWB6_d_1vrQ0IjuJViY7cYjyY3BkdVwCmYvXbbLO54/w640-h480/P1120260+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>but they made it through the very narrow junction without a single touch. We had the feeling that they might have borrowed the boat, but whoever they were they did everything slowly, but absolutely correctly.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtu_FL82I0Oh-EkTPXBYzQGRw52XhEjZ9Qh46LU_qAMF2GMwa3kcSEZwrcRYPe8q01-_eNTmmqeeC2gRja3Sm5SRaHgwFL6SpaOBonAOzzLvfquOA_D_SfEJpLSxylUNauKAn-t8bgyc/s1840/P1120262+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtu_FL82I0Oh-EkTPXBYzQGRw52XhEjZ9Qh46LU_qAMF2GMwa3kcSEZwrcRYPe8q01-_eNTmmqeeC2gRja3Sm5SRaHgwFL6SpaOBonAOzzLvfquOA_D_SfEJpLSxylUNauKAn-t8bgyc/w640-h480/P1120262+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was all made more interesting when another boat came along from the Astwood direction. They wanted to go straight on, so we had to make the turn into Hanbury before they could continue. Chris was pleased that he made it round the turn in one, but then he has done it many times.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Jvebj-jZHjs1ICr1H7i4WA6Y3zA9QoWjlMWl79yg7RteVB2lne27u1lAf7s6gcc0VpdvLyiiFf6L18svCGySto3gRilxixSQqp5qnigXuWHTTgWhC2fMrgozecF4Ju_6C72h81CoHFs/s1840/P1120261+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Jvebj-jZHjs1ICr1H7i4WA6Y3zA9QoWjlMWl79yg7RteVB2lne27u1lAf7s6gcc0VpdvLyiiFf6L18svCGySto3gRilxixSQqp5qnigXuWHTTgWhC2fMrgozecF4Ju_6C72h81CoHFs/w640-h480/P1120261+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Hanbury locks came next with VLKs on duty, so it was an easy ride down. The hole I reported on on our first day has got bigger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_U_MpcYMeCjc5bov-YLkz4EXw5IYFFiHRVhyphenhyphenjtuyPvkDFUCJsntTRO2QtdM2xUZV-JoPC3ru_Xco2S9frPiYEuCowl5CV0uNeG4o8CYLnj2-qoVh8DuAE4YmkJSe_dxprHWqn-PyEq4/s1840/P1120265+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_U_MpcYMeCjc5bov-YLkz4EXw5IYFFiHRVhyphenhyphenjtuyPvkDFUCJsntTRO2QtdM2xUZV-JoPC3ru_Xco2S9frPiYEuCowl5CV0uNeG4o8CYLnj2-qoVh8DuAE4YmkJSe_dxprHWqn-PyEq4/w640-h480/P1120265+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just as we exited the bottom lock the heavens opened - literally 10 minutes from our mooring! The VLKs at Hanbury have helped us more times than I can count. I am always delighted to see VLKs wherever we are, so a big thank you to the ones who helped us today and all the others on all our previous journeys all over the country. Will we ever pass through here again?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUP7525ASUPbqOg_jCM3gir1C_fyMeitsagUGDiieT6taA8b4qVlZ_X2CglLSS-cxUvLT-NZzbcyB9nRI02TYPnkKQZ9yiqXDsSzZopR6uF5I-K27KKZKGGRuZZKmk-mQ-y1i-MEkIO9I/s1840/P1120267+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUP7525ASUPbqOg_jCM3gir1C_fyMeitsagUGDiieT6taA8b4qVlZ_X2CglLSS-cxUvLT-NZzbcyB9nRI02TYPnkKQZ9yiqXDsSzZopR6uF5I-K27KKZKGGRuZZKmk-mQ-y1i-MEkIO9I/w640-h480/P1120267+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not just a bit of rain! Note the coot....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ed01gMd-ivSlwQJLkV6ePXcLA2oFjTHqgl-9Wy6jGt2rVSU5aDk5ERA0D-dKZz0WdKnmIOHzfsr3vrF_ZO-L2dfv4J9IdeuwXLkm9rkSh4BgUDrUFxHBLBIYxgP_fuYEfCmlL6PFb60/s1840/P1120268+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ed01gMd-ivSlwQJLkV6ePXcLA2oFjTHqgl-9Wy6jGt2rVSU5aDk5ERA0D-dKZz0WdKnmIOHzfsr3vrF_ZO-L2dfv4J9IdeuwXLkm9rkSh4BgUDrUFxHBLBIYxgP_fuYEfCmlL6PFb60/w640-h480/P1120268+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>A welcoming committee of the rest of the coot family at the entrance to the marina</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1Gbet33hou4bYB3uf9e81IKQvglnH8ZSdBfuIDVSoiQXQZ5TsoHPVMbbb5MS20f3fECODr56hJPbfKisHfY0XwEylGNRODY9s8olKt8GXJU6Z33cqN4pznXKt6evzUm6ass6IT8kekA/s1840/P1120270+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1Gbet33hou4bYB3uf9e81IKQvglnH8ZSdBfuIDVSoiQXQZ5TsoHPVMbbb5MS20f3fECODr56hJPbfKisHfY0XwEylGNRODY9s8olKt8GXJU6Z33cqN4pznXKt6evzUm6ass6IT8kekA/w640-h480/P1120270+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our son in law and one of their sons came to collect Sarah. It had been a 7 hour trip. One we would never have managed on our own, so a really big thank you to Sarah for giving up her Sunday and the rest of the family for lending her to us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_gfHYnawV9Phd29k7k9TS9m8DomWxUY9xL8XUS9re8_p3_Lq834FVUrCQdjn__s46TA2S9n4uXE9us-5Ttk4wX_JwDn_gTBRWaiHMgQivVEoAx50y0K-OAESmBtU9O6a_1xtwIcxDgQ/s1840/P1120271+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_gfHYnawV9Phd29k7k9TS9m8DomWxUY9xL8XUS9re8_p3_Lq834FVUrCQdjn__s46TA2S9n4uXE9us-5Ttk4wX_JwDn_gTBRWaiHMgQivVEoAx50y0K-OAESmBtU9O6a_1xtwIcxDgQ/w640-h480/P1120271+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Typically the rain did not last long. We did not linger. Once safely tied up we headed for home - things could be sorted out another day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqt5uTCbKVdpunLz9YEnNLcCwg-MTrx57VEx21nAEkqTckK-PKgc5mO5-iJgLVJS5-MrT6-dg_CujMT1QGzWHDIaKpa87aEyCWR-Y_kLqNat9Kxdf9a5ekX5xGDgfnLuQmxu5tqHmCaY/s1840/P1120272+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqt5uTCbKVdpunLz9YEnNLcCwg-MTrx57VEx21nAEkqTckK-PKgc5mO5-iJgLVJS5-MrT6-dg_CujMT1QGzWHDIaKpa87aEyCWR-Y_kLqNat9Kxdf9a5ekX5xGDgfnLuQmxu5tqHmCaY/w480-h640/P1120272+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4hDvz8QLICta_Mj5PeLviC8c4ABR5wwIzgMlw2906dhhAMgPTqVtdzNh_u38hxb_ZLRRsuev0oUiCrdIO-GzVrJ_eBTAjmsFpxixEqtQpIQNKJMI75IuS4RBt09GdJU77lKgYkwxn4E/s1840/P1120273+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4hDvz8QLICta_Mj5PeLviC8c4ABR5wwIzgMlw2906dhhAMgPTqVtdzNh_u38hxb_ZLRRsuev0oUiCrdIO-GzVrJ_eBTAjmsFpxixEqtQpIQNKJMI75IuS4RBt09GdJU77lKgYkwxn4E/w640-h480/P1120273+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p></div></div>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-1903868008812959182021-07-21T03:17:00.003-07:002021-07-21T03:18:41.362-07:00Tentatrice is officially on the market.<p><b><u> Wednesday 21st July 2021</u></b></p><p>So much for me saying in my last post on 5th July, that I would be back with the details of our last couple of days on the boat - it did not happen. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of unloading the boat and cleaning. It is all done and we have the contents all over our house! I am still hobbling around - I feel like I am rising 90, not 70! I am having physio and I am sure the flare up will abate sufficiently for me to be able to walk properly again!</p><p>However the sale has gone live via New & Used - <a href="https://newandusedboat.co.uk/used-boats-for-sale/1719">See here for details</a>. </p><p>If you know of anyone looking for a boat please pass on the details and if those of you who have a blog would be kind enough to add the link we would be very grateful.</p><p>I will add those last couple of days, but it might take a while as we are still sorting out 'stuff'! </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-65249476281176087752021-07-05T13:25:00.000-07:002021-07-05T13:25:18.409-07:00It is with much regret...<p> If we thought four hours down the weed hatch was bad, things were to get worse. I suffered a massive arthritic flare up in my good knee on Thursday which stopped us in our tracks. When the last post was published, I had assumed we would have left the Commandery, but we didn't. </p><p>Our daughter helped us get back to the marina on Sunday and it is with much regret that we have decided that we will have to retire from boating so will have to sell our much loved boat. There are other health issues and we need to make the decision before we end up not enjoying the life afloat. We have a lot of great memories to look back on. We need to remove all the things we want to keep, then clean inside and out and she will then go up for sale.</p><p>I will write a proper blog in a few days with details of our last few days aboard, but in the meantime if you know of anyone looking for a 59 foot reverse layout boat with a Beta 43 engine please feel free to point them in our direction. She is only 8 years old and had her bottom blacked last October, a complete re-paint was completed in December 2020 and she has just passed her BSS. </p><p><br /></p>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-59250315118042376892021-07-02T00:00:00.001-07:002021-07-02T00:00:00.200-07:00What a Day! 01 July 2021<div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Thursday 1st July 2021</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Perdiswell to The Commandery, Worcester</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">2 miles, 5 locks</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was right yesterday about it being a good place to stop. Chris took Monty over to the recreation ground yesterday afternoon and I went with Monty this morning - it is huge - a veritable dog paradise.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We walked back to the bridge and I took a photo of Tentatrice as we crossed the bridge</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRq0z-DUJNfhin-72BqEml6ioAGlr8WQnuViXMJC3VamzN6BaJ0IAfprmT7lUsEfYO-6WKbGKZG7xfgPyjPRrFa9Ju1Hf2R5EVXCkB4W-v5JJVVNBvZhmk17mX8OBAmFn6nihNF-8hoGc/s1032/P1120164+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRq0z-DUJNfhin-72BqEml6ioAGlr8WQnuViXMJC3VamzN6BaJ0IAfprmT7lUsEfYO-6WKbGKZG7xfgPyjPRrFa9Ju1Hf2R5EVXCkB4W-v5JJVVNBvZhmk17mX8OBAmFn6nihNF-8hoGc/w400-h300/P1120164+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There is a useful plan as you get to the other side with many different options. Alas we did not have time to explore much of it, but it is somewhere we might well come back to by car in the future.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8sxs1pEnyAWn28-YDBDVng6mryonNR-EDd04GjKZIcTgZfdFg15OhVEGVmlX0_iDuLy0D8klDYQJQ9EUStoNftlQsnmIiV_uun9P1tN25i0b5ZS_lREZRCjC2mjPuZ8UT3Obq8eBZ6o/s1032/P1120165+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8sxs1pEnyAWn28-YDBDVng6mryonNR-EDd04GjKZIcTgZfdFg15OhVEGVmlX0_iDuLy0D8klDYQJQ9EUStoNftlQsnmIiV_uun9P1tN25i0b5ZS_lREZRCjC2mjPuZ8UT3Obq8eBZ6o/w640-h480/P1120165+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaOSh2m-wq0N-bw1Mr5p1PnIldJN4dYncvBxZtD9tx7aH2btz8qnJ2j_pSMn-QJHhxkTjvzmX4xgDD2m7ajHU76C0289XQqadlp19su-2hoBE2upOMeTuq_bqrl9QRmFmMVf6fYq6KL8/s1032/P1120166+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaOSh2m-wq0N-bw1Mr5p1PnIldJN4dYncvBxZtD9tx7aH2btz8qnJ2j_pSMn-QJHhxkTjvzmX4xgDD2m7ajHU76C0289XQqadlp19su-2hoBE2upOMeTuq_bqrl9QRmFmMVf6fYq6KL8/w640-h480/P1120166+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKozE9GkqGeRA2FFp2JDDwTSfn4YjvKrE6a-ecdqcGMiyyxlIUdKTb5lQfu5XbuCoGxHDoA3OTCcJH7JZGbrmyRmRCWDKp6-rmOUk8l_f4LzkqtygQZ6asFrTE_z8WaFrv5SzuwHDdvgE/s774/P1120167+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="580" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKozE9GkqGeRA2FFp2JDDwTSfn4YjvKrE6a-ecdqcGMiyyxlIUdKTb5lQfu5XbuCoGxHDoA3OTCcJH7JZGbrmyRmRCWDKp6-rmOUk8l_f4LzkqtygQZ6asFrTE_z8WaFrv5SzuwHDdvgE/w480-h640/P1120167+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylOj4YkYurIM-0TFogPI0z0gDsxV6yY2OdUhhicGN12Ycg75CbNDs6nawoIQYUUcaCUdN82RGHrZEFyGn63rCdmdjuJW5ZqM_8Ek3cKo3kfYgV8hzvihsV7eE8JHQ-gLqlxp6vOKbW_Q/s774/P1120168+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="580" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhylOj4YkYurIM-0TFogPI0z0gDsxV6yY2OdUhhicGN12Ycg75CbNDs6nawoIQYUUcaCUdN82RGHrZEFyGn63rCdmdjuJW5ZqM_8Ek3cKo3kfYgV8hzvihsV7eE8JHQ-gLqlxp6vOKbW_Q/w480-h640/P1120168+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7OaTYvVg8goewEAb0_O8LnQkUa6DQnfxlKGAxoCv4Mvw1_Q2EFyc7jr1oDv1BipeuO8tCFN5qfp9Tg9uSN5ZDckXp0Yep44Jv5La0sv8Uppydc6IpMtJlZxk82FaYn3ByVGfblFByQI/s1032/P1120170+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7OaTYvVg8goewEAb0_O8LnQkUa6DQnfxlKGAxoCv4Mvw1_Q2EFyc7jr1oDv1BipeuO8tCFN5qfp9Tg9uSN5ZDckXp0Yep44Jv5La0sv8Uppydc6IpMtJlZxk82FaYn3ByVGfblFByQI/w640-h480/P1120170+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>By the time we got back we were nearly set to go<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEBXtuxPky-aEItUVt5Ln0F3Dl2yuNi4gUMlbB4OFfw9vKPM6lyAxtsbCv5yMOCp2vZBgHVlr9KNvcJMd0D94iim_BNKmP-zAix-Fda-R4sHaLSASCC_6_-LYSvI4OzBdYCKbneTFh2s/s1032/P1120173+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEBXtuxPky-aEItUVt5Ln0F3Dl2yuNi4gUMlbB4OFfw9vKPM6lyAxtsbCv5yMOCp2vZBgHVlr9KNvcJMd0D94iim_BNKmP-zAix-Fda-R4sHaLSASCC_6_-LYSvI4OzBdYCKbneTFh2s/w640-h480/P1120173+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our timing was perfect - a boat was just emerging from the first lock, so it would be ready for us. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ftb1xio9OUh4P7MjxL4Kh9Mxpf7Y67Ucm7iCDV5nFqsr4-mi79b5JSLk3Vt5qj-vv-BB4_GpXqJUprMIybmPf0KEjcYoSUeRN_nMZGw7UnkIrGAv01jhoI1LMp7KrEmyw14g0wniR14/s1032/P1120174+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ftb1xio9OUh4P7MjxL4Kh9Mxpf7Y67Ucm7iCDV5nFqsr4-mi79b5JSLk3Vt5qj-vv-BB4_GpXqJUprMIybmPf0KEjcYoSUeRN_nMZGw7UnkIrGAv01jhoI1LMp7KrEmyw14g0wniR14/w640-h480/P1120174+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In not time at all we were down the lock and as I was heading to the next lock just a short distance away, I heard a cry from Chris. We had something round the prop. Off he went down the weed hatch. I took this photo at 10:04 about 10 minutes or so after he had gone down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvCCs_gXiUq710dibfBvG1B2fVU3eF0KYSucvlNNr1G0a1Pma6H1UcdvEiTU5jkOI-SOBLNCOxMGCvyRx_9q5TOzklu8ILsEkmtmRt2rkqMYn0rUAY2U_NF2EblEnKngsameKZ7JGb_I/s1032/P1120177+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvCCs_gXiUq710dibfBvG1B2fVU3eF0KYSucvlNNr1G0a1Pma6H1UcdvEiTU5jkOI-SOBLNCOxMGCvyRx_9q5TOzklu8ILsEkmtmRt2rkqMYn0rUAY2U_NF2EblEnKngsameKZ7JGb_I/w640-h480/P1120177+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It became apparent that this was not going to be a quick fix, so I pulled us along and tied us up to the lock landing. The VLK (John) that was on duty came to see if we needed any help. He lent Chris a pruning knife to add to he other tools he already had, offered words of encouragement and also took away the bulk of what we think was a fleece hoodie.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGn3Vdld8Ew5QUNyV9MXMwn1S-CxAGxcz5cITC_VL6dMH4wPYdB0PuzDS4UI8Mr4d5LHVwASWxprOXQa_cHeaXMtU1fU9BXQJMZA3bvauhFpp-E9Q2RFe-mhEX9oI8ZdAQlisPdTkMxM/s1032/P1120178+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGn3Vdld8Ew5QUNyV9MXMwn1S-CxAGxcz5cITC_VL6dMH4wPYdB0PuzDS4UI8Mr4d5LHVwASWxprOXQa_cHeaXMtU1fU9BXQJMZA3bvauhFpp-E9Q2RFe-mhEX9oI8ZdAQlisPdTkMxM/w640-h480/P1120178+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This was just part of it.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLRrlM5r2ZjBqt6c3IC4zYRsg6sIRNA1zCFfJxpK45DmbFqbVMn95VD8leagdKvBLn4E5B4YuZ3XSRgqcknl-Pfnyqx911xpXraLuUiZ_8PWSaoAtDNLtH7Gl3ve0fDEROF0wk-xdO3Y/s1032/P1120179+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLRrlM5r2ZjBqt6c3IC4zYRsg6sIRNA1zCFfJxpK45DmbFqbVMn95VD8leagdKvBLn4E5B4YuZ3XSRgqcknl-Pfnyqx911xpXraLuUiZ_8PWSaoAtDNLtH7Gl3ve0fDEROF0wk-xdO3Y/w640-h480/P1120179+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I busied myself cleaning and tidying, making tea, I helped a couple of boats through the lock below us, I watched this man for hours just turning his sign around and around and I generally tried to be helpful.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fRS-pXlgynRCPMa1BGJNyQtqaXqCZDYylwcbezRiYzL9y8UgXFjwc7B3VWxu_4hWd2xLZb61ebLwc_Xdn_Pl75qDDUGVX3UjEg4k1XTChDCDXOQKnwiwSeXBllWY3jQOoiVe71yusAM/s1032/P1120180+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fRS-pXlgynRCPMa1BGJNyQtqaXqCZDYylwcbezRiYzL9y8UgXFjwc7B3VWxu_4hWd2xLZb61ebLwc_Xdn_Pl75qDDUGVX3UjEg4k1XTChDCDXOQKnwiwSeXBllWY3jQOoiVe71yusAM/w640-h480/P1120180+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I took this photo at 13:49 and poor Chris was still down the weed hatch<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjbPi6WlfeB77S9SSy9yEa6gAH8GJu8Sf2XzwNBQs1SCc_jeZY5fJeRrVxENUEwjqDfw5HJ2FQKRUXYPwVgTe2hj_O6Xu5mqybX9QDZRXImz4VVMlT-tPYYQkAwQS7cmDSBWCo1nYM7E/s1032/P1120181+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjbPi6WlfeB77S9SSy9yEa6gAH8GJu8Sf2XzwNBQs1SCc_jeZY5fJeRrVxENUEwjqDfw5HJ2FQKRUXYPwVgTe2hj_O6Xu5mqybX9QDZRXImz4VVMlT-tPYYQkAwQS7cmDSBWCo1nYM7E/w640-h480/P1120181+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The boat was all set to go over 4 hours after we had ground to a halt<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_uFm2d8AshVdPJIDw8jP2aPEgVWbkD9tQvW5jNIxQ_q64HxikQ-i1qalIFC6fQSCFUSP_2lHWCuN9br3o2DnyrYMP1UnCuUITaZnchLopJudAGVVB5gMSbW1uC2giOTd6X5QhAClxNE/s1032/P1120182+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_uFm2d8AshVdPJIDw8jP2aPEgVWbkD9tQvW5jNIxQ_q64HxikQ-i1qalIFC6fQSCFUSP_2lHWCuN9br3o2DnyrYMP1UnCuUITaZnchLopJudAGVVB5gMSbW1uC2giOTd6X5QhAClxNE/w640-h480/P1120182+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We were so close, yet so far. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5iezdidNQfZxAjWsgN3aG9Y7uWcVw8Rvf2kJcQoGS7e9xNSZVihjUAsoxPwQmuMoPLlb7M5cCHeF7WPhrnU7VZ9I6e0I2eakx3BMvm3maK0NvY9PX__JDRKPSvKEORa6EzWGuI6ZXu8/s560/P1120183+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="430" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5iezdidNQfZxAjWsgN3aG9Y7uWcVw8Rvf2kJcQoGS7e9xNSZVihjUAsoxPwQmuMoPLlb7M5cCHeF7WPhrnU7VZ9I6e0I2eakx3BMvm3maK0NvY9PX__JDRKPSvKEORa6EzWGuI6ZXu8/w308-h400/P1120183+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We eventually made it down the second lock of the day.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoxT7f4-7Asa7bTN2lFA6oXPywsZkFbcuGfK83qqpKFrG4_-bbN_IBRLsBwp6BCQ1gUow3Rl49lgWXw54ox9k0CHT6pzMw1lxAlCoZ8yB_aodJf2jO4Af9oXxedzv1LUwyrFYrCyw_iE/s1032/P1120184+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoxT7f4-7Asa7bTN2lFA6oXPywsZkFbcuGfK83qqpKFrG4_-bbN_IBRLsBwp6BCQ1gUow3Rl49lgWXw54ox9k0CHT6pzMw1lxAlCoZ8yB_aodJf2jO4Af9oXxedzv1LUwyrFYrCyw_iE/w640-h480/P1120184+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Only to find that the pound below it was so low we scraped along the bottom all the way to the next lock! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0H7AfWib7HH28UrQ8m_F14Kt7jUN4kwRVrtRQwhZJoUqQEMHpGJjOv5wX5KkzK1QDqzxUReDKjF5ILmnD_cN_ZIbq0UzkQDmp1hf6Y4LuzTeRhfplePgvJwl8OSw7mMd6BDUcEskT1eo/s1032/P1120185+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0H7AfWib7HH28UrQ8m_F14Kt7jUN4kwRVrtRQwhZJoUqQEMHpGJjOv5wX5KkzK1QDqzxUReDKjF5ILmnD_cN_ZIbq0UzkQDmp1hf6Y4LuzTeRhfplePgvJwl8OSw7mMd6BDUcEskT1eo/w640-h480/P1120185+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLV4G02E4Ar0joeNEqRqGJeiTw03ubGZR4aNhr9ECoMz0APokoawW_OiwHZ9WpDQktf1ZjON8dxC_LYQIwRSaHAohfRKmIfGJ2YHwT-XcuYphha2bC6n9sCXvNJvdOxBe6CCpEp5ZFWz8/s1032/P1120186+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLV4G02E4Ar0joeNEqRqGJeiTw03ubGZR4aNhr9ECoMz0APokoawW_OiwHZ9WpDQktf1ZjON8dxC_LYQIwRSaHAohfRKmIfGJ2YHwT-XcuYphha2bC6n9sCXvNJvdOxBe6CCpEp5ZFWz8/w640-h480/P1120186+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLV4G02E4Ar0joeNEqRqGJeiTw03ubGZR4aNhr9ECoMz0APokoawW_OiwHZ9WpDQktf1ZjON8dxC_LYQIwRSaHAohfRKmIfGJ2YHwT-XcuYphha2bC6n9sCXvNJvdOxBe6CCpEp5ZFWz8/s1032/P1120186+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">This sign was on all the locks </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7o5APwVfiZxi1a9Ck6CY6YL1_e6fL1OafCZMzJKmRQ3mkldzKbUXt5XLbSeMLOWsqdCJFJGuxoZx7gT3mYWVcTPo1rFYZ4XM-qNXMKNOxmFBf99w84YQ7wjMglQ8uf5DW-S8J3RqHGk/s1032/P1120188+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7o5APwVfiZxi1a9Ck6CY6YL1_e6fL1OafCZMzJKmRQ3mkldzKbUXt5XLbSeMLOWsqdCJFJGuxoZx7gT3mYWVcTPo1rFYZ4XM-qNXMKNOxmFBf99w84YQ7wjMglQ8uf5DW-S8J3RqHGk/w640-h480/P1120188+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div>They did try to get through,<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13r3Qnbg1UwD1e5xX5Kk2aLeIA6Ls-w_sleTcKwsE6ToqBqXDuu-LTEnE4JEk9cVlR98A0TKreJfFqBwr4MiFlm8useq6Hk91th7A6jPXI1icEpBBsBPzjLfTvrgIBWJsvQ2uU0LhDco/s1032/P1120187+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13r3Qnbg1UwD1e5xX5Kk2aLeIA6Ls-w_sleTcKwsE6ToqBqXDuu-LTEnE4JEk9cVlR98A0TKreJfFqBwr4MiFlm8useq6Hk91th7A6jPXI1icEpBBsBPzjLfTvrgIBWJsvQ2uU0LhDco/w640-h480/P1120187+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div> but our swan and duck food kept them occupied long enough for us to get and shut the gate.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qaUVB-jsal_ijMgiFv-a23jdEo8mf7_MTD9TYvi5eEHYLrrsKJh3LheKwHtNaN5KbpW3YSiFb9ZYbJWwqTB0jszbddkmTIiAgmHT09QddT5l3vwwTxipo4AYesCKh56FQ7JAmzEi_EI/s1032/P1120189+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qaUVB-jsal_ijMgiFv-a23jdEo8mf7_MTD9TYvi5eEHYLrrsKJh3LheKwHtNaN5KbpW3YSiFb9ZYbJWwqTB0jszbddkmTIiAgmHT09QddT5l3vwwTxipo4AYesCKh56FQ7JAmzEi_EI/w640-h480/P1120189+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Time to count the cost of all Chris' hard work 3 lots of plasters<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqh4H5lq5q3uxhDrMFLlqsefNuYb17X1jVSfZVnfHNMa0fCX_UWZODTfnEWdHj3pMbcodtfeSSCia0kcCc26u5hl4KWJu7HY0FNZVMZfjM-coIiCbyrTsv9Pq0YHW99Jqg1A2ZVBeFgM/s1032/P1120190+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqh4H5lq5q3uxhDrMFLlqsefNuYb17X1jVSfZVnfHNMa0fCX_UWZODTfnEWdHj3pMbcodtfeSSCia0kcCc26u5hl4KWJu7HY0FNZVMZfjM-coIiCbyrTsv9Pq0YHW99Jqg1A2ZVBeFgM/w640-h480/P1120190+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>and lots of bruises<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Axops2495Jtafrxz4WfOg5OL9IV6G6YjmuzLu1zawNDGX-HTyu5Sc_ng1T0LTSt5t8Pn4E0517lpkJX2NY5xlDrhRoAU6rhLjuO3aOlw75cnGbR9habzgv_wOLTP_I_N6GoQ1lD5cYg/s774/P1120195+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="580" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Axops2495Jtafrxz4WfOg5OL9IV6G6YjmuzLu1zawNDGX-HTyu5Sc_ng1T0LTSt5t8Pn4E0517lpkJX2NY5xlDrhRoAU6rhLjuO3aOlw75cnGbR9habzgv_wOLTP_I_N6GoQ1lD5cYg/w480-h640/P1120195+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>The sign for The Worcester Canal Festival we attended in 2015 is still in place<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXaPsBwyawBzVCo8C3kKBg0hNV9XmAO_8P4cPA2ECjGVAwXzOUuk_f1r5KhFsoDhkpXmb2RNMxSAEkCTS5xyyD5D3msxmQalYoWJu5awN1HIx_X-UekEckMTNoc9Q3lC9-_2WpKxnjb8/s1032/P1120191+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXaPsBwyawBzVCo8C3kKBg0hNV9XmAO_8P4cPA2ECjGVAwXzOUuk_f1r5KhFsoDhkpXmb2RNMxSAEkCTS5xyyD5D3msxmQalYoWJu5awN1HIx_X-UekEckMTNoc9Q3lC9-_2WpKxnjb8/w640-h480/P1120191+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and it is good to see that the mural at Lowesmoor is still looking in good condition.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9E2VR51Vtz_ZhgieylGz0cpU5pWmc9bBLLTX3DSF0BGgkCThqfF6eMiuioWLAxNpbKh9_RHDfnEpcjUnI1Z-75i9PjR4kCsygMTrqGwWBFEEvUXcF-4lbfq41yJEB-saIqABykZUMzWg/s1032/P1120194+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9E2VR51Vtz_ZhgieylGz0cpU5pWmc9bBLLTX3DSF0BGgkCThqfF6eMiuioWLAxNpbKh9_RHDfnEpcjUnI1Z-75i9PjR4kCsygMTrqGwWBFEEvUXcF-4lbfq41yJEB-saIqABykZUMzWg/w640-h480/P1120194+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A mooring was spotted at the Commandery - we had had enough, so we took it. I am sure it will not be the quietest of moorings and we made a right meal of tying up much to the amusement (I am sure) of the people on the hire boat behind us. They had offered to help, but sometimes it is better to just get on with things even when you are both bone weary. Tomorrow will be another day. We will probably only go as far as the Racecourse on the River Severn, which had been our target for today. It should only take about 1.5 hours, but we need to use the services before we drop onto the river and Chris, understandably, wants to check down the weed hatch once more before we go. I think we need time to recover and not add a 5 hour dash along the Severn with no guarantee of being able to moor on the river when we get to Stourport. We know the narrow locks at Stourport are closed so we will be going up the broad locks. VLKs are available from 8am to 6pm.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWEvtsMkezBl4juojj8ll4Wpqg9W7SDDAja_3SbcItzBf_OyAT2vzTnCdmIKovyCIQf0HkvYZwDXSONErw1wrskrwUwLm01Xkf42kURYwp9mZxkT4NlrT27v91W_l6E1_v_Svui5uHiY/s1032/P1120196+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWEvtsMkezBl4juojj8ll4Wpqg9W7SDDAja_3SbcItzBf_OyAT2vzTnCdmIKovyCIQf0HkvYZwDXSONErw1wrskrwUwLm01Xkf42kURYwp9mZxkT4NlrT27v91W_l6E1_v_Svui5uHiY/w640-h480/P1120196+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWUqJy7o5JGSRwItWpttB2EaumrkOtZo0LRWg8zZXA5uXBrghGIsfSPSXgOzttYoi04Bp1HstPVpX1ZuKbetjcbka-gUe3VyBPsBPQTlFRsOdmIaSu69ERuNinaA7zuA3dTHVx4KohcQ/s1032/P1120197+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWUqJy7o5JGSRwItWpttB2EaumrkOtZo0LRWg8zZXA5uXBrghGIsfSPSXgOzttYoi04Bp1HstPVpX1ZuKbetjcbka-gUe3VyBPsBPQTlFRsOdmIaSu69ERuNinaA7zuA3dTHVx4KohcQ/w640-h480/P1120197+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9oUi7VkL-N4kHTd-WtXqzSh4UzIj7P40bIrv4_X6ZthAsoaZS_74K5b-DgkVMkadci1hNb5XDhlT_yfIICAuHVVP4UOiqey_2rkx_LJlZ8RZQn2jvPCfCz_HtlVAn0kTfBwiFjat0N4/s1032/P1120198+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9oUi7VkL-N4kHTd-WtXqzSh4UzIj7P40bIrv4_X6ZthAsoaZS_74K5b-DgkVMkadci1hNb5XDhlT_yfIICAuHVVP4UOiqey_2rkx_LJlZ8RZQn2jvPCfCz_HtlVAn0kTfBwiFjat0N4/w640-h480/P1120198+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Monty and I went for a little wander which included a short trip up the main street just past the next lock. It was rush hour and very busy which included a police car with blues and twos going. Monty has never been a fan of lots of traffic and this was his first experience since lock down and he did not turn a hair. When I mentioned this might not be the quietest mooring we were not expecting the noises that emanated from behind us. First a lot of women cackling then a few words drifted across the cut 'When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightening or in rain'?</div><div><br /></div><div>The poster on the railings of the Commandery enlightened us<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7W5nb-4TiiLjGipfPGy4xV1tPiWRRYsZpA8OfxPhqxidw9sn9fBEAEYjngBBVDu75GL1lFozpnduyh728qwDEL83z4YY-BnUg_3-SS88Fkfl-ixlRK9abXZ9YxZW9xQYmUDmbo7hRdk/s1032/P1120199+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7W5nb-4TiiLjGipfPGy4xV1tPiWRRYsZpA8OfxPhqxidw9sn9fBEAEYjngBBVDu75GL1lFozpnduyh728qwDEL83z4YY-BnUg_3-SS88Fkfl-ixlRK9abXZ9YxZW9xQYmUDmbo7hRdk/w640-h480/P1120199+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3dvTcVzdlhAaiWeiQbM3LH8qiWAqXdWFDxGAOXrdO_lu7dkcbVbze-L96ss2UxAxhyphenhyphenTZJoiGcGVysAf5lqETamIQ5fl8llAXTnJihiNtZqZBbxBc5ikqNMZEB3tRtDfC0rMQNsCd7kI/s1032/P1120200+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3dvTcVzdlhAaiWeiQbM3LH8qiWAqXdWFDxGAOXrdO_lu7dkcbVbze-L96ss2UxAxhyphenhyphenTZJoiGcGVysAf5lqETamIQ5fl8llAXTnJihiNtZqZBbxBc5ikqNMZEB3tRtDfC0rMQNsCd7kI/w640-h480/P1120200+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Words and music drifted over through the evening. It is something we would love to have gone to had we known it was on and if we had not been quite so tired. It was very tempting to nip up the main street to get a takeaway, but our food was out of the freezer, so Chris broke out the BBQ and I made the salad. I am sure it was a lot tastier and healthier than a takeaway.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zmrRBsqmkz0JyrJAc3TAE8izl4cuMhFLAsoupirR1obNTojtGl83XUhZ3eiLE4mNMCCAqy8stbA577bLoC2lOKlFPCuvshIBQfryKGiRt3ec2r-ZbbNWU5K7xovTDQgXp2AD1HAvuWw/s1032/P1120201+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zmrRBsqmkz0JyrJAc3TAE8izl4cuMhFLAsoupirR1obNTojtGl83XUhZ3eiLE4mNMCCAqy8stbA577bLoC2lOKlFPCuvshIBQfryKGiRt3ec2r-ZbbNWU5K7xovTDQgXp2AD1HAvuWw/w400-h300/P1120201+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p></div>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-38321220015310563072021-07-01T00:00:00.001-07:002021-07-01T00:00:00.193-07:00We are off! Monday 28th - Wednesday 29th June 2021<div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Monday 28th June 2021</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Droitwich Spa Marina</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">0 miles, 0 locks</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Chris had a blood test booked for this morning and Tesco delivered our fresh food before 10:00. The bulk of the loading onto the boat had been done over the preceding days. The plan was to arrive, fill the tank with water and head off, however things did not quite go to plan.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The hose was deployed, the tap put on and all looked to be good, until suddenly the hose burst! We are so thankful it happened in the marina whilst we still had access to the car. A quick click and collect to Homebase and Chris was able to head back to Bromsgrove and pick up a new one. By the time all that was done and the tank had been filled, we decided to stay put and head off on Tuesday.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Tuesday 29th June 2021</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Droitwich Spa Marina to Tibberton</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">3.92 miles, 3 locks</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since I last posted at the beginning of this month, I have been having physio for some back pain issues and it would also appear that my left leg has joined the right leg - it is showing signs of arthritis, so we are quite severely compromised! Chris' COPD has got worse over the last year, so it has to be me who works the locks and does the majority of the dog walking. We have left with every intention of getting to Derby as our first port of call, however, it remains to be seen if we do actually manage to get there. Our planned days are, on the whole, short, so fingers crossed we do succeed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As we left the marina and turned left towards Hanbury we found </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZI6v5-cSc138_57Qs1tDI_xmD6KAejCuHAIS7BBG3bE9aScnOOm7Ai7HX79eyqjlOelBSZTL8sNdtnXUFNj22r7ZKPkp82kmmLrjhV9k7QGtRKTPl6PEkR393QpdaCUBjnevLYmT3a0/s1032/P1120119+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZI6v5-cSc138_57Qs1tDI_xmD6KAejCuHAIS7BBG3bE9aScnOOm7Ai7HX79eyqjlOelBSZTL8sNdtnXUFNj22r7ZKPkp82kmmLrjhV9k7QGtRKTPl6PEkR393QpdaCUBjnevLYmT3a0/w640-h480/P1120119+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>two voluntary lock keepers opening the lock for a boat to emerge. Once they had gone we were able drive straight in.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCUhXKNtBfJj4QD6ZROAclfN0pQoWuQUbmZJQpGSwG5OAYfJNlWyVv2HX1gwSM5tpzpwDocRp6T9lHzcUkf3qzeN8JozMmz1eCTT_M9y5Oxzt5aXFOF0mua8A75QI75mRWH9UjZovqXg/s1032/P1120122+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCUhXKNtBfJj4QD6ZROAclfN0pQoWuQUbmZJQpGSwG5OAYfJNlWyVv2HX1gwSM5tpzpwDocRp6T9lHzcUkf3qzeN8JozMmz1eCTT_M9y5Oxzt5aXFOF0mua8A75QI75mRWH9UjZovqXg/w640-h480/P1120122+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It is very unusual for me to be on the boat at the bottom of a lock. We know one of the VLKs well and he told us there had been some excitement recently at Hanbury and we would see what as we ascended.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmy1_PzXzGSid5_lHCDTFDQYskYrNrgb4MEMtpqvW5srmpMWa1w21kyctq4OjQylVe-g3bR2HSHjbHCRbq-dIjl3b_nRmpGzChkjBouUslkVxfDWa3Cuof7dde1ODQNMtNGXmR2e4C0k0/s1032/P1120123+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmy1_PzXzGSid5_lHCDTFDQYskYrNrgb4MEMtpqvW5srmpMWa1w21kyctq4OjQylVe-g3bR2HSHjbHCRbq-dIjl3b_nRmpGzChkjBouUslkVxfDWa3Cuof7dde1ODQNMtNGXmR2e4C0k0/w640-h480/P1120123+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And there is was - a huge hole. The wooden surround was put up a couple of days ago, but the hole is increasing in size at an alarming rate. The metal posts are now at the circumference. Our local C&RT manager has been informed and hopefully someone will come and look sometime today and add orange netting to the metal poles.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgb85BEXBnYuKu4UNCK0oOwwo8eCEbsO1QtrYAN6ZJfRWTQIBfWDqrnLMXjqAaTA1szXi_PucBOV5O2WDJfq4VeFhrAcLsQhSBoN1u__F2p594rydSZpEl7CB8K9PyvKK9sCT5eF4l0I/s1032/P1120124+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgb85BEXBnYuKu4UNCK0oOwwo8eCEbsO1QtrYAN6ZJfRWTQIBfWDqrnLMXjqAaTA1szXi_PucBOV5O2WDJfq4VeFhrAcLsQhSBoN1u__F2p594rydSZpEl7CB8K9PyvKK9sCT5eF4l0I/w640-h480/P1120124+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We ended up with a VLK at each lock, so we were up the flight of three in no time at all. We turned right at Hanbury junction heading towards Worcester. We passed this healthy looking brood. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvK1fHIQag4-SWlLreCwjamyjXzxhchNHcF6nb3yddOMGZws18Co5e88EYML4cLc-ae0gZyxeto-AiuI_6RYLVlYGBKUftd1gCKEqzza3jTFSeWPmWt_yi5qqck-1AIz1GtCnYA8T_08/s1032/P1120125+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvK1fHIQag4-SWlLreCwjamyjXzxhchNHcF6nb3yddOMGZws18Co5e88EYML4cLc-ae0gZyxeto-AiuI_6RYLVlYGBKUftd1gCKEqzza3jTFSeWPmWt_yi5qqck-1AIz1GtCnYA8T_08/w640-h480/P1120125+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Just one tunnel today at Dunhampstead - all of 230 yards which was just as well as we found the tunnel light and the horn were not working. It was a quick fix once we had moored for the day.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwgZAmPFmIyTCE9a7MGSs-V0pZTkbEliGD7hS_W1Dylh7yYPp6qT6gVlSnjEM1EILS992ZsuyX2_nDCGQCeI1yOhkdfeGleA-XQRiBeP65eQJEcB8jot81xlhxNBwWN0KDev95Kr2Y_s/s1032/P1120127+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwgZAmPFmIyTCE9a7MGSs-V0pZTkbEliGD7hS_W1Dylh7yYPp6qT6gVlSnjEM1EILS992ZsuyX2_nDCGQCeI1yOhkdfeGleA-XQRiBeP65eQJEcB8jot81xlhxNBwWN0KDev95Kr2Y_s/w640-h480/P1120127+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was wonderful to be out on the water again enjoying the peace of the countryside.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Vvo2Mim_s7mxI7IXj_73FqTUTYl9FHoLaXlVIlZK07HUoIe24DBE1tPN7nJ76n5kvsD9V4Ep9gT7pKyDcsN2_OppNyxcc_OMIYlDmWxjlCUzsWyPSb3qSoxcVfrnqcdm7eqxnf-mmT0/s1032/P1120128+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Vvo2Mim_s7mxI7IXj_73FqTUTYl9FHoLaXlVIlZK07HUoIe24DBE1tPN7nJ76n5kvsD9V4Ep9gT7pKyDcsN2_OppNyxcc_OMIYlDmWxjlCUzsWyPSb3qSoxcVfrnqcdm7eqxnf-mmT0/w640-h480/P1120128+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjH7cd_7Z9U2gE3RP49RaTARlCUR1-vcL0C6duLz4XTOYFDbEKuLa538b7xb_ksGBMLoH1qNCXcS1lwuBZ_6BuaZdOov6oRDi51lrtO-ytBvRlOOeROE71HEof0hkeGEIp_zr1SQLQFA/s1032/P1120129+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjH7cd_7Z9U2gE3RP49RaTARlCUR1-vcL0C6duLz4XTOYFDbEKuLa538b7xb_ksGBMLoH1qNCXcS1lwuBZ_6BuaZdOov6oRDi51lrtO-ytBvRlOOeROE71HEof0hkeGEIp_zr1SQLQFA/w640-h480/P1120129+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The yellow irises were a bit past their best, but still a pleasing sight.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iRmqjUX4VJEEc0M8eMkuUp7LlhK2jr1EEXibiBdq3_Yd4vY_7A1rObKw60rrmnW9ZS80RG2KOETiipxHW7HYmkw8oGtaq41buEdVgK3Vj6aq0qSCaUq6y474-u2l7w9oi6wHJwAIMWk/s1032/P1120132+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iRmqjUX4VJEEc0M8eMkuUp7LlhK2jr1EEXibiBdq3_Yd4vY_7A1rObKw60rrmnW9ZS80RG2KOETiipxHW7HYmkw8oGtaq41buEdVgK3Vj6aq0qSCaUq6y474-u2l7w9oi6wHJwAIMWk/w640-h480/P1120132+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Monty and I jumped ship for a while. There were signs that contractors had been out trimming, but it was good to see that some growth is being left for the wildlife.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpTyAM2L4U3idyYQHXDfOd5EDdpAgyqoZKC7rxT4-5-OwXjnon1gRD7_0iMpGecPkIGznrq_ruoxjS7lIZfS0ISZaKkqlMeg_0vrklNEKd5LjZdqmvOk6nOGQS8pY6zydbuPAd2TiSKo/s1032/P1120133+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpTyAM2L4U3idyYQHXDfOd5EDdpAgyqoZKC7rxT4-5-OwXjnon1gRD7_0iMpGecPkIGznrq_ruoxjS7lIZfS0ISZaKkqlMeg_0vrklNEKd5LjZdqmvOk6nOGQS8pY6zydbuPAd2TiSKo/w640-h480/P1120133+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These mile markers along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal have been added over the last few years. I am not sure, however, how many have been dedicated to those who have departed - a lovely idea as a permanent reminder of canal users who have gone before us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGA2wfz-aIRIBGYcmtiHdHqNdQKWsAXEeC2sRyA6FFZkJ8eWaEJW6-KTlzey8x0gtyX1KVImDBmxElsvjzrL2UWPVQ60nb8Luqiw1SYdodiDy3a4VsXWbD4EcDnezuglK6mvzSGIls33U/s630/P1120135+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGA2wfz-aIRIBGYcmtiHdHqNdQKWsAXEeC2sRyA6FFZkJ8eWaEJW6-KTlzey8x0gtyX1KVImDBmxElsvjzrL2UWPVQ60nb8Luqiw1SYdodiDy3a4VsXWbD4EcDnezuglK6mvzSGIls33U/s630/P1120135+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJUZYBC8Sp7LeAUs451x0PLBNXoQqdtMRtRNYlGMDO95fYzOfcERb9QqFKdJXR2cqoIStgoFiSUhKR7AYzLvicFbecWH5Y86_aFjgXo4EFCVuSO1KvRICgp5PUKms07aqDofNOKAnENU/s421/P1120136+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="410" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJUZYBC8Sp7LeAUs451x0PLBNXoQqdtMRtRNYlGMDO95fYzOfcERb9QqFKdJXR2cqoIStgoFiSUhKR7AYzLvicFbecWH5Y86_aFjgXo4EFCVuSO1KvRICgp5PUKms07aqDofNOKAnENU/w624-h640/P1120136+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="624" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="630" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGA2wfz-aIRIBGYcmtiHdHqNdQKWsAXEeC2sRyA6FFZkJ8eWaEJW6-KTlzey8x0gtyX1KVImDBmxElsvjzrL2UWPVQ60nb8Luqiw1SYdodiDy3a4VsXWbD4EcDnezuglK6mvzSGIls33U/w640-h462/P1120135+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></div><br />The railway line is never far away along this stretch of the canal.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnF3eZoE5yH3IAJTdXKQMvL0_k_DeWISDrCUTgE0dI-O7skKPNwBLXAaHlkjDSq0eLlOY8b-2hyphenhyphenkf-O_p0ExfjzttptL0ugX60gml6GNOmAn8joDlCvrgOsl9yU6FP07JdcmDgmJFebo/s1032/P1120137+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnF3eZoE5yH3IAJTdXKQMvL0_k_DeWISDrCUTgE0dI-O7skKPNwBLXAaHlkjDSq0eLlOY8b-2hyphenhyphenkf-O_p0ExfjzttptL0ugX60gml6GNOmAn8joDlCvrgOsl9yU6FP07JdcmDgmJFebo/w640-h480/P1120137+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We arrived at Tibberton hoping we would find a mooring to find we could take our pick!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrTtpgddedP1RdwjYBuuk1WxS2kqzEvOcIIsxytswJmh8PHopc9IDOnBeX0Dx4mrKwo2Txq6oqCgBr3jufLbxrGaVZXZVN5WMpdsMxvDrf08kSR9wYNUgYm-dN4fA1tZs2RJBnVl7scU/s1032/P1120138+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrTtpgddedP1RdwjYBuuk1WxS2kqzEvOcIIsxytswJmh8PHopc9IDOnBeX0Dx4mrKwo2Txq6oqCgBr3jufLbxrGaVZXZVN5WMpdsMxvDrf08kSR9wYNUgYm-dN4fA1tZs2RJBnVl7scU/w640-h480/P1120138+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We chose to moor almost at the far end away from the pub.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2nzWcNOZnteaGdJFKO8teSfR64lXTDzW6z0lpH2vif0RzNMnrKYvzMPfiqOoZ_YuTm7muYTaONXgmuS0EAHHXvLbhP0U0T28uTI9lAasiKVF1pTG0aYM0b0Xd77tvmL0z0mSfkgMerk/s1032/P1120139+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2nzWcNOZnteaGdJFKO8teSfR64lXTDzW6z0lpH2vif0RzNMnrKYvzMPfiqOoZ_YuTm7muYTaONXgmuS0EAHHXvLbhP0U0T28uTI9lAasiKVF1pTG0aYM0b0Xd77tvmL0z0mSfkgMerk/w640-h480/P1120139+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHE4bbm3GTNM_klkv5pNoF6GSqsS7pvSKRjIdsdamgNxyA2vpYpYS0Pxx4mrlRIyrxZrmrqlyQdziR85aYs5j0DfGlpEsi-L0EVNomCNp__EWX_BVURZ6t8tM681JsK8PJaVIxIRsanNQ/s1032/P1120140+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHE4bbm3GTNM_klkv5pNoF6GSqsS7pvSKRjIdsdamgNxyA2vpYpYS0Pxx4mrlRIyrxZrmrqlyQdziR85aYs5j0DfGlpEsi-L0EVNomCNp__EWX_BVURZ6t8tM681JsK8PJaVIxIRsanNQ/w640-h480/P1120140+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We had no TV or radio signal - had we been avid football fans we could have gone to the pub, but we aren't and we are also still trying to avoid large groups of people. Had we had signal we would have watched the England match and we were pleased to hear that they had won. By late afternoon just two other boats had joined us, but with so much space to choose from we were well separated.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Wednesday 30th June 2021</u></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Tibberton to Bridge 16, Perdiswell</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">2.97 miles, 8 locks</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We were ready to go by 09:15, but by then the two boats moored behind us had gone past plus another one, so we knew we would be the fourth in the queue and having to fill every lock before we could enter unless there were boats coming up.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What a tranquil scene to enjoy as I prepared the first lock for Chris</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LeJ-MLkJo-wh1LYoJIzLGEJoGqYGPyrZ0espUul1NWcBdkSJEPDkCbOlyU0U_LFuUgrsiOqmnINoYGU6IFGvJWy0af30038nLHt3gQpNItTEbZsMXWQRrvWcb5gRYogzrXrhSASVALg/s1032/P1120141+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LeJ-MLkJo-wh1LYoJIzLGEJoGqYGPyrZ0espUul1NWcBdkSJEPDkCbOlyU0U_LFuUgrsiOqmnINoYGU6IFGvJWy0af30038nLHt3gQpNItTEbZsMXWQRrvWcb5gRYogzrXrhSASVALg/w640-h480/P1120141+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A lot more peaceful than the M5 behind him!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6GtyfW5nZ2FzX8xLw3aQhyphenhyphenc_yTtFKMXO1myLbszZpGM1p1Nq6pYFSsTn6qgk9Z1Ye9_v_g6JipBUuacyN8ELoNTE6-1DKFoQH-KsvNifLbl79qk5Z3YmH7naZxWeJd9UstMJm7RydwM/s1032/P1120142+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6GtyfW5nZ2FzX8xLw3aQhyphenhyphenc_yTtFKMXO1myLbszZpGM1p1Nq6pYFSsTn6qgk9Z1Ye9_v_g6JipBUuacyN8ELoNTE6-1DKFoQH-KsvNifLbl79qk5Z3YmH7naZxWeJd9UstMJm7RydwM/w640-h480/P1120142+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Monty has not forgotten his locking duties<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gV_Wl_5_3I-KNIUsxBIvhnoQtdWQeyuJ1un4Nv9haehTxsnvICsCN5JxrqwQCjX0Gsxq4XoR2Bis9F09PQoUennbZONR6t5Rpz4cNzzpSQmRqgB6XZfvED80kr8LLINKS0curtGnC78/s1032/P1120143+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gV_Wl_5_3I-KNIUsxBIvhnoQtdWQeyuJ1un4Nv9haehTxsnvICsCN5JxrqwQCjX0Gsxq4XoR2Bis9F09PQoUennbZONR6t5Rpz4cNzzpSQmRqgB6XZfvED80kr8LLINKS0curtGnC78/w640-h480/P1120143+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>He is 9 now, so he does lie down on the job a bit more often!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxov-NDHMokjGTg_M7Rtfd90p9fT4gcYFWXy18BnHnUPySS5hy2IyNlSCXuUZlZRlHhMYahEYnn0bz-0j52Bmw2eTL2jfeHb-U-MYUpu4NeTmp5uQbSmiVsZsPFICgXN-kcT3RpJa3eGc/s1032/P1120144+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxov-NDHMokjGTg_M7Rtfd90p9fT4gcYFWXy18BnHnUPySS5hy2IyNlSCXuUZlZRlHhMYahEYnn0bz-0j52Bmw2eTL2jfeHb-U-MYUpu4NeTmp5uQbSmiVsZsPFICgXN-kcT3RpJa3eGc/w640-h480/P1120144+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At the second lock I met up with one of the contractors who were still busy mowing and strimming - he kindly stopped work and helped me with the bottom gates - assistance is always appreciated. He did confirm that from last year they were told to start leaving some vegetation for the wildlife. They clear round the locks and recognised and well used mooring sites. A good decision in my book - if we choose to use a 'wild mooring' we have the means to clear enough vegetation to allow us to get on and off. He did comment that you can never please everyone though! We spotted this monster plant rather overwhelming the poor foxglove. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmAYIYKASaZsZg3apjMacdWc318dhSY0wjmEulI_FNFOEUGyLoMZr3uxSrjuI9hZ9RRP0E_FbEquz-_C0SZOsM41VT1r8gkxuSricOnALbsIUqsjjs1aTUhFOXgKQLlAIAwWTicwuTVM/s658/P1120145+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="281" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmAYIYKASaZsZg3apjMacdWc318dhSY0wjmEulI_FNFOEUGyLoMZr3uxSrjuI9hZ9RRP0E_FbEquz-_C0SZOsM41VT1r8gkxuSricOnALbsIUqsjjs1aTUhFOXgKQLlAIAwWTicwuTVM/w274-h640/P1120145+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="274" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was taller than me (5 foot 5 inches) and even with my arm at full stretch I could not quite get a photo of the top of it - the contractor and I reckon it is some sort of thistle? I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-JaycYC3VsPJcYqkDbIGn7PqtABrb53cDv0mG3_OQPONRIy3jElM_3b1g-qhe8VLas55JxXcZt6H2jIrBW1cY1cxvHf3MEqzep9v16itzVd-pJ_WHrDeilGkegozH4FdcOWrL6rjzyc/s1032/P1120146+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-JaycYC3VsPJcYqkDbIGn7PqtABrb53cDv0mG3_OQPONRIy3jElM_3b1g-qhe8VLas55JxXcZt6H2jIrBW1cY1cxvHf3MEqzep9v16itzVd-pJ_WHrDeilGkegozH4FdcOWrL6rjzyc/w640-h480/P1120146+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>More expanses of countryside to enjoy.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_FwaRslwT9VbF8udHeHjFp82itz-hfbAA-sV3fw98l3OV6IjzORiPOX0dPXgn5iJGOcXWxM5S3hq4oXT38u9mvHE-BSEPmWTF9cbf0anoOBWru72LPhom-tsVuS04pGGMK_QANYA-a4/s1032/P1120148+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_FwaRslwT9VbF8udHeHjFp82itz-hfbAA-sV3fw98l3OV6IjzORiPOX0dPXgn5iJGOcXWxM5S3hq4oXT38u9mvHE-BSEPmWTF9cbf0anoOBWru72LPhom-tsVuS04pGGMK_QANYA-a4/w640-h480/P1120148+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The boat ahead of us must have been working at the same pace as us as we never caught up with them.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2suIm01bcGHP9HsoZXANwc134On-XHlF9EK18ZpeB6qEN4C1tEfbBC_Bsma9zzjYuBPzDAsbaxCHFUSsUaSEoZSyw7NuCnNkrzQlYVmgz7m19etYqqUxtrz9ThDeAXb5EQ0stuo2reVg/s1032/P1120149+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2suIm01bcGHP9HsoZXANwc134On-XHlF9EK18ZpeB6qEN4C1tEfbBC_Bsma9zzjYuBPzDAsbaxCHFUSsUaSEoZSyw7NuCnNkrzQlYVmgz7m19etYqqUxtrz9ThDeAXb5EQ0stuo2reVg/w640-h480/P1120149+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Monty opted to do some travelling between locks on the boat and soon adopted his normal look out position.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgXV9sx6iX6FgIgAYdEzsp03ljOWz6NYtISJlFbQ2qwyGquwpMnxwfBj19YKBXnhAo90Bdqj4vfrR82M8MVCC9Oli93sB4wJSSel4kct5hPccrlzB6TNs-NzgaMFdLufguMBxD72zre0/s1032/P1120150+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="1032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgXV9sx6iX6FgIgAYdEzsp03ljOWz6NYtISJlFbQ2qwyGquwpMnxwfBj19YKBXnhAo90Bdqj4vfrR82M8MVCC9Oli93sB4wJSSel4kct5hPccrlzB6TNs-NzgaMFdLufguMBxD72zre0/w640-h360/P1120150+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Maybe 'awaiting' would be a better word than 'undergoing'? <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBr7YIqRYPgd57ebJnCQsXOPCmEs6xV4gih5DwiWZ6l_vV608BQNak5svXHiOZ1BKSno1xFEl0RymqPPe5WseUi_XGntE1PeaZxWIIF3bJzy_bwZ-MXFrGbj9YdNRxVQfg8xO0vM0LwU/s1032/P1120155+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="774" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBr7YIqRYPgd57ebJnCQsXOPCmEs6xV4gih5DwiWZ6l_vV608BQNak5svXHiOZ1BKSno1xFEl0RymqPPe5WseUi_XGntE1PeaZxWIIF3bJzy_bwZ-MXFrGbj9YdNRxVQfg8xO0vM0LwU/w480-h640/P1120155+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was at the penultimate lock on the Offerton flight of 6 that we became aware that there was a boat behind us. They never caught us up, so I guess we were all working at a reasonable pace.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9qDL93QiaRcE0nTc2bebd0e7BPwYVWxTeoCZ76FhQxhFTupkBRl1krk6hEAlY2d_QbCtQyauUId6FsbNebIh73rL-O780KHsqmFpb3-kC_M5IJwb2xWg3tooRbjDRJKW56b2iUCRVpE/s1032/P1120156+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9qDL93QiaRcE0nTc2bebd0e7BPwYVWxTeoCZ76FhQxhFTupkBRl1krk6hEAlY2d_QbCtQyauUId6FsbNebIh73rL-O780KHsqmFpb3-kC_M5IJwb2xWg3tooRbjDRJKW56b2iUCRVpE/w640-h480/P1120156+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At our last lock of the day (Blackpole) there were a lot of very noisy gulls swooping and diving - we wonder if there is a ground-fill site in the vicinity.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlfeAN7ZGVzf-VHnc2-DpFD3aq9LGo7-aXAlr4s1nieVNoP-rUgfy_opZoUy8m91yZlMIdw_8NpI-F0BuM1vyGsC8zNNkkz0sKbMEFX7k0q3wuA6xKMa85rwQMjIITwawSdhKIk1fgyQ/s1032/P1120157+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlfeAN7ZGVzf-VHnc2-DpFD3aq9LGo7-aXAlr4s1nieVNoP-rUgfy_opZoUy8m91yZlMIdw_8NpI-F0BuM1vyGsC8zNNkkz0sKbMEFX7k0q3wuA6xKMa85rwQMjIITwawSdhKIk1fgyQ/w640-h480/P1120157+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Just as we approached bridge 16 and our target for the day we came across a pack of very happy dogs wallowing in the shallows.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIV-i83zoumS4oPROfq1z8ylLRwb4arMTQYE4ZdtUseKZyLW7R3S70Qm2uDogyZ8uVGOIe-eEMSEV5wR0EcDmgIcU2pRVESUhlxOaKGxDuvl4AGKR1J0Ru_SvUaz7Rbs751JfShUND90/s1032/P1120159+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIV-i83zoumS4oPROfq1z8ylLRwb4arMTQYE4ZdtUseKZyLW7R3S70Qm2uDogyZ8uVGOIe-eEMSEV5wR0EcDmgIcU2pRVESUhlxOaKGxDuvl4AGKR1J0Ru_SvUaz7Rbs751JfShUND90/w640-h480/P1120159+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Once again we had the pick of the moorings opposite a very large recreation ground. The boat that followed us moored up behind us, but at the good distance and there is one more a long way ahead of us. Only one boat passed us up going uphill and since we moored at lunchtime only one other boat has continued on down the canal. It is all very peaceful. All I can hear are the birds singing in the trees. Bliss.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1H9W3E3cmKZ6PWheYLSTfM9Z8fLdibtcGGvJ2cUhRcotY988CAlZFwDHNji816FuZwKb4s3nBGJwa5QRSPX0CvrWYL6iG-bYrIlA9JbqpDSpfOSN-ndhAdrMICQq0-ytzAP1POptiC8/s1032/P1120160+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1H9W3E3cmKZ6PWheYLSTfM9Z8fLdibtcGGvJ2cUhRcotY988CAlZFwDHNji816FuZwKb4s3nBGJwa5QRSPX0CvrWYL6iG-bYrIlA9JbqpDSpfOSN-ndhAdrMICQq0-ytzAP1POptiC8/w640-h480/P1120160+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ePU9YMWtnnk_wvFX8331XU5bnMTs7AgPl9Tj4XRDSSv37VRv9gcrelsSkIeZkixXYuwtf4qS_RcOxaKmz-BfTu8kS00iGvg8oYI9PfsIVjxaURQvW632Q4mZS6wbX0P1ZkrTDcybrxw/s1032/P1120161+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ePU9YMWtnnk_wvFX8331XU5bnMTs7AgPl9Tj4XRDSSv37VRv9gcrelsSkIeZkixXYuwtf4qS_RcOxaKmz-BfTu8kS00iGvg8oYI9PfsIVjxaURQvW632Q4mZS6wbX0P1ZkrTDcybrxw/w640-h480/P1120161+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Side hatch views<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLifuY4_QoBFGKviXHgsjA9UTg_mForGQqgA9rbMEgxBGJrwS4ULpVq0kq_HgSz20leZjrg2VVIsIBG7DNzm9s7wJ7crmLvaxycywYkoh6hg-UCarJm9XSBWQTEcE-DJvtNqTblxAsbN8/s1032/P1120162+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLifuY4_QoBFGKviXHgsjA9UTg_mForGQqgA9rbMEgxBGJrwS4ULpVq0kq_HgSz20leZjrg2VVIsIBG7DNzm9s7wJ7crmLvaxycywYkoh6hg-UCarJm9XSBWQTEcE-DJvtNqTblxAsbN8/w640-h480/P1120162+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42fTx1jOIZS4AAHlpzDiu0zw9Dsauyo8-LSNqB10Gw8U5E1BNN9iWLJEQInrNSZf4h4o8i_vchEJU8WjQJxsfwC8kwDFEbToD_ZTP54vwEqo4pwIYgeYAr-BMcVmQ5gGRbHsylxt7QKE/s1032/P1120163+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42fTx1jOIZS4AAHlpzDiu0zw9Dsauyo8-LSNqB10Gw8U5E1BNN9iWLJEQInrNSZf4h4o8i_vchEJU8WjQJxsfwC8kwDFEbToD_ZTP54vwEqo4pwIYgeYAr-BMcVmQ5gGRbHsylxt7QKE/w640-h480/P1120163+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This will do us very nicely for the night.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-11413593866877904202021-06-06T14:50:00.001-07:002021-06-06T14:50:17.042-07:00The Long Awaited Visit - Part 2 - 31st May - 1 June 2021<div style="text-align: left;"><u><b> Bank Holiday Monday 31st May 2021</b></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Droitwich Spa Marina to Vines Park, Droitwich and back again</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">3 miles, 10 locks, 6 swing bridges</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">They say the sun shines on the virtuous and once again today was dry, sunny and hot, so maybe we have done something right in life! This trip is our 'go to' day trip and makes a great family day out. It also would be our first trip under the M5 culvert since having a new TV aerial fitted - would we fit? There was only one way to find out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We assembled at the marina and set off in glorious sunshine. We were far from alone - there was a steady stream of boats leaving, but they were all turning left to head up the Hanbury flight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoP5KVbe36HKZhsmLICQ_hyphenhyphenbPTUZTwqwN_V625NSTHBsbp7TXCJEvHdKu9St3o-KpAlHZuTqMVOpZGgo2Sze-SKznW5jnGl3zDxrTm-adKvcGtYaylcLEKGP_6NV_sWE9A382nAfZS48/s1840/01.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoP5KVbe36HKZhsmLICQ_hyphenhyphenbPTUZTwqwN_V625NSTHBsbp7TXCJEvHdKu9St3o-KpAlHZuTqMVOpZGgo2Sze-SKznW5jnGl3zDxrTm-adKvcGtYaylcLEKGP_6NV_sWE9A382nAfZS48/w400-h300/01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Just as we arrived at the first lock (a staircase) we looked around and lo and behold there were two more behind us which we assume must have come from the marina or were travelling together and waiting after each lock/flight of locks for the other one to catch up.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqzZacnmDlRz8MtNssl7hcktrfsqcp9pPVGRloq9fovR2bzRQuEytPHLYZT-zD7w1iqTWS-im2FX4r-ZlhJm3PujC9cuEvGzmgzURU2IizXsJl2sk_st0YztbxXTSLKJNVGXASngscpk/s1840/002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqzZacnmDlRz8MtNssl7hcktrfsqcp9pPVGRloq9fovR2bzRQuEytPHLYZT-zD7w1iqTWS-im2FX4r-ZlhJm3PujC9cuEvGzmgzURU2IizXsJl2sk_st0YztbxXTSLKJNVGXASngscpk/w640-h480/002.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><div>With so many helpers we were soon down the first three locks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWY28vhZSM3Tmi0SRcRwAmbz_xz9csTxFAlR2MEcTpZ0fTIn3awENpy_GFnkY3u2X_bHBK_KQtRI374fwUWpRAIRaen-aRI3VvZ6dsaeq7qO74C4ilzMssO9DpYO_fT1FGSClfMKW200/s1840/003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWY28vhZSM3Tmi0SRcRwAmbz_xz9csTxFAlR2MEcTpZ0fTIn3awENpy_GFnkY3u2X_bHBK_KQtRI374fwUWpRAIRaen-aRI3VvZ6dsaeq7qO74C4ilzMssO9DpYO_fT1FGSClfMKW200/w640-h480/003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYVqZPAVZfjZxfe-GVxm6pfgx63mMrhTRcYZ5kv6cz-bp_IT7MUBWTUxy-0CX-jF9I8z0ptVcD5EMWLzOGeW3RhoeGQeUlih0W8breT4AsHXWKFTEwP3eU8MGKIcpvaomeZE_AdY2mcw/s1840/004.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYVqZPAVZfjZxfe-GVxm6pfgx63mMrhTRcYZ5kv6cz-bp_IT7MUBWTUxy-0CX-jF9I8z0ptVcD5EMWLzOGeW3RhoeGQeUlih0W8breT4AsHXWKFTEwP3eU8MGKIcpvaomeZE_AdY2mcw/w640-h480/004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There were enough hands to allow us to take it in turns to just sit, relax and enjoy - a rare treat!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsKklj-L2c6wP6nFS1oOASfQb-3HPOXWg9bTVMbM4mufufhOZ0lgity9WQi5tO-JT5L5vKsRKG48b6Z7mrmNhmdecjx2RKUI8UVPPy8n7jYWigq8iqdRIxsruZ98BTSVIHzVuGTLqn8w/s1840/005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsKklj-L2c6wP6nFS1oOASfQb-3HPOXWg9bTVMbM4mufufhOZ0lgity9WQi5tO-JT5L5vKsRKG48b6Z7mrmNhmdecjx2RKUI8UVPPy8n7jYWigq8iqdRIxsruZ98BTSVIHzVuGTLqn8w/w640-h480/005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I was too busy looking to check all was well as we went under the M5 to take any photos, but we made it with room to spare. We do usually remove the cratch to aid our passage through the culvert - today it also allowed for more room for socialisation. </div><div><br /></div><div>Before we knew it we were down the lock after the M5 and in the last lock at the entrance to Vines Park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBCXghiJAqmf87_glnOrIw2L5cZMfW2SxgmaszrLr0VS1I6ISv-PyktGDHJgSKkd22hDlfySX0FRhVP663bshY-rU4cicPgO6QO_5SVf4fTNB1ndeeF61EvrKcuvnXQ_LB6cND9LPxU0/s1840/006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBCXghiJAqmf87_glnOrIw2L5cZMfW2SxgmaszrLr0VS1I6ISv-PyktGDHJgSKkd22hDlfySX0FRhVP663bshY-rU4cicPgO6QO_5SVf4fTNB1ndeeF61EvrKcuvnXQ_LB6cND9LPxU0/w640-h480/006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>We had planned on stopping for a picnic opposite Waitrose after Chris had gone through the last swing bridge and winded in Netherwich Basin, however while the latter was taking place, someone else had the same idea! In the end Chris decided to fill up the water tank as the water point was free and it is much easier there with the bow right by the tap than running the hose the length of the boat in the marina.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNMlM-1OAHuARRVMg3XiraVHDSSDrRtVBWjFUsTss_AjZKct34diUIBRJeRBJmJA4XigcVhmst-bdb1P3E5ycP8p833IxcObL5npVPaI2pTpMfVpouud98maokrB12Xbti5CdHV8tbvo/s1840/007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNMlM-1OAHuARRVMg3XiraVHDSSDrRtVBWjFUsTss_AjZKct34diUIBRJeRBJmJA4XigcVhmst-bdb1P3E5ycP8p833IxcObL5npVPaI2pTpMfVpouud98maokrB12Xbti5CdHV8tbvo/w640-h480/007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The locking/swing bridge crew waited patiently in the shade<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfniIy3Ob7fSdNWH5NQI3A5b3b0-DaV_yswRaPjuH4SdCSMZZNCr2mg9MjoW5QXu03OvSwdJ5dcMCrKIqSAmWEZJFo6zDx82O-Gg23u92aF1Kax7i7snmRyiIdF309nNiM1fEQKeXb22E/s1840/008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfniIy3Ob7fSdNWH5NQI3A5b3b0-DaV_yswRaPjuH4SdCSMZZNCr2mg9MjoW5QXu03OvSwdJ5dcMCrKIqSAmWEZJFo6zDx82O-Gg23u92aF1Kax7i7snmRyiIdF309nNiM1fEQKeXb22E/w640-h480/008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>We moored up just outside the basin for the next event - a very important one - lunch! I think you can just make out Monty tucking into his lunch time carrot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvDNGqjoWB5IS7BNqGPja-SkrbZHXj8UQLhIZ_VVxOamGiPyn7I06cmw5u2Dov9wr3nahaN5fEwwmUIotnlpT-o87U4Ci-wWCiHXv_wwinAyxYjDEgUI8kUDW9-yqG1EiVDKg7ZjTHBI/s1840/009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvDNGqjoWB5IS7BNqGPja-SkrbZHXj8UQLhIZ_VVxOamGiPyn7I06cmw5u2Dov9wr3nahaN5fEwwmUIotnlpT-o87U4Ci-wWCiHXv_wwinAyxYjDEgUI8kUDW9-yqG1EiVDKg7ZjTHBI/w640-h480/009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9mLCBZ_0y6qj9mwzTA8R62zFMD3X6x8GGAOyJ1dWTqOIKOSidvmaUJ4FXhNu2Lr3B9MHwtK-3jNbv6ihU4wP6fJbSvNZ9W70_dIGMbzZTS6srDYo17AGJlGjlxUU5MHaAOxJslYjVKc/s1840/010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9mLCBZ_0y6qj9mwzTA8R62zFMD3X6x8GGAOyJ1dWTqOIKOSidvmaUJ4FXhNu2Lr3B9MHwtK-3jNbv6ihU4wP6fJbSvNZ9W70_dIGMbzZTS6srDYo17AGJlGjlxUU5MHaAOxJslYjVKc/w640-h480/010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Time for a family line up in height order before we set off to return to the marina. We are missing one person - our son in law who had to work.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2rrJFZivF6FJYFrwy4-oi4jd-PBkYk22uC5ujsfGVUtlG7OcKiGPm0HLEA0y9ngvXAdjOQzEVBEwwxKk6wSqQfjn7UKmkKNE2mKTJg0Ta6XTWKlBQW98D-ipWDdGfPMOFl_Zf1XWNPQ/s1840/012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2rrJFZivF6FJYFrwy4-oi4jd-PBkYk22uC5ujsfGVUtlG7OcKiGPm0HLEA0y9ngvXAdjOQzEVBEwwxKk6wSqQfjn7UKmkKNE2mKTJg0Ta6XTWKlBQW98D-ipWDdGfPMOFl_Zf1XWNPQ/w640-h480/012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Finally a fun one with the youngsters - I am not sure how happy the youngest member was though!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBPl7cAUww7sHdRlFYzk6Huc-_X-HREqfJoIBwp7QbQQO_0ll199uJiq_PjD3tI0PL2iRp8tAxGBFQTLf8h0EhGy1sJgOAiX3MQWQlsZ8dI3pf3B9ZMGglnRC9o-2k4bl21qhwoqvSyI/s1840/012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBPl7cAUww7sHdRlFYzk6Huc-_X-HREqfJoIBwp7QbQQO_0ll199uJiq_PjD3tI0PL2iRp8tAxGBFQTLf8h0EhGy1sJgOAiX3MQWQlsZ8dI3pf3B9ZMGglnRC9o-2k4bl21qhwoqvSyI/w640-h480/012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>It was busier going back, but who cares about queues when the weather is perfect and the company even more so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijR4iUq0Ht96y9A8Ubd5CwzaAijZPRxaExyZHG2rdF3sqVXrM82c06apE_IH9340GygL1s26Qh6XQU3tO-jLkX1_0XAUXHLt-We_ll479KbwhyKA14Ligj1XgAlDhQEI7o2jhCRAvFygg/s1840/013.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijR4iUq0Ht96y9A8Ubd5CwzaAijZPRxaExyZHG2rdF3sqVXrM82c06apE_IH9340GygL1s26Qh6XQU3tO-jLkX1_0XAUXHLt-We_ll479KbwhyKA14Ligj1XgAlDhQEI7o2jhCRAvFygg/w640-h480/013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>With a boat ahead of us at the lock after the M5 tunnel and another coming out of that lock there was some fun and games when the lady lock worker from the boat going down got left behind! It is possible to walk round by the road to the next lock, but unless you know where you are going it is better to be on the boat. They tried to reverse back to the lock landing, but kept going aground, so there was nothing else for it, but to let her access her boat via ours. Probably not the wisest decision we have ever made due to covid, but I have to say that did not occur to me at the time. I guess we were working on 'normal' rules when it is the done thing to help others out when they have got into a pickle. So far, so good and we are all fit and healthy, so I hope we got away with it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsy__gAq7QnpgyoyepRXVQjIC_eyPz3gHrsvJK8sgp90iRiHU3XRvmB2bgdNwq4KunzGkEB1Tp1G-uILczbIxkKQAoSPfXvwEU72CCWXSesB4ZIvzhmKfsfsft6KGXk3xXQaBNq9ctV8/s1840/014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsy__gAq7QnpgyoyepRXVQjIC_eyPz3gHrsvJK8sgp90iRiHU3XRvmB2bgdNwq4KunzGkEB1Tp1G-uILczbIxkKQAoSPfXvwEU72CCWXSesB4ZIvzhmKfsfsft6KGXk3xXQaBNq9ctV8/w640-h480/014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The only downside to this trip is that there is very little steering to be done that does not require careful manoeuvring, however our son and eldest grandson did manage to get control for a while - under canine "supervision" of course!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoEGqpGyGsuGJxtOBI0AX_uB46X10JHhhiadA8op9vI17JW5kCyKJTuUsNd47m59z0sOn-n1zV9aC6gpbN9ober0sJPwbq_YJKkB8cnJjQyw8fu8eLCIUARjNr9Wt07MxRbAYuHLGHOQ/s1601/017.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1601" data-original-width="1233" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoEGqpGyGsuGJxtOBI0AX_uB46X10JHhhiadA8op9vI17JW5kCyKJTuUsNd47m59z0sOn-n1zV9aC6gpbN9ober0sJPwbq_YJKkB8cnJjQyw8fu8eLCIUARjNr9Wt07MxRbAYuHLGHOQ/w492-h640/017.JPG" width="492" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The day was rounded off with Pizzas all round courtesy of our son who had brought his pizza oven with him.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ngfTEpDTmXFwQ61sqqVNuEBNfzIkJhMXPNd90768l4xf5bqHtDj4Q6y5I8g4XLwCBZTm5LaK5KPMClpmJw0_zcfjxWyYR0t8s85elncyNGkeqmKLD0ADg-yKpJhcYyNHEdtUp1C5pCs/s1840/019.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ngfTEpDTmXFwQ61sqqVNuEBNfzIkJhMXPNd90768l4xf5bqHtDj4Q6y5I8g4XLwCBZTm5LaK5KPMClpmJw0_zcfjxWyYR0t8s85elncyNGkeqmKLD0ADg-yKpJhcYyNHEdtUp1C5pCs/w640-h480/019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Tuesday saw all 11 of us heading to a local pub for lunch (two tables to abide by the rules) once again in glorious sunshine. Our son and family headed home as he had to go to work on Wednesday. Such is life!</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a glorious few days that we will all remember for a very long time, made even better by perfect weather.</div><div><br /></div><div>We hope to head off on our 'summer cruise' towards the end of this month.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-91202480354580012032021-06-05T15:08:00.000-07:002021-06-05T15:08:29.266-07:00The Long Awaited Visit Part 1 - 29th-30th May 2021<p> As has been the case for many people we had not seen our son, daughter-in-law their three children since March 2020. To say I was excited would be an understatement. They arrived on Saturday 29th May and we just had a very relaxed evening just revelling in all being together again. It has certainly been a very odd year.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><u>Sunday 30th May 2021</u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am sure there will be some of you who have visited this wonderful Museum when down this way. It is a bit of a hike from the canal, but well worth it. It re-opened this year on Saturday 1st May. That evening some people took it upon themselves to vandalise many of the buildings and some of the interior exhibits. Windows were smashed and they left a trail of destruction behind them which, of course, meant the museum had to close losing the rest of the Bank Holiday bookings. The vandals had done tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage. Volunteers and staff set to work clearing up all the glass and boarding up the windows so they could open the following weekend, albeit with some of the buildings shut. An appeal was launched to help fund the repairs and it seems that it was so successful that they got money from all corners of the globe. Why anyone would do this is beyond my comprehension. The museum is out of town, not near any pubs and they are likely to have gone by car with the intent of doing what they did. As far as I know they have not been apprehended. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What is so special about this place? It is a collection of old buildings from Worcestershire and beyond that have been rescued and re-built in what is England's first open air museum. <a href="https://avoncroft.org.uk/" target="_blank">The Website</a> can do a much better job than I can. As a family we have visited it many times over the years - they put on a lot of activities for the youngsters on special occasions. We find the whole site so welcoming and peaceful that we sometimes just pop in to take Monty for a walk (we are members). We decided it would be very appropriate to go over there to show our support, especially as the <a href="https://www.bromsgrovecourtleet.co.uk/members" target="_blank">Bromsgrove Town Leet</a> were going to be in attendance. To our shame we did not know that they even existed even though we have lived in the area for almost 10 years. In our defence, I suspect that they are out and about mostly in the summer and we, of course, are usually away then. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUb07SMqWjGmbwCZn8lJFcbALJ4Bd8WJO0tHN6ILS5ORhHPJRJrLtun7bGVOCjESjuZlnIFiDA2VnhH_oH9ye6KcBYdFuk7kRRQAiO2loH4bJ30mVN4L1T5KEo7vTbyRmPAXOSJQqDr8/s1840/P1110964+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUb07SMqWjGmbwCZn8lJFcbALJ4Bd8WJO0tHN6ILS5ORhHPJRJrLtun7bGVOCjESjuZlnIFiDA2VnhH_oH9ye6KcBYdFuk7kRRQAiO2loH4bJ30mVN4L1T5KEo7vTbyRmPAXOSJQqDr8/w640-h480/P1110964+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yzJ1TjsCOY-JKi71ou30CU_Qj7X7qZYemm3_0-e9lOxA4qnMOU8_Ov8FQ5U04pFNlJcxvRQn8NZWGC50pVMFAqolxlxL-Nl8hiG7U7au3etrbULtrYrG9_2y97eOS_ATiFH2GNyiLUw/s1840/P1110965+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yzJ1TjsCOY-JKi71ou30CU_Qj7X7qZYemm3_0-e9lOxA4qnMOU8_Ov8FQ5U04pFNlJcxvRQn8NZWGC50pVMFAqolxlxL-Nl8hiG7U7au3etrbULtrYrG9_2y97eOS_ATiFH2GNyiLUw/w640-h480/P1110965+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As we arrived there was a ceremony taking place - the local baker had made some scones and they had to be passed fit for consumption. The Town Bailiff asked two member of the Town Leet to test them. There was a lot of discussion about how you pronounce 'scone' and whether you put the jam or cream on first! They were passed as fit for the people of Bromsgrove to consume and the baker was presented with a certificate and a sprig of evergreen, so that those who were unable to read would know they had been approved. All very well done. They must have all been rather warm in all their regalia.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OErz2-sr6jLsDNxj3yZmoHwObKAIYY7s3TozdMXwg25zTc_3A6biRPrQu_TQPgrP1Xk1bXoBtwexEkYL5kHD273pemv4qgdn67v9NROBeNW5Mje-23f0BJS1qk6BlVQJq0DqZLFToEs/s1840/P1110968+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OErz2-sr6jLsDNxj3yZmoHwObKAIYY7s3TozdMXwg25zTc_3A6biRPrQu_TQPgrP1Xk1bXoBtwexEkYL5kHD273pemv4qgdn67v9NROBeNW5Mje-23f0BJS1qk6BlVQJq0DqZLFToEs/w480-h640/P1110968+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The three grandchildren (17, 13 and 12) insisted that they must have a ride on the little train just for old times sake. Their Mum and Dad joined them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1M9IdDKgetwc-8LAHr8S6JqD8eZRpfd170__9mlOqvrOXrSbGJpaa3kSLDvzlL6PLyN89GPldYB0rUCqNOSAmZXGMBagotd5R4fl77uZ4hWyjDWpZ7Ld30mEMJbW2zsWYlF-sDRm5eI/s1840/P1110974+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1M9IdDKgetwc-8LAHr8S6JqD8eZRpfd170__9mlOqvrOXrSbGJpaa3kSLDvzlL6PLyN89GPldYB0rUCqNOSAmZXGMBagotd5R4fl77uZ4hWyjDWpZ7Ld30mEMJbW2zsWYlF-sDRm5eI/w640-h480/P1110974+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After that we just went for a wander around in the sunshine. It was very sad to see so many windows boarded up and the buildings closed. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGJpPS5KmrP56qOqpA20hacCwjGKT1DUkBgmk6LZx1AWS7ho0ev_Ngz9NEyG5GNQ53nmhmBuJCiaoGF05ymMvLlspX9ax2DAbC8h4ax_VUATKH6SYyJ_kQSKXXbDsMckuyU3QQ1cQGfw/s1840/P1110977+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGJpPS5KmrP56qOqpA20hacCwjGKT1DUkBgmk6LZx1AWS7ho0ev_Ngz9NEyG5GNQ53nmhmBuJCiaoGF05ymMvLlspX9ax2DAbC8h4ax_VUATKH6SYyJ_kQSKXXbDsMckuyU3QQ1cQGfw/w480-h640/P1110977+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgb-2cYhNk-7UyusILNkPRxL-QTp61SGanEieu4i64RbPjNgIzDlTiq_USGwl5_nv_GXi0HNZ7D2NUt1YpmzqcqVVXppGVdKNY4ZX-sR-jZwKK4snOd_c2fsWerMHSBN8NyG82uaBfX8/s1840/P1110999+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgb-2cYhNk-7UyusILNkPRxL-QTp61SGanEieu4i64RbPjNgIzDlTiq_USGwl5_nv_GXi0HNZ7D2NUt1YpmzqcqVVXppGVdKNY4ZX-sR-jZwKK4snOd_c2fsWerMHSBN8NyG82uaBfX8/w640-h480/P1110999+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxckU2M_BCLexbfVZ84JkU8foidNB8eHDymvDFv7Nvkr1FDErxrpyrnHOUp0MWYZpCkajex0ZSSOoNvOSIj7HGjram1DVe-sHfV2a45evTZGEuw2LbeFvtNJGc92r73ZyVvbG57qAl4rA/s1840/P1120001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxckU2M_BCLexbfVZ84JkU8foidNB8eHDymvDFv7Nvkr1FDErxrpyrnHOUp0MWYZpCkajex0ZSSOoNvOSIj7HGjram1DVe-sHfV2a45evTZGEuw2LbeFvtNJGc92r73ZyVvbG57qAl4rA/w480-h640/P1120001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The staff and volunteers have done an amazing job to get things to the stage they are now. I suspect it may be years before they are back to normal. All the glass has to be authentic to the age of the building, so not easy or cheap to source.<div><br /></div><div>The old 'loo' has always been a favourite for the children!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3peYmoNWjAW8LioJWk7bfHctBy7TuXVGixCOwOZg_mvCHTWk6CEuTeEZHebXoJjb6L9igvhLLc3xtEy6dWXkarSY4plS3TKh5Qg-T80MvIi7u-FQStxQVJI82y11a2tMDngUAkAMoKA/s1658/P1110979+%25282%2529+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1658" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3peYmoNWjAW8LioJWk7bfHctBy7TuXVGixCOwOZg_mvCHTWk6CEuTeEZHebXoJjb6L9igvhLLc3xtEy6dWXkarSY4plS3TKh5Qg-T80MvIi7u-FQStxQVJI82y11a2tMDngUAkAMoKA/w640-h474/P1110979+%25282%2529+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Even the playground was visited</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKv0kmkaW7Z-SZoMai5Kt1idbcnavOaCKwJ2Wq6r8FkFnkNyEumUQYf66vkkivRjqYAYyl7zAbp1ljFUit3diIfhjxILrHSwJiI59Ls2FBuTk2NBRbhmBEz6euTk5aDO1FBI-GgXlp4HQ/s1840/P1110982+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKv0kmkaW7Z-SZoMai5Kt1idbcnavOaCKwJ2Wq6r8FkFnkNyEumUQYf66vkkivRjqYAYyl7zAbp1ljFUit3diIfhjxILrHSwJiI59Ls2FBuTk2NBRbhmBEz6euTk5aDO1FBI-GgXlp4HQ/w640-h480/P1110982+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAa_aQNuHiaUmXfH-0uQ-G06TLsUbZdb2jD1glQ5MDaxHcR6ZUfw_yi8ZUjCnri5K1cjyJJUDqxSuf-GhreWYmtxUkoMD1mmhgat3rIkbv_eINtTWc40dzfbAHurIqh7Dg12Q31gOInw/s1840/P1110983+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAa_aQNuHiaUmXfH-0uQ-G06TLsUbZdb2jD1glQ5MDaxHcR6ZUfw_yi8ZUjCnri5K1cjyJJUDqxSuf-GhreWYmtxUkoMD1mmhgat3rIkbv_eINtTWc40dzfbAHurIqh7Dg12Q31gOInw/w640-h480/P1110983+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvARTyKkz-v1HRpQRJbUwqyn0cOYh7T2GWmPGg9bdxhmwPBMK36bUjxhOj9mzsmtMJdJshNogO2vniu03X2H8W12t2PRAkIYRIcymR1kbHWfkBuALantyTQqPgfgYy_MTVDDQ4hEPQjNg/s1840/P1110985+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvARTyKkz-v1HRpQRJbUwqyn0cOYh7T2GWmPGg9bdxhmwPBMK36bUjxhOj9mzsmtMJdJshNogO2vniu03X2H8W12t2PRAkIYRIcymR1kbHWfkBuALantyTQqPgfgYy_MTVDDQ4hEPQjNg/w480-h640/P1110985+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKu903CimVopqTc6jVDAdgf5BWRexHwIwUlICwNIP50s0Z38rlRShxcZ5Fclo6kupM8U05lFC-isfc1Z_Z8Tei_h_QCNgWzZBXOaZfrgP1nDDzwPxZuAh6O5tKONsIpGSIYE07fXMaLU/s1840/P1110987+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKu903CimVopqTc6jVDAdgf5BWRexHwIwUlICwNIP50s0Z38rlRShxcZ5Fclo6kupM8U05lFC-isfc1Z_Z8Tei_h_QCNgWzZBXOaZfrgP1nDDzwPxZuAh6O5tKONsIpGSIYE07fXMaLU/w480-h640/P1110987+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The windmill is one of my favourites and has appeared in my blog on many occasions as it is visible from a few parts of the canal. I always know we are nearly home when I see it in the distance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEp4FvR_KfMCJKxbCINOrC_sWzRY_WUO9Ta_fcy-n83y6pFM7vl8SLeulq-JP1bZBhVF_uWp9dR365TlOVaBqaqDhCnPHzdVSFwRgWhImb17p5XclrN6n1OhfLHEmRmZLMItgu8G4Qnb0/s1840/P1110993+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEp4FvR_KfMCJKxbCINOrC_sWzRY_WUO9Ta_fcy-n83y6pFM7vl8SLeulq-JP1bZBhVF_uWp9dR365TlOVaBqaqDhCnPHzdVSFwRgWhImb17p5XclrN6n1OhfLHEmRmZLMItgu8G4Qnb0/w480-h640/P1110993+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This poor lady was wrapped up in many yards of pure wool! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoS0iEWVXVsO-xuzZqV7RyhMz6Lg1l5URhBrLIcbsUiipH1ixICEq_UT7EauiGMw2k4NlgTHVgKayMJYGfUX1wR6_hqN5_FQMxeztxSYEW64c7cJzNyhhXdQptb4AZ7IQnYrRYdkhV2s/s1840/P1110990+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoS0iEWVXVsO-xuzZqV7RyhMz6Lg1l5URhBrLIcbsUiipH1ixICEq_UT7EauiGMw2k4NlgTHVgKayMJYGfUX1wR6_hqN5_FQMxeztxSYEW64c7cJzNyhhXdQptb4AZ7IQnYrRYdkhV2s/w480-h640/P1110990+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a very gentle and fun way to spend an afternoon. Once we were home our daughter, son in law and their two boys came round for a BBQ.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi503SIRQSuZ15ftNq3HYCdOAYEREU4YsMFA6DFmh-MBFgPFQOCoEF08bTSnE2D8vIeIeg2XjVZBw_YBVd9Wa_s4fyKLloBaKm_4BMyUCUU6Ks4XrYdg9uWhDMyv9OQEYnrroK6UFpspok/s1840/P1120028+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi503SIRQSuZ15ftNq3HYCdOAYEREU4YsMFA6DFmh-MBFgPFQOCoEF08bTSnE2D8vIeIeg2XjVZBw_YBVd9Wa_s4fyKLloBaKm_4BMyUCUU6Ks4XrYdg9uWhDMyv9OQEYnrroK6UFpspok/w640-h480/P1120028+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will never take for granted all 11 of us being all together in the same place again.</div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p></div></div>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-4297213357534204132021-06-04T14:10:00.000-07:002021-06-04T14:10:47.046-07:00Now that was more like it - 28th May 2021<div style="text-align: left;"><u>Friday 28th May 2021</u><br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Crafted Boats to Droitwich Spa Marina</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">3.5 miles, 9 locks</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We returned home from Staffordshire on Thursday having had a fantastic time with our friends which included a walk along the Audlem flight, a visit to The 'Secret' Bunker at Hack Green and lunch out in a pub as well as many hours just relaxing and enjoying each others company.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Friday we were up and out early - Chris had pre-positioned the car back at the marina on Thursday evening and our lift arrived promptly at 08:30 to transport us to Crafted Boats. On our arrival we found Tentatrice in one of the paint tunnels. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rGAaYPPN9HIRXI4axKuuodhnVo4z0dqbPo2qkchN7Qfto7FlxGdAPIP4XAxXKyLTwQvC2hoc-3kNaFA7ziEk87yhaFF98RHaziWiGD1Ssl6SyiqORE3LQ490B3iJMA0Gn4rBTZs6AH4/s1840/P1110932+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rGAaYPPN9HIRXI4axKuuodhnVo4z0dqbPo2qkchN7Qfto7FlxGdAPIP4XAxXKyLTwQvC2hoc-3kNaFA7ziEk87yhaFF98RHaziWiGD1Ssl6SyiqORE3LQ490B3iJMA0Gn4rBTZs6AH4/w400-h300/P1110932+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: right;">Photos were taken of the packing round the batteries</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zjfx2t5EYgrRb-KI1oQTDqK05HPHRly1yuHFgJTQHvjtp6C_yco2vsSSlAOZfaSMeYhFDALquNCQ_rA3MxjzOEq6UaTFuzxdbx3Mvxv_fsVskB6aZw7sLGS5tvF1EO9XWMsUE6Rj4BA/s1840/P1110931+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zjfx2t5EYgrRb-KI1oQTDqK05HPHRly1yuHFgJTQHvjtp6C_yco2vsSSlAOZfaSMeYhFDALquNCQ_rA3MxjzOEq6UaTFuzxdbx3Mvxv_fsVskB6aZw7sLGS5tvF1EO9XWMsUE6Rj4BA/w400-h300/P1110931+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: right;"></p>and we were off with no wind or rain - as I said in the title 'that was more like it!'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNLBUxwCAaLSdCZ10Wgoo5LOl3QO9CYlKtEDGtytJWlEWSzuq4mJKfmIrsrt44ysIyg0Ni-qRJIKCqTzgjxv4t8nNuHSa3GJUe1A2W6cibYhukjAwRc6Xlv7XgaOp4LxfQSznX7YTx-I/s1840/P1110934+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNLBUxwCAaLSdCZ10Wgoo5LOl3QO9CYlKtEDGtytJWlEWSzuq4mJKfmIrsrt44ysIyg0Ni-qRJIKCqTzgjxv4t8nNuHSa3GJUe1A2W6cibYhukjAwRc6Xlv7XgaOp4LxfQSznX7YTx-I/w640-h480/P1110934+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Now we did not need it there was plenty of mooring space just above the Astwood locks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-koyqH99d_S6OtPVakEijOGfhnfwqMsNY8B30cMOW-4kj1vofrarbiI_hwANVpfBBdpsm3wC3r7COAlQ84hPF1BVewTc3ZEWBH5qbCZS97cMs29P9RK7KqG16v__MXduJn47EWR7ppSc/s1840/P1110936+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-koyqH99d_S6OtPVakEijOGfhnfwqMsNY8B30cMOW-4kj1vofrarbiI_hwANVpfBBdpsm3wC3r7COAlQ84hPF1BVewTc3ZEWBH5qbCZS97cMs29P9RK7KqG16v__MXduJn47EWR7ppSc/w640-h480/P1110936+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Round the bend and we were all ready to head down the flight of six. Lo and behold there was a boat just exiting the first lock going down ahead of us!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTt98QhELTJEH30JgtgOlwrpq92niaCuAlCQVV8PKRxComyjkFHCYw7M6E_Y5OurJC1SuCPYQZn8cLSI7CU1U3vnpjkEvmTxAYP2GZU9G81OmrYuDwKh8Xf_XSuDhBhF6t7CW-06r8iK4/s1840/P1110937+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTt98QhELTJEH30JgtgOlwrpq92niaCuAlCQVV8PKRxComyjkFHCYw7M6E_Y5OurJC1SuCPYQZn8cLSI7CU1U3vnpjkEvmTxAYP2GZU9G81OmrYuDwKh8Xf_XSuDhBhF6t7CW-06r8iK4/w640-h480/P1110937+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">just after we had started our descent another boat came round the corner which had a </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisLO7ghyYOwRbgOoug53XlhptsP4zH-lwuX2V3tgLRswZCnnq78xqKbOtbN7Kwt7m4nNzgqHDbKbpoDCCpLEt6AKJ7XIQnr3KkHCMKCu2vxSO4TmmM8oXhRqE1urel_wggy01n3vn8go/s1840/P1110940+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisLO7ghyYOwRbgOoug53XlhptsP4zH-lwuX2V3tgLRswZCnnq78xqKbOtbN7Kwt7m4nNzgqHDbKbpoDCCpLEt6AKJ7XIQnr3KkHCMKCu2vxSO4TmmM8oXhRqE1urel_wggy01n3vn8go/w640-h480/P1110940+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>large very efficient crew and it meant that at every lock I had an assistant on the bottom gates, so no walking round the locks for me today. Always a bonus. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUQdi2gT2LIMFR1BIHHH1QGncBbyTlW8DpmVp_WpYNCepdYVRemnkqWbX5XphEqp1FMPYtxeg4kEdwJH3NbBx8E_SUBf9Qkqtxwo3ZVN_80greLpMf7SKq7U2CqbOaQkg9ZXVTK5UZI4/s1840/P1110942+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUQdi2gT2LIMFR1BIHHH1QGncBbyTlW8DpmVp_WpYNCepdYVRemnkqWbX5XphEqp1FMPYtxeg4kEdwJH3NbBx8E_SUBf9Qkqtxwo3ZVN_80greLpMf7SKq7U2CqbOaQkg9ZXVTK5UZI4/w640-h480/P1110942+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>With boats coming up as well, it was a social trip, something in the past we possibly all took for granted. I had managed to chat to the lady on the boat ahead of us at the second lock and asked (as you do) 'where are you heading today?' Her answer was 'Gloucester as the boat is due back tomorrow'. I was somewhat alarmed at her reply as I was aware that this was a very long journey to be done in one day - I felt it was probably impossible. I was right as I discovered when I checked canal planner on our return home - this is a journey of around 42 miles and 24 locks which includes around 29 miles on the River Severn which was on amber boards (for non boaters this is due to a strong stream after all the rain and means you can proceed with caution, however, I am not sure whether hire boats are supposed to do so). The canal planner I use suggest you need 16 hours minimum to do this trip. I advised her to ring the hire boat company before they descended onto the River Severn. I worried all the way down the flight about how on earth they were going to manage!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHYdKX2-x5Hctj8U0mvT6ZminBaRS94B9nNpnxFu7j6amvXxbTU5YyfJ-ouhVlDuYysgtDplWMIW7XRaCHTSF8DtR62nIWup_6T6FuedrpXSMMrd02O7w1RcyFyXvDluibsjsMHuIRic/s1840/P1110943+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHYdKX2-x5Hctj8U0mvT6ZminBaRS94B9nNpnxFu7j6amvXxbTU5YyfJ-ouhVlDuYysgtDplWMIW7XRaCHTSF8DtR62nIWup_6T6FuedrpXSMMrd02O7w1RcyFyXvDluibsjsMHuIRic/w640-h480/P1110943+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a busy old day</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhak2RLOg5soXbWjLgGiRMKpP3WhkzAIJ7M-cNf-hwIc_K2PQWy6OMqQBNeF4j_j6WAKIt5XS80NkxV6Ka9jGcc9wt9t25BZ_pvz_4AkCPi3IlZhPGQMMcamGlar66r8JtOtMjBrCjH9yA/s1840/P1110945+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhak2RLOg5soXbWjLgGiRMKpP3WhkzAIJ7M-cNf-hwIc_K2PQWy6OMqQBNeF4j_j6WAKIt5XS80NkxV6Ka9jGcc9wt9t25BZ_pvz_4AkCPi3IlZhPGQMMcamGlar66r8JtOtMjBrCjH9yA/w640-h480/P1110945+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A young family out enjoying themselves</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqU1feuAR_6N-rmRq8hBmSROw1erc93bqtATxDXx5obUPPqOYkwWZqFqZf1nJmoMSeKFELbY3cXAMN2A0UWRTJpG0NoqSd382PKQK4bfq5XdKhFiR7nVeyJPxJaZAdcjQf71vG3WhIYWo/s1840/P1110948+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqU1feuAR_6N-rmRq8hBmSROw1erc93bqtATxDXx5obUPPqOYkwWZqFqZf1nJmoMSeKFELbY3cXAMN2A0UWRTJpG0NoqSd382PKQK4bfq5XdKhFiR7nVeyJPxJaZAdcjQf71vG3WhIYWo/w640-h480/P1110948+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lock 18</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr7KcJ_0rPXDZ1TCRkDS2rKKpeNS-kKAdIYs4VUe12X6uFL-h_l6UR7qia36D0tPpyZHcv8gQH7EBnegYsvAnmG0dAspYAPV44u5KJkEYhbLs_IDeq430Y4oSW2D9_6JY0Kfrd-zCAuI/s1840/P1110950+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr7KcJ_0rPXDZ1TCRkDS2rKKpeNS-kKAdIYs4VUe12X6uFL-h_l6UR7qia36D0tPpyZHcv8gQH7EBnegYsvAnmG0dAspYAPV44u5KJkEYhbLs_IDeq430Y4oSW2D9_6JY0Kfrd-zCAuI/w640-h480/P1110950+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Not a breath of wind<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3d0kOnybVOOYFQU0WI-G3F5PBKrNpyXvCUedUAux3l1glmqWaTK2aILKpCy5Uca0euQVmCSd18i6t9X7vQQ3xoWwExU4D0VDkb4QSd5fv-uiMEvLD5tuHL4c4JyauKmUky-N715kOZc/s1840/P1110951+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3d0kOnybVOOYFQU0WI-G3F5PBKrNpyXvCUedUAux3l1glmqWaTK2aILKpCy5Uca0euQVmCSd18i6t9X7vQQ3xoWwExU4D0VDkb4QSd5fv-uiMEvLD5tuHL4c4JyauKmUky-N715kOZc/w480-h640/P1110951+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was not long before we were down at the bottom lock and I met up again with the lady going to Gloucester. I wished her luck and a safe journey and that is when she told me she had got it wrong - they were going to Worcester! A much better option - just another 7 hours or so rather than 15. I was so glad I found out as it meant I could relax and stop worrying about them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once through those six locks, there is time to put the kettle on and have a cuppa before one arrives at Hanbury Junction where we turned right to head down the three locks at Hanbury. As we approached we could see a VLK busy getting the top lock ready, but we also spotted a boat at the back of the lock landing. I was walking by this time and could see they were tightly moored up with the engine off, so we proceeded past them. The VLK told us he had been getting the lock ready for the other boat, but they had decided to have a cuppa! Their loss, our gain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEA3mGCPT5rwZQp8LSIvyTfwGlcC-XnI3WHNx5dAHFJq4OOWp-y18k055jPj2_Vp_r8PNnzHMzkXmxO1hk_Gd-UrEserJ8O-Mtj2UaIupIzTGKzbHlVL615myQrMYaMXZg4706s4XTRBA/s1840/P1110956+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEA3mGCPT5rwZQp8LSIvyTfwGlcC-XnI3WHNx5dAHFJq4OOWp-y18k055jPj2_Vp_r8PNnzHMzkXmxO1hk_Gd-UrEserJ8O-Mtj2UaIupIzTGKzbHlVL615myQrMYaMXZg4706s4XTRBA/w640-h480/P1110956+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Once again with help at all the locks<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyCZMH7uwxWwIqAmMgMd3-5jQS364oZI_oKG3zT2GkbNGNMWuRRPQ5IjsUJEoyMBk_i1vunqSuigMYAdksWt2vfE7jT5lzO8cfotAUQWmqT2eyOGPn54DVkVj4HG_hgKB53PSiB09jYM/s1840/P1110957+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyCZMH7uwxWwIqAmMgMd3-5jQS364oZI_oKG3zT2GkbNGNMWuRRPQ5IjsUJEoyMBk_i1vunqSuigMYAdksWt2vfE7jT5lzO8cfotAUQWmqT2eyOGPn54DVkVj4HG_hgKB53PSiB09jYM/w640-h480/P1110957+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>and a boat coming up <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyu3G7mVIo5K9unx8LMDICLbET3r9cxcIBtdSs7fHkdufBUAQ1zlX1JHUnKvEx8p0BJsuvw0Qbz_JhX2N3rVT5c8lCcub1VIJaBljfqJNbGcrF_RYyoz6eVDbaM4uQKkn0b11yv5yLm8M/s1840/P1110958+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyu3G7mVIo5K9unx8LMDICLbET3r9cxcIBtdSs7fHkdufBUAQ1zlX1JHUnKvEx8p0BJsuvw0Qbz_JhX2N3rVT5c8lCcub1VIJaBljfqJNbGcrF_RYyoz6eVDbaM4uQKkn0b11yv5yLm8M/w640-h480/P1110958+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>we were soon down<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDdJVJcxDYazk2ehWP3l8u0E7a3UOgguVt2hnTcFDnwPP5T2Z4lAQX22PlfZoZrgKfO2tp14T2QLAMuR63uV7MTqwf9z-VDK4WvVzExPJiJ1fpU9s21tJDOxYwSvIcPoqCQJiHMgeS-M/s1840/P1110959+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDdJVJcxDYazk2ehWP3l8u0E7a3UOgguVt2hnTcFDnwPP5T2Z4lAQX22PlfZoZrgKfO2tp14T2QLAMuR63uV7MTqwf9z-VDK4WvVzExPJiJ1fpU9s21tJDOxYwSvIcPoqCQJiHMgeS-M/w640-h480/P1110959+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>and at the junction into our marina.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56UrJcWUfjTFbu6WjFZYCIeZtp8GT94YpE_kjglPO3N-CmBmeR9pEUgE7arHrNrEojd_xG03n17Ny1vIgmoFquOzihmKbf75J6EuakC1Q7FgewQgFBs96G_4JTKMNTxnFsD1L9fhulKk/s1840/P1110960+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56UrJcWUfjTFbu6WjFZYCIeZtp8GT94YpE_kjglPO3N-CmBmeR9pEUgE7arHrNrEojd_xG03n17Ny1vIgmoFquOzihmKbf75J6EuakC1Q7FgewQgFBs96G_4JTKMNTxnFsD1L9fhulKk/w640-h480/P1110960+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>We swiftly moored up and made sure everything was as it should be and we were off to Waitrose for a few bits - as I emerged from the store, the rain came down. It was a very pleasant and easy trip. All that remained to be done was to send the photos of the batteries all packed in to the BSS examiner and wait with baited breath to see if he would pass us this time.</div><div><br /></div><div>We didn't! Apparently they need a strap as well. Back to the drawing board, but this time one of the engineers will drive to us which is a lot quicker than us going back by boat.<br /><div><p><br /></p></div></div>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-27226911336347946492021-05-21T12:24:00.000-07:002021-05-21T12:24:45.041-07:00We know how to pick them....20th - 21st May 2021<div style="text-align: left;"> Cruising Days That Is ....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b><u>Thursday 20th May 2021 </u></b> <br /><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Droitwich Spa Marina to The Boat and Railway Inn near Stoke Works </span><br /><span style="color: red;">3 miles, 9 locks</span></div><p>We needed to take the boat back up to Crafted Boats for two reasons - one thing that was missed when they had her at the end of last year and secondly for them to secure the batteries so we pass our BSC which we failed on 10th May. For those readers who are not boaters, all boat need a Boat Safety Certificate - an MOT for boats, but thankfully only done every 4 years. Tentatrice's first one was 4 years ago and all was well, but the person who we used before has retired, so a new examiner was found and he decreed that the batteries are not secured sufficiently, so we failed. He told Chris that if our boat was at 45 degrees in a lock they might tip up! My reply to Chris was 'if our boat was in a lock at that angle surely the batteries would be least of our worries!' The only time we have encountered rough water was our crossing of the Wash in 2018 and they survived that. Chris has looked at them and cannot really see how they would tip up, but it has to be done and his COPD really prevents him taking on these sort of jobs these days, so we have to get someone else to do them for us. </p><p>We drove across yesterday morning, loaded up our overnight things, stuff for Monty and some food for ourselves and set off just before midday in torrential rain and ferocious wind!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2WbZ__UN3GRaIiuIh5OQmd3wvdrPDUsmeV4eHQhfx94ar7acfRU3FY-_u3Hok6wSY011d3-NSt__Vd2oh6Wlv32YxXbX4IH6Nn-IlQhgZuj4_TZj1-0Fe9o70ByPR9evtm5Ti8u3mH4/s1840/P1110880+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2WbZ__UN3GRaIiuIh5OQmd3wvdrPDUsmeV4eHQhfx94ar7acfRU3FY-_u3Hok6wSY011d3-NSt__Vd2oh6Wlv32YxXbX4IH6Nn-IlQhgZuj4_TZj1-0Fe9o70ByPR9evtm5Ti8u3mH4/w640-h480/P1110880+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxoq1cz05Nl7i_7jfSYKnoEfroxobCZGKdWSQ27xS04vE6KvApLxxYgpF5Ud_RAoO8oXssbSqJCBgyfuZmTmw8RjNbp1H8S_GD5mnLIIpVYnpNslsO3pi6nAIvizTta88rhu_ApIbEzA/s1840/P1110881+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxoq1cz05Nl7i_7jfSYKnoEfroxobCZGKdWSQ27xS04vE6KvApLxxYgpF5Ud_RAoO8oXssbSqJCBgyfuZmTmw8RjNbp1H8S_GD5mnLIIpVYnpNslsO3pi6nAIvizTta88rhu_ApIbEzA/w640-h480/P1110881+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thankfully there were three lock keepers on duty at Hanbury, so we sailed up them with ease.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-JsTfL39alDe__gWy0V3k3xkMQSxTVcsegN0O-IKtqVBT_d0hTTZta0dA2e8YxIvfV4Xa_oFWEvYwsMn2xoRxTlIdRLLB_ZPomZ5jnp8q-idxAONdN6TMRArMDE4rZRA4wdtkrmNxV8/s1840/P1110883+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-JsTfL39alDe__gWy0V3k3xkMQSxTVcsegN0O-IKtqVBT_d0hTTZta0dA2e8YxIvfV4Xa_oFWEvYwsMn2xoRxTlIdRLLB_ZPomZ5jnp8q-idxAONdN6TMRArMDE4rZRA4wdtkrmNxV8/w640-h480/P1110883+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-JsTfL39alDe__gWy0V3k3xkMQSxTVcsegN0O-IKtqVBT_d0hTTZta0dA2e8YxIvfV4Xa_oFWEvYwsMn2xoRxTlIdRLLB_ZPomZ5jnp8q-idxAONdN6TMRArMDE4rZRA4wdtkrmNxV8/s1840/P1110883+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">At the top we were rewarded with the first sighting for us of the swans with their new cygnets on a day out from our marina. I have not seen them with this many before, so fingers crossed they all make it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w5_f1uJfwJ6HBsvEyR4Jfs4B0NkKdvXiMwZIHZc4pKsKI_Js9AWYa6vGETk5_U61vfAOAQbecLZV2MR4OUDlfNGFwaP1rX2-EkOD9OPOpk9krZFfKmr_0FuFYg3UUzJVtt5bBnxKozM/s1087/P1110886+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1087" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w5_f1uJfwJ6HBsvEyR4Jfs4B0NkKdvXiMwZIHZc4pKsKI_Js9AWYa6vGETk5_U61vfAOAQbecLZV2MR4OUDlfNGFwaP1rX2-EkOD9OPOpk9krZFfKmr_0FuFYg3UUzJVtt5bBnxKozM/w640-h452/P1110886+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">I dived downstairs to make a cuppa and a sandwich for our lunch, but was back out to work our way up the 6 locks at Astwood. We did not do too badly - two were empty ready for us, one was half full and just the other three were full and had to be emptied.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZOJTQmrRif_botw5Q2FN8z1L5MJ5deJ6X_eb7gXP2g-r4bwjKpqgnB_0IhfxB6PBy2WEaDmLYhSVtPZb1ewdKZ4yc_kY-ApIBHJnehnB_Wz8ucppkwkHLOgYH-W67-BnC9gn9OCPi-8/s1840/P1110888+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZOJTQmrRif_botw5Q2FN8z1L5MJ5deJ6X_eb7gXP2g-r4bwjKpqgnB_0IhfxB6PBy2WEaDmLYhSVtPZb1ewdKZ4yc_kY-ApIBHJnehnB_Wz8ucppkwkHLOgYH-W67-BnC9gn9OCPi-8/w640-h480/P1110888+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the bottom lock<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Just as we were entering the bottom lock a boat appeared to go down with a big crew - they kindly finished the lock for Chris whilst I walked on to get the next lock ready.</div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWzokfZ5uZOubgdTqW2vGR38EDZxTCXixEUCpJ2HIrIqwcMl1s9qJ6e3l6Z3NliX0p8Y4kwOuCTRe0-QcjHmkXgffDiDoI0suhF2fXh8rzrdO_w1a4o1Q9Kx32EOVjtPy5eMgcTT_G4c/s1840/P1110889+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWzokfZ5uZOubgdTqW2vGR38EDZxTCXixEUCpJ2HIrIqwcMl1s9qJ6e3l6Z3NliX0p8Y4kwOuCTRe0-QcjHmkXgffDiDoI0suhF2fXh8rzrdO_w1a4o1Q9Kx32EOVjtPy5eMgcTT_G4c/w640-h480/P1110889+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The second (no 18) is of my favourites on the entire system - the lock cottage and garden are so well tended that there is always something to delight the eye whatever time of year.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElQGbbMjD83ABOvoadhqrssyoy95UWfuxzUHEOZyl5Df69MQiej84NAc0wpeYXFoE9_E0MlkQlL2PNNZmhOtEgfVvMNKf902GL6aCPtwDCz1ut_cEnFoNakOWk3c6TQH_q6XJX0Eo6s0/s1840/P1110892+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElQGbbMjD83ABOvoadhqrssyoy95UWfuxzUHEOZyl5Df69MQiej84NAc0wpeYXFoE9_E0MlkQlL2PNNZmhOtEgfVvMNKf902GL6aCPtwDCz1ut_cEnFoNakOWk3c6TQH_q6XJX0Eo6s0/w640-h480/P1110892+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImJTGUIGauXzBDMC1Ubn4EgrlG8LMB6A17S2zrFPbGbDpvpzZN7JBP_JEFTUEX2ddumQk8HcpkNams-26xLGsRg2ra7WmZtX1St1wIDRN2IuJhhxmSuV_6JXV_bdasgq00uBjLGZKlYk/s1840/P1110894+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImJTGUIGauXzBDMC1Ubn4EgrlG8LMB6A17S2zrFPbGbDpvpzZN7JBP_JEFTUEX2ddumQk8HcpkNams-26xLGsRg2ra7WmZtX1St1wIDRN2IuJhhxmSuV_6JXV_bdasgq00uBjLGZKlYk/w640-h480/P1110894+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />A very neat garden just waiting for some summer sun</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3a15zXVl4kHuNG_xtT3mnoHOys8upCXtBloCvcz1Fpu05icSS7CMKBk94DAi0i2eX2tjKGd4TCnxW8ZcZB6qzc0uP5D1kzciFa4DWO7-q4tLj05JbsB8j0DDqtk7CMnxh7WzbbybvgCk/s1840/P1110891+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3a15zXVl4kHuNG_xtT3mnoHOys8upCXtBloCvcz1Fpu05icSS7CMKBk94DAi0i2eX2tjKGd4TCnxW8ZcZB6qzc0uP5D1kzciFa4DWO7-q4tLj05JbsB8j0DDqtk7CMnxh7WzbbybvgCk/w640-h480/P1110891+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The last time we came through here (Dec 2020) the gnomes all had their 'winter coats' on<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdehr4CWs8Y-bq4CgI6FONpP-FNEJCyLFDLOO-CltxR4S7WWJYEIB98JDNM4z2vXs5rnHHKfdzMfRjCgAZPoPBerjNgU1fBWnGK05_rVvbT7cEXYhzDNA7ZIU4eJRaLeTsoKbqJNZSY4/s1840/P1040252+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdehr4CWs8Y-bq4CgI6FONpP-FNEJCyLFDLOO-CltxR4S7WWJYEIB98JDNM4z2vXs5rnHHKfdzMfRjCgAZPoPBerjNgU1fBWnGK05_rVvbT7cEXYhzDNA7ZIU4eJRaLeTsoKbqJNZSY4/w480-h640/P1040252+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not so today, but they could have done with them - the weather today was wetter and colder than it was in December!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLo5C0hEXa06vuhNkbP5gbj1WzHSYTUtoDkSIYDFPRi5BWV6z2bTdqN0LNAQTnreT6xMA1QB_vZreLKuplUMDHeKoMAIiH8uT1KozU67o6eXlcjqHaXX4s-0lli2ZRNoK5GzQVOHnoj8/s1840/P1110893+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLo5C0hEXa06vuhNkbP5gbj1WzHSYTUtoDkSIYDFPRi5BWV6z2bTdqN0LNAQTnreT6xMA1QB_vZreLKuplUMDHeKoMAIiH8uT1KozU67o6eXlcjqHaXX4s-0lli2ZRNoK5GzQVOHnoj8/w640-h480/P1110893+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Even in very inclement weather there are still views to admire on this flight.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoX5BBh1qB2nmj_KaKqZkKcb6a5ICk3usISAWmWjltncV8Ti7M6Ci-o96X_xIIStOwWqDjnzV3oaIEN3L_Qm1Wj3uBUEW9j0uaF3SKEXjJK5WNPBcVKU68HB2FAJTFqLtc0aCX8RhY9Q/s1840/P1110898+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoX5BBh1qB2nmj_KaKqZkKcb6a5ICk3usISAWmWjltncV8Ti7M6Ci-o96X_xIIStOwWqDjnzV3oaIEN3L_Qm1Wj3uBUEW9j0uaF3SKEXjJK5WNPBcVKU68HB2FAJTFqLtc0aCX8RhY9Q/w640-h480/P1110898+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUhXZ3U35rKgWOmyvnd8NCFDiekXnCHDW-XQbj-rxPeLbVhMf_g-kBrpn6phqdbWrpfRnByIA1J7VjYHguX8imhujvmKpwwzAMBLWsmD1iqxkWx1QZ1a2K_1HqcxMdHmWUn9ZhjesyPE/s1840/P1110899+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUhXZ3U35rKgWOmyvnd8NCFDiekXnCHDW-XQbj-rxPeLbVhMf_g-kBrpn6phqdbWrpfRnByIA1J7VjYHguX8imhujvmKpwwzAMBLWsmD1iqxkWx1QZ1a2K_1HqcxMdHmWUn9ZhjesyPE/w640-h480/P1110899+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Monty on locking duties - and yes it was bad enough for him to need his coat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdbuOhMJcAHgR7uVxzCn0LroQTOV8pnU8fAaFfmuecOlyO7QTCKnz4NlDfTPtQwOv63fcVQkCvj56Vjn5f3VZMeJ908G20ckSgX0UgjPYNBR2TYGCEVMhg7OEIU0mJ1lYIeXMsGTpREI/s1840/P1110904+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdbuOhMJcAHgR7uVxzCn0LroQTOV8pnU8fAaFfmuecOlyO7QTCKnz4NlDfTPtQwOv63fcVQkCvj56Vjn5f3VZMeJ908G20ckSgX0UgjPYNBR2TYGCEVMhg7OEIU0mJ1lYIeXMsGTpREI/w640-h480/P1110904+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we do this journey and need an overnight stop we usually pull in just after the bridge at the top of the Astwood flight - we have never seen any other boat there - today there were three of them and the moorings were full!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmmZz034lQ8snbuoC3D0AOny64gg53HEquqqFRRVPlShl6gF5eUsYr5v3Hd-S1NFgx4i9y5K6JhubSmwLKOqAXFx1yYNfsG1aDqKTkdZeDb4ucqsBdpZmSB__nCjx-v1Ddqj-tleL4H8/s1840/P1110906+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmmZz034lQ8snbuoC3D0AOny64gg53HEquqqFRRVPlShl6gF5eUsYr5v3Hd-S1NFgx4i9y5K6JhubSmwLKOqAXFx1yYNfsG1aDqKTkdZeDb4ucqsBdpZmSB__nCjx-v1Ddqj-tleL4H8/w640-h480/P1110906+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We had thought about going on a bit further as it is quite exposed there, so the decision was made for us and we stopped just after The Boat and Railway Inn. It is probably the least scenic mooring we have ever had, the towpath was muddy and wet, but once inside the boat we were secure and warm and all we could see from the windows was the cow parsley rather than cars, so it did us just fine.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmWW1k-wxHTjHlfGvEoLm-QoDUx-FaXC1Ql71FM0FNgGBqM8q1ApJ_RFHhq_oz08ADVIHemT5knKxvPVsIVs8HgEKpgcraHsBgj4UeUw_piwuhsOqmt5XhOlzkg6HYolROxvBMsC7Gzc/s1840/P1110907+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmWW1k-wxHTjHlfGvEoLm-QoDUx-FaXC1Ql71FM0FNgGBqM8q1ApJ_RFHhq_oz08ADVIHemT5knKxvPVsIVs8HgEKpgcraHsBgj4UeUw_piwuhsOqmt5XhOlzkg6HYolROxvBMsC7Gzc/w640-h480/P1110907+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXSADDbwpv9WbqJ1Ka3RMvYPNCv5czPDtOwY4Amlu_pnQevXT_AOpj75mJmrV27ONwc-3GXcNwcYvLPJHx7n57GJqGC44DjSG5-6K0h46EySs_04xEmVuRGbGFJszfPi6zAImbf8lMZ8/s1840/P1110908+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXSADDbwpv9WbqJ1Ka3RMvYPNCv5czPDtOwY4Amlu_pnQevXT_AOpj75mJmrV27ONwc-3GXcNwcYvLPJHx7n57GJqGC44DjSG5-6K0h46EySs_04xEmVuRGbGFJszfPi6zAImbf8lMZ8/w640-h480/P1110908+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We were joined eventually by another boat which pulled in front of us, so we ended up as the filling in the sandwich. The rain did ease off fairly early on, but the wind just kept coming and coming, but we made it.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkujRpJaFI01hLjSaILba7z0WxKfa9DQNc6MOb1_K57oiihmq_U9tcXHwrzYMjzM7y0tVgBzDY8T23L-LvebGrnZ99WrF9aFDOT9vRnm6d4jEn6jtnoajXnJIFdpdzWNdZVF_H9vB-Y0/s1840/P1110909+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkujRpJaFI01hLjSaILba7z0WxKfa9DQNc6MOb1_K57oiihmq_U9tcXHwrzYMjzM7y0tVgBzDY8T23L-LvebGrnZ99WrF9aFDOT9vRnm6d4jEn6jtnoajXnJIFdpdzWNdZVF_H9vB-Y0/w640-h480/P1110909+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b><u>Friday 21st May 2021</u></b><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Boat and Railway to Crafted Boats, via the bottom lock at Stoke Prior</span></div><div><span style="color: red;">1 mile, 2 locks</span></div><div><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><div>It was raining again when we set off this morning, but thankfully only light rain and the wind was not as bad. It is certainly not the weather you expect at the end of May! We were soon at the bottom lock at Stoke Prior - we went in and up, disposed of our rubbish and emptied the wee pot and then Chris winded the boat and re-entered the lock. By this time our daughter had arrived to collect us and our belongings so she could take us back to the marina to collect our car. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIm7H2epTYcx2zSntN9RMEivVDms2GjUJjn6cax4g0dhYM9gE4NkPhhEneAPkNsFgMOvcb27dsm2rLaKTSUtshgaZQWn5nGEkT7gc9g0hpXFkm6N8I2ZFCpKUnOL3HklfBfxj-w9gbQw/s1840/P1110910+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIm7H2epTYcx2zSntN9RMEivVDms2GjUJjn6cax4g0dhYM9gE4NkPhhEneAPkNsFgMOvcb27dsm2rLaKTSUtshgaZQWn5nGEkT7gc9g0hpXFkm6N8I2ZFCpKUnOL3HklfBfxj-w9gbQw/w640-h480/P1110910+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Before we dropped the lock we loaded Monty and our stuff into her car and we met up again at Crafted Boats.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCEV_123w-wb-C4YVkM3MclHNaZjD_E-nbb0zq75qiAQNBnXibR55KMhKoYWu7yDuXlTX6emXCYeEPX2lwTrlQ4bJhsMcsj6asaWKccY41ErmgyuHys4tWdZFpOLt8ocnlSruLnR2iKo/s1840/P1110911+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCEV_123w-wb-C4YVkM3MclHNaZjD_E-nbb0zq75qiAQNBnXibR55KMhKoYWu7yDuXlTX6emXCYeEPX2lwTrlQ4bJhsMcsj6asaWKccY41ErmgyuHys4tWdZFpOLt8ocnlSruLnR2iKo/w640-h480/P1110911+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>A swift journey followed to Droitwich then as we said thank you and farewell came the best thing that has happened for 15 months - we were able to have a hug with her! Whoever thought that something so simple that we all took for granted would ever be something so special.</p><p>We have put in a request to the weather gods for slightly better weather next Friday when we take her back to the marina. In the meantime we were heading off to Staffordshire on Monday to stay with friends for a few days. Something else we all took for granted. </p><p>We are wondering if we can pin the blame on this inclement weather on the crew of Cleddau (Boatwif blog and for non boaters, they are the friends we frequently travel the system with) - they proudly announced on Wednesday that they had put their coal and coal irons away for the summer and had moved the dining table to its summer position by the stove!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-22928631877273442042021-03-29T15:20:00.001-07:002021-03-29T15:20:54.728-07:00She is still there!<p><b><u>Monday 29th March 2021</u></b> </p><p>The day had arrived when we were to be allowed to visit the boat in the marina, so we were up and off. We are expecting a couple of deliveries today, so wanted to be home again before lunch. The good news was - she is still there! </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtG1NzoYETUSNtZEjVuMw6V_kU5EbnMw_PfT5cL7N2E35hWf3vu7OGjrxNIPFcbUX9TTnJf8z73km0Oxt68z2YQzymt8XTX0hBl5-tXvzgKDy19hPcdz3SjE7gpS7-VP_o4Rxz4wzk68A/s1840/P1040662_still+there+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtG1NzoYETUSNtZEjVuMw6V_kU5EbnMw_PfT5cL7N2E35hWf3vu7OGjrxNIPFcbUX9TTnJf8z73km0Oxt68z2YQzymt8XTX0hBl5-tXvzgKDy19hPcdz3SjE7gpS7-VP_o4Rxz4wzk68A/w400-h300/P1040662_still+there+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></p>Even better - a quick internal inspection showed all was well - the last time we were here was as we arrived back from Crafted Boats on 19th December and we had noted there was a small leak around the bathroom porthole. Since then we have had everything crossed that it had not got worse over the winter. Thankfully it hadn't, but it does need to be re-sealed, so the next job was to start the engine and turn her round so the porthole is by the pontoon. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtwk17oU592f7BUlCA4y5Faj6BoDBVfGrl84MNhjzxZrsNB13FqyqgU982UI7AwACEZrqU7kE9-FNAXOFa6fmLLM4HeYJmlUpKoCgqC6FPpi8hb3lBcShWNNnTfaRE4PsyAZ4T6GvWh4/s1840/P1040674+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtwk17oU592f7BUlCA4y5Faj6BoDBVfGrl84MNhjzxZrsNB13FqyqgU982UI7AwACEZrqU7kE9-FNAXOFa6fmLLM4HeYJmlUpKoCgqC6FPpi8hb3lBcShWNNnTfaRE4PsyAZ4T6GvWh4/w400-h300/P1040674+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>A short time later she was settled back in her mooring again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvtfCuqrwdRqTJT-6B-hSlPQaA0iu6hBJyV-aqLVfuKszEUrB8MtSXq8azmSCYZkFlh7GF_kJBz2nkDQrU0J9kfiEzVVaDrIBa7UwCczKj0PFiu6I5aQj-QhQHYNxcAzw6vTY_uCcnwY/s1840/P1040698+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvtfCuqrwdRqTJT-6B-hSlPQaA0iu6hBJyV-aqLVfuKszEUrB8MtSXq8azmSCYZkFlh7GF_kJBz2nkDQrU0J9kfiEzVVaDrIBa7UwCczKj0PFiu6I5aQj-QhQHYNxcAzw6vTY_uCcnwY/w400-h300/P1040698+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Once she was safely tied up, Monty and I headed off for his morning walk leaving Chris to do bits and bobs. We clocked up almost 4 miles having got all the way to Netherwich Basin the other side of Vines Park in Droitwich. There were 3 boats on the visitor moorings - I have to say there are a lot worse places to sit out a lock down. The furthest boat away is close enough to the water point to fill up without moving. There are rubbish facilities in the park and shops close by. The one problem I can see is if you need to empty a toilet - okay if you have a waterless toilet and are composting your waste, but the nearest elsan and pump out facilities are back in Droitwich Spa Marina.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKebmlVqpU5mJ1kO5lDNf_Oa1tRCAx6heIXcyMffs2sDdoWy2MytM2iKEI5DwiKZVJ_lA2950IfJgaCNqeEjPEh6B1Vvu9FUXsYlMcfX7N72KxBp4sB7UwMuBExOylyA1qI41MUqEhTsA/s1840/P1040694+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKebmlVqpU5mJ1kO5lDNf_Oa1tRCAx6heIXcyMffs2sDdoWy2MytM2iKEI5DwiKZVJ_lA2950IfJgaCNqeEjPEh6B1Vvu9FUXsYlMcfX7N72KxBp4sB7UwMuBExOylyA1qI41MUqEhTsA/w640-h480/P1040694+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was not our first walk along a canal this year, but was our first visit to Droitwich. It was good to be back. Spring is definitely in the air - well for the ducks at least. There was a lot of head bobbing going on between these two.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgks9t8UihTfLqhV0Reqt5bOUsYAQQcTVV2WswGQAVtIoqgSy9DJU0VZmx9ethek8NBn6PpF8KCiJHByyifMapMY0zusAFCjYSwL4gOldDQWEYI-SXFi0krazleORz7za7I6hj0WQ2jihc/s1840/P1040688+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgks9t8UihTfLqhV0Reqt5bOUsYAQQcTVV2WswGQAVtIoqgSy9DJU0VZmx9ethek8NBn6PpF8KCiJHByyifMapMY0zusAFCjYSwL4gOldDQWEYI-SXFi0krazleORz7za7I6hj0WQ2jihc/w640-h480/P1040688+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>You can see why so many of the dillies drown at this time of year - she is completely submerged and to add insult to injury another drake came to try and muscle in on the act.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpOmeEO0ZSZRBO6YfLz3dHV3NXpRAq_jmxTSbjXbCicqQg1IqyitRXAKUAUZZeCMbfL8RwA3nXJ8oBPYQ9oTAgt0AdA9pNfPJFM7w_TYtzn1sA2lq_Tvh5IG4LZR5JxdWbW0cLyKyly8/s1840/P1040689+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpOmeEO0ZSZRBO6YfLz3dHV3NXpRAq_jmxTSbjXbCicqQg1IqyitRXAKUAUZZeCMbfL8RwA3nXJ8oBPYQ9oTAgt0AdA9pNfPJFM7w_TYtzn1sA2lq_Tvh5IG4LZR5JxdWbW0cLyKyly8/w640-h480/P1040689+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>He got short shrift and she survived to fight another day.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSenbRO6R-y9zYM1SgoyEgExdyXIpF9d0DZ46v74tpxADPMCVn3DRyM_IlG8WKZ2LhPSZ6YHOOqa4MGJSEuy2nGLUtf_kK7EatR7qA55fcwoyNm7EFZndZWHWa1WQEWZ4u0DswYv_FJTg/s1840/P1040690+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSenbRO6R-y9zYM1SgoyEgExdyXIpF9d0DZ46v74tpxADPMCVn3DRyM_IlG8WKZ2LhPSZ6YHOOqa4MGJSEuy2nGLUtf_kK7EatR7qA55fcwoyNm7EFZndZWHWa1WQEWZ4u0DswYv_FJTg/w640-h480/P1040690+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On my way back to the boat I took a very short detour to take some pictures of nb Chuffed - Debby and Dave, she is safe and sound and looking in fine fettle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03rhyphenhyphenpExuCOFPdXGc4NattaWSeH0WXB5DCaDxfSiZNf3vDVVb8Fcithll5NnknZrt5Wn365FcYc918BZU1LL6kRy-jVHvEbDGJsJ7-1ZSjEr7_ZoIfKSEZ2TVUZQMWJXrWUr6Mx68DS8/s1840/42.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03rhyphenhyphenpExuCOFPdXGc4NattaWSeH0WXB5DCaDxfSiZNf3vDVVb8Fcithll5NnknZrt5Wn365FcYc918BZU1LL6kRy-jVHvEbDGJsJ7-1ZSjEr7_ZoIfKSEZ2TVUZQMWJXrWUr6Mx68DS8/w640-h480/42.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiSbt39m2ykK4S8MxrRaqcPgh59yPUiDCOSAcfXjXqCrzfkoDdVnLKATI4zxRw9uNg6hIG3Iup7we_1zGiEmDuHuJYMfmlqxpjUzo3SbD61yn9dzmo91fXDpX19LpE8Yc5LkcBcmx-H0/s1840/43.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiSbt39m2ykK4S8MxrRaqcPgh59yPUiDCOSAcfXjXqCrzfkoDdVnLKATI4zxRw9uNg6hIG3Iup7we_1zGiEmDuHuJYMfmlqxpjUzo3SbD61yn9dzmo91fXDpX19LpE8Yc5LkcBcmx-H0/w640-h480/43.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So what have we been up to since I last posted back in January - well not a lot! We have both had our vaccinations as I am sure many of you will have done. We should have our second ones before the end of April, so hope to be able to take to the waterways in May.</div><p>I am sure that a lot of us have been spending our time out walking most days. For us this has mostly been confined to our estate since Christmas, so we really have stayed local. We are lucky that there are a lot of footpaths and quite a lot of different things to look at. One also gets to know other dogs and their owners, so there is often the chance to stop for a socially distanced chat. I have found many ways to extend what was our basic route, but I have to confess that boredom is beginning to set in, but we are not in a high rise flat in a city centre, so things could be a lot worse.</p><p>A selection of the paths we tread daily:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94fIzoI2UjVdg1Xn4jSICgpQQFimPcbAkjPmfR5klRGEXjFTEmeeTLhjsb9bou4SUYmleIy1_O8_KZuTFPCMHT26hVD2gsOef7npEY20rm94RjDv6RvclU5-P97X8rVvvLUXIcsaBuYQ/s1840/08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94fIzoI2UjVdg1Xn4jSICgpQQFimPcbAkjPmfR5klRGEXjFTEmeeTLhjsb9bou4SUYmleIy1_O8_KZuTFPCMHT26hVD2gsOef7npEY20rm94RjDv6RvclU5-P97X8rVvvLUXIcsaBuYQ/w640-h480/08.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99pr7McZVSkUMM_MQKqAQSQwY7tZdfur_QQ8vUdEMVCCUxgWXWtbaA9eQZRYHhdgbfZ71vK7wOF377kxztqXTgOq98sC6fHDj_7VYyeQAT6A1o0Rr5twy-bObjU2bRMcwTxjYS1pD100/s1840/09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99pr7McZVSkUMM_MQKqAQSQwY7tZdfur_QQ8vUdEMVCCUxgWXWtbaA9eQZRYHhdgbfZ71vK7wOF377kxztqXTgOq98sC6fHDj_7VYyeQAT6A1o0Rr5twy-bObjU2bRMcwTxjYS1pD100/w480-h640/09.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqgQWgDs-zo3RCcGEEnuwQcRHQylQp1Q2QQ_QPH_S1C3ZjLEXQYpkoTr8CQO9vsE9HbFyKS-clXikEyuM3xGJWLG5A9lWeAiof4tm7ZSxWXqdwEsPGJ6lSg4Mixp-U8j7SmXkH_Kd_h4/s1840/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqgQWgDs-zo3RCcGEEnuwQcRHQylQp1Q2QQ_QPH_S1C3ZjLEXQYpkoTr8CQO9vsE9HbFyKS-clXikEyuM3xGJWLG5A9lWeAiof4tm7ZSxWXqdwEsPGJ6lSg4Mixp-U8j7SmXkH_Kd_h4/w640-h480/10.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-YWTWA4j3Qy-RiYVql2_SANnve6CR_6nrh_OXL7_4UtoImRbaBD8jq9PFYuL9Pp-AnLNkpDvZ92YRlQTdOBCw_9QuxeFLDVTWLwEBER9f3bUwi4Eiobvnc87geVmhFB4NPgecz6XWVA/s1840/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-YWTWA4j3Qy-RiYVql2_SANnve6CR_6nrh_OXL7_4UtoImRbaBD8jq9PFYuL9Pp-AnLNkpDvZ92YRlQTdOBCw_9QuxeFLDVTWLwEBER9f3bUwi4Eiobvnc87geVmhFB4NPgecz6XWVA/w640-h480/11.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-Wx9xhNXM0OkzND_37vwrKboedc6EY-LzY_1-i4Kq48L2asRR93mBRo1_VUhaOJXgcIwPIL51l9Va7MnjA2haweiMfGQn0O1ESLjLbKRJfSP5mFbE2uhDh4J0Anr4oWIEc4q4vabLt4/s1840/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-Wx9xhNXM0OkzND_37vwrKboedc6EY-LzY_1-i4Kq48L2asRR93mBRo1_VUhaOJXgcIwPIL51l9Va7MnjA2haweiMfGQn0O1ESLjLbKRJfSP5mFbE2uhDh4J0Anr4oWIEc4q4vabLt4/w640-h480/12.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A short detour at one point takes us to a small holding <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aT923qDzdRpTji1gWquhXd905DPRcquo43C6zPrhOU_wssSKzJojan1IVBuPNvfHVn6twWcJ37k_mwgL0jxv4D7tq11f2jri7GLHHi9GBFbXxzr5XiQpqYAexucAfumOSoa9m0PH8P8/s1840/13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aT923qDzdRpTji1gWquhXd905DPRcquo43C6zPrhOU_wssSKzJojan1IVBuPNvfHVn6twWcJ37k_mwgL0jxv4D7tq11f2jri7GLHHi9GBFbXxzr5XiQpqYAexucAfumOSoa9m0PH8P8/w640-h480/13.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>With 10 Jacob sheep. Apparently there will be no lambs this spring.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOPOnc5LVSMaz449nXPKgFUC-3taL8UMXNeo6Jl2xjNc2HylcmCrDroMigWKsJB-n1ganIxvhdqRIKEWs3iGQpoi_ITGPBSVtGeE74aSNorS-1UqfKuCt_ipTY5FWZYnJXSzBnLPIPAo/s1840/14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOPOnc5LVSMaz449nXPKgFUC-3taL8UMXNeo6Jl2xjNc2HylcmCrDroMigWKsJB-n1ganIxvhdqRIKEWs3iGQpoi_ITGPBSVtGeE74aSNorS-1UqfKuCt_ipTY5FWZYnJXSzBnLPIPAo/w640-h480/14.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSGGWoqZhxWMUaPNp3Uz8zlmbEr6f66uLx8BVPpy-7Y9OxiBELHYh9Su-_fsIcBCNQQNpk7tyd4QIHRTUX9dxBrQ0eyTQxsodokWPiAtnWHjDz_M0nIxXw5OwuoSnnfTSVnJPFkx1-AM/s1840/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSGGWoqZhxWMUaPNp3Uz8zlmbEr6f66uLx8BVPpy-7Y9OxiBELHYh9Su-_fsIcBCNQQNpk7tyd4QIHRTUX9dxBrQ0eyTQxsodokWPiAtnWHjDz_M0nIxXw5OwuoSnnfTSVnJPFkx1-AM/w640-h480/15.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A couple of geese - I did wonder if one would end up on the table at Christmas, but no, they are still there. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjox-CXTdPRMGPBMolJ3hVmP9TtE-Ny4nEQOguAyVG1xHshzDVIG_2dhFAemuzc6uoDLwOWKhzVc6UFEdntFfW3Jx9FtQLIMHAji0Y1gDX0IfTr6xiF-zEUqstH-3iezDO6UFSkljlmhKI/s1840/16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjox-CXTdPRMGPBMolJ3hVmP9TtE-Ny4nEQOguAyVG1xHshzDVIG_2dhFAemuzc6uoDLwOWKhzVc6UFEdntFfW3Jx9FtQLIMHAji0Y1gDX0IfTr6xiF-zEUqstH-3iezDO6UFSkljlmhKI/w640-h480/16.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Three horses <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbFOHwEYxLn_nJrvigjj0Wj-fgeogCtLUcsgfqzNU5J20Iw1pB0WqaRhMmlqf2WzHI30QZXsBpBgUR1c-mCD2u-8UMaT4E0sMd-Q3ZYkaOvuFUxNX9HYYAYqUkA6r1hkbHW387PAyNlQ/s1514/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1514" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbFOHwEYxLn_nJrvigjj0Wj-fgeogCtLUcsgfqzNU5J20Iw1pB0WqaRhMmlqf2WzHI30QZXsBpBgUR1c-mCD2u-8UMaT4E0sMd-Q3ZYkaOvuFUxNX9HYYAYqUkA6r1hkbHW387PAyNlQ/w640-h480/17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>and their very small pony friend<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzmTDpge0aW9__H3SZ83gkSeqLl9fXBQHpIdUh1cyoGV5ht0qj5NR7lzWAgc_80WeUWAMlR56yFJwgLLUpCLDgk6yfbKxb-PVjnYZg-gXU82kTbrD9m19h2Z3XNUJOq3IhMDk6o7xPXg/s1759/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1319" data-original-width="1759" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzmTDpge0aW9__H3SZ83gkSeqLl9fXBQHpIdUh1cyoGV5ht0qj5NR7lzWAgc_80WeUWAMlR56yFJwgLLUpCLDgk6yfbKxb-PVjnYZg-gXU82kTbrD9m19h2Z3XNUJOq3IhMDk6o7xPXg/w640-h480/18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Each day as we go round the duck pond<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEsHZusMb-Rw2o9ju-IiH57Qqc0iMAKOIhl7qtQ4A44PvW2DA9Tbgwx9lDnYo-14kbCBKjQH_N56fvLHdiGHjSR4pgpQ8DdfE3K9rAHPRlXY4scnODn7negv29wznIOdSlj2ejrA4Xdo/s1840/19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEsHZusMb-Rw2o9ju-IiH57Qqc0iMAKOIhl7qtQ4A44PvW2DA9Tbgwx9lDnYo-14kbCBKjQH_N56fvLHdiGHjSR4pgpQ8DdfE3K9rAHPRlXY4scnODn7negv29wznIOdSlj2ejrA4Xdo/w640-h480/19.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We have to stop for Monty to watch - we call it TV for dogs! There are ducks, moorhens, squirrels and most fascinating of all <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIYuQfjNJdYayMv8R20N_98Q-0JGerGJx6XTSA3Cf5rWpIGsPvYEczhyBr0_X6-nQ_VtwPyRatotsQgUR6kqyS4Wf04MZMG1ROWbVsm5VexwOoJr9JMNAS9tjzoeXkIhMquNTgLhBW7g/s2048/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIYuQfjNJdYayMv8R20N_98Q-0JGerGJx6XTSA3Cf5rWpIGsPvYEczhyBr0_X6-nQ_VtwPyRatotsQgUR6kqyS4Wf04MZMG1ROWbVsm5VexwOoJr9JMNAS9tjzoeXkIhMquNTgLhBW7g/w640-h480/20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>a healthy and very well fed population of rats!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pmEKLuIWLCz5LsVcvvKPKkJXpEs8rmsBtLzpHWQXHOtt2Le2s0i_iIJ36aYCa3HiL0c-elDneIxTp35Imaa6oUzRoMem4bU1O7neN3ENA_IxG5jGqCdK1NSjhmEz-34lMvYX3DjxeS8/s4000/21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pmEKLuIWLCz5LsVcvvKPKkJXpEs8rmsBtLzpHWQXHOtt2Le2s0i_iIJ36aYCa3HiL0c-elDneIxTp35Imaa6oUzRoMem4bU1O7neN3ENA_IxG5jGqCdK1NSjhmEz-34lMvYX3DjxeS8/w640-h480/21.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We have 8 minor roads to cross on our circuit round and Monty has got the sit and wait off to a fine art.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsd9vIa6xKZmFHP9KCOVijxQDmuI6e-wrxY7FK3DS8kXPsnW4SP0iLcVOjQ40NcCMGu1Z0rGXPkWtavM0lLz_N_Nky8DHsIU40yo_D-S4RbXCoLkfirYnUX5oM98t3_ywYYBN0cuqe5I/s1840/22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsd9vIa6xKZmFHP9KCOVijxQDmuI6e-wrxY7FK3DS8kXPsnW4SP0iLcVOjQ40NcCMGu1Z0rGXPkWtavM0lLz_N_Nky8DHsIU40yo_D-S4RbXCoLkfirYnUX5oM98t3_ywYYBN0cuqe5I/w480-h640/22.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And finally as we come to the end of our walk, there are a couple of handy logs for Monty to get on which saves me bending down quite so far to re-attach his lead!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvmaPXwXaWj4ACze-xQEbBAg74sW4yKMqocVSf2wDTI9puTarismsH8xNRGXtcdrEWeIwc5z_qEhVaAH7nzLxTXSQWnwcneJoFL-ct4kDU47YYILeuETi0vVFg6m_q60kgCRHm9TG440/s1840/23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvmaPXwXaWj4ACze-xQEbBAg74sW4yKMqocVSf2wDTI9puTarismsH8xNRGXtcdrEWeIwc5z_qEhVaAH7nzLxTXSQWnwcneJoFL-ct4kDU47YYILeuETi0vVFg6m_q60kgCRHm9TG440/w640-h480/23.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As lovely as all that is we were delighted when we were given the go ahead to resume C&RT ranger patrols on 29 February 2021. We decided to just do the lower half of our Tardebigge route which is usually less crowded. We did take a litter picker, but did not wear uniform - we wanted to just if we felt safe. Oh how wonderful it was to be back beside the canal - Monty was back where he belonged.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtiv0er5Q9GSWWm7ssEXYWG-BNKF6wSnDI1Oepy1q64L0Mo407Pxvr1AbeE2e3Qf-eRQVbJ_nSIAQpO165_laIg0lppruh7JER4L7-Zvu0KAhYHGdtWC7yvVfBuMKzx9RItZGsB-Jm0g/s1840/25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtiv0er5Q9GSWWm7ssEXYWG-BNKF6wSnDI1Oepy1q64L0Mo407Pxvr1AbeE2e3Qf-eRQVbJ_nSIAQpO165_laIg0lppruh7JER4L7-Zvu0KAhYHGdtWC7yvVfBuMKzx9RItZGsB-Jm0g/w640-h480/25.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The next day we did our first proper patrol since mid December. I collected about 2 dozen dog bags in the first half mile! Then by the reservoir there was the remains of a nitrous oxide party - very Covid safe all breathing in from the same balloon!! We are lucky that we have a rural route that is usually quite clean, but we did fill two large shopping bags, so it was a job worth doing. The following week it was just one bag, but for the first time in years we picked up around 2 dozen cigarette ends - neither of us can remember the last time we found even one. The following week it was just half a bag, but oh my goodness what a state the tow path was in by what used to be the engine house by lock 57. At one time it was a nightclub (long before our time here) and now it is apartments. The ground floor one is rented out and we have to assume there is a new tenant. All I could see was cigarette ends. I am bit OCD about counting (I cannot go up a large flight of stairs for eg in a castle without counting), so I counted as I picked - 74!! I believe they take 10 years to fully decompose, so just what does that thoughtful tenant think is going to happen to them and how many are in the canal? More to the point, how many will I find when we go this week? I did add a comment on my report, but I am not sure what, if anything, can be done. At the end of the day, it is littering. </div><div><br /></div><div>The last few Sundays I have been out walking with our daughter, Sarah. We headed off down a path beside the local rugby club which eventually leads to Tardebigge - we were glad we had our boots on!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMgMsFjZReyy5iVJdUfGqq3SkPhKlU3aulNeb5ezRSuOwRd7HwwMYrdZSnkTtp9ZA0wjTtc7D0doIEs-8QnXXStXkXcWpEv3VR8fBHuPGVw9gKoPaBRi4vTHEt7KjtMLnBHCL8CSKB4Q/s1840/26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMgMsFjZReyy5iVJdUfGqq3SkPhKlU3aulNeb5ezRSuOwRd7HwwMYrdZSnkTtp9ZA0wjTtc7D0doIEs-8QnXXStXkXcWpEv3VR8fBHuPGVw9gKoPaBRi4vTHEt7KjtMLnBHCL8CSKB4Q/w480-h640/26.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>The views were worth it though<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HogX076cAuYZGCzwT2hOvZxEahqMOzDtfhHaSh-LC_5tgsQ0h_FRMa4QOD3NlGRhhqCahHeSXUK1YG2bqp1UDo2nKfXNFL9llpm-G07sI7h-Z1l_JXmuRIYN6xmgZugOBS3LWL9duFQ/s1840/27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HogX076cAuYZGCzwT2hOvZxEahqMOzDtfhHaSh-LC_5tgsQ0h_FRMa4QOD3NlGRhhqCahHeSXUK1YG2bqp1UDo2nKfXNFL9llpm-G07sI7h-Z1l_JXmuRIYN6xmgZugOBS3LWL9duFQ/w640-h480/27.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxUk8kZSC7JBPhVpB7I4FW0ZUPkX1u-ieGCJsgNzfen4nxquENcI7J0j5hmo1b7l1uWX3vLNwbQI3D1sh0GAZgNh0yoO_HDm1EnJ6A69O5XPlSMzBsWYInG1t4oRnWPkasBbhS3mVkfU/s1840/28.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxUk8kZSC7JBPhVpB7I4FW0ZUPkX1u-ieGCJsgNzfen4nxquENcI7J0j5hmo1b7l1uWX3vLNwbQI3D1sh0GAZgNh0yoO_HDm1EnJ6A69O5XPlSMzBsWYInG1t4oRnWPkasBbhS3mVkfU/w640-h480/28.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGXZiPBmJFjpxB3cIrfq8ok-oLcUApCiXqf6mLskoX5CvsjaCwvu1dMnhTogKa6-gdrmXslgJ3GYKwyXYRXMmFg_UD1v0u18y-o1pJAIa7IJKNwoQ0ChtlhVDpDrgx1gyaQ-dUeD-IQk/s1840/29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGXZiPBmJFjpxB3cIrfq8ok-oLcUApCiXqf6mLskoX5CvsjaCwvu1dMnhTogKa6-gdrmXslgJ3GYKwyXYRXMmFg_UD1v0u18y-o1pJAIa7IJKNwoQ0ChtlhVDpDrgx1gyaQ-dUeD-IQk/w640-h480/29.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTJ6c_iN2okeO-s0hPPIMFcZOgeQFteoypcOxXeblU9sAOfkLW-am8hxPQ3BqxtAk3ilm5PmwFEkJZct0dXuQ12q7ZDVYb-BHYCUtfvVXqzuO2MfZ4Ex9tl-kcy2Alwt2rr0stgnxXZU/s1840/30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTJ6c_iN2okeO-s0hPPIMFcZOgeQFteoypcOxXeblU9sAOfkLW-am8hxPQ3BqxtAk3ilm5PmwFEkJZct0dXuQ12q7ZDVYb-BHYCUtfvVXqzuO2MfZ4Ex9tl-kcy2Alwt2rr0stgnxXZU/w640-h480/30.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Having decided that once was enough with all that mud we next investigated a footpath that runs along the side of the local golf course. It is a 4.5 to 5 mile round trip from our house, something Chris is unable to do, so I am very glad to be close enough to Sarah to go walking with her. It is a great walk and Monty has a lot of freedom, but from today the golfers will be back, so I reckon he will be back on the lead next time we go (no running off with little white balls!). We haven't managed a clear day yet, so I want to go back as there are far reaching views over the Malverns. It is definitely a Sunday walk as we have to cross over a very busy road and then walk along the side of the A38 to get there, so you have to pick your time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XtYH5IKhWzJWUiryj2LpBlKVx5qtRaT5oa94zagZdVbnneLaaXisFppQI3Pf88logjpPHY5zC_dA5oKmrt833HbTzm7Sa6y01l05EjBF5dOTWpbxxOW3f8tPrVhkYdQeniPzXl8JffI/s1840/31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XtYH5IKhWzJWUiryj2LpBlKVx5qtRaT5oa94zagZdVbnneLaaXisFppQI3Pf88logjpPHY5zC_dA5oKmrt833HbTzm7Sa6y01l05EjBF5dOTWpbxxOW3f8tPrVhkYdQeniPzXl8JffI/w640-h480/31.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOe2qOUgwNuc39rGlyyYrB7bwVKGDnq6QyM5iorkhjvxpkSJ5cNPVosPzYTklUck_JFhhNDhwhxzc2rERj6joxPbkGR9iG1sKRowFNncC8NJVee7dCmIePS4Ioq-euGgyqdTfxxV4ux0/s1840/32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOe2qOUgwNuc39rGlyyYrB7bwVKGDnq6QyM5iorkhjvxpkSJ5cNPVosPzYTklUck_JFhhNDhwhxzc2rERj6joxPbkGR9iG1sKRowFNncC8NJVee7dCmIePS4Ioq-euGgyqdTfxxV4ux0/w640-h480/32.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7s9Ru7hR9Li9d0g3nAcTRhy0J234qJHFImHEftCuL_6gtbPbGj8bVyETAiQfIvoWBit7umbdPYLtR0LWwGGMtdpSksARshmKamY5ZSr0HlnUq4xJYnxd36g_uPNYmlzqvg4LxuFPzwM/s1840/33.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7s9Ru7hR9Li9d0g3nAcTRhy0J234qJHFImHEftCuL_6gtbPbGj8bVyETAiQfIvoWBit7umbdPYLtR0LWwGGMtdpSksARshmKamY5ZSr0HlnUq4xJYnxd36g_uPNYmlzqvg4LxuFPzwM/w640-h480/33.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnXodLCzXp39u_IIKhbZM4xBCCqh6xPpurXCN4NtHI-Xqnf1032xwghnTb9nYWvRIjjp3WihDo9LHVhlVQmPEDT94jkbnwOYWNxfsUNS-77hjzxpOiSMsc5e0tulFX0zzNF8GulzdMkQ/s1840/34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnXodLCzXp39u_IIKhbZM4xBCCqh6xPpurXCN4NtHI-Xqnf1032xwghnTb9nYWvRIjjp3WihDo9LHVhlVQmPEDT94jkbnwOYWNxfsUNS-77hjzxpOiSMsc5e0tulFX0zzNF8GulzdMkQ/w640-h480/34.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbay-px8UjOiTQ_6gI9LrVrhO17WmAqHNY0Me3BOsPLFZSZN75LseXhXBhQGJHrNmhoEOzNZvphMgYpqiQQlbNkvKq3pb5kfl8tnJn_XGPyTRCkoyJOridG6xc9XiCQqYi3xa84JGPmI8/s1840/35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbay-px8UjOiTQ_6gI9LrVrhO17WmAqHNY0Me3BOsPLFZSZN75LseXhXBhQGJHrNmhoEOzNZvphMgYpqiQQlbNkvKq3pb5kfl8tnJn_XGPyTRCkoyJOridG6xc9XiCQqYi3xa84JGPmI8/w640-h480/35.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvylla7rqIKm84h-rB2R9GFOvSJLPWi14c0sL487b_d_7OuaB8Z1lRfgQFzAQUHODnwnKYwPIqS1E5ONt0BC_Z6aMxdLQ-BDTIATM8MVzByIrw3b2pF6SrhzLQXx0lOENHSIL3At582fQ/s1840/36.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvylla7rqIKm84h-rB2R9GFOvSJLPWi14c0sL487b_d_7OuaB8Z1lRfgQFzAQUHODnwnKYwPIqS1E5ONt0BC_Z6aMxdLQ-BDTIATM8MVzByIrw3b2pF6SrhzLQXx0lOENHSIL3At582fQ/w640-h480/36.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-mLJtCePTDBxLcHqQIlI9ysN63j0o-e2OfXYO37LEdD6qg3E7lk6VymrCjqgvth4iSMOlUDuzxdro-3sG8ANezshhKOB8Ayf6B30zVCJUj0AgezOQ5EdX1oA5VK-30yLeqD0u8ml9yY/s1840/37.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-mLJtCePTDBxLcHqQIlI9ysN63j0o-e2OfXYO37LEdD6qg3E7lk6VymrCjqgvth4iSMOlUDuzxdro-3sG8ANezshhKOB8Ayf6B30zVCJUj0AgezOQ5EdX1oA5VK-30yLeqD0u8ml9yY/w640-h480/37.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>So what have we done apart from walking? Well one snowy evening in January we were watching the television when water started to come through the ceiling! Buckets were collected and the mains turned off. This was about 21:30. I called the home emergency people and a plumber arrived about 00:30 and left after a couple of hours - way beyond on our bedtime! That was a Thursday and we had to wait until Monday for the spare part that was required to fix the expansion tank in the airing cupboard. It was a different plumber who made the repair. We were able to put the water on for a short time each day to flush the loos and to use the electric shower in our downstairs loo on one occasion each, so we survived. It is at times like that that I am so grateful for emergency cover - it gives us great peace of mind. Two months later, the water re-appeared. The first plumber on scene in January arrived, this time mid afternoon and with no snow. Thankfully it was a quick fix, sadly, the chap who did the initial repair failed to tighten a joint up correctly. The weirdest part was having someone come into the house. Masks and gloves were worn, so we felt quite safe.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our other bit of entertainment happened behind our house - the school over the back fence contracted a tree surgeon to trim the trees that back on to our (and other houses). I had a good view from my upstairs study of the young men shimming up the trees - they did an excellent job that was long overdue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaQU7etNZ1RF5_HlPl3m4dPAo1A1FW_J17UcmyuqxOhD1ypP8ZkgZbn1_eOdoDV5695LR-Y1D3mdRlHLP3SyvZSYmR_HMcPaG84m13jcEpdn2u2NfNMuENPFdw7BtZ5zxqcPZSgmfx6Q/s1796/38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1796" data-original-width="1347" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaQU7etNZ1RF5_HlPl3m4dPAo1A1FW_J17UcmyuqxOhD1ypP8ZkgZbn1_eOdoDV5695LR-Y1D3mdRlHLP3SyvZSYmR_HMcPaG84m13jcEpdn2u2NfNMuENPFdw7BtZ5zxqcPZSgmfx6Q/w480-h640/38.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQsAJCZJpoLqycfBFXM3BA0vn8SabUbDK0TwhLVkSudAJCOlJfFEJcfsWVgCIK523tEYsh8WD0Y9XO2AB7W-Y4anCUS4a1sAJEBPqfawgfZudggDpPMxucJKnsAQjVGXDGcHbqHvnuNM/s1840/39.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQsAJCZJpoLqycfBFXM3BA0vn8SabUbDK0TwhLVkSudAJCOlJfFEJcfsWVgCIK523tEYsh8WD0Y9XO2AB7W-Y4anCUS4a1sAJEBPqfawgfZudggDpPMxucJKnsAQjVGXDGcHbqHvnuNM/w640-h480/39.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The worst of the overhang went from this <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiip7ALXpU4nyCKwTfaSAAgHLLf-kcd8ixmME7v47FuGrbacRBiid52oA_NCmlKUq7sM8LDV5PLkYlFuW9zCcLfPtKjOx0TmRi8eGUzK2AfQA5wcFtU2ljDmS7y01EXHL6mPjCugBPRYYg/s1840/40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiip7ALXpU4nyCKwTfaSAAgHLLf-kcd8ixmME7v47FuGrbacRBiid52oA_NCmlKUq7sM8LDV5PLkYlFuW9zCcLfPtKjOx0TmRi8eGUzK2AfQA5wcFtU2ljDmS7y01EXHL6mPjCugBPRYYg/w640-h480/40.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>to this - a vast improvement.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdE6ojtd1IX97-1mvFFQemoMoLUMpuWECJPrYfG11KFxJ6HiwWrmcNN7PDqhqOm_0jBO_UabS4sVUGPHyrwGzBiZ3kCD4GAoWBkHjOfv5S25kHpt2mSArl2auhwiaVujLfOqY0y2Nb_NE/s4000/41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdE6ojtd1IX97-1mvFFQemoMoLUMpuWECJPrYfG11KFxJ6HiwWrmcNN7PDqhqOm_0jBO_UabS4sVUGPHyrwGzBiZ3kCD4GAoWBkHjOfv5S25kHpt2mSArl2auhwiaVujLfOqY0y2Nb_NE/w640-h480/41.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>What a bonus the internet has been. We have regular Skype calls with the family and with The Cleddau crew and another couple - the 6 of us met almost 50 years ago. Various games and quizzes have been done both with family and friends. Kahoot was our first foray into quizzes and then we found </div><div><a href="https://www.outsmarted.co.uk/" target="_blank">OUTSMARTED</a>. Only one household needs the boxed set - everyone else can join via tablets or phones. I would urge you to go and look - it is great fun. I initially thought I would save some pennies and buy the set with the unpainted figures, but dug deep and coughed up the extra fiver - money well spent as all pale grey would be very boring and much easier to confuse when moving them about. Mind you it does not take much to confuse me! They are going to be bringing out new sets of questions, so the game will be ever expanding and up to date.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The triumph of internet entertainment took place last Friday when the Cleddau's crew's son in law hosted a session of Taskmaster for 4 couples. We were tasked to arrive in surprising costumes and oh boy, were they a surprise! Everyone really put in a huge amount of effort and we had a really good evening with many a laugh as we rushed hither and thither collecting this, that and the other to present to 'The Taskmaster'. We promised no photos, so you will just have to imagine the fun! </div><div><br /></div><div>One of our other occupations has been reading via Skype with our youngest grandson. It started in the first lockdown and has continued since then. During this last period out of school we were doing it every day Monday to Friday. Our favourite books have both been by David Walliams - 'Code Name Bananas' and 'Bad Dad'. Now he is back in school, we are still doing it twice a week. The most satisfying part of it all, apart from keeping such close contact with him, is that his reading had come on in leaps and bounds. A year ago, he was quite hesitant, whereas now he adds voices, expression and is pretty fluent. That is something we would not have done had it not been for Covid.</div><div><br /></div><div>I do hope you are all keeping well and safe and that the easing of restrictions will be adhered to and then, hopefully, we will all be able to enjoy some boating this summer. For me, personally, I cannot wait to be able to see the family properly again. We have not seen our local grandsons since September and the family in Derby since March 2020. Take care and stay safe.</div><div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-67904570486032814662021-01-24T06:49:00.001-08:002021-01-24T06:49:40.592-08:00A first for us<p><b><u> Sunday 24th January 2021</u></b></p><p>I just thought I would pop in and let you know we are still alive and kicking! However, more importantly than that I have a first for Tentatrice to report. We have never seen her in the snow and whilst we cannot go and visit her at present a very kind lady who lives at our marina went and took a photo of her for us. Thank you Anne. One day we will meet you in 'real life'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QJ-N3usucUn4k2-KFaD8SBZPh7XHsEHRAlN65MtO7c9coxWR8eS5aRLSeFK-5sfkOGTPbJOUR9rCwv0NbzgorjueVIjE76tiYeEBsgb2Mvh1T-Tj2YtCJptgEIE1CktcpijPZ5miBN4/s1920/Tentatrice+in+the+snow_24Jan2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QJ-N3usucUn4k2-KFaD8SBZPh7XHsEHRAlN65MtO7c9coxWR8eS5aRLSeFK-5sfkOGTPbJOUR9rCwv0NbzgorjueVIjE76tiYeEBsgb2Mvh1T-Tj2YtCJptgEIE1CktcpijPZ5miBN4/w360-h640/Tentatrice+in+the+snow_24Jan2021.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p>She also added some other great photos of the marina looking very wintery. Thank you for permission to add them to my blog.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5PsPSufxHiT7hU65PywLzR_00rqhxJoSwuxhutkIPGWS2Nz59NHjhap6oR-hZbV3bK8EQWGWcqwx-OBmbb9XjJaQmlBq7M48g1cKWZ-2WTyr68dCvTVU8D-cUJbYhWnD6VN_xS78NyM/s2015/141694199_10223136992000416_7898598826841564518_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNg_wOsmNFLm240BgCREEi39XGl0kMNX9pQU6ezaD2H2GVx49oa33SxP7PoxI8rCP3Z1mQujAKM4ktN4cQSFy9Cuv7K7J54WOHzF2G8xUXlQuVckfqCR57nzcwsqWqi4d0H9fplFga8x4/s2015/141694199_10223136992000416_7898598826841564518_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1511" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNg_wOsmNFLm240BgCREEi39XGl0kMNX9pQU6ezaD2H2GVx49oa33SxP7PoxI8rCP3Z1mQujAKM4ktN4cQSFy9Cuv7K7J54WOHzF2G8xUXlQuVckfqCR57nzcwsqWqi4d0H9fplFga8x4/w480-h640/141694199_10223136992000416_7898598826841564518_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8bdh75Mvje4FBqqudTK4whTPzUHlEozR1I7SxkIYz5t7llufU968JEGBkC-Cr2ban6akHv37oW2O4lDs7OpDo3VDRSEL9_6TMp3wTzzeW9b3v17wuI8p60Sh_H68HlZ7yYnxqhODqhc/s1440/142282108_10223136992280423_2970179459776608568_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8bdh75Mvje4FBqqudTK4whTPzUHlEozR1I7SxkIYz5t7llufU968JEGBkC-Cr2ban6akHv37oW2O4lDs7OpDo3VDRSEL9_6TMp3wTzzeW9b3v17wuI8p60Sh_H68HlZ7yYnxqhODqhc/w640-h480/142282108_10223136992280423_2970179459776608568_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTa7d82Olsi8_88ro6uVCnmf_pUmMPB6HW9c6ySzkPH_2eL3C97Zw8ju9m4vrWVurN1_eZkdWJmlkbDjd7e1NPr7ZCy4vNbb1FMjlpQdp0ImLUgTKqtI5GZ95iq2m-9CRhE4cHAgk6y70/s1440/142422763_10223136991000391_6922726660147493122_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTa7d82Olsi8_88ro6uVCnmf_pUmMPB6HW9c6ySzkPH_2eL3C97Zw8ju9m4vrWVurN1_eZkdWJmlkbDjd7e1NPr7ZCy4vNbb1FMjlpQdp0ImLUgTKqtI5GZ95iq2m-9CRhE4cHAgk6y70/w640-h480/142422763_10223136991000391_6922726660147493122_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTu23nxc7jRbO6RnujbK4v3K518Rp1x105g6W-m8gjL0SbjFs4f7dMU_7Tdd-nbXcegedhg-w13ETVkr2845OBYG0Uvt2sdNrUl0hh9MJlKKgPQDNt5oSuX57dc2IuI0wJxzyYFc7huQ/s2015/142542836_10223136991360400_8445844585096680306_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1511" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTu23nxc7jRbO6RnujbK4v3K518Rp1x105g6W-m8gjL0SbjFs4f7dMU_7Tdd-nbXcegedhg-w13ETVkr2845OBYG0Uvt2sdNrUl0hh9MJlKKgPQDNt5oSuX57dc2IuI0wJxzyYFc7huQ/w480-h640/142542836_10223136991360400_8445844585096680306_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Snow not withstanding, Monty still needed to go for his walk this morning, so I booted up, donned hat, coat, gloves and scarf and off we went. Here are a few pictures of our route looking lovely in the snow. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWyA0v4T5ZGzZ3NPy8DQvX2LzsBvKC4_bnjr-Cay344p4ydtyBsyAwb91d2yhCKasmAMP0gLAZSvg9Tiu1SYZq_FywnFSkPQCPahW-LcezGvk_BXYCYV4h39nDG2EuVV-JBBCOQ1NuJY/s1840/P1040398+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWyA0v4T5ZGzZ3NPy8DQvX2LzsBvKC4_bnjr-Cay344p4ydtyBsyAwb91d2yhCKasmAMP0gLAZSvg9Tiu1SYZq_FywnFSkPQCPahW-LcezGvk_BXYCYV4h39nDG2EuVV-JBBCOQ1NuJY/w640-h480/P1040398+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq5IsiViqYelZuWV1uQ8QiygBbAkw_M4nahgGhkAQTTe9FFFuhFeucGRGrohyphenhyphen8l6Ni6wTyMZZZ9gx80g0giHJmb_NLFPgoCUy6Jp8L0VVg15r2eSFPgZi4m5HqVFhsPBTj5rg8z2GYfU/s1840/P1040399+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq5IsiViqYelZuWV1uQ8QiygBbAkw_M4nahgGhkAQTTe9FFFuhFeucGRGrohyphenhyphen8l6Ni6wTyMZZZ9gx80g0giHJmb_NLFPgoCUy6Jp8L0VVg15r2eSFPgZi4m5HqVFhsPBTj5rg8z2GYfU/w640-h480/P1040399+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgVxIo_2aZlD3NUSB0AOPDgM9YqlH2ch5ISwTgkuuqfIRaKbF-g-njIokWy8uXuaLxFQq1dJHXVLWiKhiBjTJ0gz4CVvsY4n7PkOK5VNGA3OB_BTINyvQs0VLnOXPUbEEekyOqtJxpMM/s1840/P1040400+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgVxIo_2aZlD3NUSB0AOPDgM9YqlH2ch5ISwTgkuuqfIRaKbF-g-njIokWy8uXuaLxFQq1dJHXVLWiKhiBjTJ0gz4CVvsY4n7PkOK5VNGA3OB_BTINyvQs0VLnOXPUbEEekyOqtJxpMM/w640-h480/P1040400+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our usual route takes us up this hill, but we just poked our noses round the corner today - as I suspected it was very busy with people having lots of fun, as they should be. Monty is not keen on whizzing sledges and he does not understand snowball fights, so best to be avoided. It would also have been hard to keep my distance, so we chose another route<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibakVFpwwFRbb0nH8rXtIoCKL7sjzYrS82S__O-yJcb6Aa66-EixPUdaJzaxguAoxncyZZ7Dnm20-CBxAsscfGHjGISao_AVweXNzY55OGLf2ny6_l9ihpXwAdOpDoAe8PZpwt1dc7r8M/s1840/P1040401+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibakVFpwwFRbb0nH8rXtIoCKL7sjzYrS82S__O-yJcb6Aa66-EixPUdaJzaxguAoxncyZZ7Dnm20-CBxAsscfGHjGISao_AVweXNzY55OGLf2ny6_l9ihpXwAdOpDoAe8PZpwt1dc7r8M/w640-h480/P1040401+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>which for the most part was a lot quieter.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xEMPdq0YZRVBpJMXbEJRSq4_1ZJrLLMVfYM1zC5pmrDAruRKjULmQ9a_Y9Y7FE5ZZa44M9sIW_5UpTVgiO_jhvN18UyVnjfYHuf7peaM4YkPo6ag72-a9McJIiwaRy4UWotRWGCdOTI/s1840/P1040405+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xEMPdq0YZRVBpJMXbEJRSq4_1ZJrLLMVfYM1zC5pmrDAruRKjULmQ9a_Y9Y7FE5ZZa44M9sIW_5UpTVgiO_jhvN18UyVnjfYHuf7peaM4YkPo6ag72-a9McJIiwaRy4UWotRWGCdOTI/w640-h480/P1040405+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVad0pGFoCbYoXpz_zm9IKwBZlH-tOXUrewMDZnFLOjtqm9gg-9V1je0-2Jan8EKaCwAZxRXZVWgmbZ9-ezr1o5qa_aFPwXLDMth1fOu4_ZQuu3x67e8k44bVy-ZYtRxoWmcyIVg_JaG8/s1840/P1040406+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVad0pGFoCbYoXpz_zm9IKwBZlH-tOXUrewMDZnFLOjtqm9gg-9V1je0-2Jan8EKaCwAZxRXZVWgmbZ9-ezr1o5qa_aFPwXLDMth1fOu4_ZQuu3x67e8k44bVy-ZYtRxoWmcyIVg_JaG8/w640-h480/P1040406+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On past the duck pond - the little duck house was built and donated by local company after the original fell apart and sank. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqK6xnp1muzMM41ZCNWaRc8wJNyraaVHAeCtyqrurxSAGO5ByeiFlkMkVmW285rr4ft4GSuMj3aHhVwNYt661GvdrkMgSeu1MLuEOLZB_kO4xi_vtA8TXCzQJqwr2UqBhYEE6DdxHRgY/s1840/P1040407+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqK6xnp1muzMM41ZCNWaRc8wJNyraaVHAeCtyqrurxSAGO5ByeiFlkMkVmW285rr4ft4GSuMj3aHhVwNYt661GvdrkMgSeu1MLuEOLZB_kO4xi_vtA8TXCzQJqwr2UqBhYEE6DdxHRgY/w640-h480/P1040407+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There were children playing in the play park - I wonder if they had wet bottoms when they got home!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp78PZICahp-mtVzDofHxidJGCyTmdsnVZ_Fwo0ucwEPm-UM8FJIBKihci1kQcN_wFIXKb-4HPGyRa2rQVkXkFbTGmwms1ytpk9PQBWO3HuUDhHofYriDnSoxs6P9S1YJ_46xhV2cVw-8/s1840/P1040409+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp78PZICahp-mtVzDofHxidJGCyTmdsnVZ_Fwo0ucwEPm-UM8FJIBKihci1kQcN_wFIXKb-4HPGyRa2rQVkXkFbTGmwms1ytpk9PQBWO3HuUDhHofYriDnSoxs6P9S1YJ_46xhV2cVw-8/w640-h480/P1040409+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A few more toboggans<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsgG2OiaEO_fVfatd24oov40J41K0KtnhdxRRk05zI8GW98wAsnlWLetITdUIj5nfuWEG6EE31wMuMC_-DTJ_cudXEhpzyYnmqazlgsCwMeUscsHYEQnvb0DwHZRQA2Swgkbo0KdJshQ/s1840/P1040410+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsgG2OiaEO_fVfatd24oov40J41K0KtnhdxRRk05zI8GW98wAsnlWLetITdUIj5nfuWEG6EE31wMuMC_-DTJ_cudXEhpzyYnmqazlgsCwMeUscsHYEQnvb0DwHZRQA2Swgkbo0KdJshQ/w640-h480/P1040410+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>and two lads aiming for a world record snowball!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dlDluGjqFPgK88EMhhPNh7ztc6KNnzEhe2cbz8wx7ee65eqkfc3Dq3S0yDldZIhpimrpZFmOzZKzOj7QVFz-5trFUzth2ve6Xh8-NQ1OqKXEzF2b6C42SQSGgfTd4_B9BJ31nNRldBo/s1840/P1040413+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dlDluGjqFPgK88EMhhPNh7ztc6KNnzEhe2cbz8wx7ee65eqkfc3Dq3S0yDldZIhpimrpZFmOzZKzOj7QVFz-5trFUzth2ve6Xh8-NQ1OqKXEzF2b6C42SQSGgfTd4_B9BJ31nNRldBo/w640-h480/P1040413+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A few snowmen to supervise all these activities<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiMnlGLhDb6qUXMIVKGvwElLR1etg_tpDcqZjbPH9mnE-cG5yZ1mx55Xsixya2xytcLQcgApZQmMjzy6yjq9EOebKXWv6S9t72gDsbE_AHjvgf8S0uH3JHQxi8RQLevTHW7w-2QNJFaU/s1840/P1040419+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibiMnlGLhDb6qUXMIVKGvwElLR1etg_tpDcqZjbPH9mnE-cG5yZ1mx55Xsixya2xytcLQcgApZQmMjzy6yjq9EOebKXWv6S9t72gDsbE_AHjvgf8S0uH3JHQxi8RQLevTHW7w-2QNJFaU/w480-h640/P1040419+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYdJPVcfZcDSO28UKugzKzaXg_5fvqVeDCR61gcdHNWwkHtHYNHZlhzrUy3QaAHlr-_gS65eeGxZDbs6Sk6lykYgTeyxl1jknoI7FPtkyDfCflZWt1017icJp4gzuM-zRFWEaM6jVE58/s1840/P1040420+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYdJPVcfZcDSO28UKugzKzaXg_5fvqVeDCR61gcdHNWwkHtHYNHZlhzrUy3QaAHlr-_gS65eeGxZDbs6Sk6lykYgTeyxl1jknoI7FPtkyDfCflZWt1017icJp4gzuM-zRFWEaM6jVE58/w640-h480/P1040420+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxGG65KIN0WtjwEfGribacaMABpfXwZafuae3Tt5Jt7VcpE9v0rihzhJ41Gizw_9vs-3zaEti7pQcOUyQMKOIP2s22jKJ9gyIUkRMTo58H504c-r43RwG3cYsQRU8E1W7ogADRV3zMRg/s1840/P1040422+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxGG65KIN0WtjwEfGribacaMABpfXwZafuae3Tt5Jt7VcpE9v0rihzhJ41Gizw_9vs-3zaEti7pQcOUyQMKOIP2s22jKJ9gyIUkRMTo58H504c-r43RwG3cYsQRU8E1W7ogADRV3zMRg/w640-h480/P1040422+%2528Copy%2529+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It does the heart good to see so many people having so much fun in the snow. We managed to extend our route at the far end, so still clocked up a couple of miles. <div><br /></div><div>When I got home the hard work of clearing the drive began. Chris cleared the car whilst I moved it away. We can get out to our bins and the car without having to put boots on. I certainly deserved my lunch today! Whilst we were doing that Monty decided to revert to puppy hood and do 'zoomies' in the snow. I think it will be a peaceful afternoon and that he won't need to go far when Chris takes him out mid afternoon.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you are all staying warm and safe and that no one is in any of the flooded areas or have been affected by Covid. Our son and his family have, thankfully, all recovered. No sign of a vaccination for either of us yet, but we reckon Chris should be done soon. I am not 70 until August, so may have a bit longer to wait.<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-29299660456867975962020-12-19T10:00:00.000-08:002020-12-19T10:00:03.533-08:00Our Final 2020 Cruise<p><b><u>Saturday 19th December 2020</u></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> Crafted Boats, Stoke Works to Droitwich Spa Marina</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">3.5 miles, 9 locks</span></b></p><p>The last time I posted our boat was in Crafted Boat's dry dock at the top of Tardebigge. Today we collected her from their main base at Stoke Works. She 'magically' made her way down the 36 locks without us! When the work was planned we were supposed to be on holiday when she was due to do that trip. The holiday had been cancelled, but due to trying not to mix, use a taxi to get us from one place to another etc, Crafted Boats agreed they would move her for us.</p><p>We started the day with an extended family Christmas Teams meeting with people calling in from New Zealand, Isle of Wight, Surrey, Bromsgrove (2 families), Derby and Wales. I left Chris to move the boat to the top of Astwood whilst Monty and I went by car to lock 18. By the time we got to the top lock Chris had sailed into the lock and was about to shut the top gate - a boat had exited the lock just as he arrived! Did that bode well for the trip? As you will see - it did.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcoyQkWaUXYa6TskCLt5_r1TUd2zocfBlC2gflW3QRDd4b8esqm5fc2vMLcouvMwuTlIOLZJ-pW8FXU8yRGKaOJpE7BwAGWfR2ZatUO3Vg2Sq45eWtolIhFGnGysQUlBm9LyZXUmI2nI/s1840/P1040239+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcoyQkWaUXYa6TskCLt5_r1TUd2zocfBlC2gflW3QRDd4b8esqm5fc2vMLcouvMwuTlIOLZJ-pW8FXU8yRGKaOJpE7BwAGWfR2ZatUO3Vg2Sq45eWtolIhFGnGysQUlBm9LyZXUmI2nI/w640-h480/P1040239+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuruoqkshFDTuBM9A2XQPlFycLSxmUlrJkYCJr3i3HF1GC2_l-kQGZnyDbOMq64eu_ZLJJ7R6A-_2CQFS1aMU5TludtzDwBAQiCm4cHg8Z6ZIQj8xx7zt1XFZVYXmR6qjhp4tWq-z-c8/s1840/P1040241+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuruoqkshFDTuBM9A2XQPlFycLSxmUlrJkYCJr3i3HF1GC2_l-kQGZnyDbOMq64eu_ZLJJ7R6A-_2CQFS1aMU5TludtzDwBAQiCm4cHg8Z6ZIQj8xx7zt1XFZVYXmR6qjhp4tWq-z-c8/w640-h480/P1040241+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1XrtP01BHYip6tujNHPvatRwDcdDAKYGnvRAxAIiLrQ1zWdUy8ZLYIEEJJK1XXrXy8RzvdAspnVUCITxGJR01B5TU68gTTt6QaN4T2rMk0olXjZkv_UtYoUG_MddVG65feQb4Te_4YQ/s1840/P1040242+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1XrtP01BHYip6tujNHPvatRwDcdDAKYGnvRAxAIiLrQ1zWdUy8ZLYIEEJJK1XXrXy8RzvdAspnVUCITxGJR01B5TU68gTTt6QaN4T2rMk0olXjZkv_UtYoUG_MddVG65feQb4Te_4YQ/w640-h480/P1040242+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSpZQkF2f5LzZ655jCYjhbh30vkx_6asVKQBh_Gyv77VnsV76pMim3KkOKnDDDyxMuLu-MMD-g72_aeZ28jLEXGO479jG9g-mn-cqLIzSmCiR6d28O1Ym0NzkxidHDtgFhRlkDLHWA7g/s1840/P1040243+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSpZQkF2f5LzZ655jCYjhbh30vkx_6asVKQBh_Gyv77VnsV76pMim3KkOKnDDDyxMuLu-MMD-g72_aeZ28jLEXGO479jG9g-mn-cqLIzSmCiR6d28O1Ym0NzkxidHDtgFhRlkDLHWA7g/w640-h480/P1040243+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Monty is up to speed with locking duties - first check the boat is on the way<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57unfA1wvWqkWmgn0ogx4xVDd60tjoT53rwe1LcWR53axkfREcOdSN5oKBqhtKiRXyrlf5MjA35rh7LipMP4mrVBZJVEf4Drl9aqSo8eCWgWblpPlwdbnzxpklL69O10HQsLaWugpuhY/s1840/P1040244+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57unfA1wvWqkWmgn0ogx4xVDd60tjoT53rwe1LcWR53axkfREcOdSN5oKBqhtKiRXyrlf5MjA35rh7LipMP4mrVBZJVEf4Drl9aqSo8eCWgWblpPlwdbnzxpklL69O10HQsLaWugpuhY/w640-h480/P1040244+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>and then check I am winding paddles correctly!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZxCIHoGHojxc22tfuAaXMY12CM7-CjwBj2E3hV0pkABgefd1GZQhBAmFwCPHzWjmiOTtVEPbhVcwwK4YRLpzaVj7pw829SicBNVpe_s-j6y_egbT_GYws3ykmuLRtfvwYl00QdO4noA/s1840/P1040245+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZxCIHoGHojxc22tfuAaXMY12CM7-CjwBj2E3hV0pkABgefd1GZQhBAmFwCPHzWjmiOTtVEPbhVcwwK4YRLpzaVj7pw829SicBNVpe_s-j6y_egbT_GYws3ykmuLRtfvwYl00QdO4noA/w640-h480/P1040245+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Back to timing - as we left the first lock a boat came up behind us! Always better to be ahead.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSW5jhOPgVvdI2nCdc0SITx7-x4Z7qiAr3GCCGlX9wGlRcEdlIyA9faUS0FO5a7JkixAWvxSWoZac4H_B9j_7l7aHUkGm-Udp1ViGqTjbmm-2sZVDghUFOowqT2KuQhbmgd8VgfJTN76w/s1840/P1040246+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSW5jhOPgVvdI2nCdc0SITx7-x4Z7qiAr3GCCGlX9wGlRcEdlIyA9faUS0FO5a7JkixAWvxSWoZac4H_B9j_7l7aHUkGm-Udp1ViGqTjbmm-2sZVDghUFOowqT2KuQhbmgd8VgfJTN76w/w640-h480/P1040246+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMOby6_preowQPeWbntIfFoSuPTBMd-1BG3go1Z47ZbszE4qHcPOg1XGIKyfKgXAGiPLAR8n64Efr0oaMngvaTF-eJuSQ77bCVASGwPINxGNKwhzgMzVXCTvPSfQ7oBDGotKMraN6Pkc/s1840/P1040248+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMOby6_preowQPeWbntIfFoSuPTBMd-1BG3go1Z47ZbszE4qHcPOg1XGIKyfKgXAGiPLAR8n64Efr0oaMngvaTF-eJuSQ77bCVASGwPINxGNKwhzgMzVXCTvPSfQ7oBDGotKMraN6Pkc/w640-h480/P1040248+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The lock cottage garden all tidy for winter<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2h7xlOcMp-mLhqkumTBdlPWFyzJ2OGSHIz6h-g8KuMGD3t6skpTV5Pepq9CLXYsA_7Gotmwt938Zujc3poBzAeGRbVZEM07XEqfe8hAWWTw1Xph55mYKuIvzbFIKcsmZgZM5qjpv84Q/s1840/P1040250+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2h7xlOcMp-mLhqkumTBdlPWFyzJ2OGSHIz6h-g8KuMGD3t6skpTV5Pepq9CLXYsA_7Gotmwt938Zujc3poBzAeGRbVZEM07XEqfe8hAWWTw1Xph55mYKuIvzbFIKcsmZgZM5qjpv84Q/w640-h480/P1040250+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>With the cottage suitably dressed for the time of year <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNEJeJKfULBiN9P6Tsj_ZEfbWnC2yHhOFG5SONXuoPazYscILDwsUSKt5rF2h2pn2HPgpQk1I4nH1D1yZRJHakKLoVcfszsD_K-K5ou9xtcbRpJZ-LZcvT6_S1m9jZF8MSIL-HA4oXI8/s1840/P1040251+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNEJeJKfULBiN9P6Tsj_ZEfbWnC2yHhOFG5SONXuoPazYscILDwsUSKt5rF2h2pn2HPgpQk1I4nH1D1yZRJHakKLoVcfszsD_K-K5ou9xtcbRpJZ-LZcvT6_S1m9jZF8MSIL-HA4oXI8/w640-h480/P1040251+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>and the gnomes all wrapped up in their winter overcoats<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6KY2Lh9AAlPupRuWX_2OPoDnOibRtWLj3VCicoZKwb5njIeAEdPV5XbXA3layud-XTnpnTyymEVkwaYQ5Ylz4o9bWawY1P7s4LnfpnZV_cx6H0M8QMXMM5zIMcdE5F4WKPylI_QxvBM/s1840/P1040252+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6KY2Lh9AAlPupRuWX_2OPoDnOibRtWLj3VCicoZKwb5njIeAEdPV5XbXA3layud-XTnpnTyymEVkwaYQ5Ylz4o9bWawY1P7s4LnfpnZV_cx6H0M8QMXMM5zIMcdE5F4WKPylI_QxvBM/w480-h640/P1040252+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It is about half a mile from lock 18 to 17 and off Chris went whilst Monty and I <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYC-TzOFMLpwE4G1DaFSiroz9URc2H_weBCtKQIyuVxqVA1TDdPUnVVjPMtrCCTAsFZ-6ncgK9fIsEpUfwcdc1-HGVX7TdtYR3_wAtPwgw1F6hyOmsmIVaQ8UBPTwiJFZLCzOGSdySPiQ/s1840/P1040253+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYC-TzOFMLpwE4G1DaFSiroz9URc2H_weBCtKQIyuVxqVA1TDdPUnVVjPMtrCCTAsFZ-6ncgK9fIsEpUfwcdc1-HGVX7TdtYR3_wAtPwgw1F6hyOmsmIVaQ8UBPTwiJFZLCzOGSdySPiQ/w640-h480/P1040253+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>did battle with the mud!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEq9PgbmPn3etCyv-3FwnR6rk7grd28eGr2DlW5A7UK8vynfAs07wyU8AOcfeoNt09sHnarQNU5R84wURfHaxxLb1rx-cbA8k_uPTxuHnNal9DoCiTgguD0ul6OMKBGvbwQtSGTx-HPA/s1840/P1040254+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEq9PgbmPn3etCyv-3FwnR6rk7grd28eGr2DlW5A7UK8vynfAs07wyU8AOcfeoNt09sHnarQNU5R84wURfHaxxLb1rx-cbA8k_uPTxuHnNal9DoCiTgguD0ul6OMKBGvbwQtSGTx-HPA/w480-h640/P1040254+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We did have some bits of blue sky and even some sun, but most importantly it stayed dry with only occasional gusts of wind.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn86vFn0X9saintStddhzdzsKm0qCQa9BvsS-nl8dMmb7FJ3TFsLETxbDFqMIaeD44VY9QKTP83S-5yLqN38UKKIluEQks3u447PioYncSVDL8rwore6HD4LL7JLYvGKQyMbIONruRCW0/s1840/P1040255+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn86vFn0X9saintStddhzdzsKm0qCQa9BvsS-nl8dMmb7FJ3TFsLETxbDFqMIaeD44VY9QKTP83S-5yLqN38UKKIluEQks3u447PioYncSVDL8rwore6HD4LL7JLYvGKQyMbIONruRCW0/w640-h480/P1040255+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Once Chris was safely through lock 17, Monty and I re-traced our steps and did trudging through the mud again to go back to lock 18, out onto the road to retrieve the car. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTiMcnuKuoZ209hAxVV5OQrl_ThA1yGFea99cX_kl4htuk8tmA867O88nSgg8oSP6CukidLLftUzvnNRm8CQzXr6x9RQemsbE8rUMm7BrKKG3IdWzcEDSJRITieJMuRFuTWy9JgD1bzw/s1840/P1040256+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTiMcnuKuoZ209hAxVV5OQrl_ThA1yGFea99cX_kl4htuk8tmA867O88nSgg8oSP6CukidLLftUzvnNRm8CQzXr6x9RQemsbE8rUMm7BrKKG3IdWzcEDSJRITieJMuRFuTWy9JgD1bzw/w640-h480/P1040256+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We met up again at the top lock at Hanbury<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpXg4QSUq-8ciitXU0s44NYpGG7eczMsWdq1vOgSXYSEJo_4kpl40hbID7ObsrF3SnIii-k8pzuDHrJVWl0e6kSirwMygCrjkaeS_b3YZlrJBISH5sl5cRateV5ucDBlxakRWU_Ha_Nk/s1840/P1040257+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpXg4QSUq-8ciitXU0s44NYpGG7eczMsWdq1vOgSXYSEJo_4kpl40hbID7ObsrF3SnIii-k8pzuDHrJVWl0e6kSirwMygCrjkaeS_b3YZlrJBISH5sl5cRateV5ucDBlxakRWU_Ha_Nk/w640-h480/P1040257+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Where once again the Gods were smiling on us - there was a young man with his six old son out taking a break from unpacking boxes and they were interested in how locks work. They moved in to a cottage nearby just a few days ago. Such was their interest that they opened and shut all the tow path side bottom gates for me. Only a boater will understand just how much help that is. I hope you see this and if you do I would like to thank you both for your help and I am sure Santa will reward all your hard work and good behaviour doing exactly what your Daddy told you to do.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlttvaj87o7wJGfdn2hRl9N6X43Df0F4ImdixKtmMP0-bn3gauZy1vfTOyW2AXxNWreJHMuY7Ff1_S-gH5c1BCH1hRt8-d8uluy0wSGRerhrVG6UMLuVhRrA03ehtsyrb2swXY7067TXE/s1840/P1040258+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlttvaj87o7wJGfdn2hRl9N6X43Df0F4ImdixKtmMP0-bn3gauZy1vfTOyW2AXxNWreJHMuY7Ff1_S-gH5c1BCH1hRt8-d8uluy0wSGRerhrVG6UMLuVhRrA03ehtsyrb2swXY7067TXE/w640-h480/P1040258+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgceB6N4XPvb9cVAwoUpyBRjXfmHQHsJf0ImtInEBu8hdOsB7c3AAyCLYhDxywWDi1HNWlRjry4dRpTq8XnEMLcsZ7bFGHVFZCtHUs5IUlYvZgoVJ76PJumUsvqPH_cOU3C7Stj18rI4/s1840/P1040259+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgceB6N4XPvb9cVAwoUpyBRjXfmHQHsJf0ImtInEBu8hdOsB7c3AAyCLYhDxywWDi1HNWlRjry4dRpTq8XnEMLcsZ7bFGHVFZCtHUs5IUlYvZgoVJ76PJumUsvqPH_cOU3C7Stj18rI4/w640-h480/P1040259+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyD_69ataeMQ-8PHDUwqIABm5kvhC2_23mi_QQEdR9EGSsjF6btn7JWVyoW1pD7iPeX1GiGqlOxbAOWgvZFez8jyhjdkXhzI67Oiv9VZ6LCCdZz7Q3ubVnOzsP6s4J3guk7nDTHOlNZ8/s1840/P1040260+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyD_69ataeMQ-8PHDUwqIABm5kvhC2_23mi_QQEdR9EGSsjF6btn7JWVyoW1pD7iPeX1GiGqlOxbAOWgvZFez8jyhjdkXhzI67Oiv9VZ6LCCdZz7Q3ubVnOzsP6s4J3guk7nDTHOlNZ8/w640-h480/P1040260+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We even managed to gather a gaggle of gongoozlers. Our final stroke of luck was that yet another boat came up to go down the locks behind us.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY1VNyQ_8hgAZoqpCKhVazIy1tS3bS9S9nZB__Ln4GiIDW5VFrM8OyWr-9X38rk69AnB00t7W8rwd-MtZ4OP5YSfJI20qDKlSva29Xj6FIf0JYOKJmJ_RPMkO7SBRmWQaNaAjj9Eb6cw/s1840/P1040261+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY1VNyQ_8hgAZoqpCKhVazIy1tS3bS9S9nZB__Ln4GiIDW5VFrM8OyWr-9X38rk69AnB00t7W8rwd-MtZ4OP5YSfJI20qDKlSva29Xj6FIf0JYOKJmJ_RPMkO7SBRmWQaNaAjj9Eb6cw/w640-h480/P1040261+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We parted company again at the bottom lock. Chris pottered slowly to the marina, whilst Monty and I retrieved the car and made our way round to our mooring via the office for an electric card and the loo! My boots were deemed too muddy to be allowed on board!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVuh9hmkrqw0sk29DUVGkp9-cKzCa6Pv8ZVDOjgehEtwhho_qGlGAtdgE0cxJFAzgHZ-pHHvWe5jEstbZbR_xNoWRW554UT5m1hC2XWKuJCtgCQGAf6QQyorytdIiw6TnohPp1VyflIY/s1840/P1040262+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVuh9hmkrqw0sk29DUVGkp9-cKzCa6Pv8ZVDOjgehEtwhho_qGlGAtdgE0cxJFAzgHZ-pHHvWe5jEstbZbR_xNoWRW554UT5m1hC2XWKuJCtgCQGAf6QQyorytdIiw6TnohPp1VyflIY/w640-h480/P1040262+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>So here she is all tucked up for the rest of the winter. Hopefully by the spring we might all be able to enjoy a bit more freedom.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKWU_53vwNK1DYXQmlzmWdjkngmLeO4e7vkBYrnUbcGHTNe8pv3OSFkhuw2EM_bCvi1siGRK0QXKdlmYaPKLG8cyUm4npnDZoUFFPbCihvKzud3XVfJnm6iKH1mrrJj4TL6UFSDDgubo/s1840/P1040265+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKWU_53vwNK1DYXQmlzmWdjkngmLeO4e7vkBYrnUbcGHTNe8pv3OSFkhuw2EM_bCvi1siGRK0QXKdlmYaPKLG8cyUm4npnDZoUFFPbCihvKzud3XVfJnm6iKH1mrrJj4TL6UFSDDgubo/w640-h480/P1040265+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>So all it remains for me to do is to wish you all a Happy Christmas, albeit a very quiet one. Our brother in law was going to come to us, but he is now in tier 4, so he will be staying at home. Our son, daughter in law and their three children have all had / have covid. The eldest child was tested on Tuesday and got her positive result yesterday, so it will be a quiet Christmas for them. They have been pretty much confined to the house since the end of October. Our son is still suffering a few odd symptoms, but the others seem to have escaped unscathed. We may take a walk with our daughter, son in law and their two boys - we shall see. Chris is vulnerable and we have been very careful since this all began - it would be foolish to throw caution to the wind when we hope the end is in sight.</p><p>Here's hoping that 2021 is a better year for the entire world. Roll on the vaccine.</p><p><br /></p>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-14685646685905301082020-10-24T09:19:00.001-07:002020-10-24T09:19:24.014-07:00An Autumn Canal Walk - 22nd October 2020<p><b><u> Tardebigge - Thursday 22nd October 2020</u></b></p><p>We decided to pop over to see how the blacking was going on, however when we got there the front was all closed up and there was no one about. Once round the back we could just see the boat still in the dry dock and it looks as though the job has been done. At least this means she will be there for a few days for the blacking to harden off before she is re-floated.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8K5e-CQ3f5Ob0BVQ7iw34v0a1KWMZmo7rFYjMFBUMRpVc0J0N1jgGuZGvX28a41-qgFKaLMBwEzJHALi8MrpPWHyEdyc70l7wsWoYIlWSDRCBfyNkV9fAOljlSO6mBCqqLGIxEXgjZ4/s1840/P1040031+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8K5e-CQ3f5Ob0BVQ7iw34v0a1KWMZmo7rFYjMFBUMRpVc0J0N1jgGuZGvX28a41-qgFKaLMBwEzJHALi8MrpPWHyEdyc70l7wsWoYIlWSDRCBfyNkV9fAOljlSO6mBCqqLGIxEXgjZ4/w640-h480/P1040031+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>We were supposed to be going to mid-Wales today for a holiday with our son, daughter, their spouses and the five grandchildren, so the original plan was for Crafted Boats to move Tentatrice to their main workshop at Stoke Works. Just a mere 36 locks. The holiday was cancelled some time ago as with 5 school age children and two teachers we deemed it too much of a health risk for us. Of course, it now turns out that Wales is shut. Crafted Boats asked us at the beginning of last week if we were now going to move her down the flight and if so, they would provide someone to help with the locks. It all seemed feasible until we got to the issue of how we got back to the car. The upshot is that they are going to move her for us. Looking at the forecast for the week, I think we have had a lucky escape!</p><p>Whilst there we took advantage of a wonderful autumn day to walk along the canal. At the reservoir I popped up to the top and got some great photos - I think it is the clearest we have ever seen it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5rs29pyaPOclQ5kEqLNSAF9Z25xgBXNCXRKhW6UWE7vHao9EyaMORs7TySfxYbhFnNdSmFMvsMobcn2a5NhlQHPxGxVBUuqsRSKVhA8Gu4jCtJsCnnd7WbcnZhWEZ2zO_4s34m5-yGY/s1840/P1040008+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5rs29pyaPOclQ5kEqLNSAF9Z25xgBXNCXRKhW6UWE7vHao9EyaMORs7TySfxYbhFnNdSmFMvsMobcn2a5NhlQHPxGxVBUuqsRSKVhA8Gu4jCtJsCnnd7WbcnZhWEZ2zO_4s34m5-yGY/w640-h480/P1040008+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJnHuif9sEyZUgiMj8GT8whRFI95kWBHdBtJSfy96atjzVJKciELh0kbNJ9g2fOuG9AHI8jVIScGEEBL4j1nZ6jLGZuvlJOAjuSmbGlwVpJQV2mpv_qQ-8xyLd7OPRYM8BlZdMMiooEQ/s1840/P1040014+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJnHuif9sEyZUgiMj8GT8whRFI95kWBHdBtJSfy96atjzVJKciELh0kbNJ9g2fOuG9AHI8jVIScGEEBL4j1nZ6jLGZuvlJOAjuSmbGlwVpJQV2mpv_qQ-8xyLd7OPRYM8BlZdMMiooEQ/w640-h480/P1040014+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinHX2J3dMVbH1g2lz21KO8R8x6S8Kj8g39JBzwcDElM8hjbJ0Zl_tnoPZ-7a-qLs0x0tdJC2dgvJ1oU2m2eKHay8N00F32NZke-6wOkr712sztgzCpMDftU0rCEa-Q0FedigtM5afTtk/s1840/P1040015+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinHX2J3dMVbH1g2lz21KO8R8x6S8Kj8g39JBzwcDElM8hjbJ0Zl_tnoPZ-7a-qLs0x0tdJC2dgvJ1oU2m2eKHay8N00F32NZke-6wOkr712sztgzCpMDftU0rCEa-Q0FedigtM5afTtk/w640-h480/P1040015+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_4WT0bM6yFZg4cm047yQ3G2SG-_HXOA4QqS1bwbzLuCoy43_Ym6RqhlPdu3JAmZcm756lDCfSiJ8g-RW2yGgHb2RYmCzxc7Ha6UT0-fbWels7pq5YgTzmcVrspGOVXUr-1yKY2nkoWI/s1840/P1040016+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_4WT0bM6yFZg4cm047yQ3G2SG-_HXOA4QqS1bwbzLuCoy43_Ym6RqhlPdu3JAmZcm756lDCfSiJ8g-RW2yGgHb2RYmCzxc7Ha6UT0-fbWels7pq5YgTzmcVrspGOVXUr-1yKY2nkoWI/w640-h480/P1040016+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>En route we 'bumped into' our marina next door but one neighbours - Tracey and Jo with their wonderful dog Shakelton. They do not live locally, but were up staying on the boat for a few days and decided to enjoy an autumn walk along Tardebigge. I suspect it will be next spring before we meet again.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VgfQ0sy6ntbDn8cztMGsn1MgLgb85KhbwsBWNZc4LrmHCvlyfrQc1CyqIIaGtPQS4Gbg6uKEPPp_JpDtZbt7Q3anag2QvAqOlHf0MXFalJPb2HJgrik05uuuZzhkRnRCxB6B_ujB-WU/s1352/P1040020+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1352" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VgfQ0sy6ntbDn8cztMGsn1MgLgb85KhbwsBWNZc4LrmHCvlyfrQc1CyqIIaGtPQS4Gbg6uKEPPp_JpDtZbt7Q3anag2QvAqOlHf0MXFalJPb2HJgrik05uuuZzhkRnRCxB6B_ujB-WU/w640-h588/P1040020+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A final couple of photos on our way back up the flight.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE17rV8pmkiYogLrz4mkxtNN3I8aou44F8FWIYQ90nYhS9HFluRTaDZX0RkAkA9DPOJ1J3NAWkqmcM0zWGj9ky6YplnDYVxozsyFTYKJg-api_QbZ4WtwgobSHQ3rpmZbU_jbhRtS6BSM/s1840/P1040029+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE17rV8pmkiYogLrz4mkxtNN3I8aou44F8FWIYQ90nYhS9HFluRTaDZX0RkAkA9DPOJ1J3NAWkqmcM0zWGj9ky6YplnDYVxozsyFTYKJg-api_QbZ4WtwgobSHQ3rpmZbU_jbhRtS6BSM/w640-h480/P1040029+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju88rROk-PJvRcgs62JrgpZ9EbjbiRYZXV_QZj8VAgYAHwhWrU-uKMTiCE8lh5CjXlfCByDC1fIbLBh5WLlPQSzJL6E0Eg_brNYDjckbGmwCvwUp5A1QIY4-dHoyEod19PEw6i2wLB_7c/s1840/P1040030+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju88rROk-PJvRcgs62JrgpZ9EbjbiRYZXV_QZj8VAgYAHwhWrU-uKMTiCE8lh5CjXlfCByDC1fIbLBh5WLlPQSzJL6E0Eg_brNYDjckbGmwCvwUp5A1QIY4-dHoyEod19PEw6i2wLB_7c/w640-h480/P1040030+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Today is a different story altogether - wild, wet and windy!<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-385647758044723227.post-63055879417927744292020-10-19T15:07:00.034-07:002020-10-20T03:45:19.227-07:00A Little Bit of 'Normal' <p>On the whole life has been quiet for us since we returned home in early September. We have had two notable boat related outings - both to meet up with our friends Sue (Boatwif) and Ken on their boat nb Cleddau. On both occasions the weather was perfect.</p><p><b><u>14th September 2020 - Norbury Junction</u></b></p><p>As we drove north by road they were heading north by boat. They arrived and secured a mooring a while before we got there - we were at the mercy of the M6. Communications en route worked seamlessly and it was agreed we would phone when we arrived. Ah, the vagaries of modern technology - we had no signal! We did, however, manage to find them. Adjacent tables were found in the pub garden and we enjoyed a meal together whilst maintaining good 'social distancing'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19dWfOXUtTp3uc9LMbBuLi4S_7nAdvdGJ48tAsd4IJUDndaab2kx53g7LMboIrlZy_vnUOHGh3WWXvk8ESTGDtIDbGnU9330wCjSWmOwO9SyA4-tdUJIZ7JMcBDAarUaDzd38w_JtdXg/s1840/P1030882+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19dWfOXUtTp3uc9LMbBuLi4S_7nAdvdGJ48tAsd4IJUDndaab2kx53g7LMboIrlZy_vnUOHGh3WWXvk8ESTGDtIDbGnU9330wCjSWmOwO9SyA4-tdUJIZ7JMcBDAarUaDzd38w_JtdXg/w400-h300/P1030882+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As an added bonus and entirely unplanned, whilst we were there two fellow boating bloggers (albeit now back on dry land), Carol and George from Still Rockin arrived, so it became a '6-way bloggers socially distanced catch up'. Good luck with the house move, George and Carol.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEH0e17U-Dj0N7b9F_aMCAMHUj7NvJseyz8rmpsOeAiTYRQVlpTHamndlgTCSIpdpGzd68vITdx8E2d7fdCyLUVBn4fTqtwU5-lK5lnpeQZO6IHG8yo4Ngyutm2934M0ZyAp7V89SUwo/s1840/P1030881+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEH0e17U-Dj0N7b9F_aMCAMHUj7NvJseyz8rmpsOeAiTYRQVlpTHamndlgTCSIpdpGzd68vITdx8E2d7fdCyLUVBn4fTqtwU5-lK5lnpeQZO6IHG8yo4Ngyutm2934M0ZyAp7V89SUwo/w400-h300/P1030881+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Then it was back to Cleddau and a tow path cuppa.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13mbPRzRvZJm8p1T65j6GfEHM0CF1R6NJU3UreBwIzBiq7TwdQl70Z_KqoHAUy_U1zRWXN2CekQ8Beia8m8JmOr544wrpQlfg3Z2cXd_lCMDO7g4fCtkgrd2QmgGeRRfAaY_AETj2RE8/s1840/P1030884+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13mbPRzRvZJm8p1T65j6GfEHM0CF1R6NJU3UreBwIzBiq7TwdQl70Z_KqoHAUy_U1zRWXN2CekQ8Beia8m8JmOr544wrpQlfg3Z2cXd_lCMDO7g4fCtkgrd2QmgGeRRfAaY_AETj2RE8/w640-h480/P1030884+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>plus some water for Monty<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9vQgbcgkYdnSF_oT3Ie0IWLOUkspk5CTRzhGuKf8Q48nVzCFqaE67MAE7D-3nKTWtrZyLludYYxSLhSg2CUwYUPkG_JnWmMHlRG4G0NUInN-Hu0JtyPlBoNs4tT8m1sFG1Qqod4vh3k/s1840/P1030885+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9vQgbcgkYdnSF_oT3Ie0IWLOUkspk5CTRzhGuKf8Q48nVzCFqaE67MAE7D-3nKTWtrZyLludYYxSLhSg2CUwYUPkG_JnWmMHlRG4G0NUInN-Hu0JtyPlBoNs4tT8m1sFG1Qqod4vh3k/w640-h480/P1030885+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlu5K8pLR26nw7gR05DYXCnIYB67WEUwxXRWnoWQc4vKxb0KN4JKa8j8EfbEDxJYXCus_lE4q2UkbTlVUOU6cAe89Z_-xJeWrgVYtRLRjDxg9k63-GIFyBFwmqmG20W7tCBNM_AmjBa-U/s1840/P1030886+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlu5K8pLR26nw7gR05DYXCnIYB67WEUwxXRWnoWQc4vKxb0KN4JKa8j8EfbEDxJYXCus_lE4q2UkbTlVUOU6cAe89Z_-xJeWrgVYtRLRjDxg9k63-GIFyBFwmqmG20W7tCBNM_AmjBa-U/w640-h480/P1030886+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A perfect end to a perfect day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On our way home we came across this - I suspect he has crept under here many times, but it did take a lot of 'toing and froing' as he lined himself up and snuck under. It reminded us of our many trips under the M5 Culvert in Droitwich.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85dFlIQtzwQtg52qyPtzw4LDx-PCOZlq6ALjxNiJ0C1IKfXprB4jbcVx_7oRDrPkZOuCBTUZ92cchJNIZKZt46Zv3_7-j3vzeWYFKupBtMRZn1sNgo7ZlVjwSX06SQVjsiLzwOyTbk4g/s1840/P1030900+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85dFlIQtzwQtg52qyPtzw4LDx-PCOZlq6ALjxNiJ0C1IKfXprB4jbcVx_7oRDrPkZOuCBTUZ92cchJNIZKZt46Zv3_7-j3vzeWYFKupBtMRZn1sNgo7ZlVjwSX06SQVjsiLzwOyTbk4g/w640-h480/P1030900+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b><u>22nd September 2020 - Rode Heath</u></b></p><p>We had enjoyed seeing Sue and Ken in 'real life so much that we decided to do it again. This time they were heading south on their way back to the Macclesfield Canal. No communication problems this time and once again we enjoyed a good meal in a canal side pub garden before heading back to Cleddau</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQllJ9HbIdFcb4oyRiOW6UtGjb__70c2OuQRo5v2s8bJns0p5fkpE_sPm0gWvcablourW0ua35rVhBxIK3fq57OLyy-AcTtL66TMR7an50-ou0ewy3a1Je8rYWfgDIq1mqEmW-DxEFSuM/s1032/IMG_20200922_120325+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQllJ9HbIdFcb4oyRiOW6UtGjb__70c2OuQRo5v2s8bJns0p5fkpE_sPm0gWvcablourW0ua35rVhBxIK3fq57OLyy-AcTtL66TMR7an50-ou0ewy3a1Je8rYWfgDIq1mqEmW-DxEFSuM/w640-h480/IMG_20200922_120325+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Monty and I found a lovely walk before we headed back home down the motorway. We have talked with Sue and Ken most weeks on Skype since March, but it is not the same as seeing them in person.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvCAEuNexAa4SFdaxYSfkfeNIuYMk-BRFbu5y4OugombZBkAxpg8auZ2e7LrWPyVqD2LyzVWZQ5Zgix9nbaD1n2uWgvlq8Cd_w3WVp6suV2ks-Rh6EKdFLsJFP01mh4BSN24-XFrFBDg/s1032/IMG_20200922_140857+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvCAEuNexAa4SFdaxYSfkfeNIuYMk-BRFbu5y4OugombZBkAxpg8auZ2e7LrWPyVqD2LyzVWZQ5Zgix9nbaD1n2uWgvlq8Cd_w3WVp6suV2ks-Rh6EKdFLsJFP01mh4BSN24-XFrFBDg/w640-h480/IMG_20200922_140857+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ExnhsIa9YCSenYOo9vzaIg2X-Pr-lq-cb7j65meGFMBdJ9ACSN9kKebcurjhCLw291iILvcKjKPyEoRQ5tyz_JI1YSRwtdCf6QDSk6X8Gj9XdgUGxAgU0ZDLUexQU8TIdEPszSmDM08/s1032/IMG_20200922_140905+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ExnhsIa9YCSenYOo9vzaIg2X-Pr-lq-cb7j65meGFMBdJ9ACSN9kKebcurjhCLw291iILvcKjKPyEoRQ5tyz_JI1YSRwtdCf6QDSk6X8Gj9XdgUGxAgU0ZDLUexQU8TIdEPszSmDM08/w640-h480/IMG_20200922_140905+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Our main task since returning from our boat trip was to prepare the boat which is booked in for bottom blacking and other jobs with Crafted Boats. A lot of stuff has been brought home for sorting out. I have been assured it won't all go back on board in the Spring! It is horrifying how much you can store on a narrow boat - it seems to increase each year! It is a good job we have a conservatory that is too cold to use in the winter. We have a king size ottoman bed the base of that is full as well. The boat itself is very bare.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoM82RcwbFgaae5y2c_E6ckxlb5562cP-WussVpUsz6Qjj6TN4-WcUzZ3Rde4F7I5qvfYKfO1hQan4rutvczb_7QAFm9jgGNvxz-7ATo6mehyLaB6Zu7D_tWjJ5HTHGhB-Nntqo0J-xwI/s1840/P1040005+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoM82RcwbFgaae5y2c_E6ckxlb5562cP-WussVpUsz6Qjj6TN4-WcUzZ3Rde4F7I5qvfYKfO1hQan4rutvczb_7QAFm9jgGNvxz-7ATo6mehyLaB6Zu7D_tWjJ5HTHGhB-Nntqo0J-xwI/w640-h480/P1040005+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>The dry dock is about 7 miles from our marina, however there are 45 locks, so not an easy trip. We have another set of friends who have rolled up their sleeves to help us with Tardebigge before now. We had planned that they would come and stay for a day or so to lend us a hand. We were all waiting on tenterhooks for the announcement from Boris last Monday - would we be able to 'mix households' or not? We were, so they arrived Thursday afternoon. We had a quiet Friday just enjoying the novelty of being with friends. They are the first people to enter our house since lockdown started way back in March. Well apart from a couple of men who delivered a new washing machine. Did we ever imagine just how wonderful it would be to spend time with friends - it was always good, but now it is even more special and something I will never take for granted again.</p><p><b><u>Saturday 17th September 2020</u></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Droitwich Spa Marina to The Queen's Head, Stoke Pound</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">4.5 miles, 15 locks</span></b></p><p>Fortunately we were blessed with good weather - dry, with some sun and not too cold. We set off from Droitwich at 10:25. As you can see it was calm with a lovely blue sky.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphvDSqH13YjVmZsjHAW7T6DDDoUACSm2yy-Tw9LEkc2DS8IUE2bWJbrG6nHH5DDh0ortGF3AaTmnpVy8nQ_myGeEfoFR31kCpuvmIZd-T1vAoIm_JmYAP3iMIbU_88NqAMn1eAyilFZo/s1840/P1030915+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphvDSqH13YjVmZsjHAW7T6DDDoUACSm2yy-Tw9LEkc2DS8IUE2bWJbrG6nHH5DDh0ortGF3AaTmnpVy8nQ_myGeEfoFR31kCpuvmIZd-T1vAoIm_JmYAP3iMIbU_88NqAMn1eAyilFZo/w640-h480/P1030915+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>The first three locks are just around the corner at Hanbury - the first time Jane and Chris have come across locks with side ponds. There were two voluntary lock keepers on duty and a steady stream of boats up and down, so it was a speedy transit.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y_0bbCDyCUJrFDbueJuS0HI2TiKFHgqRDYrSrCn9p3dS0_Lz5I0iMeXIgcy25SZydRNcY6jzdco7UCfVLjJSs1gMIMZJxciIf-LQcl84IkOfKk5dV0HM1CXMsL9LV-uXfph5Ioyr_6s/s1840/P1030919+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y_0bbCDyCUJrFDbueJuS0HI2TiKFHgqRDYrSrCn9p3dS0_Lz5I0iMeXIgcy25SZydRNcY6jzdco7UCfVLjJSs1gMIMZJxciIf-LQcl84IkOfKk5dV0HM1CXMsL9LV-uXfph5Ioyr_6s/w640-h480/P1030919+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p></p>Jane and Chris with their dog, Kiera (Monty's best friend) at Hanbury in the sunshine<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTplzg0muqL6HcqghOevzL9W-osAc0vBncF5xOlqr_16SuRVEfgWBB7i4L8h7jTnb06r1rykAMETLuN06rFLdM58cy3jmDhkMF22qb3qF_Xtirt6NTrhiKb5_1SZziNbmYjRWPXxPOZI/s1840/P1030921+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTplzg0muqL6HcqghOevzL9W-osAc0vBncF5xOlqr_16SuRVEfgWBB7i4L8h7jTnb06r1rykAMETLuN06rFLdM58cy3jmDhkMF22qb3qF_Xtirt6NTrhiKb5_1SZziNbmYjRWPXxPOZI/w640-h480/P1030921+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>The six locks at Astwood were all ready or nearly ready for us to enter and we were the only boat on the move, so again it all went very speedily.</p><p>We had time to enjoy the views <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Iz-OtNzEir0-Sd8dQuMli0tl4IwKgNpvw87_TlVAw_fnC6h_L08fQPGfIDcTa4aibCI_NJnQo03lrhzvbNW2jJAG5z_Mlxtlp_Fe3SsEtN16QNZ6V6VgGJsm8Uolmut5z86Spp9478g/s1840/P1030923+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Iz-OtNzEir0-Sd8dQuMli0tl4IwKgNpvw87_TlVAw_fnC6h_L08fQPGfIDcTa4aibCI_NJnQo03lrhzvbNW2jJAG5z_Mlxtlp_Fe3SsEtN16QNZ6V6VgGJsm8Uolmut5z86Spp9478g/w640-h480/P1030923+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwTOmMPzNfJPSd6tGdBkVN3E256JjSkKh-dd1UkMFoQuBwcXbqKzonmnNarvHbQNE6rDtNOY9vxjAQ5AJg6o4Ra3ePB6cTaoaRcplYr5emMPtJB9vTTXetYqBvdU0RT3Ib4iPIJn8Kso/s1840/P1030924+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwTOmMPzNfJPSd6tGdBkVN3E256JjSkKh-dd1UkMFoQuBwcXbqKzonmnNarvHbQNE6rDtNOY9vxjAQ5AJg6o4Ra3ePB6cTaoaRcplYr5emMPtJB9vTTXetYqBvdU0RT3Ib4iPIJn8Kso/w640-h480/P1030924+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFK3ujMuZgh8cWFyLDRYgkNtv0jihNJTLHZare2wBaojqn6v04BxJThpm3XbAH8L1w2Fslsn-_xCmLXFcQ0i1gz9qo0NAf_pdLNzhdTvN54Ky2kTju3bAj9cIN8tHLuANxf_53gOj3acg/s1840/P1030925+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFK3ujMuZgh8cWFyLDRYgkNtv0jihNJTLHZare2wBaojqn6v04BxJThpm3XbAH8L1w2Fslsn-_xCmLXFcQ0i1gz9qo0NAf_pdLNzhdTvN54Ky2kTju3bAj9cIN8tHLuANxf_53gOj3acg/w640-h480/P1030925+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>to sit and relax as the locks filled</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelhTblMPkx1BJvH2tmCFUjUf_Q95SFE9J3ZQy-EdP0qQ2Of1jlomED1UQf6Kae2Mij7X_B53ifmlO6AteSpoeOZnFcHK7aaNElZLjTVZV0yRKmHeGBUrFWOyZjG8wH7B51YkODtEAGa8/s2048/20201017_121536+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelhTblMPkx1BJvH2tmCFUjUf_Q95SFE9J3ZQy-EdP0qQ2Of1jlomED1UQf6Kae2Mij7X_B53ifmlO6AteSpoeOZnFcHK7aaNElZLjTVZV0yRKmHeGBUrFWOyZjG8wH7B51YkODtEAGa8/w360-h640/20201017_121536+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div>and try to get Monty and Kiera to pose whilst looking at the camera!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6ffT40vGqXNzZ7uuZ8qng3Rx4IZoHHBmIDxh0P03W9JdB7CBbCy8PKvV8ypIgZgIMRVWEdKQY6G72e1HkEGWzmpe_0f8CH3D5MM9gwWJORWnjpPza7n0fZXax1pmnC_V5UdseFWSHD4/s1840/P1030926+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6ffT40vGqXNzZ7uuZ8qng3Rx4IZoHHBmIDxh0P03W9JdB7CBbCy8PKvV8ypIgZgIMRVWEdKQY6G72e1HkEGWzmpe_0f8CH3D5MM9gwWJORWnjpPza7n0fZXax1pmnC_V5UdseFWSHD4/w640-h480/P1030926+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Try being the operative word!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZY-NsDoG4E1HlVwuZIeMv5KHpcPaY7wLkJ9gnYcMxKyWXsMhE3Bl6DwbrhjzBmVBuMyqa-seihf8ZAGeOUUBihk0dcaMxLgt4QlezWf5hJ5SySJIIg0S7WXuJ3Chg88TmKBgCX0uhn4/s1840/P1030927+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZY-NsDoG4E1HlVwuZIeMv5KHpcPaY7wLkJ9gnYcMxKyWXsMhE3Bl6DwbrhjzBmVBuMyqa-seihf8ZAGeOUUBihk0dcaMxLgt4QlezWf5hJ5SySJIIg0S7WXuJ3Chg88TmKBgCX0uhn4/w640-h480/P1030927+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Perseverance almost paid off!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZV9niafm3kqYmy7YSABut9XnRTap5wpS9CMgBBJuKzC24R2-DGq1dX-UocYRVsev-7feYrCtGyB7g5BVB6b9zhgPXQymIED5mg-vhLxBxtle69NOMJwURnU6_jUXTxn8HW9TaXpPw5k/s1300/20201017_115147+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="1300" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZV9niafm3kqYmy7YSABut9XnRTap5wpS9CMgBBJuKzC24R2-DGq1dX-UocYRVsev-7feYrCtGyB7g5BVB6b9zhgPXQymIED5mg-vhLxBxtle69NOMJwURnU6_jUXTxn8HW9TaXpPw5k/w640-h362/20201017_115147+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had two stretches today where we were all be on the boat - a chance for a cuppa and then later some lunch on the run. Tomorrow will be all walking for the three of us working the locks. A rare shot of Chris and I together!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkkDExVoUVPw5U-S_8-GqNLaP0x2TaVqUgAwlc6TRap2VranQoXpHrVOWas49HVVkLXnSKwV8gU1uvBnXiT1jG2ehOiJO2KaHxCSDHFMPLlTg3aj7-o2Q0kjcDHogyoxpEcGgHm0mzSE/s2048/20201017_111517+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkkDExVoUVPw5U-S_8-GqNLaP0x2TaVqUgAwlc6TRap2VranQoXpHrVOWas49HVVkLXnSKwV8gU1uvBnXiT1jG2ehOiJO2KaHxCSDHFMPLlTg3aj7-o2Q0kjcDHogyoxpEcGgHm0mzSE/w640-h360/20201017_111517+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I guess they had swapped places at the helm when this was taken!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOz9JmEoTUDxyHa6DFxgA4TXzq7BS8_cslP7KyrgxEAIjNp6SU0qnv9JXU7ZzJGMKSpJOvWT4w37nsTQXHzAuLOlItsIGCYMn3c7buqoF8zpJnRFtf9l-aYLkLCN3W6G5vrmRUCs5olL0/s2048/20201017_112442+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOz9JmEoTUDxyHa6DFxgA4TXzq7BS8_cslP7KyrgxEAIjNp6SU0qnv9JXU7ZzJGMKSpJOvWT4w37nsTQXHzAuLOlItsIGCYMn3c7buqoF8zpJnRFtf9l-aYLkLCN3W6G5vrmRUCs5olL0/w640-h360/20201017_112442+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the time we got to the last six of the day (Stoke Flight) it was getting a little chillier, but it was still dry and fairly bright.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-YNpczTkx5r4eUyciwCFiTUNEpaZIvzWpCGe88uXGAVBsfxF-HhUXXFeAeAO2HpFTYviJBPl8w9xpbN1FxcPK0x7orQHn9KbPZExhb_VOXQ1JvZ63iUrDE-5zkHUZwH5p_7dQdG5icY/s1840/P1030931+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-YNpczTkx5r4eUyciwCFiTUNEpaZIvzWpCGe88uXGAVBsfxF-HhUXXFeAeAO2HpFTYviJBPl8w9xpbN1FxcPK0x7orQHn9KbPZExhb_VOXQ1JvZ63iUrDE-5zkHUZwH5p_7dQdG5icY/w640-h480/P1030931+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At the top lock we came across a nice young lad who was visiting friends in what used to be the lock cottage. He had lots of questions about how locks work and why he could not open the top gate when the water was not level! All was explained and he happily opened and closed the gate once the lock was full and we were then on our way.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHjXfWBUk-fJcqBqIRTr6DMw0ORfKMp-tVOxxd10ZNUJ8o3lStw4SBoTdKDYMS9nIhX1lg1xKUWU0layz-JPDKW_lp7QbRTQ7numZ-TrA4mbPt1oKVeepnUAeEpE1tl2V_C3VZSuUO3A/s1840/P1030935+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHjXfWBUk-fJcqBqIRTr6DMw0ORfKMp-tVOxxd10ZNUJ8o3lStw4SBoTdKDYMS9nIhX1lg1xKUWU0layz-JPDKW_lp7QbRTQ7numZ-TrA4mbPt1oKVeepnUAeEpE1tl2V_C3VZSuUO3A/w640-h480/P1030935+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Round a bend and under a bridge and we moored right opposite the pub - not something we would dream of doing, especially on a Saturday night, if we had been staying on board. It is lighter there with more people to notice if anything were to go awry, so ideal as we would be heading home for the night. <div><br /></div><div>The trip was the fastest we have ever done it in - 3.25 hours. It is amazing the difference it makes with two extra pairs of hands and feet.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Sunday 18th October 2020</u></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Queen's Head to below lock 58, Tardebigge</span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: red;">2.25 miles, 29 locks</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Once again it was dry and not too cold - well not for those of us working the locks! Chris was well wrapped up, but was still a little chilly when we got to the top. I am going to start this part with the information that last time Jane and Chris did Tardebigge with us we went from top to bottom (so an extra lock and quarter of a mile) in 2.5 hours. Would we be so lucky today?</div><div><br /></div><div>We set off at 10:10 and were in the bottom lock by 10:15. A smiling Jane - would she still be cheerful when we got to the top?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUB-GlJ7pxTkUOxL2K3BHmVG5RV2KfltX7N4SqkrWhC7TcPOJbujh9frI4CIEE9EDD43Ije0DXq8yRLEOG6HbsJBKRYDV09JWnVJYJbPDUT1JUUnv0cukMQmjJdAONmHVelR5uHofgrfk/s1840/P1030939+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUB-GlJ7pxTkUOxL2K3BHmVG5RV2KfltX7N4SqkrWhC7TcPOJbujh9frI4CIEE9EDD43Ije0DXq8yRLEOG6HbsJBKRYDV09JWnVJYJbPDUT1JUUnv0cukMQmjJdAONmHVelR5uHofgrfk/w640-h480/P1030939+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Three locks on and we had caught up with a boat going up ahead of us. There were only two of them, but they were working well, so kept up a good pace. She was locking ahead and I ended up closing the top gate for them which helped them out and kept us going as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67akvednh-JGaAwYIx3XhK0-8Qp8IR-N3Uv-B49TJHm_zOP2AY_-K15ltQZ6d0Tv5Pf0rm8kBf4ApIV1mdkfc8cUVUtnnWdRyn8W_RRbI6E8zzTCLTXYhDe-To7mf0UcEeoMAWUqnHyo/s1840/P1030940+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67akvednh-JGaAwYIx3XhK0-8Qp8IR-N3Uv-B49TJHm_zOP2AY_-K15ltQZ6d0Tv5Pf0rm8kBf4ApIV1mdkfc8cUVUtnnWdRyn8W_RRbI6E8zzTCLTXYhDe-To7mf0UcEeoMAWUqnHyo/w640-h480/P1030940+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>We were the only two boats going up, however as we were ascending we were told about others coming down. There were only about six, but there was a lack of water, so it meant quite long waits to avoid turning locks unnecessarily. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_McAi-UWwFbAqlAtwh1FFXEicL5CwkQgVnl8QxOqck-AWFllL74cB1XQSstuTkbdo_bMqLvtoYMA9QaQwf4YSAF9dDDqRhMs6-LrrEXAz25p_m1NuRvZ4aXVN44d_a33WnEj3p1cqCQ/s1840/P1030945+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_McAi-UWwFbAqlAtwh1FFXEicL5CwkQgVnl8QxOqck-AWFllL74cB1XQSstuTkbdo_bMqLvtoYMA9QaQwf4YSAF9dDDqRhMs6-LrrEXAz25p_m1NuRvZ4aXVN44d_a33WnEj3p1cqCQ/w640-h480/P1030945+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uGgHoqjN3DqSioxEFrzDT8gyjuE2koyDwmu8Rag4o7uHxhV2TJcBqZoByu3mf6-yeo4XkYSLmnlRQhfr4_c01ykFtluDH3Rnh9ggZ4KYb8f2o7gt20xAptfbtbVSxHYDUgWS3E7YZXQ/s1840/P1030947+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uGgHoqjN3DqSioxEFrzDT8gyjuE2koyDwmu8Rag4o7uHxhV2TJcBqZoByu3mf6-yeo4XkYSLmnlRQhfr4_c01ykFtluDH3Rnh9ggZ4KYb8f2o7gt20xAptfbtbVSxHYDUgWS3E7YZXQ/w640-h480/P1030947+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgdGL0sQ5ps0NFT6KkUnQCmDKw27RfQUa4VB0ZGDqdHCH5s281zwTqjybJD31DsSPbeySg8DFFiwEXrGYlhLQBX_oGmwt1OBDDVHTK90ImOwyFv-4tIznnWCx-69mFqt1yoMxo6URebs/s1840/P1030948+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgdGL0sQ5ps0NFT6KkUnQCmDKw27RfQUa4VB0ZGDqdHCH5s281zwTqjybJD31DsSPbeySg8DFFiwEXrGYlhLQBX_oGmwt1OBDDVHTK90ImOwyFv-4tIznnWCx-69mFqt1yoMxo6URebs/w640-h480/P1030948+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknWeZZ5k9JPsgOrhW9GdwktY9r0E5rms0q2_gsh_h5n2yWhJcAtJYaJwgibEhDlg8J60I2LHmdC-qqrlwUpVac_jexOZAUEtWg-3XgfzzMOOrdhnfZ8SPoII1vIjN4H3lRjvxu-jgHis/s1840/P1030949+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknWeZZ5k9JPsgOrhW9GdwktY9r0E5rms0q2_gsh_h5n2yWhJcAtJYaJwgibEhDlg8J60I2LHmdC-qqrlwUpVac_jexOZAUEtWg-3XgfzzMOOrdhnfZ8SPoII1vIjN4H3lRjvxu-jgHis/w640-h480/P1030949+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The lady on Pippi Longstocking really suits her boat - she always has a very cheerful happy smile.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYX_hVX1NerW_a4impVA2Iy1y81EQXAI4o-yt9iUYsmLu3p1XxMjPCgIGY-G1vUU6W3yi9fttKt0e4mT5jfJMnfsChNNDpTYFLg7w6OZbWznTvrVVsaAAgLBlDZToavMgqLN46noCpwrk/s1840/P1030950+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYX_hVX1NerW_a4impVA2Iy1y81EQXAI4o-yt9iUYsmLu3p1XxMjPCgIGY-G1vUU6W3yi9fttKt0e4mT5jfJMnfsChNNDpTYFLg7w6OZbWznTvrVVsaAAgLBlDZToavMgqLN46noCpwrk/w640-h480/P1030950+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4vTVuaFohqsXWRUDYGPVbUOQ96Ay7ZWE4WnJm0XNpTJYEVPGli_GzaYW__y9HI_44Ua2aylL-WUzIQJMVvHHsFS1_dYY9apYo7QjVyeuA2VLz8NFotde9rVk8MpIeBUUKZs3B3z8Ujg/s1840/P1030951+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4vTVuaFohqsXWRUDYGPVbUOQ96Ay7ZWE4WnJm0XNpTJYEVPGli_GzaYW__y9HI_44Ua2aylL-WUzIQJMVvHHsFS1_dYY9apYo7QjVyeuA2VLz8NFotde9rVk8MpIeBUUKZs3B3z8Ujg/w640-h480/P1030951+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKj2s4OkKZTYE3S9iGXdsTs-L0FMQQrVLsuFbluIiN2wCAJ3ofbzKOdrPkA-OoQGjkb1xaATBp6yK5OBcX_5t-XFi4ujT4iCE6vYR9SC_P6Mwcs8bJCQlXzbqagi_29eYelUxb_v5jNg/s1840/P1030952+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKj2s4OkKZTYE3S9iGXdsTs-L0FMQQrVLsuFbluIiN2wCAJ3ofbzKOdrPkA-OoQGjkb1xaATBp6yK5OBcX_5t-XFi4ujT4iCE6vYR9SC_P6Mwcs8bJCQlXzbqagi_29eYelUxb_v5jNg/w640-h480/P1030952+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>There were two Voluntary Lock Keepers helping the second hire boat. They only took the boat over at Alvechurch on Saturday, so these were their first ever locks. Tardebigge is a bit of a baptism of fire. Everyone was very friendly and patient and it was a pleasant run up even if it did take us four hours which is not a bad time for such a long flight.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only thing I hate about this flight is going past a house we call 'the dog house'. Up to this trip there have always been two dogs tied up in the front garden that leap at the wall barking like mad. I have to put Monty on the lead as he 'answers back' and it is always my fear that their teeth will meet one day. It now appears that there is only one and he was in the field at the back, so it was a quieter transit. Monty, however, remembers and is always stressed out and very agitated, but we survived!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7jdvQc6NerAgdWvMKX7h133HZXUz86I7obEAUuS4J5oxKDv5kNaJ6MEsyvGX5Wa4UzkYiKo4zr5AzFfIH-7cvoaZOYo1wnaShsIKddPY6sJM5ZYRtDSkApEx0cgOxxTeOQpKxezxcE4/s1840/P1030946+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7jdvQc6NerAgdWvMKX7h133HZXUz86I7obEAUuS4J5oxKDv5kNaJ6MEsyvGX5Wa4UzkYiKo4zr5AzFfIH-7cvoaZOYo1wnaShsIKddPY6sJM5ZYRtDSkApEx0cgOxxTeOQpKxezxcE4/w640-h480/P1030946+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The closer we got to the top the less water there was<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcftzsh93RSAHyLTsnlUiasXHxVdzHj0raGsfQ-7qyiUXjeUqYyjJd56k46ExWumeSoLmADWUdO7-clenPN0doT3hianL1H-1lHBFw4zxuidvq2BIU9I10-YDy7QGBL1kXs3iqQB5EwUA/s1840/P1030964+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcftzsh93RSAHyLTsnlUiasXHxVdzHj0raGsfQ-7qyiUXjeUqYyjJd56k46ExWumeSoLmADWUdO7-clenPN0doT3hianL1H-1lHBFw4zxuidvq2BIU9I10-YDy7QGBL1kXs3iqQB5EwUA/w640-h480/P1030964+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Even the reservoir was very empty, especially considering all the rain we have had lately</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIsx5SCJFzYf8YKN2lQ5LZoTjnwDIo99zFBXviZKgwW5EhC8yrj62y8hCdHbC4pL6NN4P-FgsCK7kRlZcB_LRWbQrhHtR0RPF6OqawnYtVlB-zBtjHCr7tRS5ipauDY6TAD6sLoZ1puQ/s1840/P1030967+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIsx5SCJFzYf8YKN2lQ5LZoTjnwDIo99zFBXviZKgwW5EhC8yrj62y8hCdHbC4pL6NN4P-FgsCK7kRlZcB_LRWbQrhHtR0RPF6OqawnYtVlB-zBtjHCr7tRS5ipauDY6TAD6sLoZ1puQ/w640-h480/P1030967+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As I approached the reservoir I could see a shape in the distance that looked like some sort of gun enlacement. It turned out to be a fisherman's 'kit'.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZfIx37jCPCd1bzR4x0Vt3mkZHbqT5KJsC3kDxMXArwSSh8Zve_RQ6PPTUSZF4SpBJBLKnSYWDrEzcpToS5RuJABbrfP4q6IVzFcIKe4sMKDKeI8L7Xk_Jc5_Yv2C6KRXEHqC1HhoHGs/s1840/P1030962+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZfIx37jCPCd1bzR4x0Vt3mkZHbqT5KJsC3kDxMXArwSSh8Zve_RQ6PPTUSZF4SpBJBLKnSYWDrEzcpToS5RuJABbrfP4q6IVzFcIKe4sMKDKeI8L7Xk_Jc5_Yv2C6KRXEHqC1HhoHGs/w640-h480/P1030962+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I guess he had been on the top of the reservoir for the weekend and had packed up to go home for Sunday lunch! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVKizvm606vY8zWGUQcMRHB9KWwsVv07ziCyR1h3lQF6GzjBMEWQT9vO5uzmcd2WMDaZT-s67K_1y-aXUfvlpkcu0p_Ro0TZGkAWXlfedu8613UKfTQSc3Vrlt83NaEX9oT5uMJ7wP-g/s1840/P1030963+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVKizvm606vY8zWGUQcMRHB9KWwsVv07ziCyR1h3lQF6GzjBMEWQT9vO5uzmcd2WMDaZT-s67K_1y-aXUfvlpkcu0p_Ro0TZGkAWXlfedu8613UKfTQSc3Vrlt83NaEX9oT5uMJ7wP-g/w640-h480/P1030963+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Boaters are used to hold ups - queues at locks, broken locks, boats that have come adrift, canoes, regattas, swimmers and various other things, but never before have we had to wait whilst a couple out walking with their dogs lost control of them and they both leapt in just above the lock we were in. They called in vain and eventually one came over and was hauled out - only to jump straight back in again! The second dog ended up floundering around in the reeds on the far side.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyG8WmLz442xCV6oQBQ2RF573LjcHT2YB_PG5mm_mdO9AA00wcB-5qh6hKu3Yug9feDSlvvkbCjeYO1nuqpsHpLCcUMMBEp9YRrFY0akLX91B5B69wLEzhEvTzddJtzc4RokZTmY2sXys/s1840/P1030957+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyG8WmLz442xCV6oQBQ2RF573LjcHT2YB_PG5mm_mdO9AA00wcB-5qh6hKu3Yug9feDSlvvkbCjeYO1nuqpsHpLCcUMMBEp9YRrFY0akLX91B5B69wLEzhEvTzddJtzc4RokZTmY2sXys/w640-h480/P1030957+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjYz1jSyFxBDdWxDoxOyHmbByL6Zdu9q6kD1yYsr1sm1XkWxzCN6Kbk-wJ_YaJb8ZwHTCVrazcrYi3pw7INrSIowreWnDnPdc0loLhFaGTF07TK7Hklh3gD4ZQXRRujmrb1Re8mGUXog/s1840/P1030958+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjYz1jSyFxBDdWxDoxOyHmbByL6Zdu9q6kD1yYsr1sm1XkWxzCN6Kbk-wJ_YaJb8ZwHTCVrazcrYi3pw7INrSIowreWnDnPdc0loLhFaGTF07TK7Hklh3gD4ZQXRRujmrb1Re8mGUXog/w640-h480/P1030958+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig29ER6Uz1nTdxPz89EbDWh1VmnMf1mpH1l3QOl7PDQbZpIyAPQT-qZ9PW6lJvEtlYk3bkAAy4vln-YrDTS9Bf6vEAH077hIbNTfMXPoBqwsFo_WzUEkECBH5Oqs6zlQxV57gHeJy166I/s1840/P1030959+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig29ER6Uz1nTdxPz89EbDWh1VmnMf1mpH1l3QOl7PDQbZpIyAPQT-qZ9PW6lJvEtlYk3bkAAy4vln-YrDTS9Bf6vEAH077hIbNTfMXPoBqwsFo_WzUEkECBH5Oqs6zlQxV57gHeJy166I/w640-h480/P1030959+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It did eventually make its way over to the lock and the man was able to haul it out. They went on their way firmly attached to their leads! The black lab is Kiera who loves to swim, but knows better than to try a canal. She even resisted the urge to have a dip in the reservoir this time. When your master says NO, then no it is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94JML61bLBhBO5aMrf26pwW3oy4_I9XLE_5eADp-ffBLNwA29olgJZllqX3-2AkD8ddslkgv3EbDaiXiS10hvY2dW1SV9knlonksGtmNcO1tJBYnU4egLFFwy0UTmkWQbY9dUuyl2Shc/s1840/P1030961+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94JML61bLBhBO5aMrf26pwW3oy4_I9XLE_5eADp-ffBLNwA29olgJZllqX3-2AkD8ddslkgv3EbDaiXiS10hvY2dW1SV9knlonksGtmNcO1tJBYnU4egLFFwy0UTmkWQbY9dUuyl2Shc/w640-h480/P1030961+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This is Jane at the last lock of the day and she is almost smiling! Seriously, she was as cheerful as ever and it is wonderful to have great friends who are willing to come and subject themselves to two days hard graft. Thank you both.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDamEMCGRMC3bFzoc0oFLGtffmutCUgx9hWBCsWcVYjilagneKeKC_e-SSb4vdqG8dFcY2PHejxpZX7xy2-T76d65IDwID5yPyPs4HIUpU-aYXdfmT0kWl2wEbCuPnaMYW3oFSA3sJuQ/s1840/P1030971+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDamEMCGRMC3bFzoc0oFLGtffmutCUgx9hWBCsWcVYjilagneKeKC_e-SSb4vdqG8dFcY2PHejxpZX7xy2-T76d65IDwID5yPyPs4HIUpU-aYXdfmT0kWl2wEbCuPnaMYW3oFSA3sJuQ/w640-h480/P1030971+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>We moored below lock 57 - there are rings there which are more secure than pins, especially when she was going to be left. Again we would not normally moor opposite a boat, but there was plenty of space for passing boats and it meant there was someone to keep half an eye on her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkb7O36YDfdHt5Ly23nx6sVwRkzYneXEPu-qs4GAOuObXYjuixYUESHHs2MlYNb801y1AxYUqqWkjTsfWUlFmCGDFmU5p_FABCU7CwdB4g4yFaTiaNo1k9oznioYSxhOf39YBFHKGSOU0/s1840/P1030981+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkb7O36YDfdHt5Ly23nx6sVwRkzYneXEPu-qs4GAOuObXYjuixYUESHHs2MlYNb801y1AxYUqqWkjTsfWUlFmCGDFmU5p_FABCU7CwdB4g4yFaTiaNo1k9oznioYSxhOf39YBFHKGSOU0/w640-h480/P1030981+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The dogs were rewarded with a long drink - true friends share a bowl! No worries about social distancing for them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIEIu4X-2m4Qzl2HQgUIcQ4FqxgW6P56d7FGIEpQUGZ4dRDXWBmhhoNy8DE9Ed-gIeKwU5WCwUkMtLgEcX8UhgojUShmnz4LHaAh-8VdeJVka7XidFtEhqV9E6ECV83LN_EXXFzt6oo/s1840/P1030974+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprIEIu4X-2m4Qzl2HQgUIcQ4FqxgW6P56d7FGIEpQUGZ4dRDXWBmhhoNy8DE9Ed-gIeKwU5WCwUkMtLgEcX8UhgojUShmnz4LHaAh-8VdeJVka7XidFtEhqV9E6ECV83LN_EXXFzt6oo/w640-h480/P1030974+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>We all headed back to our house, Jane and Chris packed up their things and headed home up the motorway. We put their bedding and sheets on to wash then collapsed in a heap. After three nights of good food and wine all we needed for dinner was cheese on toast and poached egg and very good it was too.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Monday 19th October 2020</u></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Below lock 58 to Crafted Boats Dry Dock, Tardebigge</span></b></div><div><span style="color: red;"><b>0.25 mile, 1 lock</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>This morning we had had a cuppa, put the bedding and towels on the line and had left the house before we usually get up! The boat was expected at the dry dock between 8 and 9am. The lock is a 'leave empty', so we opened up on our way down from the car and could therefore sail straight in.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the second deepest narrow canal lock in the UK at 11 foot deep it takes a while to fill, especially when there is only one paddle working. There was plenty of time to stand and admire the view and the start of the autumn colours</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9JoaY3nevkuqVnCqighDraXpo24IYZiNfn4jq3aY4PM8JxgmBqm_hWo7tH36C0k_7vPKjFiujRW14ESN5_fBrN8hBkXvJbbxGYjXvaAaZHkLdtriXGtNVmGf7xw6h_5hH025A-Ko4Y8/s1840/P1030983+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9JoaY3nevkuqVnCqighDraXpo24IYZiNfn4jq3aY4PM8JxgmBqm_hWo7tH36C0k_7vPKjFiujRW14ESN5_fBrN8hBkXvJbbxGYjXvaAaZHkLdtriXGtNVmGf7xw6h_5hH025A-Ko4Y8/w640-h480/P1030983+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIeB4nGua07XKzF9YvomwbrcUPMl1ONzbtuwOb2_A91bK5LiJ_43BBUFI1ID103fxzVB4vHdZc3I9sk-HkLUk33VnUtYTMgGQdoDA5QP5-q_CGeG9ULT50qIyz-A1ICfneczksacpXnA/s1840/P1030984+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIeB4nGua07XKzF9YvomwbrcUPMl1ONzbtuwOb2_A91bK5LiJ_43BBUFI1ID103fxzVB4vHdZc3I9sk-HkLUk33VnUtYTMgGQdoDA5QP5-q_CGeG9ULT50qIyz-A1ICfneczksacpXnA/w640-h480/P1030984+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZcdTR8NL-X5uoYHg0zZf6arYyjZs5uH5v8P1wRzgJWhMFFvtRBI1agvby0kxIfnXN28ZIAjKwNYKbXPlk55ukfwdDuxXxgI0pqso9T8CRY7dFK-8L-Wyy3lv2gtEVfz_-Rnzkh-PC3Y/s1840/P1030985+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZcdTR8NL-X5uoYHg0zZf6arYyjZs5uH5v8P1wRzgJWhMFFvtRBI1agvby0kxIfnXN28ZIAjKwNYKbXPlk55ukfwdDuxXxgI0pqso9T8CRY7dFK-8L-Wyy3lv2gtEVfz_-Rnzkh-PC3Y/w640-h480/P1030985+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;">The deepest in the UK is Tuel Lock on the Rochdale Canal. It is 19 foot 8 inches, so wins by a long way. It set me thinking what is the deepest lock in the world. I was amazed to find it is 138 feet deep! It is Oskermen Lock which bypasses a hydro electric dam on the River Ertis in Kazakhstan.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><div>We were able to sail straight into the dry dock and Malcolm closed the gate behind us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggd_UTSpbLL2DwzNgGwXtB-rORwrqiGknYXwhmM7XDl41sbaUFVWp_0dfklm859AaXEGpvNlPydFQMGKpPaIoXOcP47cbdmWOkOGKp8yc8CVqU1GfmtCxu0DiJhJnNIQQXAqEDRxJkQQ/s1840/P1030990+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggd_UTSpbLL2DwzNgGwXtB-rORwrqiGknYXwhmM7XDl41sbaUFVWp_0dfklm859AaXEGpvNlPydFQMGKpPaIoXOcP47cbdmWOkOGKp8yc8CVqU1GfmtCxu0DiJhJnNIQQXAqEDRxJkQQ/w640-h480/P1030990+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It took a while to drain and some encouragement from Malcolm to stop the leaks, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZCWdoyFzIYYUS0FOHM_UuLpxdIbWxrJUnXMyNvW-azcIs3JZdexMlselNOAVJvkBx3CJpm6obLd713P0i9ohA6TSSeVpwMk_q8LkNAhy2-TJ5n46z3qA90ahqffOPGQ3aXm08340j3E/s1840/P1030997+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZCWdoyFzIYYUS0FOHM_UuLpxdIbWxrJUnXMyNvW-azcIs3JZdexMlselNOAVJvkBx3CJpm6obLd713P0i9ohA6TSSeVpwMk_q8LkNAhy2-TJ5n46z3qA90ahqffOPGQ3aXm08340j3E/w640-h480/P1030997+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>but we were eventually safely settled on the beams and could think about getting off with the last bits to take home.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm0htzZ2KNN58POOk4lU3eeSQmV36L5kuXtduUBRMXsHg4DwSq9fNXBqKbD9R9TSz80v_AGX87LVKSIA-FZU92bImCEOEjS_dFf9QTYmNuZH05ejDzljumNsQdwBsTqZ-w4DphvPccyk/s1840/P1030999+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm0htzZ2KNN58POOk4lU3eeSQmV36L5kuXtduUBRMXsHg4DwSq9fNXBqKbD9R9TSz80v_AGX87LVKSIA-FZU92bImCEOEjS_dFf9QTYmNuZH05ejDzljumNsQdwBsTqZ-w4DphvPccyk/w480-h640/P1030999+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSa9a-jFxkHgzyB0frj0ugTCISGpf-RDU0LsHeFNDTmHCERittuq1bRqWQlVgyi2ZGGgNYFrAKX14E74xOMQm-pbm4DZDsZRaIhB8hg9WFVe1jhyphenhyphen88BNtvPdBZB6gArDW65rapTKEKVU/s1840/P1040001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSa9a-jFxkHgzyB0frj0ugTCISGpf-RDU0LsHeFNDTmHCERittuq1bRqWQlVgyi2ZGGgNYFrAKX14E74xOMQm-pbm4DZDsZRaIhB8hg9WFVe1jhyphenhyphen88BNtvPdBZB6gArDW65rapTKEKVU/w640-h480/P1040001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaINVqpb34ihObLXx3nXYDRyPi63qXlBFXx9MNY6x2ojyKX2LGZP9UKSEm2E6cM1TRU4B8u6gg0ZV8UhSo0NhJHUg9LtbZaPNTARSCc-eFrZDAYJu-uv2ACZmdMEKUvUSRtWQYT5_MtU/s1840/P1040002+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaINVqpb34ihObLXx3nXYDRyPi63qXlBFXx9MNY6x2ojyKX2LGZP9UKSEm2E6cM1TRU4B8u6gg0ZV8UhSo0NhJHUg9LtbZaPNTARSCc-eFrZDAYJu-uv2ACZmdMEKUvUSRtWQYT5_MtU/w640-h480/P1040002+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>New anodes are required and a new bow button, but the stern one is still in good condition, so will be given a good clean. They are also going to check the rudder out after it came out of its cup at the beginning of our summer cruise. Whilst the dry dock was emptying we did not help matters as we had the taps open to drain the last of the water from the tank! Another 'to do' job is someone is going to get in the tank to clean and then paint it! </div><div><br /></div><div>The blacking will be done by Friday and they are then going to take her to their main premises at Stoke Works, so they get the pleasure of the first 36 locks on the way back to the marina. We were supposed to be going to Wales next Saturday. A large house was booked for us, our two children, their spouses and the five grandchildren. It was not to be. </div><div><br /></div><div>When we got home we discovered that we are soon to join the 21st century as far as internet is concerned - they have been working on fibre connections around the estate for some time now. At last it is being connected to the houses. I guess it means much better broadband to see us through what I fear will be a long winter. We have, however, each other for company, pensions coming in each month, a house and reasonable health, so we consider ourselves amongst the lucky ones. Our children and their partners are all still in good jobs. There are so many worse off than we are. Sadly, we have not seen our son and his family since Christmas and only at a distance our daughter and family. With two teachers and five children in school they are too much of a risk for Chris who is vulnerable. Despite this we know we are still better off than many people. We can only hope for everyone's sake that things start to improve in 2021, but it will all take time.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyplPa94amOG2ufM-tEhk8koafOFS6NvgPvY2fD42xVX9B_CyE3j2zGOFeImR1E0nlkrglyLXBIdJd_ui7LtG5AU80D9HMI04h_MbzahPpgJ8Inr4uaZnMdGokUdUOCpLrX9dRaDh4ZMg/s871/P1040004+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="871" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyplPa94amOG2ufM-tEhk8koafOFS6NvgPvY2fD42xVX9B_CyE3j2zGOFeImR1E0nlkrglyLXBIdJd_ui7LtG5AU80D9HMI04h_MbzahPpgJ8Inr4uaZnMdGokUdUOCpLrX9dRaDh4ZMg/w640-h544/P1040004+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I will say farewell for now and I hope you all stay safe and well over the coming months.</div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Jenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991436741087480533noreply@blogger.com2