An Unexpected Break - 7th June to 7th July 2019

As I said yesterday, we are back on the move, but before we begin a quick recap on the last month.  Chris recovered fairly quickly, but a good rest was required before we recommenced cruising.  Many appointments were made (doctor, nurse, dentist, hygienist, hairdresser, Monty’s annual MOT and jabs etc) to make the most of our time at home.  Chris celebrated his birthday and Father’s Day – we went to our daughter’s for dinner for the latter and we both celebrated our 46^th wedding anniversary.  On the hottest Saturday we had a family get together – great fun with 12 of us.  Mind you, we were glad we had decided on a cold collation, so did not have to stand over a hot barbecue.

I managed a WI book club meeting.  It was great to catch up with everyone again, but sadly it was a book (The Shadow of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon)  that was not very popular! 

One very wet Tuesday I went to a National Trust property (Packwood at Lapworth) with a friend.  I would highly recommend a visit to both here and Baddesley Clinton if you are ever in Lapworth.

 Chris and I went there on an even wetter New Year’s Day in 2017 with Sue and Ken.  Thankfully this time the rain eased after lunch and we were able to admire the gardens.  The most notable part is the Yew Gardens.  

Sadly some are very sick.

Looking back at the house through the Yew Garden

There is a very square lake

  Where we had to be careful where you put our feet - these tiny froglets were all over the place

The children’s corner is great fun -  anyone for a Teddy Bears’ Picnic?

The back of the house from the lawn

There were some wonderful flowers and a vegetable garden to admire, but the Yew Garden was certainly the highlight for both of us.  Just one question – does anyone know what plant this is?

Chris and I did make a dirty dart back up to the marina on 18th June returning home the next day.  The idea was to take as much as possible back to the boat and for Chris to assure himself he had left things as they should be.  He was really not well enough to concentrate properly when we left and it was just as well we did make the trip as our boat had been moved (we knew that might happen), but the big issue could have been that we were out of credit on the electricity meter!.  Also, there had been torrential rain and we had sprung a bit of a leak around the side of the chimney.  A blacking job to be done! Thankfully on the electricity side, no harm had been done -we obviously had only just run out; the batteries were about half charged and the fridge/freezer was still running.  A  quick credit top up by the marina staff and everything was back to normal.

St Mary’s Marina is lovely and the people are all very friendly.  Mark is in charge and nothing is too much trouble.  There is only one rule – dogs to be kept on a lead which is very sensible.  There are plenty of dogs around, but we did not find one ‘dog deposit’ left lying for the unwary.  If you are there on a Tuesday they even have a visiting Post Office.

Our mooring with a very useful gate to keep Monty contained

There is a church across the road which I did not manage to visit

The bus stops are not far from the entrance and the train station is only about 300 metres away.   We made our way back up with the rest of the ‘stuff’ on Tuesday 2^nd July.   The plan was to try and get the boat washed, but it was rather hot, so we went sight seeing instead!  We can take the dirt with us, but not the sights.  

Rufford Old Hall (NT) is just down the road.  It was the home of the Heskeths until they sold it to the NT in 1926.  No photos are allowed inside apart from in the Great Hall where a lot of suits of armour are displayed.

The two wooden chairs either side of the fireplace are not quite as old as they might appear to be

This one, however, is every bit as old as it looks

Then there is this 'movable screen' - it does not actually move, but is called movable as it is not actually attached to the building structure.

There is one deliberate mistake on the side facing us above - look at the top right panel

and two more on the other side - this time it is the bottom left panel

and another on this angel

she has five fingers on her right hand

A charming house and definitely worth a look.

Chris drove home on Friday 5^th and came back by train (thanks Adam – all done via Topcashback and Chiltern Railways – we are learning!).  Whilst he was away I did a lot of long overdue very deep cleaning inside the boat.  Monty and I spent quite a bit of time walking along the towpath.  Turn right at the bridge and you go over the bridge that is the entrance to the marina directly opposite – they certainly have some great views

Turn through 180˚and there is a good view of St Mary’s Marina – the red arrow marks our spot!

Turn left and you can walk up past Old Rufford Hall and if you keep going you can cross a swing bridge, cross a field and then walk along the main road to the Hall.  It is further than via the main road, but much pleasanter.  Monty and I did that walk on the Friday Chris left as I wanted to walk the grounds.  Sadly it was shut!

The local water fowl in the marina have been busy over the spring

And above our heads as we walk along the pontoon to exit our jetty was a pigeon still patiently sitting on her nest

The grounds are immaculate and the flowers around the office are a joy to behold.

The jewel in the crown must be The Boat House Brasserie

It is open every day from breakfast to late afternoon and it is always busy.  Seven of us had Sunday lunch there yesterday (booking a table is essential) and the queue to order food stretched all the way out of the door.  I think people come from miles around as the food is so good.

All in all, it was an unexpected break, but we certainly struck lucky with the choice of marina.  So onwards and upwards and hopefully a few more months afloat with no more illnesses/injuries to contend with.