A Gentle Day - 12th August 2020

 Wednesday 12th August 2020

Wolverley Lock to between bridges 26 and 27 S & W Canal - pint.suppers.cubed

2 miles, 1 lock

As I left the boat to take Monty for a walk nb Doris was coming up the lock behind us.  It was time to say farewell.

There were two reasons for a slow start - the meat I had ordered would not be ready until after 10am and we had had a disturbed night.  Monty is terrified of thunder and as most of you will know, we had a lot of that along with spectacular cloud to cloud lightening.

We were outside talking the people on the boat in front of us when just after 9pm the first rumble was heard.  Monty legged it at top speed back to the boat with me in hot pursuit.  He would not go into the boat until I had done so and then he headed for the little table I have up for the computer.  He dashed  under it, but our magazine basket was already there.  The latter is not that big - maybe 2 foot by 1 foot

Not to be deterred the poor dog, climbed into it!

I did manage to persuade him out of it, got his blanket which I draped over the table to make a den for him.  There he stayed until we went to bed, when he came and squashed himself right up to the cabinet on my side of the bed.  It is so distressing to see him so upset, but there is not a lot we can do to help.  We do have a thunder shirt for him, but it is too hot to put him in that.  We have tried all sorts, to no avail.

As I went to the tea room this morning to collect our meat (two more ice cream tubs somehow came home with me as well - it is that sort of weather), this splendid boat had made its way up the lock.

Shortly after they went past we pulled pins and we were on our way for a very short trip today.  Mind as it was so hot we were really glad there was only one lock to contend with.  

The landslip from last year is still well contained.

Debdale lock - one of the few without a bridge at the bottom end of the lock, but there were other boaters around to lend a hand.

Then through a very cobwebby Cookley tunnel - a 65 yard reprieve from the baking sun.

Past some long and well kept gardens

and the house with an outside clock

Chris has 'a thing' about clocks that don't show the correct time - I am pleased to say that this one does

There is a very large area of 'park homes' that do all look well kept and attractive.  This one is having a lot of work done to terrace their land down to the canal

Whilst next door's has been completed, but is maybe waiting for a few plants for added colour?  They must both be lovely areas to sit and watched the world go by.

Brolly up, but as a sunshade

We were on the look out for a mooring that might just give us a bit of shade.  We found one under trees which offered a bit of protection, however I don't think that there was anywhere that would have protected us from the intense heat and high humidity.  We did have seclusion which is always a bonus.

There was also a small inlet under the trees to park a chair.

From the side hatch views you can see the big trees that did afford some shade.

The day was so hot we had to break out Monty's cool coat.  He is not keen when it first goes on and tries to 'rub it off'

He does accept it, settles down and it does keep him a bit cooler.  I think Chris and I could have done with one too, if the truth be told.

The plan was to barbecue the burgers I had bought that morning and to just have them in a bun with some salad and ice cream to follow.  It was all to be eaten sitting out on the towpath, however.....

the first rumble of thunder started shortly before Monty's dinner time of 6pm.  Chris did light up our little BBQ, but it ended up as a truly British BBQ - wet! We ate inside.  The storm (not as bad as last night) went on until around 9pm and Monty finally calmed down enough to eat his dinner at 10pm.

The verdict on the burgers - for our taste they were over salty - we are hoping the steaks are better!