Nantwich

We took a 2 hour cruise today to the town of Nantwich. After a trip to the launderette which was very conveniently placed on the side of the canal we took a walk into Nantwich itself. I was most impressed, little coffee shops, market and independent retailers all situated in the shadow of a church.

The weather is still very dull, the sun comes out for a minute or so and then vanishes. The water level in the canal I believe is lower than normal, which means that we have not been able to moor in certain places and the boat hits the bottom of the canal. Yesterday, we actually got grounded, the boat would not move forward or back, we were stuck. Scott used the pole to push us back into deeper water. I have read that British Waterways has closed a section of the Leeds and Liverpool canal because of the drought.

We have been using our radio a lot now and listening especially Radio 4 in the evenings. I have been listening to “Book at Bedtime”, a programme about 18^th centuary cases at the Old Bailey and a discussion about the low water levels in the inland waterways. We have changed station and are now listening to some classic rock, well it is Saturday night.. Rock On!

If I don't get a chance to blog tomorrow I would like to wish everyone Happy Swiss National Day!

Just after Audlem (raining again)

On Thursday we took another walk around Market Drayton as Scott needed a box as he told a Tamiya Radio Controlled car. I decided that Market Drayton could really do with some investment, there were so many shops which were empty and it just look a bit sad and empty as if it has seen better days.
In the afternoon we travelled a few miles to just outside Adderley and moored opposite some cows (probably the nicest place we have moored so far). Matilda really did not know what to make of cows and just starred at them for a while. We even for our usual evening walk into the village of Adderely and despite being in the middle of the countryside it did not have much to offer. The walk to and from the village was through little country lanes with fields of cows on either side. One cow had a tag “ready 831” and I did wonder if this was come sort of code of when he will become a Beef Wellington.

This morning, up early to tackle 15 locks. We took turns and had an early lunch after lock 11 in Adlem. A nice village, however, I have decided that an ‘open sandwich’ is not really value for money as you only get one slice of bread. We finished the 4 locks and travelled for another hour so that we could visit Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker. This was a bunker which was used in the second world war followed by a bunker for Regional Government in the event of a nuclear attack. Very chilling. As well as artefacts from the 1940s’and beyond into the cold war it also contained government literature about how households can be prepared for a nuclear attack and a 1960’s film showing what would happen prior and in the aftermath of an attack in the UK. I am now going shopping to purchase tins, salt, water, peanuts and orange juice.

Market Drayton

Have been unable to write for a while as we have not had access to the internet. Our 3g card would not pick up a signal and it was same with our phones. It is amazing how much we use our Iphone that I feel so lost without the internet. We actually had to have a conversation!

So we left Breewood on Sunday and travelled to Church Eaton. A small village, again a contender for the ‘best village’ competition.. In these villages they have a village notice board with minutes of the last council meeting. I read that in Church Eaton they were “in a quandary” as to repair or replace their notice board, how lovely that this is all the village has to be in a quandary about.

After Church Eaton we travelled for a couple of hours to Norbury Junction. It had rained over night and the air was very fresh. Apart from a boatyard which had a tea room and little shop and a British Waterways information point (with showers and toilet) there was nothing here. We wanted to do some washing however, did not know to use the British Waterways machines a special card is needed and to get this card, you have to purchase it at another town , so we decided to use the service wash at the boatyard at £9.50 per half bin bag. 3 hours later, the washing came back, all nicely folded, it was a pity they could not put it away for us as well. Whilst we waiting for our washing to be done, we went for another little walk into the village of Norbury, only a few houses, a village hall and a bus stop.

The scenery got a tad monotonous after Norbury Junction as it was very wooded and one tree really looks like another tree. The landscaped opened up, however the fields were obscured by hedges and we could not see over them, however, we got glimpse of open fields in the gaps of the hedges . There were some helicopters in the distance and one which kept flying overhead, I did wonder if we were near a helicopter flying school, I have never seen so many. (Picture shows a telegraph pole in a bridge)

We arrived in Goldstone Bridge which is near a village of Cheswardine and took a stroll into the village which was a good ½ an hour walk. The views over the fields were just wonderful and I was kicking myself as I forgot my camera.The village was pretty standard, however, it did have a community shop which was opened up when their village shop closed. We are moored next to a caravan park so we were able to look at the different caravans and wonder if I could live in one of them instead of a boat and if it is even possible, especially in winter. The caravans all seem rather the same and they lack the colour and the uniqueness of narrowboats. I did smile to myself as I was now the “gongoozler”.

Today we arrived in Market Drayton. A “useful stop” is the best way to describe it. The journey here was through woods so not much scenery to look at. The canal was very narrow with no passing places, so we were lucky there was no other boats coming the opposite way. I did wonder what we would do if we saw another boat, but luckily that was not something that we needed to worry about. The canal travels through a deep rock cutting which was made entirely by hand, no machines, pretty impressive (see photo). We were very lucky to get a mooring spot here and we just about managed to squeeze into a gap, if we were a couple of inches bigger we would not have fit.

This afternoon I decided to feed the ducks as bought some duck seed, not very good as it sinks before they could eat it. Some swans came to the boat to also have some food, however, I do not think they were happy with the duck seed as one of the bit my sleeve.`

Brewood

Yesterday we arrived in Breewood a lovely large(ish) village outside Wolverhampton. The village is very pretty and all the houses have well kept gardens. I did wonder if they was all an act as the judging for the ‘best kept village’ was between May and July. Even today, Saturday, the village was very peaceful. We bought ourselves a lottery scratch card today and won!! – only £40 which was a far cry from the £40,000 per year per life, however it paid for lunch and another card.

99.9% of the people that we have met along the way have been retired people living full-time on their boats or holiday makers on hire or owned boats. We have not really seen (away from home) full-time live-aboard people of non retirement age. Yesterday evening we went for a walk, where we are moored is surrounded by trees, however, further down it opens up and there are lovely views over fields. As we walked we noticed a group of boats they were clearly true "live-a-board" boats. Seats outside their boats, washing frames, tomato plants replaced flowers, clutter on the roof and BBQ’s - A true boating community enjoying the evening sun. I love this boat, hence taking a photo, I hope the owner did not mind.

We have just come back from an early evening stroll through along the canal, through fields and into the village. The horses in the fields were very interested in Scott’s jumper and he was concerned that they would nibble a hole through it. He wondered if his jumper smelt of apples or something that horses would eat.

I am currently sitting on the front of the boat and can see a fisherman just behind the boat who has just caught a small fish. I am still not sure if I approve of fishing. We have seen fishing lines / poles which are so long they reach to the other end of the canal. The owner of the poles seem to wait to the last second to retract it, almost playing ‘chicken’ with us. I really do not know why they have to leave the line across the canal until the last second – as if a few seconds is actually going to make a difference in catching the fish. About a week ago, we went past 20 or so fishermen, Scott did drive slowly and was thanked by them, as I guess most people do not really bother to slow down.

And now a pleasure boat has just gone past with a number of people waving at me, all very nice, but I did feel that I was an exhibit on display!

Wolverhampton photos

As promised in previous post, I have attached some photos.










Tram into Birmingham, the boat, the lock at Autherley Junction and Wightwick Manor (credit for photos goes to my father)

Currently relaxing listening to new radio playing to 90's alternative tunes, wondering where Matilda is currently roaming and when she will be back. Right, that is me done for the day, a hot chocolate I believe is in order.

Wolverhampton part 2

It has been pointed out to me that at times, my spelling is not quite accurate and it has made my foreign readers have a few problems when looking up meanings of words which do not exist in the dictionary. So apologies to my readers abroad, I will ensure that I will use my spell checker (Scott) a little more often.

We have spent the last few days in Wolverhampton with my parents who came to visit. We went to a couple of National Trust Houses and took the tram into Birmingham. (I will add some photos when they are sent to me).

Every morning we met my parents for breakfast in their hotel, what I did not know is that one can just purchase breakfast without actually staying and £5 ish each was good value for money for a buffet.

Birmingham was a 20 or so minutes tram ride away, a nice and clean way to travel. Each tram had a conductor on board and I did think that it would be a nice and easy job, however, I was told that they do 10 hour shifts and have to deal with very difficult people at night so I decided that a career change was not in the pipe line (or tram line). We wondered around the shops in Birmingham trying not to be tempted by an Ipad or Iphone 4 and I was very happy to have purchased a DAB radio which works superbly, however, I am thinking that the reception will depend on where we are. Whilst my parents were here, we also visited Moseley Old Hall and Wightwick Manor and Gardens, both National Trust and worth a visit. The guided tours were very interesting and made the story of each of the properties come to life.

During my parents visit, Scott was driving their car and one evening we left my parents at their hotel whilst we went back to the boat to feed Matilda. Scott did a fantastic job driving around the ring road which requires some very quick changing of lanes. He quite enjoyed driving again especially as it was an automatic car and it was odd him driving so fast as we have really been conditioned going 4mph along the canals.

I don’t think that we will be returning to Wolverhampton, however, I have a feeling that we will be needing to pass it on the way home. Despite my initial concerns that this was not a pleasant town some part were surprisingly nice.

So tomorrow we are off again. We are aiming for the Llangollen for September, so we have a nice and easy month ahead of us.

Wolverhampton

We arrived yesterday in Coven a place just north of Wolverhampton. We decided to treat ourselves to a Sunday Lunch in a local pub. Menu was not that exciting and Veggie options were limited to 1 main dish. Coven was 'nothing to write home about' so I wont really, however, count not resist this photo.. unsure what they will do if they win 2010.



Now we are in Wolverhampton and took a wonder around the town. The polite - "Useful stop" probably describes it, rather than what I really think. I did however see an old Woolworths whilst debating taking a photo I saw this record shop and wonder how long it has been closed for. We went into a shop or two of which were playing old 80's music, a song which I had not heard for 20 years was Shazm(ed) just to check that it was Bros! (I dont think it was even a hit, rather an album track) so with that and Our Price I felt I was in a timewarp.

When we arrive in new places we use the map application on the Iphone to check we are walking in the right direction, it reminds me Star Trek, however in Wolverhampton we were slightly more cautious of using the phone in public. Again using the map is very useful on buses to ensure we get off at the correct stop, especially as we were not paying much attention on the bus going into the town.

So whilst we are here we are going to stay for a few days, off to a National Trust place tomorrow and Birmingham the next.

Penkridge

On Wednesday we left the place of name which we are unsure as map was wet and headed to Rugeley, we did not leave until the afternoon as we were transfixed on playing a game which we brought from Itunes for 59p, had 4.5 stars, so thought it must be good. We finished the game by lunch time with a bit of an anti climax to it.

The journey to Rugeley was OK, it was dwarfed by the chimneys. Rugeley was a useful stop, however, I would not be in a hurry to go back. With Shopping complete which took two trips with the shopping trolley and me saying ‘I told you we bought too much’ and vets for Matilda (her blog has the details) we left in the afternoon through some very pretty countryside and meeting the train again. The canal at times is very overgrown which is unlike the Grand Union which is far more tidier. The journey was very windy and the poor boat had to work hard against the wind and the odd shower. We stopped in Great Haywood which has a Junction and decided to go down the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal which makes its way south to Wolverhampton.

I have noticed how cheap houses are in this area. In Tamworth, I saw a 3 bed semi, garage and conservatory for £150,000 and a 4 bed, detached with all the works for £210, 000. Compared to home the prices are about say, £100,000 cheaper.

Great Haywood, is a small village, a Spar and a couple of pubs – We could not find the cash machine at all. I also noted that it was 5pm when we took a wonder, and I really do not think that they have rush hour. Even Rugeley which was a town at 9am barely a car was in sight.

After a lazy breakfast (there seems to be may a lazy breakfast) we were off again and are now in Penkridge.

Mentioning breakfast has reminded me of a sight that I saw a couple of weeks ago. A boat moored next to a field in pretty surroundings and next to it a table laid with plates, knifes, forks, orange juice, toast, jams and a smell of bacon from the boat, what a lovely location for breakfast.

We have also seen some people having picnics in the most oddest of places. For example we saw some holiday makers eating on the towpath next to a main road and the big chimneys.

Currently We are moored next to some Park Homes, which are very nice, yes I am surprised. Never seen so many.

The village seems nice, well the bits that we saw and again house prices are so cheap. The journey to Penkridge was fantastic and yes, I keep saying it, the views are lovely and was only spoilt when we hit the Motorway. The canal seemed more like a river and at points very wide. The picture on the right shows a turning circle, far better than the ones at home. I am doing more driving now, I was not very good at it and still my boat moving skills are rather questionable, however, I figured that I really needed to learn.

The weather has been very odd and not really July weather, today we battled through winds and rain. Now its sunny and warm. – not really July type weather. Wonder what tomorrow will bring? blizzards probably!

Passed Farley Junction - unsure where as map got wet

On Monday afternoon, Scott suggested that we go to the cinema to watch Predator, reluctantly I agreed so we walked for about an hour along the road into Tamworth. The town centre I can only describe as a larger ‘new arcade’ in Uxbridge (Opposite Nandos) apologies for those who do not know Uxbridge, but it is the only polite way I can describe it.

The film was OK – Don’t think I will watch it again and did spent a lot of time hiding behind the sleeve of my coat.

Tuesday was the first day of travelling in the rain. I was very thankful for my new raincoat which I got for my birthday, however I think I will wear my waterproof trousers as well. I did not really mind the rain, at least it was not cold. I was wondering about starting a fire (however, we have no coals at the moment) and was surprised that we passed a number of boats who did had a fire, I was reminded of the familiar smoky smell from the stove and it brought back memories of the cold winter and wondering where we will be this winter. Knowing my luck, frozen in, miles away from anywhere and unable to get coal, water or pump out (watch this space)

My cratch cover is becoming useful, I had visions of a little seating area with fluffy cushions like I have seen so many other boats have, currently it has turned into a storage and drying area for wet clothes, I don’t mind as muddy shoes are far better in there than inside. I do have a couple of cushions (bought from Sainsbury’s for £5) so I can still sit around the clutter.

We went through Farley Junction, was told it’s the busiest junction on the waterways. We did have to wait for 2 boats before we could use the lock and I was very useful in helping other boaters and having a chat to them in the rain. Would not like to be there in the height of the summer holidays. Have visions of getting up early to avoid the holiday boaters. Mind you, my definition of early has changed somewhat, no longer am I getting up at 6.30, I cant remember what 6.30 am looked like, normally we have been lying in till 8.00am, even Matilda is not up before then.

Hopwas - in the rain

Its raning today, I beleive its the first day of rain since we have left. - I would say a welcome relief from the hot weather, however, it is rather miserable. - I bet my colleauges at work are happy that their office is no longer a sauna.

We arrived here Saturday evening after a few hours curising. We stopped in Tamworth and found a lunderette, I did not like it it Tamworth, it did not seem a suitable place to stop which is why we took an evening cruise to Hopwas and arrived about 8.30pm in the evening.

This is a nice village, have not found the village shop yet, however, we went for Sunday lunch at the local pub. The veggie options were limited. Scott had an atempt at a veggie roast dinner and I had a starter and a salad as I was not over hungry.

Scott completed a few odd jobs, touching up paint work whilst I worked on my assigment (currently doing a Managment qualification) ready for a conference call to work to discuss the topic with some colleagues who are also doing the same qualification as me.

In the evening we went for a walk in the country. I know I do keep going on about it, but I love the countyside, air is so much cleaner and you can see so far into the horizon, where as at home your line of sight is always blocked with something. I noticed the clouds, had not paid much attention to them before, they were full of twirls and Scott said like mashed potato.

Today we do not have any plans, sent a few emails and had my call to work. This afternoon I think we are going to watch some TV programmes. The outside of the boat could do with a clean, luckly the rain is doing that for us.. I think I am begning to really get into this relaxing life style, however, I do get twinges of missing work and its challenges.

I think we are off again tomorrow, into the deep unknown of the Midlands.

North of Atherston

We are just north of Atherston surrounded by fields and in-between locks. We did about 7 then decided to call it a day and do the remainder tomorrow. These lock are so much easier than the ones in the Grand Union. I guess though the main disadvantage of them is that they are only able to take one boat (Grand Union can do 2 Narrowboats – in fact I have seen four little boats), which means that there are more queues. Today, I spoke to some holiday makers who were coming the other way, they waiting for 1 and ½ hours before they could get into the first lock. I believe that in the summer holidays queuing in popular places does happen, so we plan to get up early or do the locks later in the evening when all the holiday makers are tucking into their dinners. We are going to try and avoid some of the more popular places such as the North Wales canal until after the summer holidays.

I met one couple on holiday, my word they were in a hurry. They were doing a ‘ring’ which is starting in one spot and effectively going round in a circle - I guess you can do either clockwise or anti clockwise. The problem with this, was that they had a long way to go in such a short period of time. I do wonder if they ever relaxed on their holiday, they had a plan to travel so many hours in a day. Of course, once you have gone half way round, there is no point to turn and go back – you might as well carry on. They cannot be flexible with their time as they only booked a weeks holiday. I do like being able (like today) to stop wherever we want and when.

We have met the train again, we seem to lose it for a day or so, then by surprise, I am so close that I can see the passengers working on their laptops. I believe that this is the same line back to Watford. Still missing home a bit, it is rather an odd feeling. The boat is my home, has been for sometime - has all our stuff and is rather comfortable. However, each time we move to a different location (especially ones where we have stayed a couple of nights) I do feel sad – I am not sure if I am missing Uxbridge and all it has to offer (!), or missing the familiarity of being in the same place for a while.

Went for a wonder this evening, Scott did not want to come, so I had Matilda as company, she walked with me for quite a distance and then decided to stray from the towpath and go into some fields. Not fancying getting lost again, I picked her up, carried her to the towpath and we walked back to the boat. I think she liked the company.

Whilst I am typing this there is an old 'lassie' dog a few boats down, bless him, he keeps picking up his ball, walking a few steps and putting it down again. I think he wants to play. Matilda is watching him rather closely.

I saw these plants..look like rhubarb, but doubt it.. any clues?

Just outside Nuneaton

Yesterday my parents came to visit and found a B&B just near the canal, the road down to the canal had fantastic views over the countryside. We moored to meet them just after Nuneaton. The canal in Nuneaton was not pretty, despite looking into peoples gardens as we drove past.

The B&B my parents stayed in was an old farm house and their room décor was very nice and clean and did not look like it had been decorated for years. The room was made up to look like it would have been used to entertain elite guests in 1800's. We were lucky enough to have joined them for a huge veggie breakfast which filled us up for the whole day.

We took a visit to Coventry Cathedral which if you have not been is really worth a visit. The old Cathedral was bombed in the war and they built another cathedral next to it. – A good day had by all and looking forward their next visit.

The suburbs around Coventry seemed very run down and I did wonder how many NEET (Not in Education Employment or Training) young people there were compared to Hillingdon – thinking about work again!

We can tell that we are going further north, different accents, more fish and chips shops selling pies and my father had faggots for dinner.

My parents are on their way back home now, I think that they are enjoying travelling around the country visiting us as much as we are enjoying the year so far. Wonder where we will be on their next visit?

Matilda brought home mouse number 3. – Luckily the door was closed and as she had to meow to get in, she dropped it.

On our travels we seen many boats - I liked the name of this one

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Somewhere outside Rugby

Today we did a short cruise and are back in the countryside which is far more preferable than the towns.

However, it appears that Matilda (the cat) also like the countryside and she brought in a mouse – (her blog has details). I really thought that the first one was a fluke, however, she has really got the hang of this mouse catching, so we have now decided to keep the door closed so that she has to meow to get back in and hopefully as she will need to meow, she will drop whatever is in her mouth. It’s a bit of a pain as I love having the doors open with the country air flowing into the boat. But I guess that mouse catching is only natural for a cat.

Prior to this, we went for a walk to get bread and milk and decided to take a footpath back to the canal. We walked through a field of sheep, past what looked like a deserted farm and then through 2 more fields into another field where the grass came up over my knees. Whilst we were getting very lost and at the point of “we have gone to far so turning back was not an option”, I began to think that this is very much like a horror movie – getting lost, finding an old farm, sheltering in farm, creaking porch swing … I am sure you can picture the scene and almost hear the trailer from the man who has the deep voice

Update on the mouse, he has not moved to where Scott left him and Matilda is pacing, she really wants to go back outside.

Wanted: home for a mouse catching, nightmare cat (only joking.. or am I?)

Braunston to Rugby

Have been in Brausnton for a couple of days. It’s a lovely village.We moored near a pub which had Wifi and lovely countryside views. The Canal was very busy, a hub of activity. I guess this is because it is at a junction. The local shops (perhaps not that local) was a good 10 minutes walk up hill from the canal, my shopping trolley was very handy. – Unfortunately Scott did not want to pull the trolley as it was too girly or old lady ish- which meant I had to carry the bottles of water down the hill.

The only negative aspect of Braunston was that I had no phone signal – so felt a tad cut off from the outside world.

On Saturday friends came to visit and we had a relaxing day chatting over lunch with the girlies taking a walk whilst the men went back to the boat to discuss computer stuff or whatever men talk about. I really did appreciate the visit from my friends - It was nice to have conversations with people other than Scott!!

Today, we left Braunston (very sadly as I really did love it) to travel to Rugby. The scenery as we left was just lovely and my photos really don’t do it justice.

We are now in Rugby, on the outskirts somewhere – I can’t wait to leave to get back to the countryside again.

Sunday Lunch anyone?

For info to Braunston we have done 113 miles with 90 locks! – It took our friends 1hour and 40 minutes to drive to visit.