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.