tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11123849570935166472024-03-27T06:37:13.985+00:00What a Lark!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.comBlogger645125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-10568098731749411902023-11-25T23:25:00.004+00:002023-11-25T23:25:56.055+00:00Autumn Days, well just a few of them.<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well Reader it's been a while and we have been having no end of non boating fun, until last week that is.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The boat was due to be serviced so we had decided to chance our hand with the weather and with good luck take the boat out at the same time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well Reader, not only did we have one of the best journey's up from home, leaving the rain on the south coast. Not raining in Staffordshire, but not sunny.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The heating quickly went on. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When we took delivery of our pride and joy in the summer of 2012 the heating control panel had been set by the installer so that the heating at the press of button goes on for one round of a single hour. This remains the setting till this day as the owners cannot fathom the instruction booklet. But on this day we put it on several times. Added to which the reflex stove went on too. I was cross with myself for not cleaning the glass window before lighting the thing so the pleasing flame was invisible, the controls adjusted while looking at the flame it was a bit of heating roulette, one tweak to low and the thing goes out then you have to leave it until stone cold to light it again if not, the meths can give you a fright of a minor explosion (Yes I did that, just the once).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We went walking to my favourite bridge in the afternoon after unpacking, of course</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">to </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Essex Bridge. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEjeeJKLbaSxWEGVpBH6hFLUwCw8Bt5tR259P56E4f951jzcA_9s2zmkumczj6wmlQ-D9gskvIZo8UfYo4gCGliagXQjTuYRjn5K0MdC04BbKlchEBdWitYT73BbBLmcg64405g7syXbcIAnbI0XSafxM-n4CN4VlI8R299s2ecz-CB7ys98ppbwwQNeds_S/s4896/P1060617.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeJKLbaSxWEGVpBH6hFLUwCw8Bt5tR259P56E4f951jzcA_9s2zmkumczj6wmlQ-D9gskvIZo8UfYo4gCGliagXQjTuYRjn5K0MdC04BbKlchEBdWitYT73BbBLmcg64405g7syXbcIAnbI0XSafxM-n4CN4VlI8R299s2ecz-CB7ys98ppbwwQNeds_S/w480-h640/P1060617.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the river Trent at Shrugborough Hall, it meanders around but joins together here at Essex Bridge, pretty high after all the monsoons we've had but not actually flooded today but it had been previously.</td></tr></tbody></table><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 /><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/AVvXsEgfsAiVQfKqdLM1XTeqAMZdsdtGCR7TIrfKMNB8SkpplzLKjZ9SmstzLzI2sMmLQPstl5g98ITo4I9rJSl9G57MlBW8-QCOHEN4g4ObWfLFjm8WDVJ5A8HUlvV2mqoFlQaBQAadgGzSUu87LbxJzjj9nMqIEpX31gij9yExzsbtX4UcM8TpgTCo9jL7ph2_/s4896/P1060620.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsAiVQfKqdLM1XTeqAMZdsdtGCR7TIrfKMNB8SkpplzLKjZ9SmstzLzI2sMmLQPstl5g98ITo4I9rJSl9G57MlBW8-QCOHEN4g4ObWfLFjm8WDVJ5A8HUlvV2mqoFlQaBQAadgGzSUu87LbxJzjj9nMqIEpX31gij9yExzsbtX4UcM8TpgTCo9jL7ph2_/w640-h480/P1060620.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The loveliest of C15th bridges that I know. I stood in ankle deep mud to bring you this Reader.</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/AVvXsEivtR9K9yQmN1DnXAzmYVNO9Fvfrj-709d6LVR6cRUtvcdfBTShMy-R9eJsxGuy9RP5RYRqIk-gHOM6u08BZOPELwzLfQbXGs5uN26G-IvXCDPMIjrSYiROujgOAj8HHW8hGyAwIjEeKKMt8vEVZSb_GyDFzZ4mhKD4MvPlBoRhyphenhyphenzixcPEBtjADonasjd_j/s4896/P1060622.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtR9K9yQmN1DnXAzmYVNO9Fvfrj-709d6LVR6cRUtvcdfBTShMy-R9eJsxGuy9RP5RYRqIk-gHOM6u08BZOPELwzLfQbXGs5uN26G-IvXCDPMIjrSYiROujgOAj8HHW8hGyAwIjEeKKMt8vEVZSb_GyDFzZ4mhKD4MvPlBoRhyphenhyphenzixcPEBtjADonasjd_j/w640-h480/P1060622.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrugborough Hall, I am very happy to report that it this part has been painted, about a year ago or possibly early this year we walked around here and the facade was in a very sorry state, mind you the steps look to have been missed.</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;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmdHWVWcHASMEBjRoieIlYFOOuBpYNfEBjc1Bgo5zL0ZIjiVvMJ1Z24twz20OtLJ3wMG9bNkRt-xeJiU6HEZ_ctSV-_nlYsixMvQye17eKxQ-0a9WdLrGXnVTWpGp3uqvUcTzaWBtx_l9OabK4_kP9x9cmXg4YcoJEIg-5R3pImcefDzbfsv69WBc8gjL/s4896/P1060623.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmdHWVWcHASMEBjRoieIlYFOOuBpYNfEBjc1Bgo5zL0ZIjiVvMJ1Z24twz20OtLJ3wMG9bNkRt-xeJiU6HEZ_ctSV-_nlYsixMvQye17eKxQ-0a9WdLrGXnVTWpGp3uqvUcTzaWBtx_l9OabK4_kP9x9cmXg4YcoJEIg-5R3pImcefDzbfsv69WBc8gjL/w640-h480/P1060623.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much in the way of autumn colour this year, we wondered if the recent gales had burnt the leaves as generally they were brown as opposed to oranges or golds. </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/AVvXsEgYss8Rvjp2VX5p5KbRJn4DTHMXPMWyYzxRQ5TXk7no9_RY2xFv6hFuUe9B4r1jqhRvwLGElocfMfZFqSzUD3BdR2lHDKjIYnJIY7K-UQRX6a3RyN2OM51fFUOPyfgcAibSLAszeLgVA2BaLSyIFoLVKfT3-T2a1RkUay1YBWHbl4SYPbE7ZskADyAJdWQw/s4896/P1060626.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYss8Rvjp2VX5p5KbRJn4DTHMXPMWyYzxRQ5TXk7no9_RY2xFv6hFuUe9B4r1jqhRvwLGElocfMfZFqSzUD3BdR2lHDKjIYnJIY7K-UQRX6a3RyN2OM51fFUOPyfgcAibSLAszeLgVA2BaLSyIFoLVKfT3-T2a1RkUay1YBWHbl4SYPbE7ZskADyAJdWQw/w640-h480/P1060626.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mamma</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/AVvXsEgCerKzNFy5ZvKxat6eAfdX75-ATIq3velg4IBZ8Em4vYbVw20-KVTESSwqH-9MZmdneoJj69-JoKU-q36XtKV5KdyZBm-tg3UYZd4Dp-IVLTfcdZg3VhKXZXdbvDSYJahAr9LKpQ2Ax1EbH6uASbf237Fk1UShQNKa6bs2LPnYOkAGeT1lXWEvlmjyhMcM/s4896/P1060629.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCerKzNFy5ZvKxat6eAfdX75-ATIq3velg4IBZ8Em4vYbVw20-KVTESSwqH-9MZmdneoJj69-JoKU-q36XtKV5KdyZBm-tg3UYZd4Dp-IVLTfcdZg3VhKXZXdbvDSYJahAr9LKpQ2Ax1EbH6uASbf237Fk1UShQNKa6bs2LPnYOkAGeT1lXWEvlmjyhMcM/w640-h480/P1060629.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papa</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/AVvXsEjfLHk9IvRwf36kqpTnoPp_h-Cznc72LbNm_TVHVsspOMxWvWwY8kb6o39CtnNcKPGlOZsXSUw4UNy_chGcB6xzMmLv8PAeT4XVoYuTcqaW0Tgo8Aq7v-lYYHtOLnFIM2M8XE7_zpISomlypjt1J2-jAXpK3alawPY6NrQN1ukv5nG35vBr3kMAySMmM3Q-/s4896/P1060632.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLHk9IvRwf36kqpTnoPp_h-Cznc72LbNm_TVHVsspOMxWvWwY8kb6o39CtnNcKPGlOZsXSUw4UNy_chGcB6xzMmLv8PAeT4XVoYuTcqaW0Tgo8Aq7v-lYYHtOLnFIM2M8XE7_zpISomlypjt1J2-jAXpK3alawPY6NrQN1ukv5nG35vBr3kMAySMmM3Q-/w640-h480/P1060632.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and baby although I thought he looked like an Ewok for any Star Wars fans.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So warm and snug we were that night although the bed can be a tad chilly, I wear big pink and fluffy bed socks for sure, thank you Amanda and I go all high tech with a hot water bottle too. Funny how husbands get all cuddly when the wife has the care and control of a hot water bottle....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The next day dawned sunny, beautifully sunny, not a cloud in the sky sunny. The engineer came, played about at the back of the boat, I don't know if there were any problems, I didn't ask but after he'd departed </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">we started the engine and crept out of the marina. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">For these weekend jaunts, we do mostly go north from the marina at Great Haywood. This is primarily because there are such great pubs, in fact last night we drove to Sandon and had a lovely supper. We drove there because I refused to walk from the canal the short distance on the busy road without pavements, in the dark with the cars driving at a little over 80mph. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There was no point in bringing food with us for these few days as we were going onward afterwards for more fun. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So on the boat we went towards Weston, two locks and a good snoop at the workings for HS2. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I couldn't be more thrilled about the northern section being cancelled, obviously I'm speaking from a personal point of view, I have always thought they should have started from the north and worked southwards thus helping the northern cities but we are where we are and now we won't be changing marinas as HS2 was going to clip the corner of the marina. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We already have the train line running past the marina, the noise does not worry us one bit only the dust coming all over the boats while they build. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I have not met a builder yet who does not create dust...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was cold, we only were going to do a couple of hours to get to Weston, (if you aren't aware that is where the next eatery is, The Saracens Head) We didn't see much life going along, only a dog walker or two. It was rather lovely to do just the two locks in the sunshine, I felt it was April instead of November and that we had the whole summer ahead of us.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><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/AVvXsEiVRK90kq9t0WWtpug16lx54KNxkvIJSWQtHkuPd7Lk9ObblBGuC7SJn6NBs4i2jCvIkzFK30OLoWt_WSo_eKE4be-DsMI6WMvcyGiamByI3vc_czE_80m6sWDA7FXI4EMW89JlrdaWb0LicGJsfX6tyXiJNlLUE_3EHRe7Hzhe8G7xc0QQA3WFRIimmNkm/s4032/PXL_20231111_143639985.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRK90kq9t0WWtpug16lx54KNxkvIJSWQtHkuPd7Lk9ObblBGuC7SJn6NBs4i2jCvIkzFK30OLoWt_WSo_eKE4be-DsMI6WMvcyGiamByI3vc_czE_80m6sWDA7FXI4EMW89JlrdaWb0LicGJsfX6tyXiJNlLUE_3EHRe7Hzhe8G7xc0QQA3WFRIimmNkm/w640-h360/PXL_20231111_143639985.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not clear but I'm pretty sure David and WaL are down there in the trees. A couple of years ago the tree on the right of the photo was full of golden leaves but not this years, just brown burnt leaves.</td></tr></tbody></table><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/AVvXsEiy3RdnH0mu4YyFPFUIsHKhyphenhyphenlQsj9XNnYipWPSF8JsY9VIW-ObWz1knZUQt0sm5quWDAofcig1aMfMXzyUjA4JwN-JaJT5LR6QpKe3TLBboTWocH8dAYsM4GSQQ6zpWlAWOI3fboFQOW9MPndocxn0XVSlDYcljNJZza-4BBtHZNWZs_xwzw9xvyo7GMPwn/s4032/PXL_20231111_143602111.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3RdnH0mu4YyFPFUIsHKhyphenhyphenlQsj9XNnYipWPSF8JsY9VIW-ObWz1knZUQt0sm5quWDAofcig1aMfMXzyUjA4JwN-JaJT5LR6QpKe3TLBboTWocH8dAYsM4GSQQ6zpWlAWOI3fboFQOW9MPndocxn0XVSlDYcljNJZza-4BBtHZNWZs_xwzw9xvyo7GMPwn/w360-h640/PXL_20231111_143602111.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sunny view over towards the HS2 workings, not a soul in sight.</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/AVvXsEiJ7uovEPUWLtvgkCM7OMpTDOkgsHO9JifXpg03HAiHqxYXLN68GJ-KQwhDrjSaiWCtrsVcQpBzUi-wMARzHnG7QOWy_XWXtWywSKRBaVlve7P-U-sU3VFSMGpfr-CE0ukLUrOEq4bocYe2LYp_WabRkiOdSe7Fhppwq_140WGCivJlFXrzyytOxMXGsKQU/s3433/PXL_20231111_141608488.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3433" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7uovEPUWLtvgkCM7OMpTDOkgsHO9JifXpg03HAiHqxYXLN68GJ-KQwhDrjSaiWCtrsVcQpBzUi-wMARzHnG7QOWy_XWXtWywSKRBaVlve7P-U-sU3VFSMGpfr-CE0ukLUrOEq4bocYe2LYp_WabRkiOdSe7Fhppwq_140WGCivJlFXrzyytOxMXGsKQU/w422-h640/PXL_20231111_141608488.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can tell how calm the day was and how little boat movement there was by the reflection.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span><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/AVvXsEhH0P5PflRnRQg-O0LaEjhYKonAoUAvldJ7gqikVoY-V4upbn8nc-cR3jyKHL8sogeXYRjWQxVHERElcHAsFyeVrbcwBISFArasrPkPK7XXzh180mA8JoNuybO_nt2zUypUKe-0_dBkKUY2d70zoR0bXEBZ6arZeFT0FoHkMb9VbnuAHZUtPbTueCIwTquC/s4896/P1060655.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0P5PflRnRQg-O0LaEjhYKonAoUAvldJ7gqikVoY-V4upbn8nc-cR3jyKHL8sogeXYRjWQxVHERElcHAsFyeVrbcwBISFArasrPkPK7XXzh180mA8JoNuybO_nt2zUypUKe-0_dBkKUY2d70zoR0bXEBZ6arZeFT0FoHkMb9VbnuAHZUtPbTueCIwTquC/w640-h480/P1060655.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset before Weston (hash tag No Filters)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>We moored up as twilight was descending, we took the last space and due to the slight curve in the armco I did what I loathe about Boaters in the summer months, but </span>we left a </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Git-Gap, 20 minutes later would you adam and eve it? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A boat came past looking to moor up it was dark by now, he had his head lamp on as they crept past and I felt terrible, but the next morning we saw them moored up just a couple of hundred yards along the way so no great damage.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had an excellent supper at the pub but got back to WaL pretty early and lying in bed I listened to an owl or two.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next day was a protracted discussion about the weather over the next few days and where we should turn. We could easily go on up to Stone and turn (wind) there, that would take most of the day and part of the following day in bad weather. For my part I told David that if it got cold I'd be inside so the decision was his, the alternative was to turn at Sandon. We were governed by bad weather rain and high winds coming in, again, plus the fact that we were leaving WaL to go to Buxton on the Monday so didn't have time in hand to ride the weather out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Easy decision in the end, we did turn at Sandon and went back to Great Haywood. We actually did go back into the marina to fuel up not in the rain due the following day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So a short trip but a gorgeous one. </div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEhnppSe-Y3Is2b27ZdhhUfri6SFnAX8u3rwqQQWY-6wMQ0hBTNmBBGK5SRHFxfmE8ZiXVSgjgAfDfrObJ6wGDfF-UbUYZ8ZLmm46WZypyYX3Tt9EnVWTEy7Hp6gIE5HgvJjga8gvBj22RqX-tZgBKEjl4eyAzQse2-MnqncglAwj0dwXD78APHtNTT2TmEh/s4032/PXL_20231111_122656848.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnppSe-Y3Is2b27ZdhhUfri6SFnAX8u3rwqQQWY-6wMQ0hBTNmBBGK5SRHFxfmE8ZiXVSgjgAfDfrObJ6wGDfF-UbUYZ8ZLmm46WZypyYX3Tt9EnVWTEy7Hp6gIE5HgvJjga8gvBj22RqX-tZgBKEjl4eyAzQse2-MnqncglAwj0dwXD78APHtNTT2TmEh/w640-h360/PXL_20231111_122656848.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winding at Sandon, how lovely is that?</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/AVvXsEiKHeTpF_077yeSg2ColA4BboNwgFH3IWjpsl-wuzzG8Eyz5u6q5d4TNof52Oo4_nM_g0-ui5h_d3QdQoMvCm56OnMtVkk9iwyt0dePyEVGzjUvnVjNxnTp3cVH4hX9Sd8tjPbiFSjcB7qIkTS1c4OQWpizZWlCfWSew6kNJzg83vjMR0BO30PQlD6VcziW/s4032/PXL_20231111_123044167.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHeTpF_077yeSg2ColA4BboNwgFH3IWjpsl-wuzzG8Eyz5u6q5d4TNof52Oo4_nM_g0-ui5h_d3QdQoMvCm56OnMtVkk9iwyt0dePyEVGzjUvnVjNxnTp3cVH4hX9Sd8tjPbiFSjcB7qIkTS1c4OQWpizZWlCfWSew6kNJzg83vjMR0BO30PQlD6VcziW/w640-h360/PXL_20231111_123044167.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was on stand-by to pull the stern if required, 70 ft's are best helped to wind by a tug on a rope. My god she's looking pink instead of red David!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiIK5UmY0pF2ZWt8lqN5gOXLq1K6f9IsB0XSapaLuUceXxLAalDCWBAdTMjr95_3k2irdbaVleQi4xdHtzIRmV1FZzC-EDfML1m5P4DiSnUhx9-M4-9o2zjmHLmHSTvPNOlyH3m_QSSWXcG3RPJHoLsD-l-NmxW73cheXh-ZPxIkXViBP0wf9To3oI3VI/s4896/P1060658.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiIK5UmY0pF2ZWt8lqN5gOXLq1K6f9IsB0XSapaLuUceXxLAalDCWBAdTMjr95_3k2irdbaVleQi4xdHtzIRmV1FZzC-EDfML1m5P4DiSnUhx9-M4-9o2zjmHLmHSTvPNOlyH3m_QSSWXcG3RPJHoLsD-l-NmxW73cheXh-ZPxIkXViBP0wf9To3oI3VI/w640-h480/P1060658.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEh5i0CusEPBkZWDF1F6NQDb_FH5lxdDFqCY50_AIKor57B7aRRFqC3K2d08qdd7pyPWE2GtfD8-ghagA3OVeRALUTPY88Czonpj4xlGkLdRgm0sVEh1heFqDJ9CTDb3pwKGkKuCS5JYaPXlm63XAgpTh6zosL_2y9iPSxx_f9lRE8pChNiWS1ySp9S-91YA/s4896/P1060662.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5i0CusEPBkZWDF1F6NQDb_FH5lxdDFqCY50_AIKor57B7aRRFqC3K2d08qdd7pyPWE2GtfD8-ghagA3OVeRALUTPY88Czonpj4xlGkLdRgm0sVEh1heFqDJ9CTDb3pwKGkKuCS5JYaPXlm63XAgpTh6zosL_2y9iPSxx_f9lRE8pChNiWS1ySp9S-91YA/w640-h480/P1060662.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best bit of colour.</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/AVvXsEgQ3zEPYVS2d2eDkUfKg-U_7RD8HrxhxyT0oUeEZDiJvnPfVViO_6auXzbm8nLlQyCXPo6__uDFN_O4x6wwxMEo7crKyKhKNwq06-O-aJMl5YqYKZkFXJrEkH8MsfmRQRMq1wFPmlXfY1YO8KjyrzNBImfOoPQeKPQeoUNfKLCgod6S1BwH36Hb_IoKR19f/s4032/PXL_20231111_122132147.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3zEPYVS2d2eDkUfKg-U_7RD8HrxhxyT0oUeEZDiJvnPfVViO_6auXzbm8nLlQyCXPo6__uDFN_O4x6wwxMEo7crKyKhKNwq06-O-aJMl5YqYKZkFXJrEkH8MsfmRQRMq1wFPmlXfY1YO8KjyrzNBImfOoPQeKPQeoUNfKLCgod6S1BwH36Hb_IoKR19f/w640-h360/PXL_20231111_122132147.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandon Lock heading back. (I've just realised that this was heading south again not north)</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/AVvXsEi72kqK3HinzFVb1aFQuQi38nht3MvvSuODCTNS_sOSdCHxlOt2LF_5akhbFI39m67oWj09zdPz_lWePz977YHDZ1spSD8KCaiPPU-xRgo6XYHtnez-_TjlYuzVKQxr1hes8mxp7diVdfCY3cWIpfvGvrn9idERr0zPk36j9vqSnpvBATM8zLf6ZgifFVsY/s4032/PXL_20231111_121209334.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72kqK3HinzFVb1aFQuQi38nht3MvvSuODCTNS_sOSdCHxlOt2LF_5akhbFI39m67oWj09zdPz_lWePz977YHDZ1spSD8KCaiPPU-xRgo6XYHtnez-_TjlYuzVKQxr1hes8mxp7diVdfCY3cWIpfvGvrn9idERr0zPk36j9vqSnpvBATM8zLf6ZgifFVsY/w640-h360/PXL_20231111_121209334.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhere or other. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFlRVFHA57EqmvYbUwJThwb21yL4EA6S5F-Hit9c0eBJ2fReuTp-ijYeMjqJjfQ4peMXuRqJwBa8cNWN0jX3n8zydx9JSwpED-H8wcWMZwST_H7qMh3ipJ-DMSZsiS4c9XpESfcpjFbE9oq64v12-bCz064sfAT5j_LDbQdOMOAtXZTO9kmvgc4Xk__S1/s4896/P1060640.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFlRVFHA57EqmvYbUwJThwb21yL4EA6S5F-Hit9c0eBJ2fReuTp-ijYeMjqJjfQ4peMXuRqJwBa8cNWN0jX3n8zydx9JSwpED-H8wcWMZwST_H7qMh3ipJ-DMSZsiS4c9XpESfcpjFbE9oq64v12-bCz064sfAT5j_LDbQdOMOAtXZTO9kmvgc4Xk__S1/w480-h640/P1060640.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The last morning we packed up the small bags, emptied the water tank, remembered to turn off the gas and left for Buxton.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-32831908043851135062023-11-24T13:09:00.000+00:002023-11-24T13:09:04.514+00:00Hurry up David, it's another holiday<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So we got back from Italy and I quickly began the washing turn around and back in the suitcases for the next one. In between times was an interlude of family fun with the arrival of Verity and Mitch back from NZ on a holiday, they were a bit busy seeing friends, a few rellies and going to two weddings which were not even in the UK! But that's the young for you, they think nothing of flying a thousand miles for a cup of tea.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The sun came out in September so we all enjoyed a day on the beach, a great opportunity to get a family portrait;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzq8UFOE8QggMy12KZ_rv-a3YN7xa3nze4RCRodMkDcKohovI0rlT1o-OKjejZSZPJJ2fmLT0S3hU8JqhYsBpFlV0CArIkRxIeK6rloWvuhy27pJFs6nYS1Nw6lT-kr3wxSjow4fvZclpWoVknQyZCK57xbC-9uymZ0MuckAn8VrZLgu1j0Bu2LqQ7ZDK-/s4032/PXL_20230910_110145596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzq8UFOE8QggMy12KZ_rv-a3YN7xa3nze4RCRodMkDcKohovI0rlT1o-OKjejZSZPJJ2fmLT0S3hU8JqhYsBpFlV0CArIkRxIeK6rloWvuhy27pJFs6nYS1Nw6lT-kr3wxSjow4fvZclpWoVknQyZCK57xbC-9uymZ0MuckAn8VrZLgu1j0Bu2LqQ7ZDK-/w360-h640/PXL_20230910_110145596.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This was about as good as it got even using promises and threats, threats of tickling I mean. Verity and Mitch are out of shot cajoling and encouraging smiles.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">All of a sudden the Kiwi's were being dropped back at the dreaded Heathrow and we had a rendezvous at Gatwick as we had been invited to join middle daughter Kirsty and Bob for a week in Turkey to lendahand with the two grandchildren.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We couldn't wait.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The worst thing again was the 6am flight meaning being up, dressed and out of the hotel at 03:45, I call that cruelty to holidaymakers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was a scramble getting two little ones, David was in full body pain, (He has since been diagnosed with Polymyalgia 24 hours on the medication and he's a new man but that was since), six suitcases and five hand luggage bags, once we had all the luggage and all done a loo stop we were the last ones out of the airport and onto to the coach, but that was a benefit the other end as our bags were the first off.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So a week of sunshine, sunbeds, massages, David had four in a week to see if that helped him, tennis lessons, Pickle Ball (whoever heard of that? Something about it being the fastest growing sport, a cross between tennis and table tennis!) David played and really enjoyed it but was dead the next day and good food with Turkish wine!!!! I mean who knew? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But by golly it was good.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6QdhJLJ8Gf9v209Hjf3CGe01Mg8P81rEHRGyD7YxWDCpv8CjSndhwOjMhhNY2iAnRQU7tgYGTqr4vo6X4myQOjqW33vRlq00nFKLytEFdLFCk7-WVZTcgDd4qyQx0PsuRKzvCuNwQq3tTOrFJrD9UY4mLhCrVn7mbpBacMl9DDa8hpX3t1hQcRtzO8WS/s4032/PXL_20231007_152628973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6QdhJLJ8Gf9v209Hjf3CGe01Mg8P81rEHRGyD7YxWDCpv8CjSndhwOjMhhNY2iAnRQU7tgYGTqr4vo6X4myQOjqW33vRlq00nFKLytEFdLFCk7-WVZTcgDd4qyQx0PsuRKzvCuNwQq3tTOrFJrD9UY4mLhCrVn7mbpBacMl9DDa8hpX3t1hQcRtzO8WS/w640-h360/PXL_20231007_152628973.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhmpHaGSqqKQWVXmi9vJsTxQtk3LvZpHcfjAF2aDKG-3GQ4DLmhZ3meQGZZ5Uvx-8Jw8qA_hs6FniwrCjU2u8mDwsMJ6G3FSq9_HwaoAwUKJLaInA7ejLt_-y5rcAoY8NLp6_TNmPHlU6sSn6Qhz11DR40surW3oYtAzH-pPuY7Xwj0XJ6B9ShT-KTCl0/s4032/PXL_20231009_153139169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhmpHaGSqqKQWVXmi9vJsTxQtk3LvZpHcfjAF2aDKG-3GQ4DLmhZ3meQGZZ5Uvx-8Jw8qA_hs6FniwrCjU2u8mDwsMJ6G3FSq9_HwaoAwUKJLaInA7ejLt_-y5rcAoY8NLp6_TNmPHlU6sSn6Qhz11DR40surW3oYtAzH-pPuY7Xwj0XJ6B9ShT-KTCl0/w640-h360/PXL_20231009_153139169.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/AVvXsEhrOhqGrNT0fC79g1kVOCahBbuQvUvQTWst4oOiN09heEd_MIoWTHJO1qx7Y8c4Fwo8xxCC9MOk82PJmWXS2H4B_kNglAvJQ9DrOeBqFk0rbNLGhbcGhhv8FUZxYzTlQZTm0gE2tB1l7b3PGRqHkPIUMXiLOqgJVaM6u6pTstF09jrwImofqPlplRlol7Iw/s3264/PXL_20231009_153156486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOhqGrNT0fC79g1kVOCahBbuQvUvQTWst4oOiN09heEd_MIoWTHJO1qx7Y8c4Fwo8xxCC9MOk82PJmWXS2H4B_kNglAvJQ9DrOeBqFk0rbNLGhbcGhhv8FUZxYzTlQZTm0gE2tB1l7b3PGRqHkPIUMXiLOqgJVaM6u6pTstF09jrwImofqPlplRlol7Iw/w360-h640/PXL_20231009_153156486.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People say this Poppet looks like me, but I don't see it.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">All in all a marvellous week of good fun, giggling and pure joy of the two Poppets. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Then we went on an outing to Ephesus, Eh? I said when my son-in-law Mitchell suggested us going, as he and Verity had been some years ago, Oh it's just about the best preserved ancient city in Europe.... Yes we are going says I. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well the first thing to say is that the place is vast, it was a city after all. I thought it would just be the three of us there, maybe a couple of other Brits but no. Evidently it's well on the cruise ship route. This day the Guide said there weren't that many ships in only about four, but some days there can be as many as ten!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The site is still only partially excavated, but contrary to the National|Trust policy, here they have put fallen pillars and blocks back towards their former positions, you still need a bit of imagination. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></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/AVvXsEijYu8JeCcccPP4xRNTlP86Ll6aAcQ5Q9ilRSG5KOAui-_4Lz2Y_7dIwO6WerxNaPTYXNOQZ6eAZPWAAdKZR6-gCbHd-ZZRRhtmDAy47j6pjLJiinJkIN2xn0QqdkYcCMpHtYJZoqZo0h7nVG9gAVHL2drPfKPHToznBiIiQxh7f3PHv3NJlmlnk7VnU8Eu/s4032/PXL_20231008_081559028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYu8JeCcccPP4xRNTlP86Ll6aAcQ5Q9ilRSG5KOAui-_4Lz2Y_7dIwO6WerxNaPTYXNOQZ6eAZPWAAdKZR6-gCbHd-ZZRRhtmDAy47j6pjLJiinJkIN2xn0QqdkYcCMpHtYJZoqZo0h7nVG9gAVHL2drPfKPHToznBiIiQxh7f3PHv3NJlmlnk7VnU8Eu/w640-h360/PXL_20231008_081559028.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nike: I'm sure you all knew Nike was a Goddess</td></tr></tbody></table>S<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/AVvXsEhGwnbEE6XaGQKEfrEVGhd04LMSypdEh595-1WjnB8pkLOQfoIuAJAW-BP-32icq94oCj-AB_TY1rEhBECeACY_SXRybCsTJx-mu_wG3zhXx-zHM2cvUsE9FaAaFy71-hpj_N077n1g8jK4RGFjxZRg4UmX7ck1GXqGmldfl5lvvoDWUAtb5BYln7vnip8p/s4032/PXL_20231008_083143840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwnbEE6XaGQKEfrEVGhd04LMSypdEh595-1WjnB8pkLOQfoIuAJAW-BP-32icq94oCj-AB_TY1rEhBECeACY_SXRybCsTJx-mu_wG3zhXx-zHM2cvUsE9FaAaFy71-hpj_N077n1g8jK4RGFjxZRg4UmX7ck1GXqGmldfl5lvvoDWUAtb5BYln7vnip8p/w640-h360/PXL_20231008_083143840.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what the city Library looked</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/AVvXsEjZqQOG9HEBMiXhLGjwfpKQlkJQdx2wuLMpJMiSOpldlRvJP1wtsumQ1tAjYssoeclu9l6Hec9FKCTVcF4R4O-WMDJaP5wfZmhJfnEj17H9UVtJFi0mxLurRomwRH7cs6x3DE-FcbgyZTHRZ25yqyX-A5F7QqC7gD6PyEIYOf9ILwY4lx1ZeM1TdkDvFaKD/s4032/PXL_20231008_090723952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqQOG9HEBMiXhLGjwfpKQlkJQdx2wuLMpJMiSOpldlRvJP1wtsumQ1tAjYssoeclu9l6Hec9FKCTVcF4R4O-WMDJaP5wfZmhJfnEj17H9UVtJFi0mxLurRomwRH7cs6x3DE-FcbgyZTHRZ25yqyX-A5F7QqC7gD6PyEIYOf9ILwY4lx1ZeM1TdkDvFaKD/w640-h360/PXL_20231008_090723952.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and just looked what has been achieved after centuries, invasions and earthquakes.</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/AVvXsEhgFmyTlCdb6U684LbJp223Yf0cOAccQhMZfdLpgPZ5gaxE509ameqbpgMfYOkcy9cEYI9GwSXo8nAbp-LkM2gmKgWTxFdh631_Wtl79MjH8PonxnFyGVW1RaKwxpqJ7RgTj4Ob0F8E_3nIFHarywbvLaQwzCvlNEl-jxtY85MBGlGRekZYW8ONwq92tYD3/s4032/PXL_20231008_090826961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFmyTlCdb6U684LbJp223Yf0cOAccQhMZfdLpgPZ5gaxE509ameqbpgMfYOkcy9cEYI9GwSXo8nAbp-LkM2gmKgWTxFdh631_Wtl79MjH8PonxnFyGVW1RaKwxpqJ7RgTj4Ob0F8E_3nIFHarywbvLaQwzCvlNEl-jxtY85MBGlGRekZYW8ONwq92tYD3/w360-h640/PXL_20231008_090826961.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The carvings were amazing</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/AVvXsEg9ur91z33fDNcN8CSm05CqrKZXuv0PN6baZX9RH3VOHVAEF4J596-wMb-wKHMv99Jshq9LCpET12eCIWxe1A54lhJPg5O9nkHWrjSP1gQARipr70GgU5hdiKykV1qpELlk84NvdSJ9LKVZwMgVqrM5PK3ee8mEmWmTkHtIAjFaGzooIZm-aThr3xwsnswL/s4032/PXL_20231008_090546500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ur91z33fDNcN8CSm05CqrKZXuv0PN6baZX9RH3VOHVAEF4J596-wMb-wKHMv99Jshq9LCpET12eCIWxe1A54lhJPg5O9nkHWrjSP1gQARipr70GgU5hdiKykV1qpELlk84NvdSJ9LKVZwMgVqrM5PK3ee8mEmWmTkHtIAjFaGzooIZm-aThr3xwsnswL/w640-h360/PXL_20231008_090546500.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the three of us, to the right of us is the famous Gate of Augustus Ephesus.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yZ1SppTH-ntCyDVhGMnBp8m_jD5AbVDR3BsXUhLicroQcHU3mk0ksuQ0Y-qd5NyMltD51ZafstdPtUeZLJo0oktgQMPQUvM_YWbXjz3ZAmHBBTFsiliM9oUEBnoufNods-BU3E9l9cAJSgF-bRQlKxBa-kUh24HjuT3hzDbTdi035W0m3h8w80G4mdUq/s4032/PXL_20231008_090854520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yZ1SppTH-ntCyDVhGMnBp8m_jD5AbVDR3BsXUhLicroQcHU3mk0ksuQ0Y-qd5NyMltD51ZafstdPtUeZLJo0oktgQMPQUvM_YWbXjz3ZAmHBBTFsiliM9oUEBnoufNods-BU3E9l9cAJSgF-bRQlKxBa-kUh24HjuT3hzDbTdi035W0m3h8w80G4mdUq/w360-h640/PXL_20231008_090854520.jpg" width="360" /></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/AVvXsEjDn7tlzD8jnQYp4cth9JBTM3Ht08oFUaw51oOoC6hCiUXrraolXqdFGy0pjx0YwPrkIIaieY-0ERnyIHzihbH6cs4TVEA2u054A7tQeZlUhW9oSb6YS_XpRz32ek__Gbz3fxorJLZialakpj0e170w8Y-mNChtEoi6TEYHBP8vv6KXEDz9OXGHhW3vk5Xe/s4032/PXL_20231008_092426047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDn7tlzD8jnQYp4cth9JBTM3Ht08oFUaw51oOoC6hCiUXrraolXqdFGy0pjx0YwPrkIIaieY-0ERnyIHzihbH6cs4TVEA2u054A7tQeZlUhW9oSb6YS_XpRz32ek__Gbz3fxorJLZialakpj0e170w8Y-mNChtEoi6TEYHBP8vv6KXEDz9OXGHhW3vk5Xe/w640-h360/PXL_20231008_092426047.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This I believe was a pillared boulevard of shops</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/AVvXsEi6Mu0ooA8d64ozGzvf4xTDmnKgaaUFvDRiTYh319uffwnCITy1_d0SpQq7yo06L9dtXBLG3D-dIXSvId-Q8lod5PGo_-VyLAJS82Yvy0gN_l9wZeFha6_jfb4sGN0ovHN1lCCLTzqJWxX_9AnTd165RreVis-SY3vjEhr8IMDNBD6p05aQkzS3oUtGGGKv/s6232/PXL_20231008_095148257.PANO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1625" data-original-width="6232" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Mu0ooA8d64ozGzvf4xTDmnKgaaUFvDRiTYh319uffwnCITy1_d0SpQq7yo06L9dtXBLG3D-dIXSvId-Q8lod5PGo_-VyLAJS82Yvy0gN_l9wZeFha6_jfb4sGN0ovHN1lCCLTzqJWxX_9AnTd165RreVis-SY3vjEhr8IMDNBD6p05aQkzS3oUtGGGKv/w640-h166/PXL_20231008_095148257.PANO.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amphitheatre, impossible to photograph and show the scale.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It is a real stunning place in the very real sense of the word, there's lots to say about this place and you can read about it </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephesus">HERE</a> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhVhHMhSR3gzuoCNz-CpFafEDZUHcWTpd0OR4CgJFQFD8bZBMjP9xcu2D92qzRDLYcVHuUGxgTY59h-Vc4gxnJQlJpOmjc2crmKmEhqWB_FC6lMF_5vapa6_UflvqQ2Ij1wiffssBlpo7zJfEoEw7kaq5KrTDzjCDknGbIrJGzzF9x5sALDtllUexFILq/s4032/PXL_20231008_105201527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhVhHMhSR3gzuoCNz-CpFafEDZUHcWTpd0OR4CgJFQFD8bZBMjP9xcu2D92qzRDLYcVHuUGxgTY59h-Vc4gxnJQlJpOmjc2crmKmEhqWB_FC6lMF_5vapa6_UflvqQ2Ij1wiffssBlpo7zJfEoEw7kaq5KrTDzjCDknGbIrJGzzF9x5sALDtllUexFILq/w360-h640/PXL_20231008_105201527.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgpKvlXamKuhss5NyXmKw-8qgPFe43BNtdQHKDmUgUB8OEmI9DGPM7IMjMNDqpnXk1usmWoSNg_CVNVS4sU0I8rRabkDSnk2X_lJeyHeeT7Q9u6YRezR0gltqq6NquesdJHszv4j4do9R24IURxRzhBI511cKR1ghn35ZeyLaNAZ6vCtOxkvZ7wFx20c9/s4032/PXL_20231008_105208927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgpKvlXamKuhss5NyXmKw-8qgPFe43BNtdQHKDmUgUB8OEmI9DGPM7IMjMNDqpnXk1usmWoSNg_CVNVS4sU0I8rRabkDSnk2X_lJeyHeeT7Q9u6YRezR0gltqq6NquesdJHszv4j4do9R24IURxRzhBI511cKR1ghn35ZeyLaNAZ6vCtOxkvZ7wFx20c9/w640-h360/PXL_20231008_105208927.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This handmade silk rug caught my eye, but despite the hard sell, David refused to buy it for me, David insists the man said £26,000 but I thought I heard £16,000. I only wish the colours had come out better, peacock blues and ruby, garnet cherry reds.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well that's the end of our summer trips. Normal service will be resumed later, or nearly normal.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-50784619683237783372023-11-22T21:42:00.001+00:002023-11-25T23:56:06.624+00:00An art trip to Italy<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This September there was a trip planned. I was really keen but, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">so how do we all think David would cope with a load of arty types, on an escorted coach trip to Italy with a group of totally unknown people all yacking on about arty stuff?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well Reader I wasn't convinced either, I was quite willing to go alone but as you may be aware Italy is probably his favourite European country and he wouldn't hear of being left behind.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I told him there'd be churches, I told him there'd be old paintings, I told him there'd walking....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The worst part was an 8am flight to Milan, from Heathrow of all places, which meant a 6am pickup eight miles away. Our darling neighbour, thankfully another early riser took us there and as I looked about for the group leader all I could see were women, retired women, I began to get nervous for him.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had said that if it became intolerable, he could loiter at the hotel, which I was expecting to be on Lakes Iseo, in the event the itinerary had been changed (Unknown to me, we had joined the trip last minute taking the two last places). </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well although it really wasn't far away from the UK, it took nearly all the day to arrive at the hotel after a two hour transfer from Milan airport. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">But things were looking better...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><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/AVvXsEg0kLhtFsRjsDLnSW-zvhsNRmDj5jnVKDuAFEYhdG8IM58ccbWKRplaG1SqMY0j9Uczmx-K9HQhMKeOOIlc64LKjaMHnem9z1rDsPAmDO70cNQSz7axj6ajEi6iCurCePaoe5mm1s9tf6iixuZnmncotXnavqIQXkHzVwocs9INv1M6f85D2I5cTEFh-r8s/s3264/PXL_20230917_091257041.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kLhtFsRjsDLnSW-zvhsNRmDj5jnVKDuAFEYhdG8IM58ccbWKRplaG1SqMY0j9Uczmx-K9HQhMKeOOIlc64LKjaMHnem9z1rDsPAmDO70cNQSz7axj6ajEi6iCurCePaoe5mm1s9tf6iixuZnmncotXnavqIQXkHzVwocs9INv1M6f85D2I5cTEFh-r8s/w360-h640/PXL_20230917_091257041.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masked up on the plane, reason was that two weeks after this jaunt we were off again on hollibobs with some grandchildren and didn't want to catch Covid and jeopardise that trip. </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/AVvXsEh4x5AypFk1BCYQop2LsTohfy3Qcvk_ys-83WqUR7rF-9DpV1e_plPnEREypC2JO7S0zlTvPHHED0Sli72bfhjbcIc5KJ7x2bb-UXVxSBe035fVZ9Yt4uVV1WaRZVJ8aWSB7JjPLsLrD_pBpaDE6C93VRvLOzouozGVnF6YO2Bbi5Tl0hQeo9BMOtfFVIto/s4032/PXL_20230917_135628912.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4x5AypFk1BCYQop2LsTohfy3Qcvk_ys-83WqUR7rF-9DpV1e_plPnEREypC2JO7S0zlTvPHHED0Sli72bfhjbcIc5KJ7x2bb-UXVxSBe035fVZ9Yt4uVV1WaRZVJ8aWSB7JjPLsLrD_pBpaDE6C93VRvLOzouozGVnF6YO2Bbi5Tl0hQeo9BMOtfFVIto/w640-h360/PXL_20230917_135628912.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes rather a large smile on his face when he saw the view from our balcony, sigh.</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/AVvXsEgCaqacRFurcHOzkYZfsQvv4QpBeLtztW59KKavecuPXTcJqz-ARP4MgYD-t3BFDN-Eu7F9Aa0rMgblBbdhxEzrbc8I0oaqbdAzsUe-UlLRPQPF1Oah9kfhpLqhXAkctc1d7uftSfEYqBzHzlWaa8z2GpDFWJsHjwrExVL-e6bFY7kEQRMZ1OJ02DquKzAz/s4032/PXL_20230917_143934247.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaqacRFurcHOzkYZfsQvv4QpBeLtztW59KKavecuPXTcJqz-ARP4MgYD-t3BFDN-Eu7F9Aa0rMgblBbdhxEzrbc8I0oaqbdAzsUe-UlLRPQPF1Oah9kfhpLqhXAkctc1d7uftSfEYqBzHzlWaa8z2GpDFWJsHjwrExVL-e6bFY7kEQRMZ1OJ02DquKzAz/w360-h640/PXL_20230917_143934247.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh for an Aperol Spritz in the sun on the terrace in the Italian sun.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So that was the first evening, while some quickly stripped off and swam in the hot spa pool in the evening sun, David and I headed for the bar. One by one these retired ladies joined us and yep you've guess it, they were all very jolly, very interesting and lots of fun over the week. One especially, seemed to appreciate David's sense of humour and they rather teamed up for the week. Jean, she was 87, they were always chuckling together.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The good thing was that there were about eight men on the trip some having arrived directly to the airport.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a fabulous week with a varied menu of art, Roman ruins, amazing buildings, a vineyard visit plus tastings oh and yes the hot pool spa where we had a massage each one day. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scroll on down if you can't bear holiday snaps...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEh6riI-cA0En7qA8NOxrGOOlV5bemyv5TAi8VpizlL6j1J2GQ-U1odEjdnFc8ShJE7giP9x7SG_f3GDtYEB2rzHv1Yd6IWqm6jeHwjCFgT8dtEAcC1TkCB8cyuHa7wCmqxmvNSNh4CWQM-yyhn52zRXqMMX18fgH3H_4-JEy8vqupBcKY_d6ge0vkg-MzxY/s3264/PXL_20230918_104506236.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6riI-cA0En7qA8NOxrGOOlV5bemyv5TAi8VpizlL6j1J2GQ-U1odEjdnFc8ShJE7giP9x7SG_f3GDtYEB2rzHv1Yd6IWqm6jeHwjCFgT8dtEAcC1TkCB8cyuHa7wCmqxmvNSNh4CWQM-yyhn52zRXqMMX18fgH3H_4-JEy8vqupBcKY_d6ge0vkg-MzxY/w640-h360/PXL_20230918_104506236.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A boat trip on Lake Iseo</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAb-my6E58fEAxZz9AjH-X8LkENcAjI-DH1pz1C2pdv5C5n0n5oFTChPWO-cZEsWARAtOhTK8uIM0Dj4lisNqt0trR2evAvpiIebbxGRP1VvyeTulCUeDZEDWnCPlrDDtjvVLV8W0f1m3F32w5Sq8ByeCjrKg4a789EXCRrH7JdKRdWdgTi2VTYw8nvyHK/s4032/PXL_20230918_084818306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAb-my6E58fEAxZz9AjH-X8LkENcAjI-DH1pz1C2pdv5C5n0n5oFTChPWO-cZEsWARAtOhTK8uIM0Dj4lisNqt0trR2evAvpiIebbxGRP1VvyeTulCUeDZEDWnCPlrDDtjvVLV8W0f1m3F32w5Sq8ByeCjrKg4a789EXCRrH7JdKRdWdgTi2VTYw8nvyHK/w640-h360/PXL_20230918_084818306.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></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/AVvXsEgNaOqfmZSlMsyXsOOmLXa9T45VbIWMLSSzWwdlRuY0SxXxOn4GSsstWU7eQ9vamYxo1LJYxzFmiWiZs8hFi2URerJLcU48tsDZgRRdeMBm3KPtXcPMduiPG4sYvp50MJqix35kWy0rAMb2v-OxlhnvuFfU19Aai6H3jZ17vACvKvVWYW1QRjvzyO5I8IIR/s4032/PXL_20230919_144745413.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaOqfmZSlMsyXsOOmLXa9T45VbIWMLSSzWwdlRuY0SxXxOn4GSsstWU7eQ9vamYxo1LJYxzFmiWiZs8hFi2URerJLcU48tsDZgRRdeMBm3KPtXcPMduiPG4sYvp50MJqix35kWy0rAMb2v-OxlhnvuFfU19Aai6H3jZ17vACvKvVWYW1QRjvzyO5I8IIR/w640-h360/PXL_20230919_144745413.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temp outside.</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/AVvXsEioUtTeeROLOf6ZjQsn0SPGqCeKUvy7SQLzHeQla9DC8QHnczQ6l3-K5reLBxCwBgE54b0XU5mI3ZtcF7IDwpI8YdTSasIv6nxNBamusq0SmagRFhWn6_7y-RDl6fX3yB_97v4zS0v-uA8TIM5NCsqak2pAzjnlpxTpx1YhyqecdHP0BxfiLVdSWtjvC2wr/s4032/PXL_20230919_095106848.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUtTeeROLOf6ZjQsn0SPGqCeKUvy7SQLzHeQla9DC8QHnczQ6l3-K5reLBxCwBgE54b0XU5mI3ZtcF7IDwpI8YdTSasIv6nxNBamusq0SmagRFhWn6_7y-RDl6fX3yB_97v4zS0v-uA8TIM5NCsqak2pAzjnlpxTpx1YhyqecdHP0BxfiLVdSWtjvC2wr/w360-h640/PXL_20230919_095106848.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of that art he had to contend with...</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/AVvXsEiUXZdsfTmR0S-tRXjhSBBKY1hWI1DZnkLTyfNp-xAwhQxMiehW0wDtjXXrmg4uHkUPYooNU2Dq4JHIOiuLkXNHbAV2bgQuQMCQcQ125iv1mU3IYJ1TCrff0czzTKcCVrbDFnToTejNWWEpHVoh5agWTxcReFQhETaa5kPC81mdte2WlSAKCoBs6lwQogaw/s4032/PXL_20230919_095047582.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXZdsfTmR0S-tRXjhSBBKY1hWI1DZnkLTyfNp-xAwhQxMiehW0wDtjXXrmg4uHkUPYooNU2Dq4JHIOiuLkXNHbAV2bgQuQMCQcQ125iv1mU3IYJ1TCrff0czzTKcCVrbDFnToTejNWWEpHVoh5agWTxcReFQhETaa5kPC81mdte2WlSAKCoBs6lwQogaw/w360-h640/PXL_20230919_095047582.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of those churches, incredibly beautiful but let's not bring up the subject again of the wealth of the Catholic Church and the poverty of the people...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdsVJWwd1yi5q36C7OM3N0BwsXNLs_bwdATsg37BX9GpeZM1YQ8SolE45Ux6N7-EZbIPv2DeSUu5dQKVRh4xTEYB-w6qH9WBqsqSJs6BWIHOp5FwrKlePPaweF2XNt5aZCgUlurpMu_md4oot8WJiQkhUji6kyuq40mtXy2aOyiKmvjF3M6ziGjEOFo8o/s4032/PXL_20230921_130621691.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdsVJWwd1yi5q36C7OM3N0BwsXNLs_bwdATsg37BX9GpeZM1YQ8SolE45Ux6N7-EZbIPv2DeSUu5dQKVRh4xTEYB-w6qH9WBqsqSJs6BWIHOp5FwrKlePPaweF2XNt5aZCgUlurpMu_md4oot8WJiQkhUji6kyuq40mtXy2aOyiKmvjF3M6ziGjEOFo8o/w360-h640/PXL_20230921_130621691.jpg" width="360" /></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/AVvXsEg6inu_A79RlV-SdD8q9bg7BNvsinVbauit_LB2WPxVcZL-NoA7QMrKWY2qWgeW70YyHVDdoIRUZo1DYFus70agBYlHS8yWKapwtSGVeOD2SagGv7TW_Kqi-ao145jm2z47ieDj1GoR0kWGGRLpNOnNWoJ0i_7bpzk9Kr3DKWVUkieyO2Gdz9oo3HVSrEjY/s4032/PXL_20230921_130624828.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6inu_A79RlV-SdD8q9bg7BNvsinVbauit_LB2WPxVcZL-NoA7QMrKWY2qWgeW70YyHVDdoIRUZo1DYFus70agBYlHS8yWKapwtSGVeOD2SagGv7TW_Kqi-ao145jm2z47ieDj1GoR0kWGGRLpNOnNWoJ0i_7bpzk9Kr3DKWVUkieyO2Gdz9oo3HVSrEjY/w360-h640/PXL_20230921_130624828.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Boxer, look at that face.</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/AVvXsEhE8N9hOaIKRg9QNVpqyPhvkT7ygOJ1Z5-A4DkyRb9c6irhkj7OY0FqWDRMz-ZyZcv5sbRQikxqkqtvn3dtE6FOmnBsMCzMmRfcK_xjkS-0vjMVjfAG29cwhtdqftmXO7J-ra_ydEpdZyxPa4gUmM-h_vc6fyMasE8DJPpzkoRR1BaV93QnpKyjVlDGjOEG/s4032/PXL_20230921_125946488.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8N9hOaIKRg9QNVpqyPhvkT7ygOJ1Z5-A4DkyRb9c6irhkj7OY0FqWDRMz-ZyZcv5sbRQikxqkqtvn3dtE6FOmnBsMCzMmRfcK_xjkS-0vjMVjfAG29cwhtdqftmXO7J-ra_ydEpdZyxPa4gUmM-h_vc6fyMasE8DJPpzkoRR1BaV93QnpKyjVlDGjOEG/w360-h640/PXL_20230921_125946488.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winged Victory</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two jaw droppingly impressive bronzes. The Boxer and Winged Victory I think she was called. The pain on his face was palpable. I think it said between two and five thousand years old. Winged Victory much much more recent, only two thousand years old. I always wonder what the Brits were up to two thousand years ago. Both found here in Brescia in the 1800's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.bresciamusei.com/en/event/the-boxer-and-the-victory/">Here</a> click to read a bit more.<br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEiDJx9eKLg_mmgJXhuro5GKB0xFZjd9pQpkI_drcwPSwdsI5-jCxPSDmVaiPT1TcIo2-kcTzAEmmfD7hkKiQKtj5nATqPp41rWDa9y0nLV3Dd2hX1ds6uH6fKs-JIQB5d8C1kIlvdM5AQ4uO6R4411e9Kh2LFAPTp71WeS-WaHSITuOUBJQ_12VPO5KxA7v/s4032/PXL_20230921_124718532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJx9eKLg_mmgJXhuro5GKB0xFZjd9pQpkI_drcwPSwdsI5-jCxPSDmVaiPT1TcIo2-kcTzAEmmfD7hkKiQKtj5nATqPp41rWDa9y0nLV3Dd2hX1ds6uH6fKs-JIQB5d8C1kIlvdM5AQ4uO6R4411e9Kh2LFAPTp71WeS-WaHSITuOUBJQ_12VPO5KxA7v/w640-h360/PXL_20230921_124718532.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflZ3w5ll5LhVa70ProAVlm_bUA3ZEgraZr2nZgp6zyY_ty4BKuOjQP9V1c30ifnQafKt4q1_y1Ljs355x47zbf8tEZs5MQY7fSiduk8BgVHTib9RakkOFtLXFxh-8Jh6_PF-A2G-mcAHKfu9L42MVD9x_e4SzB7LoM-GC6tNtVVmDE_JBDFDZEcXgbDau/s4032/PXL_20230921_124540936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflZ3w5ll5LhVa70ProAVlm_bUA3ZEgraZr2nZgp6zyY_ty4BKuOjQP9V1c30ifnQafKt4q1_y1Ljs355x47zbf8tEZs5MQY7fSiduk8BgVHTib9RakkOFtLXFxh-8Jh6_PF-A2G-mcAHKfu9L42MVD9x_e4SzB7LoM-GC6tNtVVmDE_JBDFDZEcXgbDau/w640-h360/PXL_20230921_124540936.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvvtSPoRUrZ9dYdVvReWL5eMQiEYlzkeOWQ91ag3vyhYfL5xGHrEvOWnFpYfsPEs16DD5o-c9UDXdq2BWRA1ng92_AmlCXmGpINVPGRDN7cDaYab7ydiooiMQpgGvGfgGqrTvYdgHMHpUa9VsJitLOEzryy_nkabqo5VApfiKjsiFwsh48atjbQCeyFu7/s4032/PXL_20230921_103735315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvvtSPoRUrZ9dYdVvReWL5eMQiEYlzkeOWQ91ag3vyhYfL5xGHrEvOWnFpYfsPEs16DD5o-c9UDXdq2BWRA1ng92_AmlCXmGpINVPGRDN7cDaYab7ydiooiMQpgGvGfgGqrTvYdgHMHpUa9VsJitLOEzryy_nkabqo5VApfiKjsiFwsh48atjbQCeyFu7/w640-h360/PXL_20230921_103735315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJqdQDsHsmzNyzFNCjYwqHGajZr-r5y3xJAyOe2FIGbMNAz8MOEZallwjXTubDwbsCoEyziLNT_72dE_vjNi0ZhM7DLaEwSjOHLaM_tjW9849XW6Y3geOq5xRJAZCHvL_tihf1pPppv7r_SLKjP4UPfkJgkUyCJxu80-jCkxWTI7u8Rrc6Z81pvcECRC2/s4032/PXL_20230921_114642279.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJqdQDsHsmzNyzFNCjYwqHGajZr-r5y3xJAyOe2FIGbMNAz8MOEZallwjXTubDwbsCoEyziLNT_72dE_vjNi0ZhM7DLaEwSjOHLaM_tjW9849XW6Y3geOq5xRJAZCHvL_tihf1pPppv7r_SLKjP4UPfkJgkUyCJxu80-jCkxWTI7u8Rrc6Z81pvcECRC2/w640-h360/PXL_20230921_114642279.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The best mosaics I have ever seen all here in Brescia in the temple.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Milan now. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>I'd never been, a big fat WOW! Very crowded, our guide said follow me then promptly</span><span> disappeared into the crowds. The buildings are very lovely and I have to say Reader the only one who went shopping was David and you should have seen the assistants fawning over him, yes they were men too. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbR-luu2wI5giOc-IhX-KcVNKABhHOHSJBApcZZoPYppLpwi6GouiahYv1EpP29lvWYQ31YZEzvDP4gmSThpP3qxDsnmw4N5x0JfKRfqRoHMC8MS6pHt9B16q4Z0JoaP0iiPRNs-mKhbJ-rhlUitJtkt0OpOoZ_hMCgx42jLIIccBmLYID00BR-e2nEwZ/s3264/PXL_20230923_092715085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbR-luu2wI5giOc-IhX-KcVNKABhHOHSJBApcZZoPYppLpwi6GouiahYv1EpP29lvWYQ31YZEzvDP4gmSThpP3qxDsnmw4N5x0JfKRfqRoHMC8MS6pHt9B16q4Z0JoaP0iiPRNs-mKhbJ-rhlUitJtkt0OpOoZ_hMCgx42jLIIccBmLYID00BR-e2nEwZ/w360-h640/PXL_20230923_092715085.jpg" width="360" /></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/AVvXsEhuUUNQVpufC32xcBnmfHGy6Xz_7AjmNDC1M4-1-kB-Qj7EUMKKp4Yt5z-j5qfQV_tiYL9gRFTB2nVX-vAmfdaTYgtrY_jse-L_80p9w159lUO4UTCqGRfwvCO1CL3bPpQGGhcTmrLM5mZalvR0mGnrVzo3Mz0Hu2E-qfAQWjdjd8SmJsxnOC52sbNjSZ9c/s4032/PXL_20230923_093446608.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUUNQVpufC32xcBnmfHGy6Xz_7AjmNDC1M4-1-kB-Qj7EUMKKp4Yt5z-j5qfQV_tiYL9gRFTB2nVX-vAmfdaTYgtrY_jse-L_80p9w159lUO4UTCqGRfwvCO1CL3bPpQGGhcTmrLM5mZalvR0mGnrVzo3Mz0Hu2E-qfAQWjdjd8SmJsxnOC52sbNjSZ9c/w640-h360/PXL_20230923_093446608.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd be tempted to have a weekend pad in here, right opposite The Duomo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXBUo4R93WFUS1pEOVDcUbK6np_UuxzaelzIpvfB7zWGJSccY47HawPGornyQC6Lhz6rUsZ6aLEoqfZkPkRxLYwy1CcBcwk1iexv9B97OFSyMxmImquyayLLbqdjqUVAOnIWJNVCqbyJIIRkwosIkgjAj5-agOAV6uyI8tbpeI4KvfO_Ft5YA7CyDsBBS/s4032/PXL_20230923_093452864.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXBUo4R93WFUS1pEOVDcUbK6np_UuxzaelzIpvfB7zWGJSccY47HawPGornyQC6Lhz6rUsZ6aLEoqfZkPkRxLYwy1CcBcwk1iexv9B97OFSyMxmImquyayLLbqdjqUVAOnIWJNVCqbyJIIRkwosIkgjAj5-agOAV6uyI8tbpeI4KvfO_Ft5YA7CyDsBBS/w640-h360/PXL_20230923_093452864.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/AVvXsEjX2uAEhbnrB6EXga_6KCNO32kesFPJIgYk6b6CHh7jxhUg8bkq2qMYXC-aqRa5ZwkcxMSXr0ND1nCImm86EVxjqQ5HN27O0357w8i36tNElaq3HhvnaQJ5UmSTaDwmSCFGSisAA1XrRhfyH-XK9ZemU_9_sx530-g8cHx4RjXgufSXPHK0yUJdDg6fwE0k/s4032/PXL_20230923_094511248.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2uAEhbnrB6EXga_6KCNO32kesFPJIgYk6b6CHh7jxhUg8bkq2qMYXC-aqRa5ZwkcxMSXr0ND1nCImm86EVxjqQ5HN27O0357w8i36tNElaq3HhvnaQJ5UmSTaDwmSCFGSisAA1XrRhfyH-XK9ZemU_9_sx530-g8cHx4RjXgufSXPHK0yUJdDg6fwE0k/w640-h360/PXL_20230923_094511248.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rather nice shopping arcade, some interesting fashion choices to be seen around here.</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/AVvXsEgj0MKwcF0c6Fr7VHNihMyo_-iKyiROUAWObbT-PG4YLLUOjRUPupnzrz3zukWtX4udXcbR5IC5mIf3yWhHy_NCuAL-E9x-eyXvTZnuiY6wYzjM4yduALV_CRFjf8QxOVmeyVpvR3XMBXu14ALH0C5tbZGlU_80JCWspDgYkOtr6rJP4-kUljDTn4INijvs/s4032/PXL_20230923_104838853.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0MKwcF0c6Fr7VHNihMyo_-iKyiROUAWObbT-PG4YLLUOjRUPupnzrz3zukWtX4udXcbR5IC5mIf3yWhHy_NCuAL-E9x-eyXvTZnuiY6wYzjM4yduALV_CRFjf8QxOVmeyVpvR3XMBXu14ALH0C5tbZGlU_80JCWspDgYkOtr6rJP4-kUljDTn4INijvs/w640-h360/PXL_20230923_104838853.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Duomo, you had to pay and queue for three days to get in so we went to lunch instead.</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/AVvXsEglCGFhGhz0kXtXqowp7FtaexgWfBDCfss7568maPQHMuqiXQzsa487LW4Otd6aVJ-1CC7IK2BwH5FnygRjQQoxm9pVP7GB1f9DJqMYJeC6cRr4Mc-HU2yA5_Rzcqt3PHZRJKj7SaAGgYQ8P5m1dGNixFqWFP6prnxDOJ6Q56Re6StN1MO2GQls4Rfd0aKn/s4032/PXL_20230923_105023784.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCGFhGhz0kXtXqowp7FtaexgWfBDCfss7568maPQHMuqiXQzsa487LW4Otd6aVJ-1CC7IK2BwH5FnygRjQQoxm9pVP7GB1f9DJqMYJeC6cRr4Mc-HU2yA5_Rzcqt3PHZRJKj7SaAGgYQ8P5m1dGNixFqWFP6prnxDOJ6Q56Re6StN1MO2GQls4Rfd0aKn/w360-h640/PXL_20230923_105023784.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding dress? Actually it was Milan Fashion Week, she was on a photo shoot.</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/AVvXsEguDRcYWYtbSq16QpPmlYEMN9cie_pXFartv22rhasZ0ADXKTFIdZT31rcwTVv2XTqAjCqMG4oqiRMLG71kVzsSmN5Sbe_A0EumEEeBdC1EZ1hB4gFz-xkh5vkjHO6JWbeUO06Gkkm-eMESiGwpbOG1LssR9Z1jCnNOzylGdMPpIEfql40sExdNngNVUCFh/s4032/PXL_20230923_104605939.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDRcYWYtbSq16QpPmlYEMN9cie_pXFartv22rhasZ0ADXKTFIdZT31rcwTVv2XTqAjCqMG4oqiRMLG71kVzsSmN5Sbe_A0EumEEeBdC1EZ1hB4gFz-xkh5vkjHO6JWbeUO06Gkkm-eMESiGwpbOG1LssR9Z1jCnNOzylGdMPpIEfql40sExdNngNVUCFh/w360-h640/PXL_20230923_104605939.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The less said about this the better....</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/AVvXsEhTWtF7DWcUIdkOdrAg1gbfr-LnC69CDpqspNnhAwxELtcOEf93kAY0FdeK8BN7jaKsXVuL_QotzZEXf2e7fnbmuEM9gDJnDGnuvHEGfOufcWnxvIfd23DVNaxD4YPgh1_eykKOXaFNq19CxjbObgB4ajYjy9zQ8Ko1vKXZ_20KvTNLlGKTimeEDvRLTXlr/s4032/PXL_20230923_105320228.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWtF7DWcUIdkOdrAg1gbfr-LnC69CDpqspNnhAwxELtcOEf93kAY0FdeK8BN7jaKsXVuL_QotzZEXf2e7fnbmuEM9gDJnDGnuvHEGfOufcWnxvIfd23DVNaxD4YPgh1_eykKOXaFNq19CxjbObgB4ajYjy9zQ8Ko1vKXZ_20KvTNLlGKTimeEDvRLTXlr/w640-h360/PXL_20230923_105320228.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was hilarious, the make-up lady ran here and there with her powder puff, the girls lost attention, the director shouted ACTION, a member of the public dodged into shot in the very real sense of Photo Bombing then the girls were all to cock and had to repeat it about three times. I'd like to say nice dresses but...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So Italy you never fail to impress David, he loved the views, the company, the food and the weather, oh and Jean.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next year there's another trip to Venice, I wonder what he'll say.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-52290435428061814692023-08-23T22:45:00.001+01:002023-08-23T22:45:42.411+01:00And now the end is here..<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So you might have gathered Reader that we are now home. Frequent Flyers to this blog may remember that come August we have a run of family birthdays all within five days. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">My mother comes first (Don't tell her I told you but she is going to be 93). </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Then my own daughter who was born mid harvest, I was to have been taken in at 7am the following morning to be started off but during that afternoon I started labour naturally, I was well overdue, but when David came in mid evening to find me properly in labour, head on arm leaning up the wall deep breathing and counting he was heard to have said something like oh bloody hell Lisa I've just arranged for the men to do the combining tomorrow and now I'll have to go and change it all, where upon he stomped off out again, but it mattered little as he was no use to a women in labour, he was so tired he slept in a chair in the corner but blamed that on the heating, I almost enjoyed myself on the laughing gas, it's funny what you remember. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Then three grandchildren all have theirs, two four year olds and a two year old. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">August is a busy time around here.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Anyway, after we slipped away in sunshine from Penkridge, it was a lovely run through to firstly stopping at Acton Trussell on the long straight, we got there mid morning and managed to secure a natural recess in the hedge so we could comfortably put the chairs up and also get some shade. I helped maintain it by doing some extra cutting with the shears. A disappointment here in that the dairy cows were elsewhere, David loves stock judging, its a dairy farmers thing.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> Barely any boats considering how lovely the weather was but then again the weather has been dire so maybe boaters have gone to Florida instead?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was here that David remembered that although we had been meaning to sand down the cratch frame all summer and re varnish it, it hasn't been finished, in fact it hasn't been started so we did so today. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Just this minute I've discovered that my camera wire I've used for the nine years I've been doing this blog has been inadvertently left on WaL and not in the camera case where it lives. So not many new pictures for you.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sorry about that, not at all annoying. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But below is one of the blue skies we enjoyed that day. So novel I'd almost forgotten what they are.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEgz4g-uqVlMmtIuECtHwq0N8MxCcKRzpKQ9Arkf6n5DXdBAKPum4YcrZSa084HzaWB-BuyCQbE2LgUF9qz8AqQ7SfdK9w9IRGYKkfMGgbmP5CrVqgwJq9sXibBPwJaoauKbQc4dlSxJBZ6UACQCrggK6F9YlKe4DjgHkE0VuyxQLQkuv3eez8ckUe8Yt1X-/s4896/P1060555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4g-uqVlMmtIuECtHwq0N8MxCcKRzpKQ9Arkf6n5DXdBAKPum4YcrZSa084HzaWB-BuyCQbE2LgUF9qz8AqQ7SfdK9w9IRGYKkfMGgbmP5CrVqgwJq9sXibBPwJaoauKbQc4dlSxJBZ6UACQCrggK6F9YlKe4DjgHkE0VuyxQLQkuv3eez8ckUe8Yt1X-/w640-h480/P1060555.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always feel so smug when passing under a major road.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well the cratch frame was sanded down quite easily, in fact David did what he could reach from the towpath. As I'm the expert I told him what David Lewis had told me "Don't sand the paint and don't sand the glass" He didn't, unlike me who did both first time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In total I managed to get four coats on. I really only wanted to do a rough job and finish it in the spring but it looks pretty good enough.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had been trying to get together with our Famous Friends the ex-Boat Sharers but they have had a busy time, some of it boating on their really gorgeous boat NB Caxton but stuff happens as it does so we finally decided to nip over to them at Fradley by car. We had a lovely trip to the National Memorial Arboretum, David and I went by bike about ten years ago taking our lives in our hands having to cross the A38 but they have now got access without certain death.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Its a beautiful place well worth a visit which is free but donations. Very thought provoking and peaceful. This below was one I particularly liked. Very good farming friends of ours in Devon were there because the Land Army girl sent there in the war fell in love with and married the farmer. Sadly she is no longer with us but how Mollie would have loved this. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXHbgfdcJMJXFSTJpjgFIcLBcPtjfguF9g3cgxFQU5aFh1L-0cWRmgkWtnoMtCIVYRDfTXb9BPYgPXggIXesXLe8Hd1-nfJ-CQYph6eSlqIOw2RbUbOyvoJZdLQpJg_YfTzaWkPWNxmeFOuRMbniVHhRhInzNG9G7PLFAo4gxxDTOUvva9u8bRJvcz11e/s4032/PXL_20230815_150246797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXHbgfdcJMJXFSTJpjgFIcLBcPtjfguF9g3cgxFQU5aFh1L-0cWRmgkWtnoMtCIVYRDfTXb9BPYgPXggIXesXLe8Hd1-nfJ-CQYph6eSlqIOw2RbUbOyvoJZdLQpJg_YfTzaWkPWNxmeFOuRMbniVHhRhInzNG9G7PLFAo4gxxDTOUvva9u8bRJvcz11e/w360-h640/PXL_20230815_150246797.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikq-2h97mPCjO2KG3aYShvY6FsFv-6-x3R7M2n2jnxSD1gVOGSbUc2_F2qWI92yHIMEsDwHQg-lbSe9Tf2t3qTJhez_utgVazfl9DPn8TolVAVTppic143kiTTkFL2daFLBHOfuTrwqnCct3z-bMgRLnosOqAaRDHaWJPyeZsJFjclaWIxAftHUs_DIj-N/s4032/PXL_20230815_150251958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikq-2h97mPCjO2KG3aYShvY6FsFv-6-x3R7M2n2jnxSD1gVOGSbUc2_F2qWI92yHIMEsDwHQg-lbSe9Tf2t3qTJhez_utgVazfl9DPn8TolVAVTppic143kiTTkFL2daFLBHOfuTrwqnCct3z-bMgRLnosOqAaRDHaWJPyeZsJFjclaWIxAftHUs_DIj-N/w640-h360/PXL_20230815_150251958.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-EtNtKzyqOzhOJamoNR1r96V-P3u6yoSvwW0oD9rkw4DvV309zbuiOr60GVFrGrN_vHloZUQY13vUo50FV2oreHdJ_qXKIaFdkbCX1VYUWWzdAA_0oxicCXPEIn4Q2t4saGuRO8jXUa9hwNY1TuDztwdpB6-kpLRvV3aCda0jnDsmbjvnsKnauWuwSMq/s4032/PXL_20230815_150313125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-EtNtKzyqOzhOJamoNR1r96V-P3u6yoSvwW0oD9rkw4DvV309zbuiOr60GVFrGrN_vHloZUQY13vUo50FV2oreHdJ_qXKIaFdkbCX1VYUWWzdAA_0oxicCXPEIn4Q2t4saGuRO8jXUa9hwNY1TuDztwdpB6-kpLRvV3aCda0jnDsmbjvnsKnauWuwSMq/w640-h360/PXL_20230815_150313125.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht33g7WaR7B_PpPyQMd_jPWfb-LjesmuIn5fYqO3mHjC4RdG6zAwFRxlxLDx4nJ4zE38yuAR0m7jC7skGwVHGeRCMe8ld10QaUFwfFhTDCNqnt16rqQR67HHVJrgRQvvttUUSZMwyK6uDwrddPNwLnLC4NxYfQSmnFQ2xJtUH3KP-KkIme7KArjoxD1VJh/s4032/PXL_20230815_150236895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht33g7WaR7B_PpPyQMd_jPWfb-LjesmuIn5fYqO3mHjC4RdG6zAwFRxlxLDx4nJ4zE38yuAR0m7jC7skGwVHGeRCMe8ld10QaUFwfFhTDCNqnt16rqQR67HHVJrgRQvvttUUSZMwyK6uDwrddPNwLnLC4NxYfQSmnFQ2xJtUH3KP-KkIme7KArjoxD1VJh/w640-h360/PXL_20230815_150236895.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/AVvXsEh2Y48NIDy-L8W7gI85-FtZuTUVCYzF4mD3PIYtVrkpCuIgop7L4hhG6RHCQ9Sm7-bdKoUR0syqzcRjxA0pbolzStRqbILoQs6hqXvtC2TTUSaPLiUYR7KaZsLKLr2D6taXiQHlMKFBpDeetWHoz9PEV7yFAQmZhXw-npRCXlRHWFYMLmejFHKU9GyNhJbZ/s4032/PXL_20230815_150303246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Y48NIDy-L8W7gI85-FtZuTUVCYzF4mD3PIYtVrkpCuIgop7L4hhG6RHCQ9Sm7-bdKoUR0syqzcRjxA0pbolzStRqbILoQs6hqXvtC2TTUSaPLiUYR7KaZsLKLr2D6taXiQHlMKFBpDeetWHoz9PEV7yFAQmZhXw-npRCXlRHWFYMLmejFHKU9GyNhJbZ/w360-h640/PXL_20230815_150303246.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you can't quite make it out, it's a dead rat in a trap.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Amanda's son is in the RAMC, there was a fine and touching statue which I failed to photograph, these below are for the VC's which were earned in the First WW and the Second WW.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Ackroyd"><span style="font-size: large;">HERE</span></a> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">For the story of Harold Ackroyd</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEhI2Moa1sqkjIhCYHs0QWnPCn48jUj1yOcpmLEc0-Q-4U4EVzZvi2whSYJWpUEsEw46uwPI96pNfSDvFpS9eY6iRTVStJRdjQ2kV0dcuM5RXkd_AnbNWJbnav34lAOnt3ty8HmtNjyVZCqP4qzXcBoYVOeZQEQMjj3F_JwJMMpn7xBZqQZHdkHCSWt9ZFuw/s4032/PXL_20230815_121136599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2Moa1sqkjIhCYHs0QWnPCn48jUj1yOcpmLEc0-Q-4U4EVzZvi2whSYJWpUEsEw46uwPI96pNfSDvFpS9eY6iRTVStJRdjQ2kV0dcuM5RXkd_AnbNWJbnav34lAOnt3ty8HmtNjyVZCqP4qzXcBoYVOeZQEQMjj3F_JwJMMpn7xBZqQZHdkHCSWt9ZFuw/w360-h640/PXL_20230815_121136599.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Babtie"><span style="font-size: large;">HERE</span></a> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">For Major William Babtie</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCEbss_XXDy2MMuLBN5d0uULf-7RBrvzxGDQUfzzBynMd8th9ZTE4e3nNXNLnZ55W_3gPzbWbvS3IAFlQxUkNyvno48jX3CBxZ_53HKhYX7OaJsQSqH8pNcCh2XBLofmjEI0sZPWU2kHfYJ7d3xnRchBGFRZctzUwAU_Axg68aPc8SPiP_cSs45pHdKVG/s4032/PXL_20230815_121116065.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCEbss_XXDy2MMuLBN5d0uULf-7RBrvzxGDQUfzzBynMd8th9ZTE4e3nNXNLnZ55W_3gPzbWbvS3IAFlQxUkNyvno48jX3CBxZ_53HKhYX7OaJsQSqH8pNcCh2XBLofmjEI0sZPWU2kHfYJ7d3xnRchBGFRZctzUwAU_Axg68aPc8SPiP_cSs45pHdKVG/w360-h640/PXL_20230815_121116065.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/real-life/tragic-day-yorkshire-police-were-25286918"><span style="font-size: large;">HERE</span></a> <span style="font-size: large;">I remembered this case, no medal but a touching memorial.<br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEhXUoiA_QYa7k2A3rANI_DuxCIh6-vacAQ7HZGKOuj6n5kPSdT7NfMp8JqGuvo7Uoil_tsb3zeOTmwfYFeP4sTlMCGWs46usFh1vqBqlkJVvb4MiIyKtTbcpetmVTpltFVbywyvuSQ9bDls1RUkA7BdXXAdYrZ0g3xHMyGzbk8LTqir-GVcS2xfT1y3_ZYN/s4032/PXL_20230815_114636794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUoiA_QYa7k2A3rANI_DuxCIh6-vacAQ7HZGKOuj6n5kPSdT7NfMp8JqGuvo7Uoil_tsb3zeOTmwfYFeP4sTlMCGWs46usFh1vqBqlkJVvb4MiIyKtTbcpetmVTpltFVbywyvuSQ9bDls1RUkA7BdXXAdYrZ0g3xHMyGzbk8LTqir-GVcS2xfT1y3_ZYN/w360-h640/PXL_20230815_114636794.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As soon as I saw this one I remembered it clearly. <a href="https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/real-life/tragic-day-yorkshire-police-were-25286918">HERE</a></span></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/AVvXsEgUjY59AGFmQ9AJKPJ73Kb2avxmmt8UBBTp2DQAn_EjAE_mlPQFJ7Zshj0bGMU462oer_8BVs-XBP3ZeCmZSDMXuSJ7mJrJzlZxy_UCxDqLZzgPI9KDbZ_720BTZooNaZQHluK8Ke2mleMvOxQGZ3FXv8avNt6DMWgVQ8syJbnk3lOYizRdPxUCVraA6t4L/s4032/PXL_20230815_114232372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjY59AGFmQ9AJKPJ73Kb2avxmmt8UBBTp2DQAn_EjAE_mlPQFJ7Zshj0bGMU462oer_8BVs-XBP3ZeCmZSDMXuSJ7mJrJzlZxy_UCxDqLZzgPI9KDbZ_720BTZooNaZQHluK8Ke2mleMvOxQGZ3FXv8avNt6DMWgVQ8syJbnk3lOYizRdPxUCVraA6t4L/w360-h640/PXL_20230815_114232372.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It's a very thought provoking place deeply touching but not sad and busy with visitors.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had a lovely picnic in the grounds and later returned to Fradley enjoying a drink in the Mucky Duck pub aka The Swan.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><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/AVvXsEjtvHLXLEgsOVTi5g6-h_YXma27_jLfgw-csv_5fV9p2ijinQRgmqWWeBPD7bVeuFcngY4gyBTBjehNJgbww9U2kVK-QcyBsaJRrHCTYpVddRwpzlTMCla97w270SGYp6S17Fn5NOUx73c8c6wb_GWgG7PeipuvoenjHvDoe1_3sPZmnXQHqmnxsgfVV7fC/s4032/PXL_20230815_185901006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvHLXLEgsOVTi5g6-h_YXma27_jLfgw-csv_5fV9p2ijinQRgmqWWeBPD7bVeuFcngY4gyBTBjehNJgbww9U2kVK-QcyBsaJRrHCTYpVddRwpzlTMCla97w270SGYp6S17Fn5NOUx73c8c6wb_GWgG7PeipuvoenjHvDoe1_3sPZmnXQHqmnxsgfVV7fC/w640-h360/PXL_20230815_185901006.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amanda with David</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/AVvXsEhZWeUREDaOCqwPaixSWwmWm0dc37y4H0WA54sp1vNY1qgoAT3iSf0G7fat_rfjBalSKE8JlpEpCkUoy-VJ3mKvGpBwxw_MSBcA_8vPt4HVl_FpxVdz_Zvxvyhg_mQZWWhprT8c9ghznVjwu_4khqlplWyYVGM7JMH0a9NHIeNj0vvLhGsHf0_fJUop7zGh/s3264/PXL_20230815_185818403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWeUREDaOCqwPaixSWwmWm0dc37y4H0WA54sp1vNY1qgoAT3iSf0G7fat_rfjBalSKE8JlpEpCkUoy-VJ3mKvGpBwxw_MSBcA_8vPt4HVl_FpxVdz_Zvxvyhg_mQZWWhprT8c9ghznVjwu_4khqlplWyYVGM7JMH0a9NHIeNj0vvLhGsHf0_fJUop7zGh/w640-h360/PXL_20230815_185818403.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And me with the man I love.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> We'd had a lovely couple of days with the ex-Boat Sharers, not cruising together as originally planned but that will happen next year, right now it's boating France and Canada for them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Back at Great Haywood where we were moored after popping into the marina for water as the two water points here are out of action with signs on saying please ask at Anglo Welsh ???? Astonishing, on the busy weekend Anglo Welsh had a man out with the hose I wonder who paid his wages? When we passed two were waiting so to our marina we went.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It's been a fantastic summer for me, I have absolutely loved the Macckie, the Peak Forrest and the Llangollen canals, we've met lovely people, enjoyed wonderful scenery and learnt a lot. Frankly I could just do it all again next year.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Finally time to pack up and go home, we did things slightly differently this time, going into the marina in the middle of the day, we packed up in the afternoon and loaded most of it into the car, then set off at 08:30 the next morning arriving home early afternoon, the first good run home in ages. It took all the stress out of the packing and last minute things we always forget like turning off the gas....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Waiting here at home was David's repaired car... it's been three months in the fixing mostly due to the difficulty of getting parts. He's very happy with it and that the hire car has gone back.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxsNVUvENnHydofaQKQXkNYpWB8wE2NbmrAzUByqfUK_jsGQZwGkR9bQ9qTYVwz1ykHi8werhZjet2YAKrSb7eRO4GtMp9iaMdfKv5TmCDxm31eNhBwEURkgFvuF2ZaqeL019TSEekosET3ZfrtycoQwyWMhL3s7jGxPfmBrnfxvw1DUR80lovuvZxhtr/s4032/PXL_20230816_123455181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxsNVUvENnHydofaQKQXkNYpWB8wE2NbmrAzUByqfUK_jsGQZwGkR9bQ9qTYVwz1ykHi8werhZjet2YAKrSb7eRO4GtMp9iaMdfKv5TmCDxm31eNhBwEURkgFvuF2ZaqeL019TSEekosET3ZfrtycoQwyWMhL3s7jGxPfmBrnfxvw1DUR80lovuvZxhtr/w640-h360/PXL_20230816_123455181.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbwBuVkok5RZ58Nd2NmxSBuFZK1NwLoDZIQZEcp0QpCWZvQ79gFnCO5gErpkdvOK6JNgeIiJV5A02RULlQqCeb73PQvrtjXciv4QIMzHSKgdMDuytvqlqe6cDvsREd1x1eg7bl-Cn_mwujJ3qyU0hniFgzeVUMoMUJkh4tcxdztMMx5jLvbOo9UtqUs1b/s4032/PXL_20230816_123722732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbwBuVkok5RZ58Nd2NmxSBuFZK1NwLoDZIQZEcp0QpCWZvQ79gFnCO5gErpkdvOK6JNgeIiJV5A02RULlQqCeb73PQvrtjXciv4QIMzHSKgdMDuytvqlqe6cDvsREd1x1eg7bl-Cn_mwujJ3qyU0hniFgzeVUMoMUJkh4tcxdztMMx5jLvbOo9UtqUs1b/w640-h360/PXL_20230816_123722732.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So that's us pretty much done now but the boat isn't winterised so maybe in October we'll be up again and pop upto Stone and visit all those pubs we like so well.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We've a new experience coming up in September, it's a group trip to the Italian Lakes, it's an art trip so we'll see how David fares with these arty types on a coach, I've said there's one to Venice next year "God let's see how we go first shall we with this one?" Well don't worry about him Reader, he can stop at the hotel over looking Lake Ieso on day two if it's blue murder.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In September beloveds arrive for a visit, that is to say youngest daughter and husband Mitch from NZ, just a holiday that is, they'll be returning to NZ again, that is if no one burns their passports ahem.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-90110275473184271202023-08-11T13:41:00.000+01:002023-08-11T13:41:19.531+01:00I hate being under trees<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We spent the night in Market Drayton. We moored up okay thinking it was visitors moorings then looked at the sign and it talked about market days, afternoons, I had no idea what the meaning was. We asked another boater who'd already moored up what it meant and she said Oh they are just really anti social here. She's been boating over 25 years and moored up here before the attractive modern houses alongside here but on the off side, when they first came there were all sorts of signs saying don't do this and don't do that. She told us we were two hours early and that you could moor here after 4pm.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Baffling.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We went off towards the next flight and last flight on this canal, Tyrleys Locks. Only a handful but hazardous, there were by-washes but no so very fierce today. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEi-M1iDfHo9Uc0jhVaBSInXhPAuYnYveD2BOpynLvu85yAJiju2UdT3PqxKBfIYstqevRjbZlFW_Jh9V-shWMRP5YdyP6iqWRtf3lgkh0w49lLoGspTi1g2sJH8ezm4yKJnq2vjckM0DEX0mRd-grjVB4Vl31V5DDPlGOIPnSDKMRsBPAWRGBdUZNi5fdrm/s4896/P1060490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-M1iDfHo9Uc0jhVaBSInXhPAuYnYveD2BOpynLvu85yAJiju2UdT3PqxKBfIYstqevRjbZlFW_Jh9V-shWMRP5YdyP6iqWRtf3lgkh0w49lLoGspTi1g2sJH8ezm4yKJnq2vjckM0DEX0mRd-grjVB4Vl31V5DDPlGOIPnSDKMRsBPAWRGBdUZNi5fdrm/w480-h640/P1060490.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: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I walked up from way back as I did remember (I never much) that the lock landing is tricky here. Today it was thick mud as expected. What I like here at Tyrley is the complete change of scenery in such a short time. You work the first couple of locks in thick trees then it opens out into glorious countryside. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEjxppwGv6xg7PrEtnmEq9SFFKW1Fshw9sTRpBeAZX9cp7h51cgc9MVO8oSEucPHiMqDd5T-Pmmpe8kF4qtQH1-45owzF_bGahy4ODPOy1bZFz0GUUdFAOSSPDxFAOmT5hWR0LCjgVtKKKnmSSWEx89Ext6iApO9LB_3cJ_JlFjEtvU-V6y5iBBR8jOubAnN/s4896/P1060491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxppwGv6xg7PrEtnmEq9SFFKW1Fshw9sTRpBeAZX9cp7h51cgc9MVO8oSEucPHiMqDd5T-Pmmpe8kF4qtQH1-45owzF_bGahy4ODPOy1bZFz0GUUdFAOSSPDxFAOmT5hWR0LCjgVtKKKnmSSWEx89Ext6iApO9LB_3cJ_JlFjEtvU-V6y5iBBR8jOubAnN/w480-h640/P1060491.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am doing the old paddles up and down trick to help David in without damaging the new blacking.</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/AVvXsEi3-teJrG9fbu9sd_zMok8NUVvhuH6layLMn0x5jUGf13LVCAT-6RxbfRMIPQBfziOtTClLuog70JVFll3pX_oMIxKetn_QHadxSrajJuraQEXTzreLaiG7sbA430uzYE1qHNerzKarpWYXiK4zTP3man-ewT8yHEeqU-bKig96ykE7GXaQ2rxh7Nco65Pu/s4896/P1060493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-teJrG9fbu9sd_zMok8NUVvhuH6layLMn0x5jUGf13LVCAT-6RxbfRMIPQBfziOtTClLuog70JVFll3pX_oMIxKetn_QHadxSrajJuraQEXTzreLaiG7sbA430uzYE1qHNerzKarpWYXiK4zTP3man-ewT8yHEeqU-bKig96ykE7GXaQ2rxh7Nco65Pu/w640-h480/P1060493.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can just see WaL's nose under those trees as I had prepped the third lock leaving those flipping trees behind.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now this is Chris. He lived in Spain for a good many years and came back. His wife Anne saw the CART ad in the paper and suggested it. He jumped at it and has been here for the past eight or nine years. Today he is helping boaters and rubbing down the lock gates to be painted. He has a car boot full of tools to do jobs with and loves it. I thanked him profusely on all our behalf. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEhMf2HvQ7GsolINz-_DiZgtTqHEnDF4CEMQuXLn2I9sZkCBBZhJHf_k80lJFaEnDbwyHd8c5xkbrTyk043GDwP3gFL5EWB34d5FBSFvZ-DW0PIQVqYvs30A9jBY0FZYUJQ_8Qru_DxSYUI6m6KDBK45aHdbmynnT3m7p8vGyj9N45HNVv_Hz2FsjKRqjGmr/s4896/P1060495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMf2HvQ7GsolINz-_DiZgtTqHEnDF4CEMQuXLn2I9sZkCBBZhJHf_k80lJFaEnDbwyHd8c5xkbrTyk043GDwP3gFL5EWB34d5FBSFvZ-DW0PIQVqYvs30A9jBY0FZYUJQ_8Qru_DxSYUI6m6KDBK45aHdbmynnT3m7p8vGyj9N45HNVv_Hz2FsjKRqjGmr/w480-h640/P1060495.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tyrley Top Lock, and just look whats coming ..... three days worth of flipping trees.</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/AVvXsEg3rdTsQkeK0ibSKSvlzOqqtUWStdhj0-wmnyWkbBCoEvcm8y7LZ5rJZDkoDkww_hJYZq6q987vs8TP2GlvosUMEoWjuhsBdKZtIZsNBOoL5CTXSXdDbhQv4teU81k2vokOaI1KDNU-XjW7qNMK9smHUdtdeUOfsO0xgfeJ0Cnh3Bj8cSOuBgN40RcYCjz1/s4896/P1060496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rdTsQkeK0ibSKSvlzOqqtUWStdhj0-wmnyWkbBCoEvcm8y7LZ5rJZDkoDkww_hJYZq6q987vs8TP2GlvosUMEoWjuhsBdKZtIZsNBOoL5CTXSXdDbhQv4teU81k2vokOaI1KDNU-XjW7qNMK9smHUdtdeUOfsO0xgfeJ0Cnh3Bj8cSOuBgN40RcYCjz1/w640-h480/P1060496.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Started off not so badly as there was one sunny spell.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFvEKxCfy_uRHlY60Ed_eJ26avvQvc0PNDdLcRiBp8M0AbLZXWnXq15Yw6RQlUX_B3rVriEAhQVVOwC_y77k5y_-cMjF98Q3BJZxR-hBplEeQggtICOsZKIZZg5z9_SC9JPkgRcfdAhEe4e36dSFbi-KIv4EzIUxujLVHYvrqraT0EljhyWYk-NkcXr8c/s4896/P1060497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFvEKxCfy_uRHlY60Ed_eJ26avvQvc0PNDdLcRiBp8M0AbLZXWnXq15Yw6RQlUX_B3rVriEAhQVVOwC_y77k5y_-cMjF98Q3BJZxR-hBplEeQggtICOsZKIZZg5z9_SC9JPkgRcfdAhEe4e36dSFbi-KIv4EzIUxujLVHYvrqraT0EljhyWYk-NkcXr8c/w640-h480/P1060497.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGytABqvADTrZPJIDUmbJYl2GU55qcsMcEOSm9x_g9VK8rE2lsu3iiqffsJjQmc3P4tfIq6TiyJS_FgumNmLOAUyklXZWXtGQNXz3McKDIF9zSmxC6bfoAvjvPYN1DHQ_VwZKY_tEX34LlYoLaRSJuK5nhreZROw8nbj2ERW_DlKArS7K3vz9KIPTBt6r/s4896/P1060498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGytABqvADTrZPJIDUmbJYl2GU55qcsMcEOSm9x_g9VK8rE2lsu3iiqffsJjQmc3P4tfIq6TiyJS_FgumNmLOAUyklXZWXtGQNXz3McKDIF9zSmxC6bfoAvjvPYN1DHQ_VwZKY_tEX34LlYoLaRSJuK5nhreZROw8nbj2ERW_DlKArS7K3vz9KIPTBt6r/w480-h640/P1060498.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: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But then it got worse and worse and I have to tell you Reader that the Shroppie is now amongst my least favourite canals and I have asked David if he could remember to go back down to Great Haywood next time via Heartbreak Hill. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These trees remind me of Eeyore Gloomy Place.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEgBQ-CKXcf9s601yyhkwg7RrwGXvnqkCjIyV1sLk5IEK2Xy6_56zzp55nGOHzS_8bpW0GCHok6_eyCRkN4t_wPtZydsR-9IRttix22fUZBbCw98NcL5tA78TJEf04mQMaTJB-RDuCHy89RW2PNthfQICkLJxWsKLdjhoV5iufV5GSGMwSWOqK-yCZHDwgAI/s4896/P1060501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQ-CKXcf9s601yyhkwg7RrwGXvnqkCjIyV1sLk5IEK2Xy6_56zzp55nGOHzS_8bpW0GCHok6_eyCRkN4t_wPtZydsR-9IRttix22fUZBbCw98NcL5tA78TJEf04mQMaTJB-RDuCHy89RW2PNthfQICkLJxWsKLdjhoV5iufV5GSGMwSWOqK-yCZHDwgAI/w640-h480/P1060501.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF661P067aA7E_h09jLHu6VHKGDlAn5nHBizR1q5mtFgnzmVXAz-kZzTNYJ2zVJTF7pzNaphcyIJ2iCUGPzH3_7xKtOiETeD_t_04P-ngnIGWdVCWd5Y6LfhG-9GHT5Cbn0T_xXlzPrZ3n_PXtJrBcHS6h9MwvVgD6-oL21ZhtiwNxINwiQMUsCahLf_Mk/s4896/P1060507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF661P067aA7E_h09jLHu6VHKGDlAn5nHBizR1q5mtFgnzmVXAz-kZzTNYJ2zVJTF7pzNaphcyIJ2iCUGPzH3_7xKtOiETeD_t_04P-ngnIGWdVCWd5Y6LfhG-9GHT5Cbn0T_xXlzPrZ3n_PXtJrBcHS6h9MwvVgD6-oL21ZhtiwNxINwiQMUsCahLf_Mk/w480-h640/P1060507.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEiiMxBV1NFpqgmqP_PIttspJwFmdhoX2RaX-sDWOoJ024MYiKeFwGInxwFFVF-YJZL5VWXm7LEIoDB-zutQDRmRa_f4tSWqRevVOzfWcII8O6DFwpz3U-hn6rdQJU8o7J1Z0D4suB46F4_IScd7FL5tCx9wFknmmwwFc3NH3IuPz5wJRIuMBnWZthiZHcy_/s4896/P1060513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMxBV1NFpqgmqP_PIttspJwFmdhoX2RaX-sDWOoJ024MYiKeFwGInxwFFVF-YJZL5VWXm7LEIoDB-zutQDRmRa_f4tSWqRevVOzfWcII8O6DFwpz3U-hn6rdQJU8o7J1Z0D4suB46F4_IScd7FL5tCx9wFknmmwwFc3NH3IuPz5wJRIuMBnWZthiZHcy_/w480-h640/P1060513.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One bit of excitement was the report of a fallen tree, two boaters said we should get past okay but in the end it was a fallen branch. Boredom returned.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvVA4OB_bdNJ1IxeV7HcASwm66pQQxih21sKxtpmtzEXj5o78qpZffbE3kAhgcBFsneLl_0rZ967M7r2Hx7Jc-7mvNUYNbJaejElIiPEDhpPREy2Eq332S-Wnc3Is3-TL9TJ6beP1bAzwTbuu9Tw6nABWOfJniZbrUdHBjUf5R1X-KQe6kvkMgAAA8PQA/s4896/P1060516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvVA4OB_bdNJ1IxeV7HcASwm66pQQxih21sKxtpmtzEXj5o78qpZffbE3kAhgcBFsneLl_0rZ967M7r2Hx7Jc-7mvNUYNbJaejElIiPEDhpPREy2Eq332S-Wnc3Is3-TL9TJ6beP1bAzwTbuu9Tw6nABWOfJniZbrUdHBjUf5R1X-KQe6kvkMgAAA8PQA/w640-h480/P1060516.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/AVvXsEgJ_WbUCPX-IlONpquFx9UL4LXP_JfSEedQU9Hw58vO3BeBxomtW5JtMjLAgZhYN4fAq5rG5_43Z5dvajyi-PCakrla9TAZ4u6UkBu4GLhLC3duZFZISuxHfRxPEXsXxbA9sNCpab4qF-d5g2vWJaon8ObedUCB4XPEJnyfRAto2MUnlHLkQ1eox6YrZcFp/s4896/P1060520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_WbUCPX-IlONpquFx9UL4LXP_JfSEedQU9Hw58vO3BeBxomtW5JtMjLAgZhYN4fAq5rG5_43Z5dvajyi-PCakrla9TAZ4u6UkBu4GLhLC3duZFZISuxHfRxPEXsXxbA9sNCpab4qF-d5g2vWJaon8ObedUCB4XPEJnyfRAto2MUnlHLkQ1eox6YrZcFp/w640-h480/P1060520.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are repairing the towpath here, I guess they had to but how much has it cost and whoever wants to spend time walking here??????</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNecRMI6BplzipWYTVG7bsWyGY_Eqo1rB5YpVWJZV2fwhj55dmY6Q0enDHxqP7UX4sM-MPqw9bDM51clMsNlj4vSjEeDVFDfOAn9U5fJC5Ay_D82TUAceEU1ppgPsUPC3ue-staMYVJDUo5Hgngr34dmzPzVDM_F1AWPxV1bk5iPVTpXjEnEMITNSRQV7/s4896/P1060521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNecRMI6BplzipWYTVG7bsWyGY_Eqo1rB5YpVWJZV2fwhj55dmY6Q0enDHxqP7UX4sM-MPqw9bDM51clMsNlj4vSjEeDVFDfOAn9U5fJC5Ay_D82TUAceEU1ppgPsUPC3ue-staMYVJDUo5Hgngr34dmzPzVDM_F1AWPxV1bk5iPVTpXjEnEMITNSRQV7/w640-h480/P1060521.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg366MkcnWBK_oV9Gm4bWlJVkJBqlVmag-dJk71ucEsVqCfPtnYt5ta_FdtCvM4KbzpKO2FeSKSarWCGU0H9AhaP94nlYecnxi5I9quGkiDc-bQxanPuDv5MOHff7cQpWUZ1bwMrP94hISJ_MlVVvYvabi5f8se8Ps_3AJHDZySAY9hghKZ6Op_5yQ2eHuA/s4896/P1060522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg366MkcnWBK_oV9Gm4bWlJVkJBqlVmag-dJk71ucEsVqCfPtnYt5ta_FdtCvM4KbzpKO2FeSKSarWCGU0H9AhaP94nlYecnxi5I9quGkiDc-bQxanPuDv5MOHff7cQpWUZ1bwMrP94hISJ_MlVVvYvabi5f8se8Ps_3AJHDZySAY9hghKZ6Op_5yQ2eHuA/w640-h480/P1060522.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;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now for the first time we moored up in Gnosall for the first time. Rubbish signal all the way down this canal, well for us it was on EE and 3. I wanted to watch the World Championship Netball, two of our daughters played netball at school and went on to county level, Verity was part of a team that won a national competition when at school (She was watching it in NZ too) If you haven't watched it you should give it a whirl, its a very exciting sport. <br />Sadly England lost to the holders Australia. The next morning was England v Nigeria in Women's football. I have little interest in football as for the main part its played by wimpy men and don't start me off on FIFA, corruption and Sepp Blatter. But now I'm enjoying England's women. Here in Gnosall we had signal so that was that. We walked up to the old village and counted the pubs, we went in one which was a micro pub George and The Dragon. A warm welcome and full of locals all talking, no one on phones. A very lovely place. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well we departed after the football, England won but played poorly, had a player sent off, Nigeria dominated the game and I was very sympathetic for them. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEgRQ1qbej0lbAqFYkn7Q1cYb9NoamZE-Jw41CDXqAncFZXMdEMeNmX43i9IaeuEteSrTZ5jDxM0Z1D1iVw5-4X-ptEd4tSZpIQvf7pacVEiVRqURYi1-ywUOYwHVsZO3nyuVGPEPxXlIRVVzj_VQYoI1kyRzRvdPI8fotz-t35haQuXTecrCD0Y1qy3-j2V/s4896/P1060526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQ1qbej0lbAqFYkn7Q1cYb9NoamZE-Jw41CDXqAncFZXMdEMeNmX43i9IaeuEteSrTZ5jDxM0Z1D1iVw5-4X-ptEd4tSZpIQvf7pacVEiVRqURYi1-ywUOYwHVsZO3nyuVGPEPxXlIRVVzj_VQYoI1kyRzRvdPI8fotz-t35haQuXTecrCD0Y1qy3-j2V/w640-h480/P1060526.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oldest building in Gnosall I saw</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplRN4Bc_ICJ2W5X_lkmLe7-hSGjTKgpcgIYu-WCwuaZOA0iCrdrcgXF0gp0xgcLwwp8F3xac5W9Jed2-UULFJnUC7S2T6ikbi_IMTG8H8LnUzmX_FVU6xWZ8O4bixRZfBMBmkweTrPX3iovmFMtpC606fnoaFepaqD3oP77ronF98kNG_7vBR8fFGxGFI/s4896/P1060532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplRN4Bc_ICJ2W5X_lkmLe7-hSGjTKgpcgIYu-WCwuaZOA0iCrdrcgXF0gp0xgcLwwp8F3xac5W9Jed2-UULFJnUC7S2T6ikbi_IMTG8H8LnUzmX_FVU6xWZ8O4bixRZfBMBmkweTrPX3iovmFMtpC606fnoaFepaqD3oP77ronF98kNG_7vBR8fFGxGFI/w640-h480/P1060532.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdmafDnDdMOg7pZXXR29qQ7a_8XFBIIM8PYCr15HaFSJgs-GmGLIzP3USq8p-Kbeyhpi0nIILl0PH0L8W8Mm_uJx3KLSD-NZigTJivXVA8YVHSVJIkuICRXaM4OaddzEiYZOhVDq4VK5wY0ac30jmm96IgG1908XYdhKMGTNBJGvtvb2V-6O7q3D8J7i5/s4896/P1060533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdmafDnDdMOg7pZXXR29qQ7a_8XFBIIM8PYCr15HaFSJgs-GmGLIzP3USq8p-Kbeyhpi0nIILl0PH0L8W8Mm_uJx3KLSD-NZigTJivXVA8YVHSVJIkuICRXaM4OaddzEiYZOhVDq4VK5wY0ac30jmm96IgG1908XYdhKMGTNBJGvtvb2V-6O7q3D8J7i5/w640-h480/P1060533.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: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We stopped at Norbury Junction for fuel but he's not the cheapest by far any more. Maybe Reader if you are passing this way use the fuel boats instead. They too need the trade.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEhUGSjracmTz3Ft44NDMdZisWbv1HQhsZGROINoUGSUS0ehxOulwWH4MHJmGTt218pScOkYxtCpwtA0h6jd00CMai1uGPRewiIN6yM8c6WPXPbTjz6sqc2XaEqBrJNeIDKREZQ-z0XzWANrCU4u4DwiEK4sdlIs3Gkq_EqTSwt_9BatsGQ_KxhvShENqZSu/s4896/P1060534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGSjracmTz3Ft44NDMdZisWbv1HQhsZGROINoUGSUS0ehxOulwWH4MHJmGTt218pScOkYxtCpwtA0h6jd00CMai1uGPRewiIN6yM8c6WPXPbTjz6sqc2XaEqBrJNeIDKREZQ-z0XzWANrCU4u4DwiEK4sdlIs3Gkq_EqTSwt_9BatsGQ_KxhvShENqZSu/w640-h480/P1060534.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEhG8Kby8qmyL-_RxOFucMPAAma-AVa5KufLCjorV6MAWDajPMqClZgb5u8ozlsxfGx87UZgJTRwTMIyOrbKNdwDBRnJlsisq0GiEIa34GkQboJheZ_qe4I07Hj_pDfbdwotXLLNpqebnqrbDjB_hFXHtDUlPXMAssMBvks5UtbemIrDuhL-VfNJZrkW-1uE/s4896/P1060543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8Kby8qmyL-_RxOFucMPAAma-AVa5KufLCjorV6MAWDajPMqClZgb5u8ozlsxfGx87UZgJTRwTMIyOrbKNdwDBRnJlsisq0GiEIa34GkQboJheZ_qe4I07Hj_pDfbdwotXLLNpqebnqrbDjB_hFXHtDUlPXMAssMBvks5UtbemIrDuhL-VfNJZrkW-1uE/w640-h480/P1060543.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear waters.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well glossing over the journey back. I thought it very very Deadly Dull. I'm sure the weather didn't help being wet almost every day at some point.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"> We got back onto the beloved Staffs and Worcester and were amazed how many boats there were on all the places we wanted to moor at. We ended up right opposite the now tractor dealership but used to be an old racketedy farm I always said "Where the Grundy's farm" that Reader is an in-joke for farmers, see The Archers. That night suddenly the field with long thick grass was full of nice looking Suffolks, so that was pleasant. </span></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/AVvXsEgiMhR2OtA7ZDQSgrCUj93s93yzaWwQrU5fZu1sZev_DRxdgDi_y4IT0YsiSZy8NOXg_jnoKDeYkTFkXQJwJbL6cZd71x5oLfDof_SSn5G_KZes6nnsp83QXFQJ_Nf8KTdkajzK1yA8a0TodHligl1pR3wFFXed5No2X527zuNjJHYbVZkhjlBIqwtTRuK2/s4896/P1060544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMhR2OtA7ZDQSgrCUj93s93yzaWwQrU5fZu1sZev_DRxdgDi_y4IT0YsiSZy8NOXg_jnoKDeYkTFkXQJwJbL6cZd71x5oLfDof_SSn5G_KZes6nnsp83QXFQJ_Nf8KTdkajzK1yA8a0TodHligl1pR3wFFXed5No2X527zuNjJHYbVZkhjlBIqwtTRuK2/w640-h480/P1060544.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We often moored here looking at the English Longhorns, the owner keeps them as a hobby, three there this am but he's now developed the moorings smartly with water and leckkie, I wouldn't want to moor there as I've lived next to cows and their accompaniment of flies. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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/AVvXsEhbJ9WsMIq201rrrdW7Q--5-nz67fDAKI8G9ZYOE3JEevMWEICxqMlvBirr3LLT7TkklbpYobh_zJS5qi3xNrq7fv570f2gBnlQA67QPIs6oEO-SS9BN_Nf-CT3fY_oXKkZYqe49oixO9qI9_MV_oKDRpsweuN92XrdtPOuB7GZEallL2dy9wj9RENRyQdr/s4896/P1060547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJ9WsMIq201rrrdW7Q--5-nz67fDAKI8G9ZYOE3JEevMWEICxqMlvBirr3LLT7TkklbpYobh_zJS5qi3xNrq7fv570f2gBnlQA67QPIs6oEO-SS9BN_Nf-CT3fY_oXKkZYqe49oixO9qI9_MV_oKDRpsweuN92XrdtPOuB7GZEallL2dy9wj9RENRyQdr/w640-h480/P1060547.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dropping down at Gailey</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/AVvXsEjK0iWyD800TdD_LqugPz6q2tJWKO3FROlwMXQP61D5BH7gGjUOryVvI7MNOBPamiafqlZH0YudA16aLl7uHNUCSTgzUu72rcAwF6kTspqpubuOFuF0jBKbAP2w11xCgwdU2XZryeD2BgMK2v_yZGQkfRf84Cd8EmOdzMG6cyeC2Gp9XxWE374SPuBk30DX/s4896/P1060549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0iWyD800TdD_LqugPz6q2tJWKO3FROlwMXQP61D5BH7gGjUOryVvI7MNOBPamiafqlZH0YudA16aLl7uHNUCSTgzUu72rcAwF6kTspqpubuOFuF0jBKbAP2w11xCgwdU2XZryeD2BgMK2v_yZGQkfRf84Cd8EmOdzMG6cyeC2Gp9XxWE374SPuBk30DX/w640-h480/P1060549.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice reflection this going on here.</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/AVvXsEio2VKTFa8bJIypDyxYBYfjehlECHpIxunBh1PB1V6VKbhnzhn1DVOTnsFx1R9V6nAx6HQhApt2ufRf_4J_rbqCS34MNddFNBQhN651St1iDanwqrOEHp8wEzxthTRFftICKgcKPsQS71rFkCjfvqnxY89rTg2uEHgkMS-x-4g-qFyat1lx6T6uhyp6F_oy/s4896/P1060550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2VKTFa8bJIypDyxYBYfjehlECHpIxunBh1PB1V6VKbhnzhn1DVOTnsFx1R9V6nAx6HQhApt2ufRf_4J_rbqCS34MNddFNBQhN651St1iDanwqrOEHp8wEzxthTRFftICKgcKPsQS71rFkCjfvqnxY89rTg2uEHgkMS-x-4g-qFyat1lx6T6uhyp6F_oy/w480-h640/P1060550.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boggs Lock and my goodness look at this leak.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPwUEurkCZ2vORV5dWEUjnQHA3DZvvV9TWHI4c8wV6RqDctYWGJtOXPHgAXkTasMFIAKRejXazEfAfEGaQ3IHewxcwWSF9Te6Jg2Hr5hI4rfIzy9hMV0AyUrm2olJfSr-e6p145zA5ejElScFrVRm1ijg8pWQr8RtEFKy2y8GXhhR7zPgSM7TQPOB352U/s4896/P1060551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPwUEurkCZ2vORV5dWEUjnQHA3DZvvV9TWHI4c8wV6RqDctYWGJtOXPHgAXkTasMFIAKRejXazEfAfEGaQ3IHewxcwWSF9Te6Jg2Hr5hI4rfIzy9hMV0AyUrm2olJfSr-e6p145zA5ejElScFrVRm1ijg8pWQr8RtEFKy2y8GXhhR7zPgSM7TQPOB352U/w640-h480/P1060551.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifum9LyQUnNefCBjwn-v-CWmYFiTYlVMW8Mhl9MlQyFAaLw9i-6m7Lb3T5IC0bON86WUlJjvxIS2r-30DqJM1dExMliLBDDCPv_CfVSwxaS0X86tHJypGhpGQDsDeRGIR0RKmI2RmE3xxGIz9dtQA6W-fUOUPOi68xfyC0fAWcEof7d0FYZtZFp7gjxSdh/s4896/P1060552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifum9LyQUnNefCBjwn-v-CWmYFiTYlVMW8Mhl9MlQyFAaLw9i-6m7Lb3T5IC0bON86WUlJjvxIS2r-30DqJM1dExMliLBDDCPv_CfVSwxaS0X86tHJypGhpGQDsDeRGIR0RKmI2RmE3xxGIz9dtQA6W-fUOUPOi68xfyC0fAWcEof7d0FYZtZFp7gjxSdh/w640-h480/P1060552.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">A pleasant run down to Penkridge, the sun came out and to cheer me up David took me to The Littleton Arms. Its under new ownership, we had a fabulous meal good service and good value for money.</span><p></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had moored up in what I call Kew Gardens. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-45075561081720495642023-08-08T19:32:00.000+01:002023-08-08T19:32:01.964+01:00Flowers apples and beer.<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Just for a change the weather was grey and dull, looked like it could possibly pour at any minute or indeed clear away and the sun come out. The forecast (Hahahahah) actually said a day of downpour and gales. This day had been especially chosen to nip over to the Staffs and Worcester canal where friends John and Louise on their NB Ploddin' Along were. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They too had decided not to move due to the dreadful forecast. We set off in the car, I needed my sunglasses.... a few drips of rain then it stopped.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Not long until we were knocking on the side of their boat where we were welcomed with wine, I grabbed a proffered glass before David had got into the saloon and before it was decided who was driving back.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We all talked the hind leg off a donkey and then enjoyed a fine supper (Or tea as Louise calls it but she is from the north). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Later we played cards, Hearts, now it was only when I was being soundly thrashed that we realised that David and I haven't played this game since Verity and Mitch (Our daughter and SIL) left these shores to seek fame and fortune in his native New Zealand, that is a year ago in September and the good news is that they are returning for a visit in this September. I took a while to talk about their departure without crying, I'm over that but of course now I well up when I think about seeing them again very soon. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had a lovely time with John and Louise and thank you both very much for your hospitality and probably see you next year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well of course I drove back, I have made serious efforts to stop screaming when David drives me, but I'm not there yet.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was chili con carne and a risky lemon tart I took. Risky as it clearly states unsuitable for freezing, guess who shoved it the freezer? Yes correct not me. But we ate it, no one died and I thought it was fine. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But Reader you take your own risks with frozen lemon tarts, don't blame me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oh and by the way, no storm, hardly any rain just a bit plus no gales, we could have all boated but I'm very glad we didn't. That's forecasts for you. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Next day after a leisurely start, actually all the boats moored here bar one had moved before us and that one wasn't occupied, we set off to do the Addersley Locks.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Why I feel so fond and affectionate towards Addersley village and it's locks I do not know, but I do. The countryside is green, undulating and very attractive. The locals we've encountered are friendly and chatty too, but Addersley is too small for me to retire to. Now Audlem on the other hand....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Its happened again Reader, I downloaded the photos and they have appeared on here in the wrong order. If it was better 4G I'd do it again but it's not so bear with me and I'll label them correctly. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://nbpercy.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">HERE</span></a> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">is NB Percy, until recently a resident of Great Haywood marina, now relocated back from whence he came on the Shroppie.</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEidn9GgDfNnX6d88iTl8HPF3gbOYonn6_IR5hRrlB2qSPYMvF1_pdJjgxsoCBHx0nOP15OlQ_vbMrZTleOijNocYS88zdUf_XgvzE8eoSDKCurf5MTTQqZaWkgmnlX6fEyVTZZALJbWZGIzlH6XcHo1DK8yvuBPpuwb0VZZbQd6ldpHNf5qGxNbxifDcPY8/s4896/P1060504.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn9GgDfNnX6d88iTl8HPF3gbOYonn6_IR5hRrlB2qSPYMvF1_pdJjgxsoCBHx0nOP15OlQ_vbMrZTleOijNocYS88zdUf_XgvzE8eoSDKCurf5MTTQqZaWkgmnlX6fEyVTZZALJbWZGIzlH6XcHo1DK8yvuBPpuwb0VZZbQd6ldpHNf5qGxNbxifDcPY8/w640-h480/P1060504.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/AVvXsEhfewVOCLCGBIEQvP8CLHIDYc3VjuWG3Mx55G48aDcFPHurTbQwp-19JcYJl4oeporH05SuxbiF6BxNm0eLTi3K97ZiqZ7_IEN1UI26WjN_2YOs1vWP9hA9gG2tCqc8hsPnoyg_IAZ5YQ4mZsH5ejqHnKDh9o3fXk74qKedSh80eKep4QWbBbfSEgZM7TIP/s4896/P1060503.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfewVOCLCGBIEQvP8CLHIDYc3VjuWG3Mx55G48aDcFPHurTbQwp-19JcYJl4oeporH05SuxbiF6BxNm0eLTi3K97ZiqZ7_IEN1UI26WjN_2YOs1vWP9hA9gG2tCqc8hsPnoyg_IAZ5YQ4mZsH5ejqHnKDh9o3fXk74qKedSh80eKep4QWbBbfSEgZM7TIP/w640-h480/P1060503.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NB Percy. We have still not met Rachel and Nev despite sharing the same marina for 18 months.</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/AVvXsEgYHa4LgSVnXSltOdsvHzy0rcuMje2dXPvM6eVqK1BegDrymMqmkoatPYMCgRc03PgzUgkV1og7MLpANKNT-J8VNnfa7j7NoYLnl368MnfAo7z8Wykj66eJ9wwmK7T6HnWQltlpzfuJjQ3f_G8fjBUcg6egtycsiYlGTj4aJ9JqmyvuUHOdVTsZ28VbQY6Z/s4461/P1060500%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3345" data-original-width="4461" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHa4LgSVnXSltOdsvHzy0rcuMje2dXPvM6eVqK1BegDrymMqmkoatPYMCgRc03PgzUgkV1og7MLpANKNT-J8VNnfa7j7NoYLnl368MnfAo7z8Wykj66eJ9wwmK7T6HnWQltlpzfuJjQ3f_G8fjBUcg6egtycsiYlGTj4aJ9JqmyvuUHOdVTsZ28VbQY6Z/w640-h480/P1060500%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are several of these huge bridges on this canal.</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/AVvXsEg7RqcvepdEPhsbVlqvBM3QTCPvRa6e3ZH40XbFmfqIzopki-j1HFeIJ6I2t_prjCWM_eBrlxrBdOd2aSdgjU5LmJ_MygsClBAA_FNxxMcjR3K8cB089rq-DQcP-btAMtDKKEt5iZAYQ04psVq_Z6mudmS7YAU08n-2pQBswsxY_tb32mS195maTpYbOEyu/s4896/P1060499.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RqcvepdEPhsbVlqvBM3QTCPvRa6e3ZH40XbFmfqIzopki-j1HFeIJ6I2t_prjCWM_eBrlxrBdOd2aSdgjU5LmJ_MygsClBAA_FNxxMcjR3K8cB089rq-DQcP-btAMtDKKEt5iZAYQ04psVq_Z6mudmS7YAU08n-2pQBswsxY_tb32mS195maTpYbOEyu/w480-h640/P1060499.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the same one.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEh8kMMVckoGJBPmRiTEYOb9eRtLm455CUz7nQCCG1un60V5_168Lt68TYwNYD90zCvKG91frtkQ7pa4lNbFW9F2cHhOS2VHQhhpTNA4EqStLCPpA-xdhCPINdtNLBYPI0ltAb-5EfvLT7Lpgb61QgqPvXG_t9Jq6P_MsfAIFPTWBOpFWpGTd3cA9dJxQO1Y/s4896/P1060485.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kMMVckoGJBPmRiTEYOb9eRtLm455CUz7nQCCG1un60V5_168Lt68TYwNYD90zCvKG91frtkQ7pa4lNbFW9F2cHhOS2VHQhhpTNA4EqStLCPpA-xdhCPINdtNLBYPI0ltAb-5EfvLT7Lpgb61QgqPvXG_t9Jq6P_MsfAIFPTWBOpFWpGTd3cA9dJxQO1Y/w640-h480/P1060485.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lovely sign has been restored, I wish they all could be.</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/AVvXsEjBz122ov9GSx_z5YZhTsT9FYsLK8zk-Cfk0rCwemqvxbR69wzq_Xxhgi4iPqbQ1cgGfoXB6ngRLnhVp4I47d96DfNSfR_uG21trlbJU1ESU3qVpV6_q2H9wtm0_xCax03kAb4dcdbSpVudG1lDBSHpyJKiI0XyDSIQxGLhcWMjnNK1cMZIuwxaJT2ED2pn/s4896/P1060484.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBz122ov9GSx_z5YZhTsT9FYsLK8zk-Cfk0rCwemqvxbR69wzq_Xxhgi4iPqbQ1cgGfoXB6ngRLnhVp4I47d96DfNSfR_uG21trlbJU1ESU3qVpV6_q2H9wtm0_xCax03kAb4dcdbSpVudG1lDBSHpyJKiI0XyDSIQxGLhcWMjnNK1cMZIuwxaJT2ED2pn/w640-h480/P1060484.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretties.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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/AVvXsEh8oAXNBH8YihMUSbFopNn6zVpGzT11NQelnTVHXkdaRzfyxuvZO1ySaKGXJb79KZ5iDTHkPxf03osVvMFk06_cogmHL1-5mVEwY1Y5thYjFsoywT9vLUvY36ztjrosoETLRp5S0fnbyNPIlb8mIyxkPrL84RWLm8RDohUL1Tyw183cT9rvUOpC5Qizb6ng/s4896/P1060480.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oAXNBH8YihMUSbFopNn6zVpGzT11NQelnTVHXkdaRzfyxuvZO1ySaKGXJb79KZ5iDTHkPxf03osVvMFk06_cogmHL1-5mVEwY1Y5thYjFsoywT9vLUvY36ztjrosoETLRp5S0fnbyNPIlb8mIyxkPrL84RWLm8RDohUL1Tyw183cT9rvUOpC5Qizb6ng/w640-h480/P1060480.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumnal or what? Barely in August. But it was a good year for the roses, perhaps that applies to blackberries too.</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/AVvXsEjjTQVggXN34g1TrT-s4IWYNbJ3oxhvpECM9MsEziHo8S4uBxB0kewWTkehM0aYwKMRuDP8YixMbyMCna4NDcO2QWBjyCoO1EgGq9YJbnnO-ODSfljxOt8qh9sxI5QgIe7Rk09PM2Y2fhBzWvfqOAIvEdERvgdWrkWnNPoEttOWpS_lBf5XOK-rP7lKrGD6/s4896/P1060479.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTQVggXN34g1TrT-s4IWYNbJ3oxhvpECM9MsEziHo8S4uBxB0kewWTkehM0aYwKMRuDP8YixMbyMCna4NDcO2QWBjyCoO1EgGq9YJbnnO-ODSfljxOt8qh9sxI5QgIe7Rk09PM2Y2fhBzWvfqOAIvEdERvgdWrkWnNPoEttOWpS_lBf5XOK-rP7lKrGD6/w640-h480/P1060479.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damsons, I saw a tree laden and called for a dish. When I looked they are not remotely ripe. Very sad about that.</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/AVvXsEhvT6bQOC0yx_zlC6GcrCdTSxg4yrim7kAYpQcP1VfcuWMySAqi4yf67ymjsMmW1FV2870KCtKQ9Qmv2uDjUm2t8e2GaZ99v2SDKxAqtWnvEzPZjfmufanahFQ-vJ351nMPESMtPdqXxchYBeIG16zc2MEEUJSpYGQUAfuGkZ8BAGq1V77e_Oq8P1ezxCMK/s4896/P1060473.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvT6bQOC0yx_zlC6GcrCdTSxg4yrim7kAYpQcP1VfcuWMySAqi4yf67ymjsMmW1FV2870KCtKQ9Qmv2uDjUm2t8e2GaZ99v2SDKxAqtWnvEzPZjfmufanahFQ-vJ351nMPESMtPdqXxchYBeIG16zc2MEEUJSpYGQUAfuGkZ8BAGq1V77e_Oq8P1ezxCMK/w480-h640/P1060473.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scabious, reminds me of home where it grows on our farm.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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/AVvXsEjjVEuobrYC-HluZfrmcXKN3mVm4M_Om4WDV7DpaewO5QKAIXZWcl9QdrO82G5SXqJUXd-0Xnl5_Fr6AsGGbMn584Se8F0lT7J-n4uAvDufqjwLHc3TiTijHJpkOstmKCC91B-S5PG5vsiHo5aXQI8V8R2EZZwHjHW-lMIltLG8lLoGRQyvlNQkAw3WNB8y/s4896/P1060469.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVEuobrYC-HluZfrmcXKN3mVm4M_Om4WDV7DpaewO5QKAIXZWcl9QdrO82G5SXqJUXd-0Xnl5_Fr6AsGGbMn584Se8F0lT7J-n4uAvDufqjwLHc3TiTijHJpkOstmKCC91B-S5PG5vsiHo5aXQI8V8R2EZZwHjHW-lMIltLG8lLoGRQyvlNQkAw3WNB8y/w480-h640/P1060469.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the same lock apples growing.</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/AVvXsEiwfvJHoLLH1SYaOUEnTBEWps9ZIDq8hIEaTnu01YFLOJFv-6HThGvZX-7DitBgzAxa3j6wuzGUNCJMOcdYA6LrpgI4wCcgoie_0hAHWKi3ar9HV5TaTWDaMekSdEn7tty4qjcMLSuo-RRfqrHJHHBtxZvsbDQCEF6GUUz25GvdW4OkeLL3nj3nT6TS-ErA/s4896/P1060468.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfvJHoLLH1SYaOUEnTBEWps9ZIDq8hIEaTnu01YFLOJFv-6HThGvZX-7DitBgzAxa3j6wuzGUNCJMOcdYA6LrpgI4wCcgoie_0hAHWKi3ar9HV5TaTWDaMekSdEn7tty4qjcMLSuo-RRfqrHJHHBtxZvsbDQCEF6GUUz25GvdW4OkeLL3nj3nT6TS-ErA/w640-h480/P1060468.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Addersley Flight.</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/AVvXsEh1aS_WuYeOBVvesK2WjSrGf0I5wP1zxlF2yvQGrmikCKwrV55JbiCuuyROcaZwSkH117g6cmWRqmRc4U3RpHoXo1ZIVarR_T560lkbkc7FjSdH4PKYqcosnRyakLrmM-Q34xj5n8MenKPfPuxXhxwww0eJYvJZJ9Mgf3ZGd8Xusl2v1TWcqG5ZXl4ZqJkE/s4896/P1060455.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aS_WuYeOBVvesK2WjSrGf0I5wP1zxlF2yvQGrmikCKwrV55JbiCuuyROcaZwSkH117g6cmWRqmRc4U3RpHoXo1ZIVarR_T560lkbkc7FjSdH4PKYqcosnRyakLrmM-Q34xj5n8MenKPfPuxXhxwww0eJYvJZJ9Mgf3ZGd8Xusl2v1TWcqG5ZXl4ZqJkE/w480-h640/P1060455.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green damsons but masses of them coming.</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/AVvXsEh-_2AnDAoaqGoRY23RJzhETD1ofjyd6zo5nvjfFb-RK_z49DUpQ_QRqJSHp5n2WUP-n97kF5ehDZ8wiE-YMuS-9wSsnT25MmNQStOQEdXzgR6memNrs5PZL0cpjKhsMi43gx5kVlits-Q1lkpg2lHTRQoqDWwfUTwVm1ua7qdp6F6nidn9QPO4pHsQf0ZA/s4896/P1060453.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_2AnDAoaqGoRY23RJzhETD1ofjyd6zo5nvjfFb-RK_z49DUpQ_QRqJSHp5n2WUP-n97kF5ehDZ8wiE-YMuS-9wSsnT25MmNQStOQEdXzgR6memNrs5PZL0cpjKhsMi43gx5kVlits-Q1lkpg2lHTRQoqDWwfUTwVm1ua7qdp6F6nidn9QPO4pHsQf0ZA/w480-h640/P1060453.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another of those leaking like there's no tomorrow lock gates.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEiiF29ei-ZwX-mxmrHUEgORlsZ_gmT4V6EJmktAbRYd4K-yVnZQ_GfYeoD0YTh2cU649RbX4IZqWdJ5RiY9P0RiEmsTl0AHrkDZlxxF9gxjLQVbxl2vxkctgxoSbQniW55rfHu04bPk6ZmWcbsUkIcZdfjapxrTPslp5EJa_6rfaRrpPlglIRV_vhbi8kcu/s4896/P1060466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiF29ei-ZwX-mxmrHUEgORlsZ_gmT4V6EJmktAbRYd4K-yVnZQ_GfYeoD0YTh2cU649RbX4IZqWdJ5RiY9P0RiEmsTl0AHrkDZlxxF9gxjLQVbxl2vxkctgxoSbQniW55rfHu04bPk6ZmWcbsUkIcZdfjapxrTPslp5EJa_6rfaRrpPlglIRV_vhbi8kcu/w480-h640/P1060466.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Pretties, but this was growing in the concrete so shouldn't really have been there.</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/AVvXsEiwOJfyy1tFONmiI22SMITP7SDPKOQ_fC4Tu8fc13nDYueBWIt-hFBdurNl-_4j6sI7kzssDNUsDI_zGHTTR5PjyIBvJIMpNqW4A1OFK306Y6cKM1WfvYE4onoPIL_floH7ALJvgIEFO2q9hBZRNx7V4Tw-H77PhJ6Xlx8o63T7fjEUCxRChRestVNm7arv/s4896/P1060477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOJfyy1tFONmiI22SMITP7SDPKOQ_fC4Tu8fc13nDYueBWIt-hFBdurNl-_4j6sI7kzssDNUsDI_zGHTTR5PjyIBvJIMpNqW4A1OFK306Y6cKM1WfvYE4onoPIL_floH7ALJvgIEFO2q9hBZRNx7V4Tw-H77PhJ6Xlx8o63T7fjEUCxRChRestVNm7arv/w640-h480/P1060477.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinks and white.</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/AVvXsEhYapRHSLrzWH1tdo126aJyCvZ1HnJIRt_mmbNJFUsYhZ6uJ1i9kcFGVRpoNFNLd3u8q22WeYpCS8kAPrQ3QmZL8M6y2R8qUFMSuaG848L0T1AAMHodmWqGr3uEk70oh0f7hsFnzoGNWaL1WbMLMDt76bDRXr6gaZDxR4AhlCO81JwCg5cMJuZi2XBaKNgX/s4896/P1060467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYapRHSLrzWH1tdo126aJyCvZ1HnJIRt_mmbNJFUsYhZ6uJ1i9kcFGVRpoNFNLd3u8q22WeYpCS8kAPrQ3QmZL8M6y2R8qUFMSuaG848L0T1AAMHodmWqGr3uEk70oh0f7hsFnzoGNWaL1WbMLMDt76bDRXr6gaZDxR4AhlCO81JwCg5cMJuZi2XBaKNgX/w640-h480/P1060467.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several of these along here, but I cannot see why any farmer would want a gate onto the tow path</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/AVvXsEh3PgW-qkesOkRvVUaxvf725lernbaOcQMs-LHNhBPQwJZgCQj5blkjVNgjA4JM8TjT_FY4nuXMJkKN8BXujlna5_kIKZOuuLEhjIuktD_fbG8doxyaPXbrbzaxVcCm65rhow6HTjLygkosc71X5qnayLv-lgvhgLGzNBuR_JpyC7otuO7DRTnk7scFycZF/s4896/P1060460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PgW-qkesOkRvVUaxvf725lernbaOcQMs-LHNhBPQwJZgCQj5blkjVNgjA4JM8TjT_FY4nuXMJkKN8BXujlna5_kIKZOuuLEhjIuktD_fbG8doxyaPXbrbzaxVcCm65rhow6HTjLygkosc71X5qnayLv-lgvhgLGzNBuR_JpyC7otuO7DRTnk7scFycZF/w640-h480/P1060460.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These hirers had me in full sympathies when the lady crew said they were late and had to go down to the bottom of the Audlem flight to turn around to come back up and get back to their base.... I wondered if they might have been able to have turned in a pound but thought better of suggesting it lest they become wedged and the whole situation much worse.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We finished and headed down to Market Drayton. Lovely period buildings on both sides as we walked into town but many shops closed or boarded up, it felt a bit "Poor" as my grandma would have said. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We did find our way to the Joules Red Lion and Brewery though.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEhhEfvWdv4msBOXU4q_PyDo8uvXdv0ZuReWeg9daU3EPI07TsxYrprk6f83ACwCFmGAaSxUOhE-v-eq2iMb8qqWbQWu9Os5tkNsPgiVFv7yDnQwbcRkOBoUmu1HEJ2yHRwJEIiFJiU2qrhKMl1sAA6ZdZ07KzojwiWA8pvaMzUwz3YXifXdXMjDRvkdeIZ0/s4032/PXL_20230803_144848319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEfvWdv4msBOXU4q_PyDo8uvXdv0ZuReWeg9daU3EPI07TsxYrprk6f83ACwCFmGAaSxUOhE-v-eq2iMb8qqWbQWu9Os5tkNsPgiVFv7yDnQwbcRkOBoUmu1HEJ2yHRwJEIiFJiU2qrhKMl1sAA6ZdZ07KzojwiWA8pvaMzUwz3YXifXdXMjDRvkdeIZ0/w640-h360/PXL_20230803_144848319.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half the building restored and the other half looks to be going to be restored.</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/AVvXsEgbUa09FhcbE3M8DTDAlnuZDj8BJaxLt1Q1pDh_na2m0Rbb_5ZIL5DOA2OPAHeD63cYPz78E0grFRgINSjB4kVcutjr8extg2KwOeIg4XYhk4cS0NY4n-wPpI3P47PAgbH-5Ef831Q4ugMzF23U2wMRIGTtPIgRYPQXn9WS9tTBv9YI9BYiQyO6wL_wmWtv/s4032/PXL_20230803_144727670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUa09FhcbE3M8DTDAlnuZDj8BJaxLt1Q1pDh_na2m0Rbb_5ZIL5DOA2OPAHeD63cYPz78E0grFRgINSjB4kVcutjr8extg2KwOeIg4XYhk4cS0NY4n-wPpI3P47PAgbH-5Ef831Q4ugMzF23U2wMRIGTtPIgRYPQXn9WS9tTBv9YI9BYiQyO6wL_wmWtv/w360-h640/PXL_20230803_144727670.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brewery at the rear.</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/AVvXsEj5ndd57JBi-8jNo9PMRPB_81E_7wpNikq1kvGVI69XL1NNq9iq071YZdWDQr-NwLX7G1dUkcsyqDKDgplhh6xnZ2AzS7nLbhNG1SkxF1pKDIvAAdMvwZWimEvMZ-KGv2HAhYS6WSsA3_uCbUHjn_yLLiNi_HSZz3eQ7j1s98qx6dMeww-uwJtNR9uSTy5k/s4032/PXL_20230803_144606766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ndd57JBi-8jNo9PMRPB_81E_7wpNikq1kvGVI69XL1NNq9iq071YZdWDQr-NwLX7G1dUkcsyqDKDgplhh6xnZ2AzS7nLbhNG1SkxF1pKDIvAAdMvwZWimEvMZ-KGv2HAhYS6WSsA3_uCbUHjn_yLLiNi_HSZz3eQ7j1s98qx6dMeww-uwJtNR9uSTy5k/w640-h360/PXL_20230803_144606766.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hops post brew are blown out of this pipe</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/AVvXsEhdfhLLsvw22Bh8S4We9xW6NpZxnTuAa_MevZi51jsn-DJUJXqV1X5g_dHkB6RlPR19Lan9MNpYqj63IpsBTwI9Hni6FlGIIXWuTOokI7vVXf9os277RIfdnJjm3y6gr293JtbPTb7EKYugwEZber9vpu46DSpNJrWiKRtuFRiS78cJcHoPFfIi5wXXsb09/s4032/PXL_20230803_144547484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfhLLsvw22Bh8S4We9xW6NpZxnTuAa_MevZi51jsn-DJUJXqV1X5g_dHkB6RlPR19Lan9MNpYqj63IpsBTwI9Hni6FlGIIXWuTOokI7vVXf9os277RIfdnJjm3y6gr293JtbPTb7EKYugwEZber9vpu46DSpNJrWiKRtuFRiS78cJcHoPFfIi5wXXsb09/w360-h640/PXL_20230803_144547484.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where it goes off for cattle feed.</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/AVvXsEiF3CYrzC_sOB20HzOnen_r1XzwPWRgpCxdV1LoWV8eG0xyuj9arNMWS2BxCJ5OlpPXqAfwTScB1V_IANT3keLZiWhE5mxbECIy_f18ZooObqK-InitdUD14wn6M3Gie7Oc7PyN7U-z4TLjCFGs26PG07962UGIqnUiKffC1ZfUObFTt9Ri-4OTq2dI9aPy/s4032/PXL_20230803_144132620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3CYrzC_sOB20HzOnen_r1XzwPWRgpCxdV1LoWV8eG0xyuj9arNMWS2BxCJ5OlpPXqAfwTScB1V_IANT3keLZiWhE5mxbECIy_f18ZooObqK-InitdUD14wn6M3Gie7Oc7PyN7U-z4TLjCFGs26PG07962UGIqnUiKffC1ZfUObFTt9Ri-4OTq2dI9aPy/w360-h640/PXL_20230803_144132620.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How many have you been to? We think five-ish.</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/AVvXsEgCSyJEC7KNROPk3tcQG8SmKgdExzjZwnBl6DQ4FeR8VYEIUuzdU0dJdWKsUrFhmisPV2kDwjONqMGbPv6QWTLTTugJhdJ57XzoyqnMokyDuABA7VMQvsmdWCw0TnAvl7PBpkh9OXdPz1kTgwOhxaWr4hVSgN9I5hCHk1GUyzBbAJr396SElQhXVeDN9iPk/s4032/PXL_20230803_144058241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSyJEC7KNROPk3tcQG8SmKgdExzjZwnBl6DQ4FeR8VYEIUuzdU0dJdWKsUrFhmisPV2kDwjONqMGbPv6QWTLTTugJhdJ57XzoyqnMokyDuABA7VMQvsmdWCw0TnAvl7PBpkh9OXdPz1kTgwOhxaWr4hVSgN9I5hCHk1GUyzBbAJr396SElQhXVeDN9iPk/w360-h640/PXL_20230803_144058241.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The well now inside the pub.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHf-B9RIFi8zbrEsjyDePSzzqFLtQWb05LhzhLgam34mxSyPTpYvGWIQmxO683hcMBqzg-WZHWJT3c2IYJbM3DSSjMPzWi-PIfz01xNhrdvQgrOrSqBpEBUgveMl2G3791gkm5DiUHHCccFvhfwvQN39biJ-MCYBaIIA1VHokXZpHyGU0ACJuaTpi_PYem/s4032/PXL_20230803_143737042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHf-B9RIFi8zbrEsjyDePSzzqFLtQWb05LhzhLgam34mxSyPTpYvGWIQmxO683hcMBqzg-WZHWJT3c2IYJbM3DSSjMPzWi-PIfz01xNhrdvQgrOrSqBpEBUgveMl2G3791gkm5DiUHHCccFvhfwvQN39biJ-MCYBaIIA1VHokXZpHyGU0ACJuaTpi_PYem/w360-h640/PXL_20230803_143737042.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhatDR4ahKotD0ao_OwHkUIArWHkEW1lSsSyVHzMfJjri6ziuYm_FegtKIivHX_4HU95A6gZKo9KnDUiVOsmXzsnTJbNxAK9CzjTocTe-zk-cxktd36R-qXgznsG6xZApottMyQfti8QNSQGptPP8XI1_lJPKIEKgcynp0oVfPP20c1cnBelsYnQolaYDt/s4032/PXL_20230803_143748206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhatDR4ahKotD0ao_OwHkUIArWHkEW1lSsSyVHzMfJjri6ziuYm_FegtKIivHX_4HU95A6gZKo9KnDUiVOsmXzsnTJbNxAK9CzjTocTe-zk-cxktd36R-qXgznsG6xZApottMyQfti8QNSQGptPP8XI1_lJPKIEKgcynp0oVfPP20c1cnBelsYnQolaYDt/w360-h640/PXL_20230803_143748206.jpg" width="360" /></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/AVvXsEgouwq1YYJMx1nO2QA8I9KoN_ocqoWEmYGi061KqssWscJYru_HHfDevqAawTPz1xJAxhWlpAFArfXBvnU5SHrxgE52E9eaxTTChDI1yRdbF-7TiUDsfWTBbVjiWYK1AmqqUCZYyCsLOasDyfmureN_ZbZXoZ-7QQkmgukZ6quPNxK4Dw4zGT4JvtX7EL37/s4032/PXL_20230803_143953123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouwq1YYJMx1nO2QA8I9KoN_ocqoWEmYGi061KqssWscJYru_HHfDevqAawTPz1xJAxhWlpAFArfXBvnU5SHrxgE52E9eaxTTChDI1yRdbF-7TiUDsfWTBbVjiWYK1AmqqUCZYyCsLOasDyfmureN_ZbZXoZ-7QQkmgukZ6quPNxK4Dw4zGT4JvtX7EL37/w640-h360/PXL_20230803_143953123.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad drove a car like that one outside the place back when I was a child, it went 70mph downhill and had leather seats.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Supper was salad and sausages.</span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-50367703428163124102023-08-05T14:50:00.001+01:002023-08-05T14:50:45.060+01:00Mrs Leah Tolley<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Greetings Reader, we are back ready willing and eager as my old grandad used to say.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We were home for best part of a fortnight but it flew past and I only finished washing the bedding on about day eleven.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">During that time we very much enjoyed family time and to illustrate here is one of our beloved Grandsons at the Butterfly Centre, Luca loves all things animals, drinks up facts and is always telling me new things, I mean what do you know about Honey Badgers? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Its good to be still learning at my age.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEiXToSHl_ehAvLU9gw0o2wSb76GUUmZCQznh5XOFMkggmvW1ZpnA0d9wspcYrZtFXz4kEzs9k3RAsGDn5KlrGTZNtPtIN3VfNwIQ88nGiGcu61zs53YcAfO8P5R8ISfX8jpCNK2b00BRD0cYo9ip6nZzs-c2Hg_EH4vff54X6qqVrQmEDYI-xngOdhqf21d/s4032/PXL_20230720_151446468.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXToSHl_ehAvLU9gw0o2wSb76GUUmZCQznh5XOFMkggmvW1ZpnA0d9wspcYrZtFXz4kEzs9k3RAsGDn5KlrGTZNtPtIN3VfNwIQ88nGiGcu61zs53YcAfO8P5R8ISfX8jpCNK2b00BRD0cYo9ip6nZzs-c2Hg_EH4vff54X6qqVrQmEDYI-xngOdhqf21d/w360-h640/PXL_20230720_151446468.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Identifying the different butterflies.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEi1MQ1MkS8nNfRpxxFnY6YVGETBAA-wnRsidXAZ73GHJwbpbP5PT-ZmbI0b-IkGgHnRALM9UBkd_RHMwpJxUsYg1tcuh6M6OLCxbrTsWtiPWM6qvihEPiDoPtenm3EbG4zuSBCHxEi5spsw2accGSQ9QppJJPqBgMv7mjPiFcIuaEDN-TRc0xWQuHuti4HJ/s4032/PXL_20230722_093116239.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MQ1MkS8nNfRpxxFnY6YVGETBAA-wnRsidXAZ73GHJwbpbP5PT-ZmbI0b-IkGgHnRALM9UBkd_RHMwpJxUsYg1tcuh6M6OLCxbrTsWtiPWM6qvihEPiDoPtenm3EbG4zuSBCHxEi5spsw2accGSQ9QppJJPqBgMv7mjPiFcIuaEDN-TRc0xWQuHuti4HJ/w360-h640/PXL_20230722_093116239.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He gave me courage to hold a tarantula.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One of the downsides of boating is being away from them. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">On a hire boat years ago with The Boat Sharers, a liveaboard said to us, sell the house, invest the money, put the kids in care and buy a boat. He also said that if they'd have realised how much fun grandchildren are they'd of had them first.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well it took a few years but here we are. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The boat started first time, always a bonus, without any rows we were reversing out of the pontoon, after a self pump out (They only do self pump outs here) at £20 we were off.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The wind in our hair and rendering mine in need of another wash and set, we arrived at our destination, Audlem. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was well gone 4pm when we made the decision to go up two locks at Audlem tonight. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I'd driven a chunk of the way and did not want to get snookered into no mooring slots available then having to go up the full 15 locks. Its a bit like roulette here, there's no going back but moorings in the open after two locks, possibility of moorings outside the Pub the Shroppie Fly after three, but then you are in trees....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We were in the first lock when there was a break though for England in the last day of the last Ashes Test at the Oval,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEj0BWoTbQ-xt_wnWdUQr5lE5ba8p2NCyUxKjeWxZjCPxYe8WM6DDp7GH7U7l-pUEqgVGV6HVIEllhaUZMqZn4zDvVrxIw9CYboe2v_9jq1k3S2FymuJteakntd9ddmD4R3pmM2mxQOppWzru7FhU_RGugBIdrHgVD6g-ApV_8rqyPE2I4rbFx5j6c8DDOg3/s1024/IMG-20230729-WA0001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BWoTbQ-xt_wnWdUQr5lE5ba8p2NCyUxKjeWxZjCPxYe8WM6DDp7GH7U7l-pUEqgVGV6HVIEllhaUZMqZn4zDvVrxIw9CYboe2v_9jq1k3S2FymuJteakntd9ddmD4R3pmM2mxQOppWzru7FhU_RGugBIdrHgVD6g-ApV_8rqyPE2I4rbFx5j6c8DDOg3/w640-h480/IMG-20230729-WA0001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We'd been there on the Saturday, I took raincoats and jumpers but ended up getting sunburnt.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">suddenly it was an emergency to get moored up and watch the last of it...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We squeezed in between what looked like two unoccupied boats, put the tonneau cover on as we all know this summer (Pah call this a summer?) this summer has been rain rain rain interspersed with gales. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I got the highlights on the computer going and well what delight, Mr Broad got two wickets at the end and had previously got a six when batting his last before retirement.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The owners of WaL were very happy. We'd been intending to go to the pub for a drink but in the event, early baths and early bed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was cheese and biscuits.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEjM7nZTcwUJscRgPXHgVVTwosD1QSaZMLvrNbGW4NKjJLjuUkevpiOoZx03_E2-igGhytpQ9hCNFdumJns_O6Z8Hiy2u-KBAnWkCkF9ccpkYnS2DQlZOzMg4zlDS40nc6Eu8LtZ2b26jUkS9dknubT-yKtc7ZkAoUnmQjnSds9cez54xMRO05Apnk4gWvTi/s4896/P1060132.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7nZTcwUJscRgPXHgVVTwosD1QSaZMLvrNbGW4NKjJLjuUkevpiOoZx03_E2-igGhytpQ9hCNFdumJns_O6Z8Hiy2u-KBAnWkCkF9ccpkYnS2DQlZOzMg4zlDS40nc6Eu8LtZ2b26jUkS9dknubT-yKtc7ZkAoUnmQjnSds9cez54xMRO05Apnk4gWvTi/w640-h480/P1060132.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to a pump out and then we're off.... but not so far.</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/AVvXsEjF9YrtjR_uo8HikfOezy2muLnAbSwjciCG9gXxum5hPdx8Ck0CWWGN--thnm4r5wNYN3a7KBZGUqQ1CKU0mC3MYsb9iWZZ-nevfOjhy94ZcVoR9xCYhgEYged1Iq3Y1RZfKRJD_qZBJK0hNEVKY4dnxxO-k2KmojevpdKYnb_n3XfimYbRmGZAVXhP_mWc/s4062/P1060437%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3046" data-original-width="4062" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9YrtjR_uo8HikfOezy2muLnAbSwjciCG9gXxum5hPdx8Ck0CWWGN--thnm4r5wNYN3a7KBZGUqQ1CKU0mC3MYsb9iWZZ-nevfOjhy94ZcVoR9xCYhgEYged1Iq3Y1RZfKRJD_qZBJK0hNEVKY4dnxxO-k2KmojevpdKYnb_n3XfimYbRmGZAVXhP_mWc/w640-h480/P1060437%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grebe on the marina.</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/AVvXsEiwaDW5UZ0IP3hwRoQcELfQSktQLD7EK2tRbV0o9Y53z5xWUpacSsFbP1RjCg1hVCGWvTYURcpJ8WLsdi8LV1QKFt2xKfdgExkJqUD2Uqs6IVDkZSNC8Pr5_odpSnaV1QClUiNrQz7NWuBHpbRu1QgZu8OL4adWBGeX3ahFCT5r2uvcHiZILbzY8n2EGjRR/s4896/P1060441.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaDW5UZ0IP3hwRoQcELfQSktQLD7EK2tRbV0o9Y53z5xWUpacSsFbP1RjCg1hVCGWvTYURcpJ8WLsdi8LV1QKFt2xKfdgExkJqUD2Uqs6IVDkZSNC8Pr5_odpSnaV1QClUiNrQz7NWuBHpbRu1QgZu8OL4adWBGeX3ahFCT5r2uvcHiZILbzY8n2EGjRR/w640-h480/P1060441.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tricky to capture, you just focus and they're under water coming up far away from where you have the camera poised.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We went off the next morning not particularly early, I walked to the lock and it was half full, so no one had come down, chances are they were all full. No lucky break this trip unlike last year here when two days running we happen to pull out in front of another boat when all the locks were empty and so in our favour.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span><br /><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/AVvXsEhwBPdIMsT3GS7Z-7frIbgQHoU7Sq-YGKV9C9cC8QUfmlTVp3BMpE4A-X7wu1eDGPvfWTgn60Q_F4FZDJPJLRzVmwK8zeAi2-hxnDW_itpZSWI3S44r9fSy3Cn1WmKZjBdT7FgxvXQtkK2RBqdMPx_HrKVNSbuvwxusEaRFcjM4gHTkZ8ZUyiGU-Y9QC-Ju/s4896/P1060445.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBPdIMsT3GS7Z-7frIbgQHoU7Sq-YGKV9C9cC8QUfmlTVp3BMpE4A-X7wu1eDGPvfWTgn60Q_F4FZDJPJLRzVmwK8zeAi2-hxnDW_itpZSWI3S44r9fSy3Cn1WmKZjBdT7FgxvXQtkK2RBqdMPx_HrKVNSbuvwxusEaRFcjM4gHTkZ8ZUyiGU-Y9QC-Ju/w640-h480/P1060445.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Shroppie Fly pub, here is the landlord sweeping fag ends and crisp packets out of the gaps in tables, people can be horrid can't they?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now back in June when we popped up to the Anderton Boat Lift </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://nbwhatalark.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-lift-salt-and-bob.html">HERE</a> when I was in the shop I brought a book on Horse Boating, in that cheap as chips book was a photo of here that I have endeavoured to re-create for your amusement Reader.<br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEhWqlPiNdY2jhmm1VdXayOtj5Rmpe9T7eBorUJsPV0yEIpLCD0d3JaPbJ9wkxVvAGUq18aQ10YW2bph9ZewhGQSgH0e7UPqRp7C0aMNg1Bnp0eUK65S-4FCLw9szxU_Ugurf3eJCBwLDncZP9pHdHEOJZ-SPMYKi_XG9Lsh9JJS0R2vgEHnpxfyeDk1kkcH/s4896/P1060446.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqlPiNdY2jhmm1VdXayOtj5Rmpe9T7eBorUJsPV0yEIpLCD0d3JaPbJ9wkxVvAGUq18aQ10YW2bph9ZewhGQSgH0e7UPqRp7C0aMNg1Bnp0eUK65S-4FCLw9szxU_Ugurf3eJCBwLDncZP9pHdHEOJZ-SPMYKi_XG9Lsh9JJS0R2vgEHnpxfyeDk1kkcH/w640-h480/P1060446.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is WaL passing by...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><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/AVvXsEhl3ajXsmDf54XGwwIS_ipe_LKREtXruOFoiSGKWQiDz3iz3ppbHU7B3Rwca03Ja5_23DMqY1AS3PIRLLv1g5JzHULuYQHvt09UBPOGePXnndp4O2FGVz-ql9hAJUDR9tAU_pJrK0rEL9CTzytQsIaE_kFwlH3I3a2yS_oRdNIuYHVpedBazcfIRjIb-p41/s4032/PXL_20230805_114514259.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3ajXsmDf54XGwwIS_ipe_LKREtXruOFoiSGKWQiDz3iz3ppbHU7B3Rwca03Ja5_23DMqY1AS3PIRLLv1g5JzHULuYQHvt09UBPOGePXnndp4O2FGVz-ql9hAJUDR9tAU_pJrK0rEL9CTzytQsIaE_kFwlH3I3a2yS_oRdNIuYHVpedBazcfIRjIb-p41/w640-h360/PXL_20230805_114514259.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"This boat passing Audlum Mill in the 1940's on the Shropshire Union Canal is the butty to a motor boat Mrs Leah Tolley who is driving the horse, has hired one of two animals kept here by the lock keeper for just this job, working unpowered boats through the flight of fifteen locks"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/93173492@N00/4127116419/in/photostream/"><span style="font-size: large;">HERE</span></a> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I have just put Mrs Leah Tolley into Google and this came up from Flicka, I hope you can open it but if not google her yourself. Fascinating.</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEiKHk_-aY1E1An4drbIpvF4i4QD9IGZg-UdOSfdxoPi9PTDKw43fw0SE4TI8neWSEyD4DkVaGpy_p032wsM2e6AfHhs1pDLc7bjYkAA1K3WMpk2OrHaE4eeMfEuJZRsKDrKooAJK0wvj8kj6WcoTZLB2C3aaVYrFYUjpRPd6ZwB8JVTKOLQxrx949J_KO7n/s2696/PXL_20230805_124332398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2696" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHk_-aY1E1An4drbIpvF4i4QD9IGZg-UdOSfdxoPi9PTDKw43fw0SE4TI8neWSEyD4DkVaGpy_p032wsM2e6AfHhs1pDLc7bjYkAA1K3WMpk2OrHaE4eeMfEuJZRsKDrKooAJK0wvj8kj6WcoTZLB2C3aaVYrFYUjpRPd6ZwB8JVTKOLQxrx949J_KO7n/w640-h538/PXL_20230805_124332398.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;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">A fascinating book, it cost £2.50 originally and in June was reduced.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back in 1040's Audlem not such a blind bend here, I said to David I'll come back and tell you if another boat is coming..... Fat chance I thought but yes! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So the nice crew had opened the gates for us and I inwardly cheered expecting all the other twelve to be empty but sadly not. They had only just set off.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hardly any boats in Audlem last night, no boats here on David's left as he passed me by.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well this flight is really not too much bother, the locks are well behaved and the scenery wonderful. We made it up to the top meeting a few but only a few boats coming down.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEj9ZkDoq4Ko-WGXCKFGttiHkjXwm57Kl7liNBIo6o-LSDes4Ug-MQ8150PnO3hbOUSjXr4ktJ4MkTuS6EIYrCeUS35oJeymWRZtzaswseFbMeLtQbK9y0N4kRle37X9glMgz7yS7n4L7l7_QIh7to9V80NvAFztXmeLkaDEL5tzi-EwHCETflaJoidJQhjy/s4896/P1060447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZkDoq4Ko-WGXCKFGttiHkjXwm57Kl7liNBIo6o-LSDes4Ug-MQ8150PnO3hbOUSjXr4ktJ4MkTuS6EIYrCeUS35oJeymWRZtzaswseFbMeLtQbK9y0N4kRle37X9glMgz7yS7n4L7l7_QIh7to9V80NvAFztXmeLkaDEL5tzi-EwHCETflaJoidJQhjy/w640-h480/P1060447.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One boat only moored here now, I've only ever seen it full.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5nppEY7-hM-8p1jchkWqY1O_kkHj2g3j77Iqc1zc7jmyQff0cWJ6rxeXjbSAydpg6hKSHiJ-NlkQxGq8W3MvET9_DT0KRs4660qKLjQ3mZwk-z8xpwMZVZE1KV-0BeJ5tBVfGlGc6KPK5VBxv73SaVjW89RuB9KFiqO2KKE3NPpXkmWoogdcJ3RwI7Nc/s4896/P1060448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5nppEY7-hM-8p1jchkWqY1O_kkHj2g3j77Iqc1zc7jmyQff0cWJ6rxeXjbSAydpg6hKSHiJ-NlkQxGq8W3MvET9_DT0KRs4660qKLjQ3mZwk-z8xpwMZVZE1KV-0BeJ5tBVfGlGc6KPK5VBxv73SaVjW89RuB9KFiqO2KKE3NPpXkmWoogdcJ3RwI7Nc/w640-h480/P1060448.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/AVvXsEjGLhxSfzkD86HgsS8Hp2Uf0x-gsMZKo3oKh4lf-kCNdzoqMVbajkiqSjWPG8tw3x6B5lQAnYhN1eMDEEAmW_lc0KrlBLtK_3kY1r2nAiHncCnR_7rhrw8UMdmo0Iny1Noj_rOxVZclXvVqHvv_Yy45ww4JhE3ty-LydalyzWWiC8Z7L5e9G7lKUaJlOHWN/s4896/P1060450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLhxSfzkD86HgsS8Hp2Uf0x-gsMZKo3oKh4lf-kCNdzoqMVbajkiqSjWPG8tw3x6B5lQAnYhN1eMDEEAmW_lc0KrlBLtK_3kY1r2nAiHncCnR_7rhrw8UMdmo0Iny1Noj_rOxVZclXvVqHvv_Yy45ww4JhE3ty-LydalyzWWiC8Z7L5e9G7lKUaJlOHWN/w640-h480/P1060450.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know I've taken this shot before but it is the most dramatic of the flight.</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/AVvXsEhFXUpRpNMb13rqqJsIStCPqnwhAF51ixvXxVJePqO7Wl69H35-z5tUlRtA9jR1lRBelLobo5XA2GyltxMeIuDxSmu6VQi07kCohqK1W5O-gVePVJQjK5AJELglJAZT46_ns96BTc1MlmTNlSL204CfcaOLNJnAk8oI5WSHCPbsQxcLJzXRjJdBw3jMWJeo/s4896/P1060451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXUpRpNMb13rqqJsIStCPqnwhAF51ixvXxVJePqO7Wl69H35-z5tUlRtA9jR1lRBelLobo5XA2GyltxMeIuDxSmu6VQi07kCohqK1W5O-gVePVJQjK5AJELglJAZT46_ns96BTc1MlmTNlSL204CfcaOLNJnAk8oI5WSHCPbsQxcLJzXRjJdBw3jMWJeo/w480-h640/P1060451.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only way is up... is that a boat in the distance coming down? No only a dog walker.</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/AVvXsEhNWu4s6ijpHHHrZ_duzAiTwym2C_ZugxUkmnOkZmm-wZ5wwzSHj_iCXAWDu6udtR5bPgC9W-ChzQ2Lgc-WGldTfUDbgTZST1rHJdfht9t3BKbwRupkZdhNMjXL6Ddsw2NV-6pZCkvjFMDat-YM54ZJxErG2hRHV0CzSo_DCuAhGZHQpUy2lPRa23k0M3QR/s4896/P1060453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWu4s6ijpHHHrZ_duzAiTwym2C_ZugxUkmnOkZmm-wZ5wwzSHj_iCXAWDu6udtR5bPgC9W-ChzQ2Lgc-WGldTfUDbgTZST1rHJdfht9t3BKbwRupkZdhNMjXL6Ddsw2NV-6pZCkvjFMDat-YM54ZJxErG2hRHV0CzSo_DCuAhGZHQpUy2lPRa23k0M3QR/w480-h640/P1060453.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm no expert but I would guess that some work is needed on this gate and another too in the coming winter, the board you walk across on is pretty loose too.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We moored up before the Tyrley Locks. David had passed by there this morning on his bike and not many boats, but when we got there not late we squashed ourselves on the end. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Later that night we drove down to The Shroppie Fly pub to meet friends David and Sarah. This might be our last time to meet them afloat as they have plans to leave the waterways. I'm cross with myself for not taking a photo of them again. But this is them from June I think it was.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEg8cQeptCHx5MaX2GfOFUMAM9pb_ryBttg9IkTqq_PZ_232847M4_sQqitEt65jdkkb4r9_RPfQP0ll5NfYzcdoGBD3RfJS_GlMxqspOADFWp1HJUAr5wzQYuUgo4pAdz7u0uchUYsyCtMOYf3XNaG-voI0Qt6olBNeet7BX_-tgOltry_0H0DNcxPgjRLz/s4032/Sarah&David.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cQeptCHx5MaX2GfOFUMAM9pb_ryBttg9IkTqq_PZ_232847M4_sQqitEt65jdkkb4r9_RPfQP0ll5NfYzcdoGBD3RfJS_GlMxqspOADFWp1HJUAr5wzQYuUgo4pAdz7u0uchUYsyCtMOYf3XNaG-voI0Qt6olBNeet7BX_-tgOltry_0H0DNcxPgjRLz/w640-h360/Sarah&David.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pair of them are great laughs and we'll miss them from Boating.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well I'm so pleased to report that the newly taken over Shroppie Fly was great. Redecorated, the inappropriate bright pink wall paper has gone. Nice beers evidently and good food. So Boaters do go and support them, use it or lose it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was fish pie and sticky toffee pudding.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-31015101976077833152023-07-30T23:45:00.000+01:002023-07-30T23:45:19.902+01:00Galloping though the blog to catch up.<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We moved off the next morning. Happy to leave the miserable man and his brewing. They were planning to stay for a few days longer.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We made our way along the canal, a dreadful forecasted day was due. Now the forecasting has been very hit and miss recently, when you are a "Weatheraholic" like David is, it drives you mad, but we did decide to go on a trip on this dreadful day.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We moored up at Bettisfield and drove to a Welsh National Trust property called Erddig, its south of Wrexham so only thirty mins away. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erddig">HERE</a> for Wikipedia.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Quite a place full of the original contents of the house through the ages and this was due to the family never throwing a thing away, just storing it all in unused rooms. Reading between the lines the family were asset rich and cash poor by the beginning of the C20th added to which a couple of unmarried brothers, (Crackpot I'd say) the last one ending up living in three rooms I think it was. But now restored it was fascinating glimpse into past centuries.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEhCxOpvAvf3h-KUPOHirWBIdeC7ZmgYrz0j5FLC9NN1HZQPiUKL4DBZ_GVFPmB7ansA2Uo0Ly1VThIS3WyNthYu7gEOHxW3Sm5X-VQ4exUCK1Dl-vlmoY3axP0uV7fg1Nx6bHYnF99eU6sxGxwqWoaNn2oaN6PkTSQ5FrtTehS3xwaLMtYk_ylsS4BBn6Vd/s4896/P1060384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxOpvAvf3h-KUPOHirWBIdeC7ZmgYrz0j5FLC9NN1HZQPiUKL4DBZ_GVFPmB7ansA2Uo0Ly1VThIS3WyNthYu7gEOHxW3Sm5X-VQ4exUCK1Dl-vlmoY3axP0uV7fg1Nx6bHYnF99eU6sxGxwqWoaNn2oaN6PkTSQ5FrtTehS3xwaLMtYk_ylsS4BBn6Vd/w640-h480/P1060384.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erddig, It nearly fell down in the C20th due to subsidence from a nearby coal mine. Like many other stately homes the family went broke and eventually the NT took it on on condition that all the contents went with it. </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/AVvXsEi3TS5-9LEvh3BKdMDebx7MpOZoIe4B-tL75B2JT270ggWtbzgJfVUzyZWBWRjynM-FkLz0oFVz30McJv1oCnPPSSoVt9VXbxDSI6DnZ3XVcHinUXspXrKsGAWesWm6xJIXpZjfqbUTfxyvYsvjFRuCN3yv0BqXNJstuVMsBM_BJjksu3MIAyo0Ag2dAggD/s4896/P1060381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TS5-9LEvh3BKdMDebx7MpOZoIe4B-tL75B2JT270ggWtbzgJfVUzyZWBWRjynM-FkLz0oFVz30McJv1oCnPPSSoVt9VXbxDSI6DnZ3XVcHinUXspXrKsGAWesWm6xJIXpZjfqbUTfxyvYsvjFRuCN3yv0BqXNJstuVMsBM_BJjksu3MIAyo0Ag2dAggD/w640-h480/P1060381.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the longest borders we have ever seen. Its murky but that was the only reason we visited.</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/AVvXsEgSvibRZ5pkoUdCGubuPeEM37zKuCYJGgSpIvKWdQroQ7YqIDeMWSaqQqj71-A-YR1-VnlCjTYY-PkoGKgRnjyOv4zxcX4VxYaYsOLbNMfQRG2nlsnW00YgC2AYoQvb8PvnJAMq1TiNRyJFccCYfJPEkmzRWIVI-NzWAOFl1ZxG8zTojFzjNho3pukqFose/s4896/P1060383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvibRZ5pkoUdCGubuPeEM37zKuCYJGgSpIvKWdQroQ7YqIDeMWSaqQqj71-A-YR1-VnlCjTYY-PkoGKgRnjyOv4zxcX4VxYaYsOLbNMfQRG2nlsnW00YgC2AYoQvb8PvnJAMq1TiNRyJFccCYfJPEkmzRWIVI-NzWAOFl1ZxG8zTojFzjNho3pukqFose/w640-h480/P1060383.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nearby coal mine that was responsible for the almost collapse of the house as seen from the garden terrace.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">On we trundled. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Due to weather and Wimbledon we arrived at Grindley Brook Locks at about 18:00 one evening. No one about and the sky had become as black as your hat. I walked forward to start prepping and a boat was coming up. I helped them and as I chatted to the captain a Saint Bernard's head appeared in front of him. Well my heart melted and I asked if I could have her. She was a rescue dog, they'd had her six months, the wife said yes she's hairy and smelly, the captain said no.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oh Reader I remember the hair and smell so well as after a family holiday to Switzerland we visited The St Bernard Pass and the monastery where the cattle dogs were bred and trained as rescue dogs in days gone by.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We gave a St Bernard puppy to our daughters for Christmas that year and she, Lottie, became my fourth daughter included in everything. She guarded the children and our home ferociously and was loving, gentle, hairy and smelly. Beloved by us all and still missed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When they'd gone I reset the locks. I was watching the ever blackening sky and to save a bit of time cut short the emptying of the bottom lock thinking it might be okay.... I man walked past and I asked him if he was a boater?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Nah he said </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oh okay thank you, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Why what do you want?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oh I was just wondering if that bottom lock is empty enough?<br />No! Its got to be completely empty.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Great. I'd wasted time. Back to it and did it properly.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Blacker sky. While waiting out of sight David had donned full wet weather gear plus got the tonneau cover ready. I was too hot to put a coat on and resigned myself to a soaking and hot shower.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><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/AVvXsEhVZa4aHcXxDjx64JO3ykETvg6iyGtnjy7cOyGxG7UqmPTpmjlLUqkdHhZ-7vhIkDEmMNJsiImNYpN5VLQd_7vgaSfwGsrVEWBwSBOl-1rhF6eddt2q2VRS6QgJuglDSX3tBUwEK9C5Gmv_jsyRtjepNuQkoDV4qV_ytYTJCl_sbwjll7zc2Q8dnHTiORT0/s4896/P1060396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZa4aHcXxDjx64JO3ykETvg6iyGtnjy7cOyGxG7UqmPTpmjlLUqkdHhZ-7vhIkDEmMNJsiImNYpN5VLQd_7vgaSfwGsrVEWBwSBOl-1rhF6eddt2q2VRS6QgJuglDSX3tBUwEK9C5Gmv_jsyRtjepNuQkoDV4qV_ytYTJCl_sbwjll7zc2Q8dnHTiORT0/w640-h480/P1060396.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grindley Brook Staircase flight in the middle one I think.</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/AVvXsEibd4_d0Cm5dyxJw6t1Pnh7Jg72_5zHNFMHQsNzSvNVwLO1afHqUGvytooevjyCpPErnkGGAiKVRvcRkyArMcplKPPvztm2KSgp8EDzSbtkujIDm4Ig6jM4WX1jaceYlx_e9RtQj42aTs3CERSZSFYD1ZLmuaioAaWzOdeMd6C_4wdgF2JILAOFkh16TLYx/s4896/P1060398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibd4_d0Cm5dyxJw6t1Pnh7Jg72_5zHNFMHQsNzSvNVwLO1afHqUGvytooevjyCpPErnkGGAiKVRvcRkyArMcplKPPvztm2KSgp8EDzSbtkujIDm4Ig6jM4WX1jaceYlx_e9RtQj42aTs3CERSZSFYD1ZLmuaioAaWzOdeMd6C_4wdgF2JILAOFkh16TLYx/w480-h640/P1060398.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh gawd.....</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/AVvXsEg5AveO2W8CjwbaYT8gVRXPSSh_SPTuRPpo39K8At2WUpdFKEC_4h9YW_wRph4aJGsqw55KU681ydA_w52zUTKYv2o8UFJMIzI9GEhDpI-9n49HTKhIHNoTG1deB9uIMUWKM_tSYqtO_zZ-1pgUZ0E7RGaDisP5EKNxOeCWlXa257HK1u4oYZs5BN7UsaXb/s4896/P1060399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AveO2W8CjwbaYT8gVRXPSSh_SPTuRPpo39K8At2WUpdFKEC_4h9YW_wRph4aJGsqw55KU681ydA_w52zUTKYv2o8UFJMIzI9GEhDpI-9n49HTKhIHNoTG1deB9uIMUWKM_tSYqtO_zZ-1pgUZ0E7RGaDisP5EKNxOeCWlXa257HK1u4oYZs5BN7UsaXb/w640-h480/P1060399.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brighter behind WaL but the rain wasn't coming from there...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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/AVvXsEgrTpys73sXoBhzczJO8vG3mfB2KiZwHI9y4Rs6zCuVZA7OzWVzbjA0rOmqzXalDLvUdIAuc2gzU7gEcNcRtW4RBQHn5QcnGZn4GdBNAJI2w0Jw6y7_JHwNs1c3srTlI5_P1pTyo9CDMtW7V70MORqBZCYt298FwDsdyH-XhLkevZ0hfIRHy3yuj-MKKQYD/s4896/P1060404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTpys73sXoBhzczJO8vG3mfB2KiZwHI9y4Rs6zCuVZA7OzWVzbjA0rOmqzXalDLvUdIAuc2gzU7gEcNcRtW4RBQHn5QcnGZn4GdBNAJI2w0Jw6y7_JHwNs1c3srTlI5_P1pTyo9CDMtW7V70MORqBZCYt298FwDsdyH-XhLkevZ0hfIRHy3yuj-MKKQYD/w480-h640/P1060404.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One more to do....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well I couldn't quite believe that we got down the six locks dry, okay I was dry but as we moored up on the straight below the locks after wriggling ourselves into a WaL sized spot the drops began. I disappeared inside and David got a bit damp as it finally walloped it down. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The next day was dry and we set off with the usual task of avoiding the rain but trying to get 4G for the tennis. We'd had decent reception at Marbury so that's where we headed. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">At Marbury intending to treat ourselves to lunch again at the Swan, but in the end we went into Whitchurch by car and went to their sister pub called The Black Bear. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Whitchurch is a lovely place, wonderful period buildings, individual shops, plenty of cheap parking and The Black Bear was fab. I couldn't manage a dessert and that is saying something. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The canal arm is a way from the village centre but walkable, there's a Sainsbury's, and a Lidl but to carry shopping to the canal I'd consider it a hike.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEjJa81SFGZv-BpFP2lmAjhL1ANl19Mt8fmQoQSVfRArCJ375u6w92rqUPA02lDfojFPNPTj2dpOsme9ntgRgMGwtFbtUVBIbYy6NW-ln-K64tzo-ETBoygqkGMOjn9_fw3EIT0p74MtlESC3sPofWvbR0cW4ScRry1W5p7AGGaKWs1Sx0t4imyDKFRfur7Q/s4032/PXL_20230712_134051005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJa81SFGZv-BpFP2lmAjhL1ANl19Mt8fmQoQSVfRArCJ375u6w92rqUPA02lDfojFPNPTj2dpOsme9ntgRgMGwtFbtUVBIbYy6NW-ln-K64tzo-ETBoygqkGMOjn9_fw3EIT0p74MtlESC3sPofWvbR0cW4ScRry1W5p7AGGaKWs1Sx0t4imyDKFRfur7Q/w640-h360/PXL_20230712_134051005.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Black Bear Pub, the building is C17th.</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/AVvXsEhXdm7RPOnnC2FhMxKii3Xx28uTJwhX0rhMaufN3doASa8WnasKQyuy7xo4apCPXt9fIkCahckiBAZ7yCtjulR8FkPSBFaUqGNAm7V8BSJtNeHABveE2jj6bYEDUwSG5CtE73unt-uAfj4rRR-6lGdLtF_k56oMFyB0sAdWSaC8XR6LRcneTaCCHcMI_sLV/s4032/PXL_20230712_122753597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdm7RPOnnC2FhMxKii3Xx28uTJwhX0rhMaufN3doASa8WnasKQyuy7xo4apCPXt9fIkCahckiBAZ7yCtjulR8FkPSBFaUqGNAm7V8BSJtNeHABveE2jj6bYEDUwSG5CtE73unt-uAfj4rRR-6lGdLtF_k56oMFyB0sAdWSaC8XR6LRcneTaCCHcMI_sLV/w640-h360/PXL_20230712_122753597.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David tasted the local beers and liked all of them.</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/AVvXsEhN5-wh6v1xpWutmUeTbOwvn--fX-m8zueM5eO6wqnNlaNzQ875FjRqWQGl1fUksJ7xKwhlmNMcKjNLF_gTbYfYpuVeDAbDa7T0wkz46oNydLwI7YDWnUIpwP-H9QVsFuvH0GRKx4NmdLpuMo7JyV-LcTjnSrmWurWdnrnfAJfG4Tg-BLbULS-8SvAan85u/s4032/PXL_20230712_115814575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5-wh6v1xpWutmUeTbOwvn--fX-m8zueM5eO6wqnNlaNzQ875FjRqWQGl1fUksJ7xKwhlmNMcKjNLF_gTbYfYpuVeDAbDa7T0wkz46oNydLwI7YDWnUIpwP-H9QVsFuvH0GRKx4NmdLpuMo7JyV-LcTjnSrmWurWdnrnfAJfG4Tg-BLbULS-8SvAan85u/w360-h640/PXL_20230712_115814575.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute as can be house.</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/AVvXsEh7hPGQnaa82MQy_hgGjOPQAhUosYlzNClhNLoAdXMYug9PElBLS6cGqYKca_mq5ulHIGtcgUvQS3qD0Wd6e-DzU4NVy9MykoaceTo0HFWO9IH2kKOdsFxZHvMX3WT0lOdSEjrV88pd4nzvp6rDSMyxg2B6p1cIA32GkPT2mmk3uFKLvUaIs4Cx9qNmxS-z/s4032/PXL_20230712_134100807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hPGQnaa82MQy_hgGjOPQAhUosYlzNClhNLoAdXMYug9PElBLS6cGqYKca_mq5ulHIGtcgUvQS3qD0Wd6e-DzU4NVy9MykoaceTo0HFWO9IH2kKOdsFxZHvMX3WT0lOdSEjrV88pd4nzvp6rDSMyxg2B6p1cIA32GkPT2mmk3uFKLvUaIs4Cx9qNmxS-z/w360-h640/PXL_20230712_134100807.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great High Street.</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/AVvXsEgjoZf4WJ9HKj7x6toknsy_8Px7UbDv58PwGXUErKks2gquOK8pMeW9bVympI0WePbN2FW1xWys3Y3Sb4DWsMuSVhE-IAnFeZzg4eWfiVyGWLhOYgjixkg_b3LUU6LRrsIx7Cmvz_2jMpyKvXfVgXPizeCY0SUFnCaGJvMzcxlXQqlccloK1vHgzoNjO-fv/s4032/PXL_20230712_190611948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoZf4WJ9HKj7x6toknsy_8Px7UbDv58PwGXUErKks2gquOK8pMeW9bVympI0WePbN2FW1xWys3Y3Sb4DWsMuSVhE-IAnFeZzg4eWfiVyGWLhOYgjixkg_b3LUU6LRrsIx7Cmvz_2jMpyKvXfVgXPizeCY0SUFnCaGJvMzcxlXQqlccloK1vHgzoNjO-fv/w640-h360/PXL_20230712_190611948.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice end to the day near Marbury.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Now I'm writing this from home I can't quite remember how we came to do a couple more evening cruises but we did. The tennis matches were getting exciting with the players I wanted to get through but still the main player I didn't want getting through. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We'd had some very strong winds so perhaps that was it, by the late afternoon the wind generally had calmed. I do remember jumping off the boat at Wrenbury to do the electric lift bridge but an oncoming boat was already there and the crew had started. She waved us through so I cut along to the next lift bridge, but met a boat who we had met a week before, they were on their way to Trevor but didn't fancy the narrow stressful section up to Llangollen, I had urged them to reconsider, giving them a few pointers to help, they did go and had loved it too. by now David had brought WaL along and the wind up lift bridge was still down plus I hadn't remembered to pick up the windlass.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Marvellous. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lVQr8WGFInYkqX5wT7hqLKWz490e9YTDrFOmYpVJhuTsF6Uhri-yIKZfWWBm8qV-pO_XEsg4VIr9jSPoGlooEkFgKbP0JWpqoLb74COgRFAvsbV8UJiDKAGptl0x4SEzI2HIvqOmpXdIgMvd5_7zRw0ulR-c4kgd2lnsYsBuowfSUGh5j3fH4f3PQdX-/s4896/P1060419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lVQr8WGFInYkqX5wT7hqLKWz490e9YTDrFOmYpVJhuTsF6Uhri-yIKZfWWBm8qV-pO_XEsg4VIr9jSPoGlooEkFgKbP0JWpqoLb74COgRFAvsbV8UJiDKAGptl0x4SEzI2HIvqOmpXdIgMvd5_7zRw0ulR-c4kgd2lnsYsBuowfSUGh5j3fH4f3PQdX-/w480-h640/P1060419.JPG" width="480" /></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/AVvXsEiyKAjW3vCCXrk6y10B5i5gGVrNpnhWIHvVOL8VI1pmFtGLi_mU3M6Hs2EuQIsRsMpc6F4lL7zlll6FVIzrSPPvuXpVnadplzvQ-2rQGvyeat6PbAxN_HXWdp5XpmQXn_WvXw1eb5cmgs0J0m7aapn-wD0oYs6JNymAfP9t5ZVpuAchRKedQotSpoPpRbQ_/s4896/P1060422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKAjW3vCCXrk6y10B5i5gGVrNpnhWIHvVOL8VI1pmFtGLi_mU3M6Hs2EuQIsRsMpc6F4lL7zlll6FVIzrSPPvuXpVnadplzvQ-2rQGvyeat6PbAxN_HXWdp5XpmQXn_WvXw1eb5cmgs0J0m7aapn-wD0oYs6JNymAfP9t5ZVpuAchRKedQotSpoPpRbQ_/w640-h480/P1060422.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found the weather and winds are much better in the evenings.</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/AVvXsEix3tSJMrE1w-Dti_N9W15CrxRUkUx_Udb_82jRe-RvJDZXQBj1a3N70_sDM4aiHcBMHeA7RupB8cWChaqEeQWwY9z93QVhsR2dE3nwTh7MGIKlUhUJ1HVlbMu2kvgyDrgzSl75gGBrsvII7CoE6AlenxTQ391UuFO0Go90VAO6_YQUqB17Q9ZLkqtCB_d4/s4896/P1060423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3tSJMrE1w-Dti_N9W15CrxRUkUx_Udb_82jRe-RvJDZXQBj1a3N70_sDM4aiHcBMHeA7RupB8cWChaqEeQWwY9z93QVhsR2dE3nwTh7MGIKlUhUJ1HVlbMu2kvgyDrgzSl75gGBrsvII7CoE6AlenxTQ391UuFO0Go90VAO6_YQUqB17Q9ZLkqtCB_d4/w640-h480/P1060423.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The maize getting much taller all of a sudden.</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/AVvXsEjO3RbPGtsaXXNkKIBZyclw_zGK2urO77SGFa2ssXq63M-p-l8sq2Q-8T4qzFeINKhvoP7TFslDYlh7XmwPI-cVBSWq716c_8Tzf_0aNBxGFHmCv1d5hcZzSHy3adtSuInZKCrXhkITwG7H8TysgfLkjZyUDMDxwVcvox0YHyGmJ1ZH7kp525xKH57UHk0e/s4896/P1060425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3RbPGtsaXXNkKIBZyclw_zGK2urO77SGFa2ssXq63M-p-l8sq2Q-8T4qzFeINKhvoP7TFslDYlh7XmwPI-cVBSWq716c_8Tzf_0aNBxGFHmCv1d5hcZzSHy3adtSuInZKCrXhkITwG7H8TysgfLkjZyUDMDxwVcvox0YHyGmJ1ZH7kp525xKH57UHk0e/w640-h480/P1060425.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did the last few locks towards the junction in the evening as the weather forecast was another bad one for the following day. Lovely evening. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We departed from just before Swanley Marina at dawn the next day. Rain was due mid morning and we wanted to be in Nantwich to ensure good-ish signal for the Men's Singles Final. We are getting well practiced at being as silent as we could be past moored boats.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">David topped up with water while I went forward to fill the locks, but my heart sank as the pound below the top lock was very very down. I set the paddles to move water down wondering just how long it would take to do this. I walked down and the second pound was worse, so opened those paddles too. The third pound looked okay so I walked back up to the top, David was approaching, but so was the very nice man who lives in the cottage here. He has the Cheshire Cat Hire Boats, I've chatted to him a couple of times both here at at Overwater where the boats are moored. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He advised me that yes the state of the pounds is entirely normal and the other day some boaters had left paddles up overnight resulting in all the pounds were empty. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Gawd almighty.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEh-8jWB0IvrUWXp5w8rt9jhb8lB3mpFmGx1OvKPAdGN_FsBnRiIxDWimolricNQEbkvQCmpQuI3n1eeBrBOnCawm42WV17UM5zwsuqG_LGLYWd-wpOFrk8t8fH8465u09siqDvfI0kAG4_aprQ3IN0TJ0GwPl3rGZE2t06mGdCaLyTFQthoacSyvyHORQGa/s4896/P1060426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8jWB0IvrUWXp5w8rt9jhb8lB3mpFmGx1OvKPAdGN_FsBnRiIxDWimolricNQEbkvQCmpQuI3n1eeBrBOnCawm42WV17UM5zwsuqG_LGLYWd-wpOFrk8t8fH8465u09siqDvfI0kAG4_aprQ3IN0TJ0GwPl3rGZE2t06mGdCaLyTFQthoacSyvyHORQGa/w640-h480/P1060426.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The canal or some of it flows into the Hurleston Reservoir right here. </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/AVvXsEhA4QQuywKm7XRZQND65__6HVCzgBHTqaw2KnPB--xC5_-v4bEiYWT8w7HBVg8B_9yFVGhI3Ry5WsO7P4JVzJXvlnBfRAH_XbbWpNhz9ZBUilcSE-5r0kB_ms1UNWFsPmc3VrAAv-AYP6Wz569kshAknLMmsooMeL-8goG9NixQPGbQf6_U9I5AyDslArQH/s4896/P1060427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4QQuywKm7XRZQND65__6HVCzgBHTqaw2KnPB--xC5_-v4bEiYWT8w7HBVg8B_9yFVGhI3Ry5WsO7P4JVzJXvlnBfRAH_XbbWpNhz9ZBUilcSE-5r0kB_ms1UNWFsPmc3VrAAv-AYP6Wz569kshAknLMmsooMeL-8goG9NixQPGbQf6_U9I5AyDslArQH/w480-h640/P1060427.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely cottage where the nice helpful man lives. I feared waking him with all the cranking but he is an early riser. (I don't know about his wife though)</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/AVvXsEjryoAYtWZXhBkoiug2Z1HhJBOW_GOlT8djZZ6gvuC29QJkQN9JS7N3GdtCOi_0gZae9AB4DeYeoPvyUQ4leh-FSa-MQC1ziq2tFryiBjj0uO-zr_Au8SmVYumj7fmL7V6AfWkriMh6qdlRVFPXPx-b178rq_r9U2NTxbzz6hAPv41Y4WN7Av3osQs8hfdu/s4896/P1060428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryoAYtWZXhBkoiug2Z1HhJBOW_GOlT8djZZ6gvuC29QJkQN9JS7N3GdtCOi_0gZae9AB4DeYeoPvyUQ4leh-FSa-MQC1ziq2tFryiBjj0uO-zr_Au8SmVYumj7fmL7V6AfWkriMh6qdlRVFPXPx-b178rq_r9U2NTxbzz6hAPv41Y4WN7Av3osQs8hfdu/w480-h640/P1060428.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refilling the top pound. </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/AVvXsEjQdoqRlHdD9E5DFL95SY53YXInPJgjsktFRdDWlPockEHqqEGo3_GKnIt90QeVsrR_OaPRkkBcxo7ZlvX9It8oMQgNd51fABW3MUB1-VOXOILfrK-fi_rA-yUFK6_oXjRZLIIsg2-P6jbhbgnV1jQBBzGKeuzZxSomoNjcytrmWHxjlrwuVpuizmBWqmn4/s4896/P1060429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdoqRlHdD9E5DFL95SY53YXInPJgjsktFRdDWlPockEHqqEGo3_GKnIt90QeVsrR_OaPRkkBcxo7ZlvX9It8oMQgNd51fABW3MUB1-VOXOILfrK-fi_rA-yUFK6_oXjRZLIIsg2-P6jbhbgnV1jQBBzGKeuzZxSomoNjcytrmWHxjlrwuVpuizmBWqmn4/w640-h480/P1060429.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this after I had let a lot in, it was much lower.</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/AVvXsEjP0Grik6ijwtq_M65WRH7vvUNguOuLjLq8x6-wH_-YxYp5Sp9OuiNXfdiLjYMg72cqOYw4KpE5z4sxxBoO81TCRaG_ASgzyZMfgaurKI53JcXcPsgE_OoW20cNWC7zKNWO5hfEL6C7RHjM1mW6QYAtZi0liW-yHFWNg2vHoK0JJXtxBwPl9Xh85ztYanKv/s4896/P1060430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0Grik6ijwtq_M65WRH7vvUNguOuLjLq8x6-wH_-YxYp5Sp9OuiNXfdiLjYMg72cqOYw4KpE5z4sxxBoO81TCRaG_ASgzyZMfgaurKI53JcXcPsgE_OoW20cNWC7zKNWO5hfEL6C7RHjM1mW6QYAtZi0liW-yHFWNg2vHoK0JJXtxBwPl9Xh85ztYanKv/w640-h480/P1060430.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally through, David has turned south onto the Shropshire Union canal and we are headed for Nantwich.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well due to the delays playing with water we arrived late and moored late..... at about 10am. It was raining by then.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well the very best result, with Mr Djokovic making way for the new blood. A terrific win for the young Spaniard. We were exhausted afterwards but to get to Overwater in time for the morning we moved after the match, at 19:30. We got more than halfway to Overwater that night and popped her in the following morning at 8am where she is being blacked while we are at home.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">To be perfectly honest even though I'd packed and prepared the day before yes we were late leaving, we loaded the bags in the rain just for a change. I had the worst case of boat hair in a long time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Home for a fortnight, see you all soon. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-9360118517926413342023-07-27T16:28:00.000+01:002023-07-27T16:28:31.466+01:00Anyone for marriage guidance?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well the expected rain that was forecast yesterday afternoon didn't materialise afterall. The wind remained strong though and we had a good many of whrumps on the ropes as boats passed us. David took his beer onto the stern deck to enjoy the peace, I didn't as the air was thick with midges and I can still feel them nibbling me just looking at the photo. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Nice sky though. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qzQjmdZvZLnfW0C6Jhxefamuqop4LZldRt_39m8ss888p86POjTyET5Gz96RQ8cbJWKJnbAbKXh3Fn4-ERFXaEFVGO0fj04iLMxsGODFp0dqkJG4znLGiAARtCKgkInGHzAiTrLj8V013UeEpoM7vXQbpQFtoRssKOpSI5YZaAhBp_mHJM8DE3UArDHg/s4032/PXL_20230707_200739558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qzQjmdZvZLnfW0C6Jhxefamuqop4LZldRt_39m8ss888p86POjTyET5Gz96RQ8cbJWKJnbAbKXh3Fn4-ERFXaEFVGO0fj04iLMxsGODFp0dqkJG4znLGiAARtCKgkInGHzAiTrLj8V013UeEpoM7vXQbpQFtoRssKOpSI5YZaAhBp_mHJM8DE3UArDHg/w640-h360/PXL_20230707_200739558.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This morning the air was blue as the mooring "Nappy pins" had become stuck fast, the back rope pin had slipped through the position into the next this was as a direct result of the boats passing us at speed. I really think for the most part the hirers are oblivious, but when twenty or more boats are doing the same it can only damage the armco and cause a man to be aeriated.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Off we went some time later. Drizzle in the air which plays havoc with my hair and has a bad effect on glasses too.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The boat that passed us a while ago was just leaving the first lock of the two here. I thought they must have stopped for water but no. They were a couple from Florida with two small children, one of whom was strapped to the fathers front in a sling. The boat coming into the lock told me that it was their first ever lock (Their hire base is too far away from any locks to be shown how to operate one, I guess a video hadn't helped) so the lady on the boat coming up the lock had taught them. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A bit frightening to my mind, two tiny children, water plus parents who haven't really got a grip on things. But there you are, free choice again.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We made a nice amount of progress, plenty of boats passing us but we didn't catch up with any.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It got towards 1:30pm and I was wanting to be thinking about mooring up for the afternoons tennis.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Now answer me this any women reading this, if you are a passenger and your nearest and dearest is driving, you ask to stop at the next loo, you see one, point it out, What? says the driver, oh sorry we've gone past it now. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Mooring up with David is just like that.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Can we get in? Is it shallow? The hedge is too tall, We'll lose the sun early What there...?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oh too late, Oh we would have got in... Lets go on.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Not at all annoying.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was a bit like that today.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEiVxNb5fCFXlTJq0ZybShAgYm0q47jMror1j2gRaR7_O6RUT4TtyHzVdCV3qNQ_Msf3bWJJ9ZZP6Nd0N3IBnn9EgqY07OmDL13IvgWrp5g8SpPo7Mn84gwQ1JnvyFuqe1QuP8d-Hk5ViIwvHZnQOoUvenqQItU59T_En8NDWpynlOnDFEVTPEQMo5SX-Ksd/s4896/P1060361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxNb5fCFXlTJq0ZybShAgYm0q47jMror1j2gRaR7_O6RUT4TtyHzVdCV3qNQ_Msf3bWJJ9ZZP6Nd0N3IBnn9EgqY07OmDL13IvgWrp5g8SpPo7Mn84gwQ1JnvyFuqe1QuP8d-Hk5ViIwvHZnQOoUvenqQItU59T_En8NDWpynlOnDFEVTPEQMo5SX-Ksd/w640-h480/P1060361.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very pretty countryside all along the way. No good here, overhanging trees...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKWJmcVkRbM61Nm4_adykBAB_KxbcP6vnYzsPdhZlDkpXl2LWaqYvzfaiDb0NJMtwlAvQsfcjrScpjZPLW3B7gAKtzCWMvojj7cJAjirPHF8sFGRsVQJsGSDthFu-787XilkmbhsVZk64n1sBvHOnBU6pVjiERw0y2E52ZbTXDl856PZRxi5_7kREcsIt/s4896/P1060362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKWJmcVkRbM61Nm4_adykBAB_KxbcP6vnYzsPdhZlDkpXl2LWaqYvzfaiDb0NJMtwlAvQsfcjrScpjZPLW3B7gAKtzCWMvojj7cJAjirPHF8sFGRsVQJsGSDthFu-787XilkmbhsVZk64n1sBvHOnBU6pVjiERw0y2E52ZbTXDl856PZRxi5_7kREcsIt/w640-h480/P1060362.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/AVvXsEgIx_tFoyj3Z7st9CB006HZG96P0MMDcqJaw3Sb_qL_wo8_0MUkzTSuo8EMQLXTc-X9hljJ2N_KDc-lxHAql1i8Hu0QS66ips6ZuvQK9LJwtXrWbUEMNxhcd_vhjUmpG-V70ipxCpdLeUV6ZEwBMpjaTBprrZuKQAaNB2FTzoglxlUqbbcxMXgOfVZ6AtN-/s4896/P1060363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIx_tFoyj3Z7st9CB006HZG96P0MMDcqJaw3Sb_qL_wo8_0MUkzTSuo8EMQLXTc-X9hljJ2N_KDc-lxHAql1i8Hu0QS66ips6ZuvQK9LJwtXrWbUEMNxhcd_vhjUmpG-V70ipxCpdLeUV6ZEwBMpjaTBprrZuKQAaNB2FTzoglxlUqbbcxMXgOfVZ6AtN-/w640-h480/P1060363.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boats queueing to go down to the Montgomery canal, we had thought of going down but in the end not enough time and David wasn't frightfully keen.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HVpAluaUTFPFjBSYgCT8gsdrHd72m4I3RFCZcd4ljpwxrNF9MF1etdRWZKqN1jhpVsH7BN-OAwrYnkRQoZQEcuvyYiDVSk-PPI-gLL0RHFrw_SyDRqrYu8IwWTVnpUqYvmuHABh5MbokuqPSpyERrunhknv7WcwNP6A1u__BQAcu9i5PqQP6zLzICjMn/s4032/PXL_20230708_111137972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HVpAluaUTFPFjBSYgCT8gsdrHd72m4I3RFCZcd4ljpwxrNF9MF1etdRWZKqN1jhpVsH7BN-OAwrYnkRQoZQEcuvyYiDVSk-PPI-gLL0RHFrw_SyDRqrYu8IwWTVnpUqYvmuHABh5MbokuqPSpyERrunhknv7WcwNP6A1u__BQAcu9i5PqQP6zLzICjMn/w360-h640/PXL_20230708_111137972.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well eventually as we passed by two moored boats I called out did they have good 4G? Yes not bad he said, so we pulled in in front of them. The two boats were friends travelling together.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But it became apparent that one couple off of the boat furthest away from us had had a big row that morning. As we sat out enjoying the warmth she detailed the row in a clearly audible voice to the crew of the boat in the middle. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Then a generator started up at the furthest point of the furthest boat. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We inwardly groaned, the wife said Oh he'll have that going all afternoon now, (it was something to do with his home brewing). So as you can see we put our chairs way past WaL's bow and it wasn't too bad. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Then it went off. Great.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I was cooking supper when there was a tap on the kitchen side hatch. It was the man who wanted to do his brewing. I would say that the pair of them had had a further row about the generator, as he asked me if I had any objections to him having the generator on for 90 minutes, because if you do I just won't put it on. Well Reader frankly it was said with a deal of passive aggression. He completely caught me on the hop and I could only reply that well yes I guess, but not past 8pm.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oh no he said absolutely not.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well it went on and didn't we know it! It turned out that his generator had broken and this one had been lent to him by the other boater, it was the most ghastly tinny loud din, this second man came and apologised for the noise, he said he'd felt sorry for him. The bloody thing was on for way over 2.5 hours.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Next time I will just say what I think....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEhR7nKIfFF0uung_Gmv0yTMarMJxOLkNVMdTDyqAvA_nUL4s8QYXqjA57pfS0Ce6Mq7R8bOHoz2tyMxzSst1CyxYVmrrguQQ3I5CWDv0zG8MwYvOAgdNDco-GQljVEgqI3OKT48IQXBRDaSnLRlZinyaqtbFRrpwCBR-HpNn58JA-NHlcyhwn_3fRL2H8cq/s4032/PXL_20230708_131405600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7nKIfFF0uung_Gmv0yTMarMJxOLkNVMdTDyqAvA_nUL4s8QYXqjA57pfS0Ce6Mq7R8bOHoz2tyMxzSst1CyxYVmrrguQQ3I5CWDv0zG8MwYvOAgdNDco-GQljVEgqI3OKT48IQXBRDaSnLRlZinyaqtbFRrpwCBR-HpNn58JA-NHlcyhwn_3fRL2H8cq/w640-h360/PXL_20230708_131405600.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a very pleasant mooring, south facing, good solar, hardly any walkers.<br /><br /></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/AVvXsEhVmUNPg1dsA_fpwFikWOn0Qg5XmIWoE3z7vIBJT8ojm21Y6Q7ycecMF-3IhzDBsjv0YLc5b2lDHPXwvp2KrAppYHo2bMXrgIbe3PADOo-5QAfuwiwfdlk9h0cWYSSglNj9raMy5lBZVZ0o6ObV-sH7OKTBTfGEUx4CJbP7W6fAVYQmXP3hI49PIkU8RnY9/s4032/PXL_20230708_131353664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmUNPg1dsA_fpwFikWOn0Qg5XmIWoE3z7vIBJT8ojm21Y6Q7ycecMF-3IhzDBsjv0YLc5b2lDHPXwvp2KrAppYHo2bMXrgIbe3PADOo-5QAfuwiwfdlk9h0cWYSSglNj9raMy5lBZVZ0o6ObV-sH7OKTBTfGEUx4CJbP7W6fAVYQmXP3hI49PIkU8RnY9/w640-h360/PXL_20230708_131353664.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sky blackened.... again.</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/AVvXsEhKACL7gIYY4mby70nLI44wtKYxWeo675C3ofc6kZH7_7ovjuKZG77-0Y7voiSGeVMcCQgl87Qetoba9mg91igcTW6CIozSWGx5xzlxIDo70hJKyHJra82VhWizp_XY_-ah8w9IUnbYFP0YyKAP8zr0gJDr7n3LxqbBNwNdR-GHF-vAIcbLgFA4rs-SvJ7P/s4032/PXL_20230708_133251428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKACL7gIYY4mby70nLI44wtKYxWeo675C3ofc6kZH7_7ovjuKZG77-0Y7voiSGeVMcCQgl87Qetoba9mg91igcTW6CIozSWGx5xzlxIDo70hJKyHJra82VhWizp_XY_-ah8w9IUnbYFP0YyKAP8zr0gJDr7n3LxqbBNwNdR-GHF-vAIcbLgFA4rs-SvJ7P/w360-h640/PXL_20230708_133251428.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This went on some time. But dry at Wimbledon.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was sausages and salads.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-82160544064757593652023-07-26T09:44:00.003+01:002023-07-27T14:38:28.190+01:00Just hold the rope, don't scream, then get on yer bike<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It's horrible when a really good holiday comes to an end, that's completely how I felt this morning. Yes obviously we played the Llangollen canal game of leaving early, I think it was 6am, not much past anyway. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The reason is to whip through the narrow sections between the basin and Trevor, Trevor is the first village you come to, its a hire base there but we'll be way too early for the base to be open, then do the murderous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct without any hindrance, we've heard tales of boats queueing up both sides waiting for the chance to get across, then lastly to get past the slightly narrow but bendy section around Froncysyllte which curiously liveaboards chose to moor and presumably get hit by any inexperienced hirer passing, but that's free choice for you.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">On this canal there are so many hirer boats on the move constantly from anyone of five bases on this canal but also other bases within striking distance on other canals.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Back to leaving.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I had my bike out this time. My job was to stand on the short, wobbly pontoon, not to scream, hold WaL's bow rope as D reversed to aid him in not knocking the two boats either side at this hour, at the last moment throw on the rope, get the glass recycling, zip to the bins, then whizz to the first bridge to get photos for your pleasure Reader then scoot down the canal with phone to hand and report any boats coming. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I would have been shocked should there have been any but anyway.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEjFw18ej8QON6HnAETikqkjVCe1i_xUNYb9zhg05DSqTS1DATwjv_gLH-eiXniLd6q6QruXOzzj2nejKAHSl6IDlfNSO_TmTZyalkdpxbujBHt_RL0fm9wSy1uuEzuO_fGECL5wmQj3ZeDJgn7ptwo_qp7o5XUS2XVqryo1PYJjOpfV-BCWVbJ1spHbT4g0/s4896/P1060328.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFw18ej8QON6HnAETikqkjVCe1i_xUNYb9zhg05DSqTS1DATwjv_gLH-eiXniLd6q6QruXOzzj2nejKAHSl6IDlfNSO_TmTZyalkdpxbujBHt_RL0fm9wSy1uuEzuO_fGECL5wmQj3ZeDJgn7ptwo_qp7o5XUS2XVqryo1PYJjOpfV-BCWVbJ1spHbT4g0/w640-h480/P1060328.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Short but wobbly pontoon, no noise, no voices just gestures, some of them rude.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickzc1GbZbWWvlS_4tPy9mMqShg9qVPySG3jKwCmBUByhQBSFx4lH5l3TFUppG7B8cfLYE3DyajymiRaZedjnsEFyMG2GTosXhPG6KJewII1R2QqWfGdsLWibU9rAV7DnMHLLkRiXAuffGD3Lc8j7t_gFevqvxR4jjHz1GLGh4a7rSpLYBKyPiCSzKDc4X/s4896/P1060329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickzc1GbZbWWvlS_4tPy9mMqShg9qVPySG3jKwCmBUByhQBSFx4lH5l3TFUppG7B8cfLYE3DyajymiRaZedjnsEFyMG2GTosXhPG6KJewII1R2QqWfGdsLWibU9rAV7DnMHLLkRiXAuffGD3Lc8j7t_gFevqvxR4jjHz1GLGh4a7rSpLYBKyPiCSzKDc4X/w640-h480/P1060329.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/AVvXsEhVaKrVx8ws6bPjRf4BIXd4F9OvYkdvplZ0bjNgNElKn2HNyX9_El5mf_3kkmb7bd2UarKMZ_N5a5p-Pmmu44jlerIYT5zZPrtBOr9Ap9pvkwFwwULVs1-NCVMkLLfK7SyrofiulumkvcmVnWWs-FFBHljEeGVTFVzVBXWOxnlBHWqy1UvShMsyHKgaoevs/s4896/P1060331.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaKrVx8ws6bPjRf4BIXd4F9OvYkdvplZ0bjNgNElKn2HNyX9_El5mf_3kkmb7bd2UarKMZ_N5a5p-Pmmu44jlerIYT5zZPrtBOr9Ap9pvkwFwwULVs1-NCVMkLLfK7SyrofiulumkvcmVnWWs-FFBHljEeGVTFVzVBXWOxnlBHWqy1UvShMsyHKgaoevs/w480-h640/P1060331.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are the horse drawn trip boats that go up from here to Horseshoe Falls, then the horse is turned from the front to the rear of the boat and it returns. The horses are walked up the hill to different accommodation overnight. </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/AVvXsEj-8nZKeDp_8DYraKWV5Wj1ryB4meeyHhQHXG94yEnlisapbtGDnBoL80Os-aNEMpc_ieXTJWg5aBz4vQe0lZc0UVpKam4amJ5kHIQe0Hq5Qt7tOgYHd7OMZ4EqcaIA78UrvK2lgfAYGXLPP79FSr0bXVETvutozs-5u7IR_UCJn0SRaYDP5tWQctS2N7DV/s4896/P1060332.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8nZKeDp_8DYraKWV5Wj1ryB4meeyHhQHXG94yEnlisapbtGDnBoL80Os-aNEMpc_ieXTJWg5aBz4vQe0lZc0UVpKam4amJ5kHIQe0Hq5Qt7tOgYHd7OMZ4EqcaIA78UrvK2lgfAYGXLPP79FSr0bXVETvutozs-5u7IR_UCJn0SRaYDP5tWQctS2N7DV/w640-h480/P1060332.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are the buildings with the nice cafe, elevated from the town with nice coffee and food.</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/AVvXsEhymEpi_bYGqwGznsuc6_AktYxOipNb-DvrORkaQHfqK_dMjhS4USKhrU6HN6n6Cjnd887IWtxeKMsI9uIno0VyLqTgOmZPqOOemuMaIWWY0nuBhke7ZSVVrPyJhoJq_VY9IbrIH1VdLpixcJRJh8gy3CQf_CLJmQfbQfMMU5uzTouYRtcCHn7TJF0Z0dgu/s4896/P1060333.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymEpi_bYGqwGznsuc6_AktYxOipNb-DvrORkaQHfqK_dMjhS4USKhrU6HN6n6Cjnd887IWtxeKMsI9uIno0VyLqTgOmZPqOOemuMaIWWY0nuBhke7ZSVVrPyJhoJq_VY9IbrIH1VdLpixcJRJh8gy3CQf_CLJmQfbQfMMU5uzTouYRtcCHn7TJF0Z0dgu/w480-h640/P1060333.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And there he goes into the first of the narrows. Is it true that two boats met along here, both refused to reverse and the were wedged for a day? A great story if not.</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/AVvXsEgIqhAlxhHFN7sWxIxdIL6fAJHNwrmS2ODYudGRXsxAv0NbTmCzRJIUQbTpvJZMW8gGp-fdA_5A7HDkQOg4MSSgu-Hkuxi89bfjCvZ3HIY-f5XAB0hI0ShqCalgaRczs6iSoo0UDITj7jY9Cm9vIRcj5oCMtOXZhH7ci8SN9TqIjodH1VpNpBeJfXwbIYl0/s4896/P1060334.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqhAlxhHFN7sWxIxdIL6fAJHNwrmS2ODYudGRXsxAv0NbTmCzRJIUQbTpvJZMW8gGp-fdA_5A7HDkQOg4MSSgu-Hkuxi89bfjCvZ3HIY-f5XAB0hI0ShqCalgaRczs6iSoo0UDITj7jY9Cm9vIRcj5oCMtOXZhH7ci8SN9TqIjodH1VpNpBeJfXwbIYl0/w480-h640/P1060334.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The white posts on the right show a passing place in the narrow section.</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/AVvXsEju6W_Q5RfmWJEb2CvO8Vo6VCKBqxIUOIed_dg3AFC43rPlnEcemOBbd5YfaHThCKKxN3cvsIUrl7pA5YYWXANake7We4vH__eT63jR0Wmlt7FQ09rMReDpjEXo2e1IZnInKJP_wL7K5ZpF-Xnr9a6LVJqkcErcsS4cd9kDWuCh_PJVjC0E-S4veox2z78I/s4896/P1060335.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6W_Q5RfmWJEb2CvO8Vo6VCKBqxIUOIed_dg3AFC43rPlnEcemOBbd5YfaHThCKKxN3cvsIUrl7pA5YYWXANake7We4vH__eT63jR0Wmlt7FQ09rMReDpjEXo2e1IZnInKJP_wL7K5ZpF-Xnr9a6LVJqkcErcsS4cd9kDWuCh_PJVjC0E-S4veox2z78I/w640-h480/P1060335.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river Dee way down below, I was waiting on the towpath for David to arrive. So sorry to be leaving. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The junction appeared, I was on the bow looking for other boats, all clear and we eased through the junction, but it's an exposed site and the wind took the bow and WaL refused to turn right, so I took the plunge and jumped off the bow with the rope and pulled her around. I must say that my days of jumping off a raised boat without the man I love to catch me are numbered, my knees think so too. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just for a change I stayed on the towpath and walked between WaL and the barrier. I felt much better but poor David who does not appreciate heights was left alone. But if you look you can see him straining to be as far as he can on the port side of WaL (left) to be away from the sheer drop. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEh-BBRe2FfQJ-YFEkHuQW8n-QQi1BTd7fyt0DErzqQoJCkYk2fl6Ziu-booK01BkUjBBx-aeVOBKcc0_Jf0x4D3b4AmR-zUeb5Aa-5ZsbR0oSPsmVAVAp_Ot1mNkz1vMg0aIvzcOnDyBcwEoo9UjFpiZjZgTrsHS-JzOMfFARmt9v64sQdEV_HM-_UHw6Bm/s4896/P1060338.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BBRe2FfQJ-YFEkHuQW8n-QQi1BTd7fyt0DErzqQoJCkYk2fl6Ziu-booK01BkUjBBx-aeVOBKcc0_Jf0x4D3b4AmR-zUeb5Aa-5ZsbR0oSPsmVAVAp_Ot1mNkz1vMg0aIvzcOnDyBcwEoo9UjFpiZjZgTrsHS-JzOMfFARmt9v64sQdEV_HM-_UHw6Bm/w640-h480/P1060338.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I felt much better walking.</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/AVvXsEg_1Hy4XF30dENbDHa9Pc8PIKZoyANUj-Yh5WpL0y29XqusUjgnQVxfkAIcpbfSRnqhOKcN0VkxSkqGmqAonNTWIx0F5cWVdNHlttPczdnzHkUKp1HhjJYssW_PdYjw3p8vkqShQUIDekwXe-r9e1-seaw3rBgXYoIieOmUUqvBcG4YgylvN1pDjDtxbjru/s4896/P1060339.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1Hy4XF30dENbDHa9Pc8PIKZoyANUj-Yh5WpL0y29XqusUjgnQVxfkAIcpbfSRnqhOKcN0VkxSkqGmqAonNTWIx0F5cWVdNHlttPczdnzHkUKp1HhjJYssW_PdYjw3p8vkqShQUIDekwXe-r9e1-seaw3rBgXYoIieOmUUqvBcG4YgylvN1pDjDtxbjru/w480-h640/P1060339.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing coming, although the first boat we passed wasn't very far away at all.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaP6Y61syOueVVGmDqummWWIHAJaf189_yt_EKkHmW6Ye37fgvLxt2iEjvQkt_7DVJsOSuFsLdBb9ossZNv7aq6noDefDQFH-lqYETBWALm_7xdQnRBajsdW1LU5OJhkic8pHsS9nzs6-u5MFjrHWq-JpkOTGGO9RpPysnyYweKH68aKSypg_8Gyw0VGX1/s4896/P1060341.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaP6Y61syOueVVGmDqummWWIHAJaf189_yt_EKkHmW6Ye37fgvLxt2iEjvQkt_7DVJsOSuFsLdBb9ossZNv7aq6noDefDQFH-lqYETBWALm_7xdQnRBajsdW1LU5OJhkic8pHsS9nzs6-u5MFjrHWq-JpkOTGGO9RpPysnyYweKH68aKSypg_8Gyw0VGX1/w480-h640/P1060341.JPG" width="480" /></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/AVvXsEghMP-LpOhY_Zgi3uceLRraOdOU1iGLWBk0F9JKR9vQpeQq-KqgePhtv4QK7DOAFXTPOhOrVtoHscQz0C1sa60YWHaIuh1Q12NvEULq8EfkgNsO-YHevgABEW0p5glnzbT96aDFaaaBjpkLY55vgpZjMJ-UVBEvqtYwbYFDow2Kzc8gC2yhjQYywAS_ENlk/s4896/P1060342.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMP-LpOhY_Zgi3uceLRraOdOU1iGLWBk0F9JKR9vQpeQq-KqgePhtv4QK7DOAFXTPOhOrVtoHscQz0C1sa60YWHaIuh1Q12NvEULq8EfkgNsO-YHevgABEW0p5glnzbT96aDFaaaBjpkLY55vgpZjMJ-UVBEvqtYwbYFDow2Kzc8gC2yhjQYywAS_ENlk/w640-h480/P1060342.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun hat removed as it was a bit blowy.</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/AVvXsEgxCCtC5KbQOgxjSs6_dj61kOlxEdUQidVNZdq9HNvcvJm5rOzIppxyRzehij7wpJmDurp0wc3jhKQ0LxFjBbWkqB_yobqUcVLGWKXWlHn0f6neZ_yLBbZ7HbGdvwk0FEoKdSr-vcm3Go0T7hwh4PVGMVOBJdtKRn3FFOwBpEONRQkPv_tAzfFqhYqvv9i_/s4896/P1060343.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCCtC5KbQOgxjSs6_dj61kOlxEdUQidVNZdq9HNvcvJm5rOzIppxyRzehij7wpJmDurp0wc3jhKQ0LxFjBbWkqB_yobqUcVLGWKXWlHn0f6neZ_yLBbZ7HbGdvwk0FEoKdSr-vcm3Go0T7hwh4PVGMVOBJdtKRn3FFOwBpEONRQkPv_tAzfFqhYqvv9i_/w640-h480/P1060343.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I felt a bit sick taking this shot. I hope you appreciate the lengths I go to for you Reader.</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/AVvXsEiBpLg4TSJsa9S-t38fbBf9UF_GVJ_XgYvVH77QEZmNKrt7uuhU7fMGjDZ3A37V0EeNIy_T-hDhYsuB6j8BtS-YYLWKxW6s4EfmS36_cF-6_DYTAp2iUtErVU74zRl66tBgdcK6zoHzc-2_ZlgYnR_tORu_2zJkj-yQ7I8gRQb7N0KIq3C1YXKvnwOf7eSv/s4896/P1060345.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpLg4TSJsa9S-t38fbBf9UF_GVJ_XgYvVH77QEZmNKrt7uuhU7fMGjDZ3A37V0EeNIy_T-hDhYsuB6j8BtS-YYLWKxW6s4EfmS36_cF-6_DYTAp2iUtErVU74zRl66tBgdcK6zoHzc-2_ZlgYnR_tORu_2zJkj-yQ7I8gRQb7N0KIq3C1YXKvnwOf7eSv/w640-h480/P1060345.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yikes I didn't like being left behind either, those railings look very flimsy to me.</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/AVvXsEjYqwgl9EiuXpmMubjjbAuCHBygptSEW5J__1BUwcEXjvwDDT0I-AGwkwnKb5uVE8YygOmhrcCduQo6a4fCZ8KXBtPtxPEXe2lR3f4FM7bR312c0gE9Syu9_CG_5gc95ZDSK6lgkPmW4Mv6qRs9dZhSBSQCy3DvD5SkQFQGifjO6_iHAwBozkrUDlosz6ll/s4896/P1060356.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqwgl9EiuXpmMubjjbAuCHBygptSEW5J__1BUwcEXjvwDDT0I-AGwkwnKb5uVE8YygOmhrcCduQo6a4fCZ8KXBtPtxPEXe2lR3f4FM7bR312c0gE9Syu9_CG_5gc95ZDSK6lgkPmW4Mv6qRs9dZhSBSQCy3DvD5SkQFQGifjO6_iHAwBozkrUDlosz6ll/w640-h480/P1060356.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No dog walkers today, the cratch cover was firmly zipped down today.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfju_lhUL8omkStJMDsa9uN0wurGTNEnwi6mMajG8St1sO_jctBRZLOqe_4-DzTsrVh3U_yFHdClMp8vZcJu-87lzyilCSdCXSrrigdPJ4d9WaabecqvqoE-bG74AturJVpCLTluFAWwj_Ar64uEf94PlwLf533q3116dGiCyxopX0j5J21ODH1PE-C7Gq/s4032/PXL_20230707_091351339.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfju_lhUL8omkStJMDsa9uN0wurGTNEnwi6mMajG8St1sO_jctBRZLOqe_4-DzTsrVh3U_yFHdClMp8vZcJu-87lzyilCSdCXSrrigdPJ4d9WaabecqvqoE-bG74AturJVpCLTluFAWwj_Ar64uEf94PlwLf533q3116dGiCyxopX0j5J21ODH1PE-C7Gq/w360-h640/PXL_20230707_091351339.jpg" width="360" /></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/AVvXsEgYkfY8m-tq9_z_choTaZsn4KxElQt33mtc6hpNBlu_-g7mEkhtfyLqEyF1Ezql_5RlnUbc_m6HjfeakoV37rBbI19XbIaQItqSzlB30HGSerGHULYKrWJFohz7d15ypHZ5oz4-NJaROyYtUNnwvxBdaIHjlKaXnPPSkAC9JT0plRwbfITov8_fPy1XORKk/s4032/PXL_20230707_084240857.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkfY8m-tq9_z_choTaZsn4KxElQt33mtc6hpNBlu_-g7mEkhtfyLqEyF1Ezql_5RlnUbc_m6HjfeakoV37rBbI19XbIaQItqSzlB30HGSerGHULYKrWJFohz7d15ypHZ5oz4-NJaROyYtUNnwvxBdaIHjlKaXnPPSkAC9JT0plRwbfITov8_fPy1XORKk/w640-h360/PXL_20230707_084240857.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very lovely but the access is on the canal again, at least there is a grass verge.</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/AVvXsEi9mrc4jjN0GEALrEzcdbzir5R96apgpg1FGhYUlwRHF5WPopheVz7dAc9J4OG8uMO9rdWwRkuCSFdrgsQpLVpxZexWuOdGf2i7wEu7SFuLRKeVQorKJs0SWKDHBhI1Y0Yrt5T4CRtoSuCrvFN103NqKNVNJCxpYNzfk4W6t0nDb3yCI8jaFSZhzmOze2QT/s4032/PXL_20230707_084202345.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mrc4jjN0GEALrEzcdbzir5R96apgpg1FGhYUlwRHF5WPopheVz7dAc9J4OG8uMO9rdWwRkuCSFdrgsQpLVpxZexWuOdGf2i7wEu7SFuLRKeVQorKJs0SWKDHBhI1Y0Yrt5T4CRtoSuCrvFN103NqKNVNJCxpYNzfk4W6t0nDb3yCI8jaFSZhzmOze2QT/w640-h360/PXL_20230707_084202345.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye Chirk aqueduct. A nice day now.</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/AVvXsEjnltIemMSNJO9-l38NiALDxyQdHvCWTLZURiUDWd404exmtFeThrqemrHwWXxqWOOZ5OD9S-lScBVjF42_xeiWPpYiiA8e1JjQ6LOWwFF_LLlR-KEIXODltnFqpI58f9JaWE1lH3HroCVzpPtk6aNC2lVWnlBXteJtUHPDT8UR4PQjcoLRBEirKy4ElI5P/s4032/PXL_20230707_084142832.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnltIemMSNJO9-l38NiALDxyQdHvCWTLZURiUDWd404exmtFeThrqemrHwWXxqWOOZ5OD9S-lScBVjF42_xeiWPpYiiA8e1JjQ6LOWwFF_LLlR-KEIXODltnFqpI58f9JaWE1lH3HroCVzpPtk6aNC2lVWnlBXteJtUHPDT8UR4PQjcoLRBEirKy4ElI5P/w640-h360/PXL_20230707_084142832.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engerland!</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/AVvXsEjaPqmF5ujLbSKIXGZ2d7_mhZ4wHawfwDWku0IHadLhYN-oMydyHmaXlQ2Ys_zgLc_hwRQW1xYCC2nwaeR9LWjcLEvlC45t7PcWlIO0sJ2KDTZAVfWu0Jtm5MDMRikfwP-nY6RsvVm4HOuEGbvWtomPocyTpxdYslQd7jdodDLAIKyAKkoJB2LlmFxff91r/s4032/PXL_20230707_063629291.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPqmF5ujLbSKIXGZ2d7_mhZ4wHawfwDWku0IHadLhYN-oMydyHmaXlQ2Ys_zgLc_hwRQW1xYCC2nwaeR9LWjcLEvlC45t7PcWlIO0sJ2KDTZAVfWu0Jtm5MDMRikfwP-nY6RsvVm4HOuEGbvWtomPocyTpxdYslQd7jdodDLAIKyAKkoJB2LlmFxff91r/w360-h640/PXL_20230707_063629291.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One last shot of the Llangollen valley in sunshine and blue skies, these skies were to be a bit of a premium in the week coming.... </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There was rain forecast later in the day. Another reason for the early start. Wimbledon had started and we are tennis fans. One teeny weeny fault with the Llangollen canal is the lack of 4G. But back at the long straight there was some signal. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Some, so we were aiming for there.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had begun to meet boats immediately after the Ponty-wot-not aqueduct as they were returning to their bases at the end of their holidays, we followed a really slow one for a mile and luckily he turned into the next base.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">On reaching our intended mooring the sky was quite cloudy by now and the wind much stronger, it moored us up nicely blowing us firmly against the armco, but the boat following us was blown against the opposite bank, I think due to a bend, he had a lot of trouble getting off again and reversed out of sight and when he returned was going much faster to pass us safely.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had noticed last time here that the hire boats are not slowing down, both days the wind was strong, I think they are either spooked or forget to go slower and to give a bit more space between moored boats as our ropes get a heck of a wrench, once is kinda okay but twenty boats have repercussions.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well we moored and watched the matches.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper much later on was baked feta and tomatoes. Not sure how exactly but I had three packs of feta onboard, (Another reason I'm not allowed shopping) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEiAjIARP8VZE8nYsS8gVrmt12zj4NjtUhepPDvHquH9Nr-X99oKXtIVd-3kRwfjNuBUq7T8WJH5nQU5r87dbOCVhofsYtEh0zVHTQoPbGUcGtALtGnO6epssS-pjfEYZu1pWQtREGG7UKW9dARbbeYf58kue4JJe1B-qGuDTLrf_LmblLOunha-XsQb_TFp/s4896/P1060358.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjIARP8VZE8nYsS8gVrmt12zj4NjtUhepPDvHquH9Nr-X99oKXtIVd-3kRwfjNuBUq7T8WJH5nQU5r87dbOCVhofsYtEh0zVHTQoPbGUcGtALtGnO6epssS-pjfEYZu1pWQtREGG7UKW9dARbbeYf58kue4JJe1B-qGuDTLrf_LmblLOunha-XsQb_TFp/w480-h640/P1060358.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice way to show support for Ukraine.</td></tr></tbody></table><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 /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-48395152000657701402023-07-25T11:33:00.000+01:002023-07-25T11:33:00.341+01:00Can't wait to come again.<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well without going into all the details we had the most lovely time in Llangollen, in the evenings we were serenaded by the concerts playing and in the day time we did the touristy things. We went on the train up to Corwen, the terminus of the railway. behind us sat a very Welsh sounding lady and her very English sounding daughter, she pronounced all the unpronounceable station names for us to listen to, then as we walked over the way to the town centre there was a zonking great statue of the man I had just read the first of a trilogy about, Owain Glyndwr. Nice to put a face to a name, he was declared the Prince of Wales in 1400, the Welsh were not best pleased with the English back then.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We cycled up to Horseshoe Falls. That is the very place where the River Dee is sidetracked off to start the canal. Obviously there the river and canal are at the same height but within minutes the river is way below the canal. Further on by footpath is a charming wee church of Llantysilio.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We drank very good coffee from the cafe at the Basin, it has a charming terrace overlooking the town and rooftops, suddenly the sound of beating drums was heard as the Indian team for the Festival or Eisteddfod were doing their turn at demonstrating in the town small square. There were several venues across the town so good access for all.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We walked up to Plas Newydd, I'd wanted to go there last time but then I was under the impression it was miles out of town, but it isn't.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Ladies of Llangollen as they became known as, were two high born Irish ladies who hated their world and "Eloped" together to Wales, they scandalized society and lived very happily for over fifty years in Llangollen. As time went on they enjoyed visits from Shelly, Wellington, Wordsworth and Byron were visitors plus a one Ms Anne Lister, watchers of the BBC might recognise that name form the production of Gentleman Jack.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">On the day we visited there was a exhibition of the costumes from the TV series on display in the house.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From the grounds at Plas Newynn you can see Castell Dinas Bran, David fancied walking up it but in the end we ran out of time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Photos below;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><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/AVvXsEgguTBLBQGjoepGx15oarhRVdQQ53YmUBztp3Ce2i1A1PGdxLWqX1kUGrfdsE7ZSiGjcZwIsW8VEiZMMA_JUr2W9CAWX40Mdz5DLJKcjWOO3dFqRXZSO2aavMUoj9vuUt5ach4Dxp7xH4n8rV55fz5LiK7hoiGhq1q0Tubz7KCHYtE20eqxfBSGYzfnqiEx/s4896/P1060257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguTBLBQGjoepGx15oarhRVdQQ53YmUBztp3Ce2i1A1PGdxLWqX1kUGrfdsE7ZSiGjcZwIsW8VEiZMMA_JUr2W9CAWX40Mdz5DLJKcjWOO3dFqRXZSO2aavMUoj9vuUt5ach4Dxp7xH4n8rV55fz5LiK7hoiGhq1q0Tubz7KCHYtE20eqxfBSGYzfnqiEx/w640-h480/P1060257.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The River Dee, this taken from the pub The Corn Mill, it eventually flows though Chester.</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/AVvXsEjJlCd2XjKPrug-daVDiwB5ZaVbreidwUWyt0xiMv3fcXKxY_tsaKAoKjLcmFSDTuwdQmPRI4Jp1WSMiRug-YQT6UdAlH6eW4e6tfnC1yiyxrfj_TvSHuvj7zYMYVKuHuHVAxJvhSPBXgOojL4xGCGX5YrjHjT4NBVVM75G-pK0IpUojifGBX1HufRriFc4/s4896/P1060259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlCd2XjKPrug-daVDiwB5ZaVbreidwUWyt0xiMv3fcXKxY_tsaKAoKjLcmFSDTuwdQmPRI4Jp1WSMiRug-YQT6UdAlH6eW4e6tfnC1yiyxrfj_TvSHuvj7zYMYVKuHuHVAxJvhSPBXgOojL4xGCGX5YrjHjT4NBVVM75G-pK0IpUojifGBX1HufRriFc4/w640-h480/P1060259.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Steam Railway Station opposite the pub.</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/AVvXsEgY9XegNS_Wxb7meXp2posEGIEv1PmEyOB33ixTdQuIkSboQjJeKEPjri39UbkX9EdelwJJmHMw7kt5YarvX9rbOclC5GsxKL5j-O4uxR5aPDMZZGfOSZqvA05HLuo2BBUonYKpfBN4y3fy5R9AwoBb5UmiSdQfCrtwZqelehH1UMlV9VeY6KXzpLgPU0N3/s4896/P1060263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9XegNS_Wxb7meXp2posEGIEv1PmEyOB33ixTdQuIkSboQjJeKEPjri39UbkX9EdelwJJmHMw7kt5YarvX9rbOclC5GsxKL5j-O4uxR5aPDMZZGfOSZqvA05HLuo2BBUonYKpfBN4y3fy5R9AwoBb5UmiSdQfCrtwZqelehH1UMlV9VeY6KXzpLgPU0N3/w640-h480/P1060263.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downstream from the pub, if you spy behind the three story red brick houses you can see the canal buildings and cafe with its nice views over the town. In the 1.8 miles since Horseshoe Falls you can see how much the river is below the canal height.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's annoying when the photos load in the wrong order, but here below is the very beginning of the canal. Horseshoe Falls are man made, the water is so clear here too. It runs under what I presume is a pump house. No boats can come up this far, or indeed from the basin, that is accepting a horse drawn narrow boat, but today children were having a right hoot in kayaks on an organised school trip. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEgmOVFX9yBbRtkAQKE2xIdTYeNRuQKydc5Q2-a4ZjxxBXnKs8UmFNsesmAwHexV0V_ZtVytPmy9qA5H_KfFjUWSsL8A-vpX9nv5hQdIYWSg9e7bg6qjXqmrEzQkC-h9W2ngx5RrSFKlRoSjKDOeuaQ1GQObbodCxb4_QlZGJeuyWLYG2xlx1cNON8ny68uk/s4896/P1060264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOVFX9yBbRtkAQKE2xIdTYeNRuQKydc5Q2-a4ZjxxBXnKs8UmFNsesmAwHexV0V_ZtVytPmy9qA5H_KfFjUWSsL8A-vpX9nv5hQdIYWSg9e7bg6qjXqmrEzQkC-h9W2ngx5RrSFKlRoSjKDOeuaQ1GQObbodCxb4_QlZGJeuyWLYG2xlx1cNON8ny68uk/w640-h480/P1060264.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A portion of the river is sidetracked exactly here, under that building and down a concrete lined channel that is eventually is the canal.</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/AVvXsEi-NBDQn3CUuEyFPutBY_Zw8zpd8Kc5YuirRjm5Cv42oZmfnTLHa5DYMrD37_JENLkQm-w8qEVuLlTabrdNqm1QZVLOck9JL7wJnFAA0frM0JGo7OIkQq7jT_s3no4IZlWsyHmDWHhgSS6WqFPlfOdN5TJJn_7qJMhJxLaqrGyBPw8LYLdDNUjE_qIJlF8L/s4896/P1060268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NBDQn3CUuEyFPutBY_Zw8zpd8Kc5YuirRjm5Cv42oZmfnTLHa5DYMrD37_JENLkQm-w8qEVuLlTabrdNqm1QZVLOck9JL7wJnFAA0frM0JGo7OIkQq7jT_s3no4IZlWsyHmDWHhgSS6WqFPlfOdN5TJJn_7qJMhJxLaqrGyBPw8LYLdDNUjE_qIJlF8L/w640-h480/P1060268.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horseshoe Falls, the river was exceptionally low this time due to the lack of rain they've had this way.</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/AVvXsEjyQYcJB2Lf3kwYFc6Z9av0pyL8qgdFNsLeJhiR6AN50QcoEHtAcLpHRodvOQF_cS_NmghOMJCDHu4epJ90rjSPD76rEev6ynEZA0SuKO1p0YsrL0pp4FPoQ56GEz1SKP8RgJJs-lQIQhbF0wMjRyUIrx_fi9P_PNPRdNKZmAs_duzp3PPReeaGIXsK_x-1/s4896/P1060272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQYcJB2Lf3kwYFc6Z9av0pyL8qgdFNsLeJhiR6AN50QcoEHtAcLpHRodvOQF_cS_NmghOMJCDHu4epJ90rjSPD76rEev6ynEZA0SuKO1p0YsrL0pp4FPoQ56GEz1SKP8RgJJs-lQIQhbF0wMjRyUIrx_fi9P_PNPRdNKZmAs_duzp3PPReeaGIXsK_x-1/w640-h480/P1060272.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely Llantysilio Church, first built in C15th, rebuilt and restored but there is still some original brickwork to be seen from that first build. Robert Browning visited too.</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/AVvXsEgkh-IPu_Vc8QU9ifNPPbap9ej0BkT784yVE3w19dgnRZDWobYI3wSuCW2hPp09cpKtdqWDuWQPKl9XbdnM6RTGhYkhfSVZBi0tko-53maw816140PC99JPmc1NGBOktle_QV2X--QRKldR6YRBog3JEflF3AI9KwKgiWgMoIVXFn-GDSTGUmISQvwYGEwX/s4896/P1060274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkh-IPu_Vc8QU9ifNPPbap9ej0BkT784yVE3w19dgnRZDWobYI3wSuCW2hPp09cpKtdqWDuWQPKl9XbdnM6RTGhYkhfSVZBi0tko-53maw816140PC99JPmc1NGBOktle_QV2X--QRKldR6YRBog3JEflF3AI9KwKgiWgMoIVXFn-GDSTGUmISQvwYGEwX/w480-h640/P1060274.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the water intake to the canal.</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/AVvXsEg2EVnJs2S8DAZchR4U6VWzUKTP7_FipycDyRN2K25E6Os0WHxKS1tD9yQYDEuRdAqbNFOHxtq5X2tlhytJdXTiB7JlrGzd6I8TS6zhoN5OnJDR1QBdD-YgiiQv1_tUI7LsFqLpOWAbp-y0qaQPVeK9w1epafQi52SOB2-veOIyX3SUriU2LD7u4NI2axws/s4896/P1060275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EVnJs2S8DAZchR4U6VWzUKTP7_FipycDyRN2K25E6Os0WHxKS1tD9yQYDEuRdAqbNFOHxtq5X2tlhytJdXTiB7JlrGzd6I8TS6zhoN5OnJDR1QBdD-YgiiQv1_tUI7LsFqLpOWAbp-y0qaQPVeK9w1epafQi52SOB2-veOIyX3SUriU2LD7u4NI2axws/w480-h640/P1060275.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the pump house.</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/AVvXsEj-kU0nMXov70-h7zIrSjsvJx-cXVger-YnkIWtNH8j5at6JXMUbpQ0_VKRVEf6bQQbWuVSrrsQi_m_GComM6HzuWEnJGwOQ9BuL1jXTCYPRGscDseAhda9BlESuKYCrMfRmvY2KFcgSNfaG4nPgnfv8PhObYhlTlTy2x-_2pJ1qDsM757I4pyuyMsC3Jhj/s4896/P1060277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kU0nMXov70-h7zIrSjsvJx-cXVger-YnkIWtNH8j5at6JXMUbpQ0_VKRVEf6bQQbWuVSrrsQi_m_GComM6HzuWEnJGwOQ9BuL1jXTCYPRGscDseAhda9BlESuKYCrMfRmvY2KFcgSNfaG4nPgnfv8PhObYhlTlTy2x-_2pJ1qDsM757I4pyuyMsC3Jhj/w640-h480/P1060277.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of Llangollen from the canal cafe</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/AVvXsEgRMxCTX52g5m8R6CMTOaZ3Ml0_R0fZJTEM5eog6B_g-m9O-cLlRZBId9_MoRHsG2LTNxMs_6_xFB86p4bfqsw46k88z-AZXx_qE3wyVI57omlklhDEzQHZXvlATdBmAvrZgFBVzBo5e2_g7zJOK5tK3xw9i5mv997UKreCWNqlrw6-MbQ2xv53O_SsGUgG/s4896/P1060278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMxCTX52g5m8R6CMTOaZ3Ml0_R0fZJTEM5eog6B_g-m9O-cLlRZBId9_MoRHsG2LTNxMs_6_xFB86p4bfqsw46k88z-AZXx_qE3wyVI57omlklhDEzQHZXvlATdBmAvrZgFBVzBo5e2_g7zJOK5tK3xw9i5mv997UKreCWNqlrw6-MbQ2xv53O_SsGUgG/w640-h480/P1060278.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the train of the Chain Bridge Hotel, we'd sat on their terrace in the sun gazing at a Dipper feeding on the exposed rocks. </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/AVvXsEh1u-A-EymXHlLrwCFIzbdt-ZDGi1kbC9hmXTBntHzxh2F7zIk6bBI3pQ4Rs8JSDyOdXf28_DkkfnhSmsbWNTCdcwpPEvzbnXF4pbbC-Ly_l4FN12K-EIHlslVU67ONQKEHn0NahErVEeG60LoDNX-g0IhEArgin_RZtdmcHspcFT3Mp-C4Vdhl0OL86hvk/s4896/P1060282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1u-A-EymXHlLrwCFIzbdt-ZDGi1kbC9hmXTBntHzxh2F7zIk6bBI3pQ4Rs8JSDyOdXf28_DkkfnhSmsbWNTCdcwpPEvzbnXF4pbbC-Ly_l4FN12K-EIHlslVU67ONQKEHn0NahErVEeG60LoDNX-g0IhEArgin_RZtdmcHspcFT3Mp-C4Vdhl0OL86hvk/w640-h480/P1060282.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the bridge at the hotel form the train.</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/AVvXsEh2_s1CF87__c8xyynOahRsBJyZGI9o8nFfIJTwNtpUIJWlYzaIxiEp_RCGoY_h65MpVyam8EbwSt2nTmGronH8Wy4JdCaUl9CvgxVb_ZXlYkDo-MUUaKvHv1RP2rRPk3r-hFUjM3CItbhaFHqgjdByJ7pf_guR9aT_rAj_k0VifOKmqnSizOZdIkGc70ZF/s4896/P1060285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_s1CF87__c8xyynOahRsBJyZGI9o8nFfIJTwNtpUIJWlYzaIxiEp_RCGoY_h65MpVyam8EbwSt2nTmGronH8Wy4JdCaUl9CvgxVb_ZXlYkDo-MUUaKvHv1RP2rRPk3r-hFUjM3CItbhaFHqgjdByJ7pf_guR9aT_rAj_k0VifOKmqnSizOZdIkGc70ZF/w640-h480/P1060285.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welsh lady in the seat behind could pronounce this name. Its the name of the land held by Owain Glyndwr way back in the C15th where he was proclaimed Prince of Wales. Perhaps he worshipped at Llantysilio Church, its not far away. </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/AVvXsEh_wfx8TpyaSK9ravXth6z2x8HQ5I2REPDEi61qM8njKRrRCUZZTeHZMwaGIzupG0uQRHqQZgo0HsPsQQ65jF4grzOvpk7dTI9VdRs-73GCQZCC6riROfCusqmW8jElfWd_sxOJwsovslPXljaTkqcoS3u9hNKJglww-YYnIdK5KaTkU6Z7jYZ7OU88K4P-/s4032/PXL_20230706_092202491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wfx8TpyaSK9ravXth6z2x8HQ5I2REPDEi61qM8njKRrRCUZZTeHZMwaGIzupG0uQRHqQZgo0HsPsQQ65jF4grzOvpk7dTI9VdRs-73GCQZCC6riROfCusqmW8jElfWd_sxOJwsovslPXljaTkqcoS3u9hNKJglww-YYnIdK5KaTkU6Z7jYZ7OU88K4P-/w640-h360/PXL_20230706_092202491.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sadly today the steam train wasn't available so we went on the diseasel.</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/AVvXsEgjKo7SatzNmfmWgeM0QwzxHDapsSf1rU4Wlqp_mU4ov4Aq5vTQKcYa2CYvCTUHQSqK98zA4_4d5vMsqMYjCjUNp6G1MDMr_XsXIUM5dAub92ZUwyDAvGZYGn296u5eUyY1bWXYF3KK1tPPh4YPHqzFTza-CsrTqX37amyFBxTLwgyP-FXpPMarwqKFdb6h/s4032/PXL_20230706_101315459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKo7SatzNmfmWgeM0QwzxHDapsSf1rU4Wlqp_mU4ov4Aq5vTQKcYa2CYvCTUHQSqK98zA4_4d5vMsqMYjCjUNp6G1MDMr_XsXIUM5dAub92ZUwyDAvGZYGn296u5eUyY1bWXYF3KK1tPPh4YPHqzFTza-CsrTqX37amyFBxTLwgyP-FXpPMarwqKFdb6h/w360-h640/PXL_20230706_101315459.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love these old railway promotional posters, this one represents the Chirk and the <br />Ponty wot-not aqueducts and the lovely stone bridge in Llangollen.</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/AVvXsEhsfjfrDk5SOD5aufIJU2g38YizJwu1LktsudDOULBpxI2cigOnvD6Y5Zfn3v67QkXRs_XqwjTlrxWUczoRRFjW8akTBVrE7bxQROIdarg5fZn3qY74fpvuiRpSnCcYa0jypgSz07I2miEauYnpKG4xTec-xUZ9iHViZBsObpvYMLX-lrYY__b8r_F03lWg/s4032/PXL_20230706_101304081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfjfrDk5SOD5aufIJU2g38YizJwu1LktsudDOULBpxI2cigOnvD6Y5Zfn3v67QkXRs_XqwjTlrxWUczoRRFjW8akTBVrE7bxQROIdarg5fZn3qY74fpvuiRpSnCcYa0jypgSz07I2miEauYnpKG4xTec-xUZ9iHViZBsObpvYMLX-lrYY__b8r_F03lWg/w640-h360/PXL_20230706_101304081.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see why crossing this gives me the screaming ab-dabs? Nice picture though.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So the very smart lady sitting on top of my head saw me trying to get a selfie with David and INSISTED her husband helped, so he got on a chair and took a bunch then she insisted that he got on a different chair to get a shot of the river behind us. I was very pleased with his work, so in praise of him you can see them too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEjjHuJn56MorWUJXqF6qzJo3lfl4NSPfbDrteuETJ0_MV0Aw4wxEhY2aAAzlPPb957Jq1agNwGfWDig49iR1l0ImcR1wy9ZlZju3ggLmRq6jU12Ki-fY4GUjJblcvRivwuOItxdK1J_mF47S3XmU8OFWmb-ZvXVTQpq88kUl1QMpxZIxSDgZE9gOCMpZZhB/s3264/PXL_20230704_163254041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHuJn56MorWUJXqF6qzJo3lfl4NSPfbDrteuETJ0_MV0Aw4wxEhY2aAAzlPPb957Jq1agNwGfWDig49iR1l0ImcR1wy9ZlZju3ggLmRq6jU12Ki-fY4GUjJblcvRivwuOItxdK1J_mF47S3XmU8OFWmb-ZvXVTQpq88kUl1QMpxZIxSDgZE9gOCMpZZhB/w360-h640/PXL_20230704_163254041.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to believe it now but we needed sunglasses and sun hats, had it of been earlier in the day I would have needed shade.</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/AVvXsEj9zrTxW6zkC306xsPrb_tfUOnRSdpyMOQ2kDrAflmuqW4mHBbFLkXiMMCYB0S2F25v-ZZAXnFRDvQ_WvPcX6arrv_SsWywM45MI4I7Nk1r7HJP2cV_l42bB93VbdIO0zvhgOtKB2MtYE6Olrp5cRj4MMqmgrPqStzH9SQBgDphh_uuJPrfHM8zeGzPbVvW/s4032/PXL_20230704_171434699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zrTxW6zkC306xsPrb_tfUOnRSdpyMOQ2kDrAflmuqW4mHBbFLkXiMMCYB0S2F25v-ZZAXnFRDvQ_WvPcX6arrv_SsWywM45MI4I7Nk1r7HJP2cV_l42bB93VbdIO0zvhgOtKB2MtYE6Olrp5cRj4MMqmgrPqStzH9SQBgDphh_uuJPrfHM8zeGzPbVvW/w360-h640/PXL_20230704_171434699.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river here over the rocks is mesmerising. </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/AVvXsEj2QzMnuADi2P-5B7QQZ08OKpeef9xOMkcmoIG2IjuWZheUNsUjB9KtyWAEKoP9VyMfjmOatYbHQOUJe7x0zAt8okCCpNbcF9rh12fCvxaDI8zkO5fkeRdJMu6DLWXK43BkYsY2lY7N9OWq61XTsp40QIbU6p-FcP-zm7Eb_kJfC1vwIdBNu-xH9IrXIdDK/s4032/PXL_20230704_142636692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QzMnuADi2P-5B7QQZ08OKpeef9xOMkcmoIG2IjuWZheUNsUjB9KtyWAEKoP9VyMfjmOatYbHQOUJe7x0zAt8okCCpNbcF9rh12fCvxaDI8zkO5fkeRdJMu6DLWXK43BkYsY2lY7N9OWq61XTsp40QIbU6p-FcP-zm7Eb_kJfC1vwIdBNu-xH9IrXIdDK/w360-h640/PXL_20230704_142636692.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was all up for doing this type of boating but David wasn't really.</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/AVvXsEjMh0nfFReIN0Bv5H7FspavZiqQDhMMRjlVjpjqru0ZwAfnKjOCDzTDX4oYWPQt2TRhU_gsFHK_M8AJ0U3uoKsXlV2OpL6FCplgp9hvAADX67K1mS4LRyfXUnJ-n9-Wq4C1EIah8KiINJuCEigegMuo5XK3QsFiSR_pwbrf9yur6V08BKRnkwe85F1SmrXC/s4032/PXL_20230704_142705351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMh0nfFReIN0Bv5H7FspavZiqQDhMMRjlVjpjqru0ZwAfnKjOCDzTDX4oYWPQt2TRhU_gsFHK_M8AJ0U3uoKsXlV2OpL6FCplgp9hvAADX67K1mS4LRyfXUnJ-n9-Wq4C1EIah8KiINJuCEigegMuo5XK3QsFiSR_pwbrf9yur6V08BKRnkwe85F1SmrXC/w360-h640/PXL_20230704_142705351.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looked great fun and no one died.</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/AVvXsEgsPCgCKyI9rnmTK9svvYCc-KPgBzs0QbbuDHFxHgGYe60BJNiVGhV-Q3hEA9ehTqFS_uMgAGC9MNBCYFG5ySRzKnEHakcXtoUufdy2y-qVXkLD34cTWcvdzGHSnvz7LJDhKjDLj3_GpIaXNjsKbr-Ry_8gGI1_aKOQ7EBCbfa_Y6VNc5dTPToXKRFdodlE/s4032/PXL_20230704_170553646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPCgCKyI9rnmTK9svvYCc-KPgBzs0QbbuDHFxHgGYe60BJNiVGhV-Q3hEA9ehTqFS_uMgAGC9MNBCYFG5ySRzKnEHakcXtoUufdy2y-qVXkLD34cTWcvdzGHSnvz7LJDhKjDLj3_GpIaXNjsKbr-Ry_8gGI1_aKOQ7EBCbfa_Y6VNc5dTPToXKRFdodlE/w360-h640/PXL_20230704_170553646.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you sir, a very nice photo of us.</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/AVvXsEjq4eXOpG07Jm_lH0hXOP5i4QQsj_WdgJ4WKKuV-Ecw_FC9Tauw4RGO7XGoM2Z2q0Xsq8eaEfetJdqmoqaX47Z3FZfWVuR4S-En6aQ4fUbstpRb8jBHIGw-aufuC6tJXy5ZDCZ-lJ-GE3W_Cseyvoi34cxClTVBSZHy_KJVCPCqPp9hNtzvecxDxrxz40yV/s4032/PXL_20230706_132132308.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4eXOpG07Jm_lH0hXOP5i4QQsj_WdgJ4WKKuV-Ecw_FC9Tauw4RGO7XGoM2Z2q0Xsq8eaEfetJdqmoqaX47Z3FZfWVuR4S-En6aQ4fUbstpRb8jBHIGw-aufuC6tJXy5ZDCZ-lJ-GE3W_Cseyvoi34cxClTVBSZHy_KJVCPCqPp9hNtzvecxDxrxz40yV/w640-h360/PXL_20230706_132132308.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plas Newydd, this is the home the Ladies of Llangollen created and lived at for over fifty years. <br />Right above it is Castell Dinas Bran</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/AVvXsEh_81DNpBbhLcU4aFEn2LVv8KBSWdYJK9KrZcRFNnyW6HHcpcfsdZVnMW4qNfVjnTVbOacouHqVmdpNe25PvGD4SGWt-Ta883JgKVNO4kOVpJgiww_lPquUNb7lVg24WCHkdX_dhRkYIS_5iOU5mmJN-ROHiqwz3ChkWW4FnepUlnL3jcP_pEavNfv7f3oA/s4896/P1060260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_81DNpBbhLcU4aFEn2LVv8KBSWdYJK9KrZcRFNnyW6HHcpcfsdZVnMW4qNfVjnTVbOacouHqVmdpNe25PvGD4SGWt-Ta883JgKVNO4kOVpJgiww_lPquUNb7lVg24WCHkdX_dhRkYIS_5iOU5mmJN-ROHiqwz3ChkWW4FnepUlnL3jcP_pEavNfv7f3oA/w640-h480/P1060260.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was taken from the same spot as the one before but with my zoom. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The last thing we saw was the parade of all the countries taking part. Numbers are still down after Covid, but it was still great to see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEjgfg_ffa_Xf6-dGebJnGZkpmxwu8yVNYrWUF45cbytEKLMWhgywyIrFGbDj94wDPJYJkTOjDYOXo_Zm8WRIByRH5G7DSHh8wD9t-uallQv6oHQ9ZirzgaTEkNUzAl-2ut015Ng2XYUtc435gPyiwU6UqDGSAYScCerBrTaDfaGzBPaYS1cZQtb4y3EyK7n/s4896/P1060304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfg_ffa_Xf6-dGebJnGZkpmxwu8yVNYrWUF45cbytEKLMWhgywyIrFGbDj94wDPJYJkTOjDYOXo_Zm8WRIByRH5G7DSHh8wD9t-uallQv6oHQ9ZirzgaTEkNUzAl-2ut015Ng2XYUtc435gPyiwU6UqDGSAYScCerBrTaDfaGzBPaYS1cZQtb4y3EyK7n/w640-h480/P1060304.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greek dancers were very energetic.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcX-NFznPctBggONRAaMZbvAwDPI62TQ2kYVoKHp1hDgWoj1KXI2GGYzyvMIXp9bWVnPJtbu0Bx7liEEzNioBrBWan46sBXoCbKNXJI2ApaWb_AFZUzodQ-kT2KYtAkhstnTNeORaKpaZ3nfylhOuPVfS90qg87bLrPrTQgjuHzBiSN4ZXPo2UTuWvmfNe/s4896/P1060306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcX-NFznPctBggONRAaMZbvAwDPI62TQ2kYVoKHp1hDgWoj1KXI2GGYzyvMIXp9bWVnPJtbu0Bx7liEEzNioBrBWan46sBXoCbKNXJI2ApaWb_AFZUzodQ-kT2KYtAkhstnTNeORaKpaZ3nfylhOuPVfS90qg87bLrPrTQgjuHzBiSN4ZXPo2UTuWvmfNe/w640-h480/P1060306.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/AVvXsEhMlwNo4pp8WwDGXhX-JZS22XpiD8anVCYfgiMZqDqJ1q3lVgkw9hOGVGM4QcFxUrycO44bGP3C8jlsg-iYtu0Nnl0aFS_mUOyzz_V5FZAaXiBIoQk5aON-h2swXkgHRYrKNbLsdXywV83nHrsQWfyjbYDly5eyfxVYhEjjv6XR9ZBe1MXJdCSzqPO-489C/s4896/P1060308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlwNo4pp8WwDGXhX-JZS22XpiD8anVCYfgiMZqDqJ1q3lVgkw9hOGVGM4QcFxUrycO44bGP3C8jlsg-iYtu0Nnl0aFS_mUOyzz_V5FZAaXiBIoQk5aON-h2swXkgHRYrKNbLsdXywV83nHrsQWfyjbYDly5eyfxVYhEjjv6XR9ZBe1MXJdCSzqPO-489C/w640-h480/P1060308.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't identify this country as they didn't have a flag .</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/AVvXsEhmzxoejeUS43a2PyUTR3Qzwd3J_X8zO5HDGeHL88osyZj4yYBCeF9G3R7lS5fTcJdx97gsQVOZNEg9d096HSfIC5sJMI6230StqqfhxEtd5w1U7vhGfbKcizMAweiTqlnxx9d0Rxg1Kdeks_vr0pIehDSk7zI3Jvwxc80lzvp3qRRFn7nmtswS2GOrC4YP/s4896/P1060311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzxoejeUS43a2PyUTR3Qzwd3J_X8zO5HDGeHL88osyZj4yYBCeF9G3R7lS5fTcJdx97gsQVOZNEg9d096HSfIC5sJMI6230StqqfhxEtd5w1U7vhGfbKcizMAweiTqlnxx9d0Rxg1Kdeks_vr0pIehDSk7zI3Jvwxc80lzvp3qRRFn7nmtswS2GOrC4YP/w480-h640/P1060311.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But she was amazing.</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/AVvXsEhEd50mWhITEwULwk2H59z1uiGOYDPKrAiKkes6McBMGZB8pGZurgBvjsiAqTEeITtWCZqtZmJ-QBkSJhwjMJxS4HskkFjv6qAAbOlemSyM0wSqkfghJWtTWfEMwdbO7whSdEzLGbwD_s_Sl6XzVnBETZvtfxYZumMgFtLwy8VRyj9OgSLGpvB8yVc733YY/s4896/P1060313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEd50mWhITEwULwk2H59z1uiGOYDPKrAiKkes6McBMGZB8pGZurgBvjsiAqTEeITtWCZqtZmJ-QBkSJhwjMJxS4HskkFjv6qAAbOlemSyM0wSqkfghJWtTWfEMwdbO7whSdEzLGbwD_s_Sl6XzVnBETZvtfxYZumMgFtLwy8VRyj9OgSLGpvB8yVc733YY/w640-h480/P1060313.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm thinking Trinidad</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/AVvXsEj8Dn38LWxFlXdirLSdMhC2J62ud7sOSdvYmyZ1Cr0d4iTQ_2RePOFXOtRNOOiwErEdrAuT2eFPB9WLvRNt13XZ6L7IJWOHtggntoQ6xHS_GRXvSgfj2ebNswahK5PCbUaE_c2vlzJPcEbdnQUZ-j_VTgCfz6EmbEvcIAPSqxw8UZsaaswQ56ZJzhy4IxA-/s4896/P1060314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Dn38LWxFlXdirLSdMhC2J62ud7sOSdvYmyZ1Cr0d4iTQ_2RePOFXOtRNOOiwErEdrAuT2eFPB9WLvRNt13XZ6L7IJWOHtggntoQ6xHS_GRXvSgfj2ebNswahK5PCbUaE_c2vlzJPcEbdnQUZ-j_VTgCfz6EmbEvcIAPSqxw8UZsaaswQ56ZJzhy4IxA-/w640-h480/P1060314.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scotland.</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/AVvXsEgiQqMAabrHRQVajT212NgHQrb9cBGHVPzoxX4-vf-qt7FYq72jOkNFTAffvh_RzL414j_0iplJGrAnCSqI8VY480PN6tPsF84-2NH3Ufh27oTpnS4xFQ_gn16ETh48TMs9kn_VtfJhnKyGt5Ti8cDEL1WhQ2TNcZG8lMA4gqCOxWHwr4uHOsR0UF0b_Csb/s4896/P1060316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQqMAabrHRQVajT212NgHQrb9cBGHVPzoxX4-vf-qt7FYq72jOkNFTAffvh_RzL414j_0iplJGrAnCSqI8VY480PN6tPsF84-2NH3Ufh27oTpnS4xFQ_gn16ETh48TMs9kn_VtfJhnKyGt5Ti8cDEL1WhQ2TNcZG8lMA4gqCOxWHwr4uHOsR0UF0b_Csb/w640-h480/P1060316.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">India, the drumming as fabulous.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96Rajuw3UAkXPiqyB-RSkXV_qSfIBmEmobnOGCOAPPQUwMBn7sqtc-cSuDifiOvHSDzLUYLNleWbva-uT61tFHUF3GQvwMm7EN8_xaZrIbcP52P5k1ti2M-yt0_-EMVuEeWE3aDfBW4XyM9pnzyIf7GkkHAbUCC_8zivqw8moHAlzMwqKtImo4ZHbyj9Q/s4896/P1060317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96Rajuw3UAkXPiqyB-RSkXV_qSfIBmEmobnOGCOAPPQUwMBn7sqtc-cSuDifiOvHSDzLUYLNleWbva-uT61tFHUF3GQvwMm7EN8_xaZrIbcP52P5k1ti2M-yt0_-EMVuEeWE3aDfBW4XyM9pnzyIf7GkkHAbUCC_8zivqw8moHAlzMwqKtImo4ZHbyj9Q/w640-h480/P1060317.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/AVvXsEjDAetKHUhuyOa2TQ0a16dD61LrBlf2kUndAuj28rZ8H-O0xYQzOS-bganO0XtyJhZU6-CVSXZxOof0uGpz2ALDFYGY5ByByfHqJ04zq5jAqbZIJT0KZDKWbmGD9q9CvY22A3GyNF3-yVOjwwWPuqMDhXMAZCqJrkQ6EaVN40loSMKGWKujc69KWs-JrNaN/s4896/P1060320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAetKHUhuyOa2TQ0a16dD61LrBlf2kUndAuj28rZ8H-O0xYQzOS-bganO0XtyJhZU6-CVSXZxOof0uGpz2ALDFYGY5ByByfHqJ04zq5jAqbZIJT0KZDKWbmGD9q9CvY22A3GyNF3-yVOjwwWPuqMDhXMAZCqJrkQ6EaVN40loSMKGWKujc69KWs-JrNaN/w640-h480/P1060320.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indonesia</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/AVvXsEiJ7FfYYZWGUWZy6Akp1lT0WZ5l-9R6djemBRM8NUjkSfa8TdNn_UOAqIIwWXATN_4K9Ly4B7PZn8WmH5uzf3ZjxsO2lt9NLRabnAV5b2Cho2sNf5dWhMXCjVZ2T2B0blL7PeeUlz1GxJklR-SVlCa7fYVRs4Y38uI9KKKF3dwGY_aa4hQ9EvlFckutDnQs/s4896/P1060323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7FfYYZWGUWZy6Akp1lT0WZ5l-9R6djemBRM8NUjkSfa8TdNn_UOAqIIwWXATN_4K9Ly4B7PZn8WmH5uzf3ZjxsO2lt9NLRabnAV5b2Cho2sNf5dWhMXCjVZ2T2B0blL7PeeUlz1GxJklR-SVlCa7fYVRs4Y38uI9KKKF3dwGY_aa4hQ9EvlFckutDnQs/w640-h480/P1060323.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I'm not mistaken Kurdistan.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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/AVvXsEjbo93LcVP5oGDE6LwEq1Fhg_oK9GL0X6L5jzRIww8hB6UC_-MlgDh-fTRHI8hv_x_r4s8B_DX5TaCNFe0aMkaUSkJ-CQlRVfmguhqamh3Vqd94Pg0di78VflerenwCcZ3ZVuqiHU8KkMV2_AmxFz8amDejVOCSvanAAIq9m3u14Hudrkr5d7ig8Xs4iEW1/s4896/P1060326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbo93LcVP5oGDE6LwEq1Fhg_oK9GL0X6L5jzRIww8hB6UC_-MlgDh-fTRHI8hv_x_r4s8B_DX5TaCNFe0aMkaUSkJ-CQlRVfmguhqamh3Vqd94Pg0di78VflerenwCcZ3ZVuqiHU8KkMV2_AmxFz8amDejVOCSvanAAIq9m3u14Hudrkr5d7ig8Xs4iEW1/w640-h480/P1060326.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ireland, I think they have a hair policy, all had shoulder length and straight.</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/AVvXsEgVzag54zjRCve4lmtOK0Y9Zj8tU8Q39fsfVfPYLU8Ptc_sNUtldZX3BK1FxtbVZvlykgQhLZSghLU1zM5cAbvv_wEnHS8nrPEh039XGg-RlxYFKcbEqj4Mjvkd3-fHm4Qolq-ZlA_Fwb8pD9DQNbco48TVWjXZrp46rUrkZMGEJZZvqet65OHv9_9Xai4u/s4896/P1060327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzag54zjRCve4lmtOK0Y9Zj8tU8Q39fsfVfPYLU8Ptc_sNUtldZX3BK1FxtbVZvlykgQhLZSghLU1zM5cAbvv_wEnHS8nrPEh039XGg-RlxYFKcbEqj4Mjvkd3-fHm4Qolq-ZlA_Fwb8pD9DQNbco48TVWjXZrp46rUrkZMGEJZZvqet65OHv9_9Xai4u/w640-h480/P1060327.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada, not in national dress but very friendly and loud.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>So that is our trip done. We just loved it and I want to come again next year. <br /> </span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-85587380426994468342023-07-23T20:35:00.001+01:002023-07-23T20:35:32.610+01:00They are all leaving HURRAY!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Yes you've guessed it, an early start today. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">5am.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When we were here five or six years ago we went over the Ponty-thingy aqueduct at 6am, it was a beautiful day too. We got through the narrow sections of the canal from Trevor to the basin at Llangollen well by 8am and had breakfast in the nice cafe there. We'd hoped to do the same today.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But today was another story. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">At David's sister Sally's we'd been told this week was the Eisteddfod (An international music and singing festival held at Llangollen each year), the Eisteddfod was this week. We had know it was about now but thought it was only a weekend and last weekend....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As we passed over Chirk Aqueduct and through the tunnel there was a boat waiting for us to exit, he hovered there absolutely blinding us with his tunnel light..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">"God its mad there in the basin, there's a pop concert on there and no space" He too said he'd left at 5am.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He disappeared into the tunnel leaving us two looking at each other wondering if this was true.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well we did carry on. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">These photos are not necessarily in the exact order of the journey, but you get the idea I'm sure. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEiCT4kDK3rlqWgX1_M0U0ceRBnykMjJesYF1Om659dj1Up_TIex2MabP7dhhf0eAWuK0mBBG5i7R368dSqjmxt-8EC5LsCNAens2dhlBfTQwMi0eznTq6E4WAzzxtuEUf-o-mMBVeichn4A3JWWxCu_4Ul4ABfL5BXDVqRiVvH_x_teMvTBojMY_jD4QCVw/s4896/P1060188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT4kDK3rlqWgX1_M0U0ceRBnykMjJesYF1Om659dj1Up_TIex2MabP7dhhf0eAWuK0mBBG5i7R368dSqjmxt-8EC5LsCNAens2dhlBfTQwMi0eznTq6E4WAzzxtuEUf-o-mMBVeichn4A3JWWxCu_4Ul4ABfL5BXDVqRiVvH_x_teMvTBojMY_jD4QCVw/w640-h480/P1060188.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/AVvXsEiFSgVgAeYwLOW6AAdE3_8CSTiguA9g87GKNIz9TEf1T1gheR3ICUA6abXctVB9EGknqSLZZqQOfT2A9sCd7gM3d0DThQkk6jTiK-e_JzN17m10a-6QoXVcD_omX65maUsyb8WuJYVNLkPnvwv_MO0Kj5fVYZYp2Ay0AWJVqsspFSUndSYITntTHCeJzxbE/s4896/P1060192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSgVgAeYwLOW6AAdE3_8CSTiguA9g87GKNIz9TEf1T1gheR3ICUA6abXctVB9EGknqSLZZqQOfT2A9sCd7gM3d0DThQkk6jTiK-e_JzN17m10a-6QoXVcD_omX65maUsyb8WuJYVNLkPnvwv_MO0Kj5fVYZYp2Ay0AWJVqsspFSUndSYITntTHCeJzxbE/w640-h480/P1060192.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still very early when we passed by these boats.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYysj4Fro6MaHmUZSFPb5Zi25jXwuzF_vwjrul2-cYN6gxrIXfDWnF8mOmqyI9o37BYWRJ57nkEROqw_k7xq4q5hTzLrgOkjkMGMXlKgIWuMaK2kkEQafQp32Rs_xojBc8hoMANR1i8PWzCKu0jiGhb3UXGL2K0P-4JzDFrBQj2Y_ynm3DS7J_1ipWryn_/s4896/P1060195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYysj4Fro6MaHmUZSFPb5Zi25jXwuzF_vwjrul2-cYN6gxrIXfDWnF8mOmqyI9o37BYWRJ57nkEROqw_k7xq4q5hTzLrgOkjkMGMXlKgIWuMaK2kkEQafQp32Rs_xojBc8hoMANR1i8PWzCKu0jiGhb3UXGL2K0P-4JzDFrBQj2Y_ynm3DS7J_1ipWryn_/w640-h480/P1060195.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/AVvXsEhPHJ1lgrvbTSCxU7xg561zRYWxbIb-tiqJvovYY95DNpggnCrlTZvJfqpE97xZWtSrmimH2uLhymOF79OD04vD9jIaqZvBua3a8ohG1KC6GYsXOIqE5qbNsPTPwfVpRXewyzxDHvNAOiixtgADoy3lIMtTbACpoiUhXMbHLzW7La7pPJK6v7UNiGaBeB0o/s4896/P1060200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHJ1lgrvbTSCxU7xg561zRYWxbIb-tiqJvovYY95DNpggnCrlTZvJfqpE97xZWtSrmimH2uLhymOF79OD04vD9jIaqZvBua3a8ohG1KC6GYsXOIqE5qbNsPTPwfVpRXewyzxDHvNAOiixtgADoy3lIMtTbACpoiUhXMbHLzW7La7pPJK6v7UNiGaBeB0o/w640-h480/P1060200.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suddenly around a corner the sight of Chirk Aqueduct and the railway bridge right next to it but we didn't see a train.</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/AVvXsEjul9OU3IhVZ5Jwj9zMZQeMk8aWWzuENTVc_XgxKDR6zD6NeVT2QtPhtztR90F87Imyq8oIbJj3IL7K-HtsYl-CIyCQysr3cTqNJvm40f88DCxhieJ2cwU4pyJTJf_9zWSf1MvwX54WwQUo8ZZnBgeLh44y_3ZhPK_b3Qo_N0Ax9FfQKw2tZyORxf0muKmp/s4896/P1060202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul9OU3IhVZ5Jwj9zMZQeMk8aWWzuENTVc_XgxKDR6zD6NeVT2QtPhtztR90F87Imyq8oIbJj3IL7K-HtsYl-CIyCQysr3cTqNJvm40f88DCxhieJ2cwU4pyJTJf_9zWSf1MvwX54WwQUo8ZZnBgeLh44y_3ZhPK_b3Qo_N0Ax9FfQKw2tZyORxf0muKmp/w640-h480/P1060202.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was perfectly happy on this one, the wide stone edge makes all the difference.</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/AVvXsEiWXrHvZuqFW91RPRyGaVE9fUgLrsz6GuGqkZbK6-_r3bMbGApCsLIaQgZVG_qcyZRIY3GSJSxy1t5xderB9r_xfohLgnjK2dXoI1XQblvl9AsMWi9zmEFJxsQPivDVyhXqIizrqbKO5NF-b_VsEqPdJVnTXz1t6jlA3K1wkABEoFF8QyqD3Uy94_AhCOIy/s4896/P1060203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXrHvZuqFW91RPRyGaVE9fUgLrsz6GuGqkZbK6-_r3bMbGApCsLIaQgZVG_qcyZRIY3GSJSxy1t5xderB9r_xfohLgnjK2dXoI1XQblvl9AsMWi9zmEFJxsQPivDVyhXqIizrqbKO5NF-b_VsEqPdJVnTXz1t6jlA3K1wkABEoFF8QyqD3Uy94_AhCOIy/w640-h480/P1060203.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You just about make out WaL's shadow if you use your good eye and your imagination. (See the two black birds on the top?</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/AVvXsEhoED8KW9bqYbs6bZQF1EjT6y0NyfPx9eeAL-JJe7cIALOg0UOvM_NPeto29aednSvQeEzL2VvqFKAdqobyDl6MA5SfTFz3r8q5I2Gpmdl-BeXKV729UtmeEIn1MoZhI2uEAUBaz_TksuwHPZ-Oo2eNdYVMzNmiIwLHDLve6NwI4OoPG8GWxboM2D-PzjJV/s4896/P1060205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoED8KW9bqYbs6bZQF1EjT6y0NyfPx9eeAL-JJe7cIALOg0UOvM_NPeto29aednSvQeEzL2VvqFKAdqobyDl6MA5SfTFz3r8q5I2Gpmdl-BeXKV729UtmeEIn1MoZhI2uEAUBaz_TksuwHPZ-Oo2eNdYVMzNmiIwLHDLve6NwI4OoPG8GWxboM2D-PzjJV/w640-h480/P1060205.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east into the sun rise.</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/AVvXsEgO-Yni9tmtXJCsYMgtmILjNkOGaRc1pBVweUyDdQTon-YzUE0wRi2PUe0q-rW7c-JNxgXB7xXW_6eBtEDPtXpKqzbENBMWY-JRUOeVXafyQR5eo8l9nroz611Omdm3-2o_isHNKTkqBhsg1XA49HgJZDNvm5GteQ1IfoHJ9TZRZ7IIOtKLZTyeCp4xCT07/s4896/P1060206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-Yni9tmtXJCsYMgtmILjNkOGaRc1pBVweUyDdQTon-YzUE0wRi2PUe0q-rW7c-JNxgXB7xXW_6eBtEDPtXpKqzbENBMWY-JRUOeVXafyQR5eo8l9nroz611Omdm3-2o_isHNKTkqBhsg1XA49HgJZDNvm5GteQ1IfoHJ9TZRZ7IIOtKLZTyeCp4xCT07/w640-h480/P1060206.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good zoom on my camera. These two preening in the sun on the very top of the railway bridge.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsANd23LrPByFAc7xixjaaQodXwyQaBVPfZ4sNWD2FKi_GjdSHCqDYuYy5J4u8kXCbUaDoYfHlvMIT0SLFZUhI3VHp1OcZry8aD97r6GNWiu6hWQMlIUSaMRxDHJWAGizQRlh2kmduCO1bg4fzXoGbsMfGsJNxbYdONQNsestobpryibW0h3AAmM4veeXp/s4896/P1060208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsANd23LrPByFAc7xixjaaQodXwyQaBVPfZ4sNWD2FKi_GjdSHCqDYuYy5J4u8kXCbUaDoYfHlvMIT0SLFZUhI3VHp1OcZry8aD97r6GNWiu6hWQMlIUSaMRxDHJWAGizQRlh2kmduCO1bg4fzXoGbsMfGsJNxbYdONQNsestobpryibW0h3AAmM4veeXp/w480-h640/P1060208.JPG" width="480" /></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/AVvXsEhfzVjjPWCSrzZ55axiqj57ub49Q3MVbLo6GJCqB3lD-QLvy8ErwoxQR7OSurOgurxsZLYSM71HSCdkSeAiBpF9yTM2qjWnwe2HPlwLigO7cpyU2OwXQfvYcr2V-duZKJtUZ3mSoWATGAonPWJAMK9ZtHrP_Po9RPO2H2_5RsPkSwgK7KLjTgRPd2jWK2-C/s4896/P1060215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzVjjPWCSrzZ55axiqj57ub49Q3MVbLo6GJCqB3lD-QLvy8ErwoxQR7OSurOgurxsZLYSM71HSCdkSeAiBpF9yTM2qjWnwe2HPlwLigO7cpyU2OwXQfvYcr2V-duZKJtUZ3mSoWATGAonPWJAMK9ZtHrP_Po9RPO2H2_5RsPkSwgK7KLjTgRPd2jWK2-C/w640-h480/P1060215.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think that is my shadow as I poked my head of of the cratch for this shot.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFW1LpePcQ3_fNsynJX5lVwhyCW2X2v90P9l6W2RR7fOAcskLODojCjN1VEVku5h73HGouNKV4_fBAvmLWTnBFUGU40BsXbhdSd5dAoozs_kDqi3yuPbJ-T62JqbDxuAwH4lTOGPds0fc7MPkhkR875ATuf0a6PXJD5SCG90wAHdtH7i2zJlSe6-UEnVMI/s4896/P1060217.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFW1LpePcQ3_fNsynJX5lVwhyCW2X2v90P9l6W2RR7fOAcskLODojCjN1VEVku5h73HGouNKV4_fBAvmLWTnBFUGU40BsXbhdSd5dAoozs_kDqi3yuPbJ-T62JqbDxuAwH4lTOGPds0fc7MPkhkR875ATuf0a6PXJD5SCG90wAHdtH7i2zJlSe6-UEnVMI/w640-h480/P1060217.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/AVvXsEgE3luOqvQB3pvlE3FQqqSNwh6K00Km_zb0B4NJk-KqHKeAqLHiFUozljjETTzlbNgQxlStS3SlYGf5L9uScRBWYSlOZ7tXVhLLlBYvqBhdrOCGjXivnnszvD1GD0ResSh88jKtj361d3GXJIuwj0bMB8SGixEEn78QClQK3v6_-9-_SGObnc9XXlDZkeI4/s4896/P1060218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3luOqvQB3pvlE3FQqqSNwh6K00Km_zb0B4NJk-KqHKeAqLHiFUozljjETTzlbNgQxlStS3SlYGf5L9uScRBWYSlOZ7tXVhLLlBYvqBhdrOCGjXivnnszvD1GD0ResSh88jKtj361d3GXJIuwj0bMB8SGixEEn78QClQK3v6_-9-_SGObnc9XXlDZkeI4/w640-h480/P1060218.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chirk tunnel and nice reflection.</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/AVvXsEgCkxNbG-mQ0ALUkTFHx-aryvz5Py9k85fvWTxw1c_A51z59IVPVqJTXfcATfUBXbf53iC9b22dusCe-hUUL8Ixs-WsIvrxRNbD5zxwOZxC8QFOb6uMcyIvPYl753d9qTKKnHM9HjUD_OVH0EbvT1-OPesyfnsFgLS3tgTzlfUSq5s1rrWCdWTZCGIHBshD/s4896/P1060223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkxNbG-mQ0ALUkTFHx-aryvz5Py9k85fvWTxw1c_A51z59IVPVqJTXfcATfUBXbf53iC9b22dusCe-hUUL8Ixs-WsIvrxRNbD5zxwOZxC8QFOb6uMcyIvPYl753d9qTKKnHM9HjUD_OVH0EbvT1-OPesyfnsFgLS3tgTzlfUSq5s1rrWCdWTZCGIHBshD/w640-h480/P1060223.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last place I'd moor in trees but I do like the sun shining though trees.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So you are in trees for some considerable time and then without enough time to get my stomach in order here is the Ponty-wot-not Aqueduct.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Five or six years ago we got here and waited for David's cousin to join us to go over. We moored up perhaps a mile back and cycled up to Trevor one afternoon. When we had walked across it became apparent that there was a funeral taking place. A young man six weeks previously had fallen to his death larking about with friends. Now that stays with a person and I treated that Aqueduct with a great deal of respect and a dollop of fear. Today the dollop was double the size. Perhaps it's an age thing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEjh--LHn7VRY8oRoyeMj30scJwVI4RwriOR37OBSaP6czK4xnschb4pbPJeB807FxAnlm-jSpXBjaTqpEWo_dr92S0JDpnGRze0cRsXKY0sZKZgV7cKCpOxW04N27DoEjMb0XEBcU8ka11n8oXJAPYep7xylXJmwn3zWtVs3FSzZRoQ6ZVzyvNw-XFTbtKK/s4896/P1060224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh--LHn7VRY8oRoyeMj30scJwVI4RwriOR37OBSaP6czK4xnschb4pbPJeB807FxAnlm-jSpXBjaTqpEWo_dr92S0JDpnGRze0cRsXKY0sZKZgV7cKCpOxW04N27DoEjMb0XEBcU8ka11n8oXJAPYep7xylXJmwn3zWtVs3FSzZRoQ6ZVzyvNw-XFTbtKK/w640-h480/P1060224.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trevor in the distance, kinda looks alright from here.</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/AVvXsEhdYO_ZJnAUMtaxZ19YeMmPJDI_kRh7RK1_wowHN0I1HbhqievgxdSyWmo95udVkeTScRHaO-3NUvdiOgneKfuDZHDemfdRSG46MNIhhGxLtcDWWiNMY-flGNIdYXilOTUgYtMjlg7XskNuAsaj8Am5xvwKXoy7H-dnxjqSlxs-90vOWKs4iyvCCMSd2GoM/s4896/P1060227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYO_ZJnAUMtaxZ19YeMmPJDI_kRh7RK1_wowHN0I1HbhqievgxdSyWmo95udVkeTScRHaO-3NUvdiOgneKfuDZHDemfdRSG46MNIhhGxLtcDWWiNMY-flGNIdYXilOTUgYtMjlg7XskNuAsaj8Am5xvwKXoy7H-dnxjqSlxs-90vOWKs4iyvCCMSd2GoM/w480-h640/P1060227.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But holy carp its an unprotected vertical drop. I could barely look to take these photos.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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/AVvXsEhDWLiA99_5pIm1NNZsipgXoC5oebrplKdvK48fQO1xgZSmsZ9px2o7NPaiuQKIyyGAdb6VgZiaf68TvQHNdnPKE-phChKUGX3Lh4RobiyVB4z-vvi6syBX14bURF1JVURl3bTp6EP9A07QWnc-tMJsafunDaorZShoVG9LxFfTcahuVWb46H4eXfGGFxEx/s4896/P1060233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWLiA99_5pIm1NNZsipgXoC5oebrplKdvK48fQO1xgZSmsZ9px2o7NPaiuQKIyyGAdb6VgZiaf68TvQHNdnPKE-phChKUGX3Lh4RobiyVB4z-vvi6syBX14bURF1JVURl3bTp6EP9A07QWnc-tMJsafunDaorZShoVG9LxFfTcahuVWb46H4eXfGGFxEx/w480-h640/P1060233.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river Dee, looking west-ish</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/AVvXsEgA6Ho9AE6Cg1gN6YUh4lLNIRudVjMV9npl9Y6k-SejtmzS-0UVFuXk-8SQSuKMK8ztBuhVWdFHk5K1EV5JnMQtnp2e_4m92PC4NOQiNJEemU6F4Ec1xr8PdrNmyXQbcqJpn6vD19iHECyW7Hu0aseN0HV4mxT_f8TksuY0zkI5hzYW4SyqIW3mX7ePhHUo/s4896/P1060234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6Ho9AE6Cg1gN6YUh4lLNIRudVjMV9npl9Y6k-SejtmzS-0UVFuXk-8SQSuKMK8ztBuhVWdFHk5K1EV5JnMQtnp2e_4m92PC4NOQiNJEemU6F4Ec1xr8PdrNmyXQbcqJpn6vD19iHECyW7Hu0aseN0HV4mxT_f8TksuY0zkI5hzYW4SyqIW3mX7ePhHUo/w480-h640/P1060234.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank god we are over.... See the man with what looks like a white dog?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_vWz5qb06XHZI8P0kEpPNOvUJKbFcK9BALpKRBs9V5abjn0TQz-9AFWhGceYZxegaNrIgli39TW8PA4FfBXGoIrDIV_BRwaOeX0jBUSvLkmIo_U2tXbjOq9othRvs0MBlSObKAk7p00gCoxKouYq5quu30Y6VeyPKxPFQPKKR9x-jx5fRPnitRaFRjTd/s4896/P1060235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_vWz5qb06XHZI8P0kEpPNOvUJKbFcK9BALpKRBs9V5abjn0TQz-9AFWhGceYZxegaNrIgli39TW8PA4FfBXGoIrDIV_BRwaOeX0jBUSvLkmIo_U2tXbjOq9othRvs0MBlSObKAk7p00gCoxKouYq5quu30Y6VeyPKxPFQPKKR9x-jx5fRPnitRaFRjTd/w640-h480/P1060235.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well here he is again, he'd picked up my cratch cushion form the pavement on the aqueduct and carried it the whole way to return it to me. Needless to say I thanked him profusely. From memory it's the third time a cushion has been blown out of the cratch now, I had the cratch covers rolled up as it was such a lovely morning and to take photos.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well just before the man had caught us up by now at the junction, two boats had appeared coming down from Llangollen the first came hammering out and whacked into the wall opposite Brace Brace Brace I said as the inevitable crash was audible, the second boat was shorter and slower than goodness. We made the careful turn incident free and crept along, its a bit tight just on this bit and we caught up with another hire boat that was on the side with two crew holding the ropes, the third was ahead unseen with a Walkie Talkie telling of oncoming boats. The helm was visibly nervous of the whole affair and while we waited eight boats came past, all close together. We were of course delighted by this as with the two at the junction meant that ten boats in total had left either the basin or the arm, so room for us.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBpidtZDKxoYoDeCSlTCO5dZBwordQMOMWF1mw8HL1OGzO4OZmlZ2IXWKZxbxeyfchQ6YZnsHW7d3UcKgMpRAcwtjW4OXzhb6ZSY0g7bUh1xWwp-7_Kd-zK-Zy5iZ_RRoDqepBUObaptqbF0govGbhHUcBNLHZMtwl6YyxJoDW82SWQD_TQ3rUv7BUX2b/s4896/P1060236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBpidtZDKxoYoDeCSlTCO5dZBwordQMOMWF1mw8HL1OGzO4OZmlZ2IXWKZxbxeyfchQ6YZnsHW7d3UcKgMpRAcwtjW4OXzhb6ZSY0g7bUh1xWwp-7_Kd-zK-Zy5iZ_RRoDqepBUObaptqbF0govGbhHUcBNLHZMtwl6YyxJoDW82SWQD_TQ3rUv7BUX2b/w480-h640/P1060236.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPWUrtxhJz8klhXDiIHevilu8FJM7RH_LJnzFJlaC6JCK13VIUoSfWkuxfbQc3hzchiKmd13_YRUtpzGcQTsiA52hIRIemzS_RfV4871p3-GlL3GAKFrjZMTicmG8kMjitPbyyXpPYynugmm23yi2BpaNMR8venWedXyinBQ1SwkN8eS21o24NhfCJ33c/s4896/P1060237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPWUrtxhJz8klhXDiIHevilu8FJM7RH_LJnzFJlaC6JCK13VIUoSfWkuxfbQc3hzchiKmd13_YRUtpzGcQTsiA52hIRIemzS_RfV4871p3-GlL3GAKFrjZMTicmG8kMjitPbyyXpPYynugmm23yi2BpaNMR8venWedXyinBQ1SwkN8eS21o24NhfCJ33c/w640-h480/P1060237.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/AVvXsEgJieaDX61Dr7Vnp2eYQiEA48wxjvN9neYoCF9nML0BFCcw0VWMwlvdpZzl31PJmjwdqItUAajc99pgDi3m6zkP8XNkiBJSYmFrqZrkOdJ3dbVEwxtxvXuKAR6ZmUP2cxezKPkUJiWF8iqfu16rHPmnRP9HoGS6gSXE_Acer-5C9plQS9097_QWxFMMlSID/s4896/P1060239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJieaDX61Dr7Vnp2eYQiEA48wxjvN9neYoCF9nML0BFCcw0VWMwlvdpZzl31PJmjwdqItUAajc99pgDi3m6zkP8XNkiBJSYmFrqZrkOdJ3dbVEwxtxvXuKAR6ZmUP2cxezKPkUJiWF8iqfu16rHPmnRP9HoGS6gSXE_Acer-5C9plQS9097_QWxFMMlSID/w640-h480/P1060239.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/AVvXsEhZEzVDcfHbqEwJ_mhCo59xMMP9RBNOqF4DdX2CgepOZmfLyzU9awpTLFMgrRAR60UABKySVdi66AXgkt9kSQ9mcF3VkY3ZmOA632hCgPIs8OLW491YeAEXkXGJ0WnF2vpXJd379JTkuSU4Ll2wHRU002vNN05Y-unY_wYjbgFbvjbO9i1Cq22WZaztvR0q/s4896/P1060243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEzVDcfHbqEwJ_mhCo59xMMP9RBNOqF4DdX2CgepOZmfLyzU9awpTLFMgrRAR60UABKySVdi66AXgkt9kSQ9mcF3VkY3ZmOA632hCgPIs8OLW491YeAEXkXGJ0WnF2vpXJd379JTkuSU4Ll2wHRU002vNN05Y-unY_wYjbgFbvjbO9i1Cq22WZaztvR0q/w640-h480/P1060243.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: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Then suddenly the trees give way to more openness an the scenery takes on definitely a more alpine feel. We saw it all at its best in sunshine, being Wales this isn't always the case. Immediately after this bridge in the distance was when the eight boats came past us in convoy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEg-G2H9R-hQ2PT8zvyLuHRgn8t6anrZH_MTh9lvRfQLrjznkog_aV1NqweqwHjy7uAvjIGH6n2WPo1SSAAim5a6492JuxLRuO_i2MjTk-ev4eURkO5IiIV-vf0vbsPWWLgfGTaDnUdiLXMzhIBouY8fR6VjFWv5RqqgCZL5TZQ1gnGB56jA2j5-jYqxxUe3/s4896/P1060245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-G2H9R-hQ2PT8zvyLuHRgn8t6anrZH_MTh9lvRfQLrjznkog_aV1NqweqwHjy7uAvjIGH6n2WPo1SSAAim5a6492JuxLRuO_i2MjTk-ev4eURkO5IiIV-vf0vbsPWWLgfGTaDnUdiLXMzhIBouY8fR6VjFWv5RqqgCZL5TZQ1gnGB56jA2j5-jYqxxUe3/w640-h480/P1060245.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hKyYoziy_YwBdILBS6rsFyaea5zKu0EJQtQa-HskTopP2I1BCIw47BzzHE8w34SDsasd5so7SAOwGK6Z9PoSnreRrBouZXsmdsidfvZ08Xa7s4uNNV7pepl7DzACON6GD57BiDTJkhtHMnnSKJsclyIFMFPDW9iPo33PPi6I8-o6DxiiTzgcV4EkPKl2/s4896/P1060249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hKyYoziy_YwBdILBS6rsFyaea5zKu0EJQtQa-HskTopP2I1BCIw47BzzHE8w34SDsasd5so7SAOwGK6Z9PoSnreRrBouZXsmdsidfvZ08Xa7s4uNNV7pepl7DzACON6GD57BiDTJkhtHMnnSKJsclyIFMFPDW9iPo33PPi6I8-o6DxiiTzgcV4EkPKl2/w640-h480/P1060249.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/AVvXsEg6XjYva1DAM7UkNQrDARXC0NHXVwuJaMepz40qOl5LBUA47uYpicjD9At3YjklS3VXIGRqQlgaKgfMh3YCSoE04M2HIseTNPLSa1jsfc-TuQbjSvuptVM4PulYsTr3ZPmvkUpJzw7_TSwpxW9vwQf5yIKX_Ko9ryC_PuxyU-9v-hYEREK4eruWa1yHc-d2/s4896/P1060251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XjYva1DAM7UkNQrDARXC0NHXVwuJaMepz40qOl5LBUA47uYpicjD9At3YjklS3VXIGRqQlgaKgfMh3YCSoE04M2HIseTNPLSa1jsfc-TuQbjSvuptVM4PulYsTr3ZPmvkUpJzw7_TSwpxW9vwQf5yIKX_Ko9ryC_PuxyU-9v-hYEREK4eruWa1yHc-d2/w640-h480/P1060251.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First glimpse of Llangollen from the elevated canal.</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/AVvXsEiQ6dg7LWzNmNj6VCH5THQOm7BnlE3ItWYdVZHBbWFfPN5zzGnM1mIpnNdBFpYEyYsW32B2kb9154aax1jglWkheH-MGFI-a9hutORTCGGrU7vXItAlvLbuvoxAC-9gMeeREqX9E8bJxNuxXf_mCBJdre1_UDyibKrUOERatfcL5GQO_x-DsPPBpPzbwUt1/s4896/P1060256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6dg7LWzNmNj6VCH5THQOm7BnlE3ItWYdVZHBbWFfPN5zzGnM1mIpnNdBFpYEyYsW32B2kb9154aax1jglWkheH-MGFI-a9hutORTCGGrU7vXItAlvLbuvoxAC-9gMeeREqX9E8bJxNuxXf_mCBJdre1_UDyibKrUOERatfcL5GQO_x-DsPPBpPzbwUt1/w480-h640/P1060256.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The very last stretch of narrows.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I'd walked (or marched) from bridge 40 to the end I guess it was 1 1/2 miles, phone in hand ahead to warn David of any approaching boats. He passed one more in the very narrow passing place and the last one where the line of moored boats are just outside the basin so I think that made twelve boats that had departed. I jumped back on here and we got into the basin with a large choice of pontoons. They all have electricity hook-up and a water tap. Most convenient for doing a couple of loads of laundry. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was by now approaching 10am so the whole trip had taken much longer than we had anticipated.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Lets walk up to the hotel for coffee says he. So we did and had coffee in the sun, on their terrace over looking the river as it flows over the rocks. We passed on lunch as we both wanted to eat at the rather lovely Corn Mill Pub back in Llangollen again right on the riverbank. By the time we got there I was starving and had aching legs.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The adorable waitress fetched unasked a programme for the Festival or Eisteddfod, tonight was the opening concert.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I looked online, there were still a few tickets available for someone called Alfie Boe, singing songs from West End Shows amongst others... Shall we go I said, but in the event we didn't as we were both tired. Back to the boat and we got the chairs out to sit in the late afternoons sun, it was gorgeous, a few more boats had arrived during the day and some were sitting out too. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Then music started, it was the act before the main concert but the main thing was it was directly opposite the basin. We were treated to wonderful live music all evening for free and I loved it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">David fell asleep quite early but Alfie Boe played onto until 23:30.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><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/AVvXsEjxGJ4WX3uSM5meKH8V6u93kgwwdpPiUTgCyXBZQ_rR1uFZf3PUlItIKblftnes_5xhlmKTpGI1f-qcAYu0aN23paXQ7vRdW6Lyt0llm1ANIkxRWHzmHAsHSpEoPkxYaSbnmS3qOhrlUu_r_0oJfQo4aic8cjraPekrXL76Nk1LmQSnriyFL45g43zuMkct/s3264/PXL_20230704_180946443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGJ4WX3uSM5meKH8V6u93kgwwdpPiUTgCyXBZQ_rR1uFZf3PUlItIKblftnes_5xhlmKTpGI1f-qcAYu0aN23paXQ7vRdW6Lyt0llm1ANIkxRWHzmHAsHSpEoPkxYaSbnmS3qOhrlUu_r_0oJfQo4aic8cjraPekrXL76Nk1LmQSnriyFL45g43zuMkct/w640-h360/PXL_20230704_180946443.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sat in the sun in the basin having after dinner coffee and listening to the concert, if not watching it.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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/AVvXsEhGjaLnTvEESTL2LVG4Nzm2rGDPgRaGdDLCUh8uLNxUIg-TMvV4m66SfdbchpcAYWH7hnwgCP1BMSjK6o1XH8LFZu4GtFLe3jID8eP96Nk8p3vdt3hx4NIk1ZaSIwuWu0OVorOflr3Vnd60cwMVSlcPM4V4jg539XNEz8_VP0-PKJydO-Ef81hOs3Gd48ou/s4032/PXL_20230704_173224931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjaLnTvEESTL2LVG4Nzm2rGDPgRaGdDLCUh8uLNxUIg-TMvV4m66SfdbchpcAYWH7hnwgCP1BMSjK6o1XH8LFZu4GtFLe3jID8eP96Nk8p3vdt3hx4NIk1ZaSIwuWu0OVorOflr3Vnd60cwMVSlcPM4V4jg539XNEz8_VP0-PKJydO-Ef81hOs3Gd48ou/w640-h360/PXL_20230704_173224931.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WaL enjoying the basin.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-77612906801443660222023-07-18T20:23:00.000+01:002023-07-18T20:23:54.642+01:00Another early morning.<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The next morning we left early. We've done quite a bit of these early morning flits on this canal. More than I would chose, it also means an afternoon nap. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But the reason was that rain was forecast at 10am, heavy rain. Personally I don't mind rain at all, but that's because I'm inside WaL and David is alone on deck.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It grew cold as 9am turned into 9:30am, I was in three layers and David in four. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There are two locks to do in the middle of nowhere. Damp in the air, I had my waterproof on to work the lock, as I got there a dog walker appeared wearing a tee shirt and shorts, I shivered just looking at him, but of course I'm from the south. These Welsh are as hardy as their mountain ponies. If we are in Wales, if not these Shropshire folk are hardy too. I walked quickly to the other lock a couple of hundred yards ahead. Now I was hot.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Alongside the second lock are adorable cottages. One on one side and one on the other. Stupid me but as it was now spitting I didn't have my camera out. The access for these cottages was a track along the canal from the next bridge a way away. So that means driving along a thin track next to water which I am allergic to and the sort of thing that gives me nightmares, so no retiring to here for me.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Gorgeous gardens, one cottage for sure had solar on the roof, canoes in the garden thick cushions on the garden furniture, a log pile and a romantic tangle of flowers. In fact everything I would want in a cottage except that dratted track to get there.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">After the two locks there is a long stretch of straight moorings on armco. The rain had started good and proper so we passed on water and moored up. David scrambled to do the tonneau cover and got inside then the heavens didn't open, the rain such as it was went away but the wind picked up.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We decided that even though it was dry we would stay put and enjoy the beautiful views. The constant stream of hirers going past holding onto their hats made good watching. Later in the afternoon we did get a couple of fierce showers, so weren't tempted to move on.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><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/AVvXsEh3HXRahyvqvIxSHDmQaqwCc-b6dEBtQ10dEiIFwrBDO3MVTagwTVE__GCU7H90DYDB1FZQQ9xX0TqyohN8Sg7cigxBgsYO8juoGa_Fcbas0wXgKdqPl5qv_kEIuG74xCz1CyCCN5DgkfWy-zBVBcwdMzJmDrcKOj_aB6mVdYSbBA9YbveZY4quT3MdJjUT/s4896/P1060185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HXRahyvqvIxSHDmQaqwCc-b6dEBtQ10dEiIFwrBDO3MVTagwTVE__GCU7H90DYDB1FZQQ9xX0TqyohN8Sg7cigxBgsYO8juoGa_Fcbas0wXgKdqPl5qv_kEIuG74xCz1CyCCN5DgkfWy-zBVBcwdMzJmDrcKOj_aB6mVdYSbBA9YbveZY4quT3MdJjUT/w640-h480/P1060185.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pretty hint of early morning mist as we set off.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEj3gqNB7xwyZEtsSHZCyx8BxJ4x7cP9SXjIT6R8qVYbz6ecPq0pbujN8ZAIvrP8oo99MgLRk4J10NR_d87yPpAYwRK4TG4S6lNUSD4gQG-UagqhHydOnpQZnU4gl7Vy80_bgYKpA1LOWNqgPZzIeFUBgshiiG3ef3x6oT5sQbaMVssq1XX7NNu3sZGwirtJ/s4896/P1060186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gqNB7xwyZEtsSHZCyx8BxJ4x7cP9SXjIT6R8qVYbz6ecPq0pbujN8ZAIvrP8oo99MgLRk4J10NR_d87yPpAYwRK4TG4S6lNUSD4gQG-UagqhHydOnpQZnU4gl7Vy80_bgYKpA1LOWNqgPZzIeFUBgshiiG3ef3x6oT5sQbaMVssq1XX7NNu3sZGwirtJ/w640-h480/P1060186.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bit fuzzy, but I don't remember seeing wooden planks on the canal edge before.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEjLtc2tgoD1Rjxg6u4RPZXAPwx248lYVwFWE3QVEuJK1chdz6m2KKa53_Rx2AKGJMhNUIZC5zEAIw7Bfe72wSNWaY9K9UVgWGbGPB8MqyHWtRQyUvRjYGWCWfyrWsCR85YLnKJt5jDfNbFP7pkYJCPpQx8K61G4zNlKmNoGvcqbKTriPWif2ojMi-MJvd71/s4896/P1060190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtc2tgoD1Rjxg6u4RPZXAPwx248lYVwFWE3QVEuJK1chdz6m2KKa53_Rx2AKGJMhNUIZC5zEAIw7Bfe72wSNWaY9K9UVgWGbGPB8MqyHWtRQyUvRjYGWCWfyrWsCR85YLnKJt5jDfNbFP7pkYJCPpQx8K61G4zNlKmNoGvcqbKTriPWif2ojMi-MJvd71/w480-h640/P1060190.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of those early morning still water shots I'm fond of.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></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/AVvXsEiE6evkjQTsswHrVxixwlrEzaXDNnQ9VMQ80Slj1iAqAfXXXjMP60yi6NjVdeHXTm5PIVdunkkWFotzDLwH-y0RxLjGMHh0ziHnEM0jHRMGO2vq_ddTgZaMi-ht4_AdvHBan8VsJC9MKDY4VCIykKhAjdUV6PiiXMgSPvK7jBZhZb8gnGRhhzDpOQLKMPyO/s4032/PXL_20230703_141609362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6evkjQTsswHrVxixwlrEzaXDNnQ9VMQ80Slj1iAqAfXXXjMP60yi6NjVdeHXTm5PIVdunkkWFotzDLwH-y0RxLjGMHh0ziHnEM0jHRMGO2vq_ddTgZaMi-ht4_AdvHBan8VsJC9MKDY4VCIykKhAjdUV6PiiXMgSPvK7jBZhZb8gnGRhhzDpOQLKMPyO/w640-h360/PXL_20230703_141609362.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So from this long straight mooring, Welsh hills in the distance.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEi2XXW2iXphSvPuMr9wBHGPalzXwiVWtomuwBsc8lazh7kF51Bj2n7drXdJKq03K5p3gc2Ena7GfnwlqbJu4m6MWxOUWvqdRCnh6Db5WFh-ekCf--c5yo-Bt5kjQnkTcbTWXRXyE7aKKISJm_6rOwU3SQBGB6UQStcLLwkqDrTP4zmcwE-OC1DR8xcu4VEp/s4032/PXL_20230703_154726871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XXW2iXphSvPuMr9wBHGPalzXwiVWtomuwBsc8lazh7kF51Bj2n7drXdJKq03K5p3gc2Ena7GfnwlqbJu4m6MWxOUWvqdRCnh6Db5WFh-ekCf--c5yo-Bt5kjQnkTcbTWXRXyE7aKKISJm_6rOwU3SQBGB6UQStcLLwkqDrTP4zmcwE-OC1DR8xcu4VEp/w640-h360/PXL_20230703_154726871.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then seemingly out of nowhere the sky turned black, walloped down and then...</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/AVvXsEhd1vjjHtxYoX-bW2Iojs9VgaMF8WVFqgdAWTVosx3shRwPcdfzL7lM1dv2HKbehsiA2yP49C5xbo0t9LiDEhro4eur8-hetZdgNZ2YgMLBj4aBh3TYFjMSknRYlJH2tVViozlg1BP8whONWWkK6k_2q758NdcZykJl4AR72zfV2c6Yv_mR32xKYPeQJRLZ/s4032/PXL_20230703_183408435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1vjjHtxYoX-bW2Iojs9VgaMF8WVFqgdAWTVosx3shRwPcdfzL7lM1dv2HKbehsiA2yP49C5xbo0t9LiDEhro4eur8-hetZdgNZ2YgMLBj4aBh3TYFjMSknRYlJH2tVViozlg1BP8whONWWkK6k_2q758NdcZykJl4AR72zfV2c6Yv_mR32xKYPeQJRLZ/w640-h360/PXL_20230703_183408435.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea time the sun was a treat and the gale had subsided.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5hXCPNFyx09-nfcfUmT7Hnh8p6Ox2u8WiMxPitFNNupcptUCHYQFYpPGqjxIj6cHTxi1P2OxmuBXmSQFGp2bhzhmBHNWvBX3JwcazJIhxyp2nzArtoTUyhOGiqbd1nnVwFzRZP80Peniwmy5RzcFaJTkIMjAphQOv-pOwhjewPCAyvBrNKRxuNSknCjt/s4032/PXL_20230703_183359925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5hXCPNFyx09-nfcfUmT7Hnh8p6Ox2u8WiMxPitFNNupcptUCHYQFYpPGqjxIj6cHTxi1P2OxmuBXmSQFGp2bhzhmBHNWvBX3JwcazJIhxyp2nzArtoTUyhOGiqbd1nnVwFzRZP80Peniwmy5RzcFaJTkIMjAphQOv-pOwhjewPCAyvBrNKRxuNSknCjt/w640-h360/PXL_20230703_183359925.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Now can anyone tell me if Mallard ducklings have the same coloured feathers? If they don't, then everyone I have seen since May has been a female.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was F&C's M&S though not a chippy.<br /></span><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-82403130803104003832023-07-16T13:29:00.002+01:002023-07-16T13:29:52.876+01:00A Festival? Let's go..... actually let's not.<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The next morning, guess what? Yes, sunny! It was a Sunday which was nice for all those people who live for the weekend.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The countryside was beautiful in the sunshine.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BPV8-q3rgFnxP343CQx5w0EMBf3PxjJ4_dOEhJWzYf9reNxWsPeD2hAgppqpwWGmLVmqFf-fhdmBKQsLxFErYVsmTJv6UJhfy0TWKOhN-buO2xNRHy9Lpq5rP8sqrtbE297Vb4xhWUbRXxl-o2LmVsTaOH72teGF1zTXV4KhdFoLOgEo05U9XzVvunP1/s4896/P1060166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BPV8-q3rgFnxP343CQx5w0EMBf3PxjJ4_dOEhJWzYf9reNxWsPeD2hAgppqpwWGmLVmqFf-fhdmBKQsLxFErYVsmTJv6UJhfy0TWKOhN-buO2xNRHy9Lpq5rP8sqrtbE297Vb4xhWUbRXxl-o2LmVsTaOH72teGF1zTXV4KhdFoLOgEo05U9XzVvunP1/w480-h640/P1060166.JPG" width="480" /></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/AVvXsEhOVNvV7ZPapJbAjJNRnC68HgMTVE0CiSQbsDO4fmZPLA466-Q5LBAtHYD77PI9YWAVnmmdNjvo-B0KEky3yyaUnJu5H5586ErlgPIZZMxitBYDzu3ZYHjhBJoCuL9WTre70ITGvBeUfIcOu0TS8e6SVNYu-v3Te7RhciiAd7LDaJ78d3zNo7YggBb2AiK2/s4896/P1060167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVNvV7ZPapJbAjJNRnC68HgMTVE0CiSQbsDO4fmZPLA466-Q5LBAtHYD77PI9YWAVnmmdNjvo-B0KEky3yyaUnJu5H5586ErlgPIZZMxitBYDzu3ZYHjhBJoCuL9WTre70ITGvBeUfIcOu0TS8e6SVNYu-v3Te7RhciiAd7LDaJ78d3zNo7YggBb2AiK2/w480-h640/P1060167.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trust me when I say this was a field of barley ripening nicely. One of my favourite colour schemes is the golden corn and barley and the dark olive green of the trees in July and August.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEjQkCR-cjgVnYxdI5PjIctLrguD4D1pDSB3NgFOTJ5aLnwXDuYGEnPk49Gw-2WLJCDASTYlNBM994tPKs6LUGPgCvBcofCtOmhoCXvMzEuZaH9kBZsMycMnIgC52ROrOKHxVGucpDPQhFJ-dpvuW2hRxpOEmUh3aToZhd_HbrAIrVbyT6ag3cYOE7waExdt/s4896/P1060168%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkCR-cjgVnYxdI5PjIctLrguD4D1pDSB3NgFOTJ5aLnwXDuYGEnPk49Gw-2WLJCDASTYlNBM994tPKs6LUGPgCvBcofCtOmhoCXvMzEuZaH9kBZsMycMnIgC52ROrOKHxVGucpDPQhFJ-dpvuW2hRxpOEmUh3aToZhd_HbrAIrVbyT6ag3cYOE7waExdt/w480-h640/P1060168%20(2).JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not crazy on being in trees, especially not for mooring. The exception is made when the sun beams through the leaves and everything is pretty. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Then all of a sudden a remarkable garden worthy of opening to the public.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEhidWJir2NUw-IDaI2jREs622l8y-OYPm3zzasLsmxlYhQHYD6sihFtE5HgcASlUM3G4FZrIhY8JwfsygB2iKRj3cjD9f4ECnYVkEPZPXM_lmS_85beY85olgRIDZY-UQBY-amzPxu_X_dysnYaFe7YA7IIRnPyLBuqu05qtqweo6F2Crcx1OkUqgw1ze3M/s4896/P1060170%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidWJir2NUw-IDaI2jREs622l8y-OYPm3zzasLsmxlYhQHYD6sihFtE5HgcASlUM3G4FZrIhY8JwfsygB2iKRj3cjD9f4ECnYVkEPZPXM_lmS_85beY85olgRIDZY-UQBY-amzPxu_X_dysnYaFe7YA7IIRnPyLBuqu05qtqweo6F2Crcx1OkUqgw1ze3M/w640-h480/P1060170%20(2).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;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Then Meres. Several of them both sides of the canal, we were told the consequence of mining in this area. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEi0qoCJ-bGXDqXmsBAjHU_1MO2MBLE9iWm5YND0bjW83-N9ELd7qZH228_Vmvmwk5XcVEWV5GTKXKQXJxgrzgndGNMCSobRmY9_-znTvFuWAwE7T5OthKmtbQht7P1EbU6z65r287EHfcg23QRxFYPFc4QQJzINNhSR_zQLS1iSXV15I9zlmo8skqeaJiCW/s4896/P1060175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qoCJ-bGXDqXmsBAjHU_1MO2MBLE9iWm5YND0bjW83-N9ELd7qZH228_Vmvmwk5XcVEWV5GTKXKQXJxgrzgndGNMCSobRmY9_-znTvFuWAwE7T5OthKmtbQht7P1EbU6z65r287EHfcg23QRxFYPFc4QQJzINNhSR_zQLS1iSXV15I9zlmo8skqeaJiCW/w640-h480/P1060175.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/AVvXsEhmnXpriRPaHSIAWyVn91BB4HQANRBccpA9YgyE3c_BabH5lWS8noFa9A1ISjN6C1vE2O5hxY3oFWF6620bO8_PPsJjzZuuU93iprgAYxseIEn_HCfH0u0aGqyLrAHfCxpl8vGpfrRkeY2k7IAgYpMfNMSBNoh_WbDK70sLf69FU3IvGfYHhHeIJGF35mfZ/s4896/P1060176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnXpriRPaHSIAWyVn91BB4HQANRBccpA9YgyE3c_BabH5lWS8noFa9A1ISjN6C1vE2O5hxY3oFWF6620bO8_PPsJjzZuuU93iprgAYxseIEn_HCfH0u0aGqyLrAHfCxpl8vGpfrRkeY2k7IAgYpMfNMSBNoh_WbDK70sLf69FU3IvGfYHhHeIJGF35mfZ/w640-h480/P1060176.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A short tunnel, of course our lamp had it's cover on as we'd had much rain. A quick scramble to remove.</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/AVvXsEgCFgEs_u2s9SCM4HXm05hcdmfuO7_EHpazCCosFWvmSFz6AAB_EEKHqC0jNbeA6DDynrYExeQU6BaCemW3iKfaojled6ezG1dcIeSNRe2EMbR4tq_4Tu4aL4mupTM46CAYALyNxPW9qdyyOWl4WeZnbWnJM5X_QoQKBeyufxTjsfdCF2vT58yZy7Tus3a1/s4896/P1060178%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFgEs_u2s9SCM4HXm05hcdmfuO7_EHpazCCosFWvmSFz6AAB_EEKHqC0jNbeA6DDynrYExeQU6BaCemW3iKfaojled6ezG1dcIeSNRe2EMbR4tq_4Tu4aL4mupTM46CAYALyNxPW9qdyyOWl4WeZnbWnJM5X_QoQKBeyufxTjsfdCF2vT58yZy7Tus3a1/w640-h480/P1060178%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This swan definitely had a guilty look on it's face. </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/AVvXsEiP3D5jF8owMHRVeOXPKJmBZUNcSpGsQIdN4X2Ml8-W0Ozh_9h_4ZaXLmBhAP7iS-_GvrZY11Ia7s1YtwLYcmIwttmi-UhG3Lgy0_8sETI1p66Eco0D8QdDR0xzI9mWhBZ_FHefpodqNQE8MyZv3rSXh0r3PwjgixvsZ8cySbmdD03J_RYTizzzC_aOCJo5/s4896/P1060180%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3D5jF8owMHRVeOXPKJmBZUNcSpGsQIdN4X2Ml8-W0Ozh_9h_4ZaXLmBhAP7iS-_GvrZY11Ia7s1YtwLYcmIwttmi-UhG3Lgy0_8sETI1p66Eco0D8QdDR0xzI9mWhBZ_FHefpodqNQE8MyZv3rSXh0r3PwjgixvsZ8cySbmdD03J_RYTizzzC_aOCJo5/w640-h480/P1060180%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely house but I can't remember exactly where it was.... I think on the approach to Ellesmere.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As we got nearer to Ellesmere there were many boats in both directions, moored boats all along and it became apparent that there was a Boat Festival. Lets stop and go see, it might be fun, says I. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well Reader, we did get a mooring past the Ellesmere Arm, people everywhere, even more boats coming and going. It made great Gongoozling as boats tried to get past moored boats through narrow spots with trees overhanging....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In the end it turned out to be Raft Racing on the Mere not narrow boats so my interest immediately waned, even though David and I took part in a Raft Race with Young Farmers some 45 years ago, this was down a tidal river and into a harbour when the wind and tide beat all entrants and our Raft was rescued by the Life Boat. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Amanda (Our ex Boat Sharer) was onboard too, remember Amanda? Yes we have been friends for that long.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Anyway having moored up in a fabulous sunny position and having done plenty of boating we stayed put.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Much later we walked into town, it was like a ghost town, just us two and a stray dog.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had a drink in The Vault. Chosen because of its craft ales.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEjmXcLSHg0GQ-zt5kfd9sjer1CmlAYBN0cJb9w4RioMPqGUkRM48n7E5LqsPL2HABI2AjE5g6i5dlY-obe1JSV4rC3s3_PuSISE2msXumqKmSyf4Ecl1aFp_OojUsI-682PMdPetzGC3qYpSx2ay74oqFXnCdDHc0oNZPFDdbTYWXF0t4sx9jlpUHKc5euY/s4896/P1060182%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXcLSHg0GQ-zt5kfd9sjer1CmlAYBN0cJb9w4RioMPqGUkRM48n7E5LqsPL2HABI2AjE5g6i5dlY-obe1JSV4rC3s3_PuSISE2msXumqKmSyf4Ecl1aFp_OojUsI-682PMdPetzGC3qYpSx2ay74oqFXnCdDHc0oNZPFDdbTYWXF0t4sx9jlpUHKc5euY/w640-h480/P1060182%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was our lovely mooring but taken the following morning as we left at the crack of....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was warm egg salad with melted cheese on the eggs.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-60133318401031544882023-07-15T19:41:00.002+01:002023-07-15T19:41:47.198+01:00Pull the bloody rope in Lisa <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">An early start this morning, 7am. We crept out as near to silently as we could. David had moved the car forward this am already. We had an outing on the cards.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I made a mental note that at Grindley not to moor at the top if you can help it. We like many other Boaters get to the top of the locks, think phew lets just get moored up then. But its mostly under trees. The setting reminds me of the moorings at Gailey, we always keep going there and get out into the open a mile or two beyond.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Another bunch of lift bridges to do today. The first was a freebie in that a lady had raised it already and somehow we were in front of her boat, not sure how that happened but I said I'll do the next one for her but they were just about to put their hire boat back into Whitchurch.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I did the next one which had awkwardly high turning mechanism at almost my shoulder height. A dog walker who waited for me to lower the bridge but whom lived on a boat there said no more lift bridges for 45 mins. So time for a coffee beforehand.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The wind was constantly building up as we jollied along, at the last bridge to be done it had taken a boat across the canal right at the bridge, so there was some faffing about till he had unblocked the bridge, giving David and myself time to "Arrive" at the bridge and kindly they let us through second. Two boats were now waiting to come through from the other side and the nice Dutch lady allowed all to pass. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEgxNy9_FwtuJhBd_YbKsnb8xuktJkIX2psAZqeh0BDbNYGIZhL-Tb-nfw4wrFnEVmCmpKrB0u4FiLdYp5xTpQBXTLHs3nj3Rtma_egYeR1vUUUGTb3pIC3MMzrmhQzQARIgzt2EWaBl3bROMglUwzZ46s2XNaKfCotO-Wuy-hGlw-oDAQGHxB3IKPa72gJY/s4896/P1060161%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNy9_FwtuJhBd_YbKsnb8xuktJkIX2psAZqeh0BDbNYGIZhL-Tb-nfw4wrFnEVmCmpKrB0u4FiLdYp5xTpQBXTLHs3nj3Rtma_egYeR1vUUUGTb3pIC3MMzrmhQzQARIgzt2EWaBl3bROMglUwzZ46s2XNaKfCotO-Wuy-hGlw-oDAQGHxB3IKPa72gJY/w640-h480/P1060161%20(2).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/AVvXsEiwDUGxAw4MnXqC0R2QjiB3M1x7t9nnZrE70JWlyB96QjOAQhIBzIswGAx5K_ZEZLSRK6qoxtlLflwQkNOLHHpsfQy2hheBDmJSPuqCexL-LRY2PaZqqeEs2XPHc4VftzTVJuYwyN6H-paV4DxElTpBot9PyEx5vs0ERC636vymmUaG-QNoRKd8Tl_Cl4Ij/s4573/P1060162%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3431" data-original-width="4573" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDUGxAw4MnXqC0R2QjiB3M1x7t9nnZrE70JWlyB96QjOAQhIBzIswGAx5K_ZEZLSRK6qoxtlLflwQkNOLHHpsfQy2hheBDmJSPuqCexL-LRY2PaZqqeEs2XPHc4VftzTVJuYwyN6H-paV4DxElTpBot9PyEx5vs0ERC636vymmUaG-QNoRKd8Tl_Cl4Ij/w640-h480/P1060162%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the second bridge of the day, god the gunwales need painting.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The scenery is very attractive all along the way. My only complaint is the weak and complete lack of 4G. I remember last year doing locks above Audlem and meeting two lady dog walkers. One was a nurse making house calls and all their notes are written up on iPads that often don't have signal, she said its diabolical in Shropshire. When you live in the south and hear tales of internet blackspots you don't really understand what others have to cope with.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">My daughter Verity now living in NZ has said for years that you get 4G everywhere including 3 miles off shore in her brother-in-laws boat. We have a way to go.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEgea1l5II2qeH6Ch_nuOF_FvVkML6-km7iA8YaskyhX49kYja5dEsmCwE99wy5Bms0sBeQiC5Am7qI18aeqvg4VNHtJJ7K7dfZf6BSdLDQD2Xf6d2e7CIJJ1-JJA43mF6pyql3ktEV0YIKhlLyy3tAC6c6EAxJ_puXwvn07A8RvF_Oh8fJxv34DZggBQNQ-/s4187/P1060163%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3140" data-original-width="4187" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgea1l5II2qeH6Ch_nuOF_FvVkML6-km7iA8YaskyhX49kYja5dEsmCwE99wy5Bms0sBeQiC5Am7qI18aeqvg4VNHtJJ7K7dfZf6BSdLDQD2Xf6d2e7CIJJ1-JJA43mF6pyql3ktEV0YIKhlLyy3tAC6c6EAxJ_puXwvn07A8RvF_Oh8fJxv34DZggBQNQ-/w640-h480/P1060163%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See how high I was to get this shot for you Reader? </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/AVvXsEj2UUKHQrEHdZ5xopzWLSgtsnfmAswwRWYOSc7KKkYidrmPyASrzcoAUlGuRUMe_EmuJa0L6nUI75dMFnzOiqEhdulawdjyvbEO4H37d9I75nWblEOXswttbL4qnqp7yO8EzuWFgeSoa0D-SvkrpI7nW045yq5mxsXhneSaa8fR3blTl7OmG6MKSXyBscUP/s4131/P1060164%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3098" data-original-width="4131" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UUKHQrEHdZ5xopzWLSgtsnfmAswwRWYOSc7KKkYidrmPyASrzcoAUlGuRUMe_EmuJa0L6nUI75dMFnzOiqEhdulawdjyvbEO4H37d9I75nWblEOXswttbL4qnqp7yO8EzuWFgeSoa0D-SvkrpI7nW045yq5mxsXhneSaa8fR3blTl7OmG6MKSXyBscUP/w640-h480/P1060164%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really gorgeous blues and whites, but I am concerned by the damage this tree/shrub is doing to the armco as it grows unchecked all along the canal.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAaXFblYPSGSuWZf_3bYayjh4vdcMbgUmumO-n8E7i1r5sNHYEn9-h2xR3WHuTYixpVlDEwPxTGRkhSzyQMgUAwWwPBao7tij4nnOuZ6U7fl7XX2aaR6FAu0IUb-1JWNkuBaqV55gNdTrY4qiBy0QKRt0E7laM-UNhsL2NveuA8FXOZ0ZCywUysNJlh3N/s4896/P1060165%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAaXFblYPSGSuWZf_3bYayjh4vdcMbgUmumO-n8E7i1r5sNHYEn9-h2xR3WHuTYixpVlDEwPxTGRkhSzyQMgUAwWwPBao7tij4nnOuZ6U7fl7XX2aaR6FAu0IUb-1JWNkuBaqV55gNdTrY4qiBy0QKRt0E7laM-UNhsL2NveuA8FXOZ0ZCywUysNJlh3N/w640-h480/P1060165%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well the wind continued to pick up and when we got to Bettisford to moor up, the wind didn't help at all, I could barely pull WaL in, then we realised we had gone aground , moved forward, wind HOWLING, went aground and finally we got in but not before David had had a complete sense of humour failure, it was very funny.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He went for a nap. Then late afternoon we got into the car to drive to his sister Sally's.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They live in a place I can't spell nor pronounce, its all in Welsh but they do live in Shropshire, just.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Over the centuries, the Welsh border has gone back and forward a few times.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I put the address into Googlemaps ..... "Cannot find a way there" said Google. That is usually what they say about war zones or going overseas.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I tried again with the nearby village (Hamlet) and farm name, no joy so finally did the village and postcode.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Bingo, well it go us to the village, then we had to call for directions, but Sally didn't hear the mobile.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We eventually found it. A lovely evening was had by all and our niece was there too for afternoon tea in the garden of their centuries old stone house. We had supper in the pub on the banks of the Montgomery Canal which is ten mins from them. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I have no idea where we were when I took this out of the car window, but I reckon its even older than Sally's house. Slight lack of investment maybe, what a tragedy if it falls down. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEhf3MSCVeBtzR78bHDmcDmPutXTNl4Do5aeyVkCAroK4-OMEz0TU68RH0N3bWabLoAQdWJZc5pAYRaWgOMUcbsy6ckWARNruWRBKqzSLIhbKDxCcl7LHrw3BY9ERZI9SIWlJlQOpWhyuXdBht8rHjlrlcvDU9zAL_5PHCpGmYZwrXgPktvnEpg1OGcr2ND_/s4032/PXL_20230701_150415159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3MSCVeBtzR78bHDmcDmPutXTNl4Do5aeyVkCAroK4-OMEz0TU68RH0N3bWabLoAQdWJZc5pAYRaWgOMUcbsy6ckWARNruWRBKqzSLIhbKDxCcl7LHrw3BY9ERZI9SIWlJlQOpWhyuXdBht8rHjlrlcvDU9zAL_5PHCpGmYZwrXgPktvnEpg1OGcr2ND_/w360-h640/PXL_20230701_150415159.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was beef brisket in red wine with mash </span></p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-87038975834845829652023-07-12T20:58:00.001+01:002023-07-12T20:58:30.407+01:00A happy day then a death.<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Early on today I went up to help at a lock, it was a single hander who made me laugh straight away. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He had a great turn of phrase, had had a serious heart attack in his mid 40's and on recovery decided with support of his dad on getting a boat, he'd always wanted one, now has been living aboard for a decade and has even painted the boat himself, a pretty good job he's made too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">David was waiting below while we two were chuckling. He was from Liverpool!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Later on he was in front at a lift bridge, now lift bridges are a big nuisance for single handers, he had managed to get off the front of his boat with the rope and it was a very short offside landing on the side of the turning mechanism, then it dawned on me that his boat was blocking the way for us behind, the only real way around this was for me to do the bridge for both boats, now his boat was under the bridge, so giggling I ducked under the raised bridge, banged my head on it, stepped onto his bow, nearly slipped in but only got one foot damp, then finally he was back on and away, to the next one.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sadly no photos.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">David did ask whatever was going on then? But really reader at least I wasn't getting a marriage proposal.... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">(See a previous posting).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Then two more boats approached and one had the nerve to hoot me to keep the bridge up, by this time David was away down the canal.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The next bridge, second of three in a row I went to do, a nice easy electric one at Wrenbury.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The third he solved by opening it, leaving it up and we scooted along and closed it. This was only achieved as no one at all around.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> At one lock today. When I walked up there was a lady in her sixties I guess. It was her first time hiring.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Are you enjoying yourself ?"</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">I enquired</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">"No not really if I'm being completely honest" </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oh dear I replied, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">"Its our 5th day and we had all these locks to do"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>Have you had a go driving instead?<br />"No, my husband said I can't, I just can't do it, </span>I used to drive trucks too!!!!!!!!!"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well I was astonished, I told her that she should have a go and if she has driven trucks I think you can drive anything.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Years ago I helped the farm out by returning a Ifor Williams (small cattle box) to David's Uncle some good few miles away. It was attached to the back of David's fathers big car ready and off I went. But I had decided on the route where I wouldn't have to do a right hand turn.... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When I arrived the nice farm hand said can you reverse it over there?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">"No, you'll have to" I knew my limitations, I still do. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I don't think I could safely drive a truck.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">David said that there were two pubs marked on the map. As we all know Nicholson's Guide books don't revisit pubs or update their guides, so having the benefit of smart phones we can look them up ourselves. I did this and I chose the Swan at Marbury it would be a lovely treat in the sunshine, a lovely courtyard to eat in too. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I put my new sun dress on, grabbed my new sunhat that David dislikes, we moored up and walked the short distance to Marbury village. We saw one dog walker and no one else on the way to the village until we entered the pub.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We sat in the court garden enjoying a quiet drink, there was a birthday party of about eight 60 somethings, who were very jolly and got jollier as the wine flowed, then a couple arrived on the next table with a spaniel on a lead, the wife went indoors and the dog howled, it stopped howling and yelped then howled again. It was ear splitting. The lady returned and the dog was beside itself, leaping and knocking the furniture about.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We went indoors</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was a lovely lunch, the service was great and we'd like to call here again on the way back. We got back to the boat and sat in the sunny cratch until late evening just enjoying the quiet, butterflies flew in and out of the cratch, dragonflies made an appearance and the open views over the fields.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Love this boating malarkey.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Below are some views as we came along. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkLU8i8yUBpHa_5IduYr79e460yDjR5l9kj1EH--9ES7QQOZd05kMvK_I3cJ9LKo-BsKJnU7EY79kpw1IMY7mOPemDc1lhRkEvMkQTsEtAmidK4fpI1UV6HR9xICQdUQxvsB-8vlHpam4BOVisp6117kPdj9UnBV7ZtalYSsr6ZqaGVuYwfFN1iCiZwmj/s4896/P1060142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkLU8i8yUBpHa_5IduYr79e460yDjR5l9kj1EH--9ES7QQOZd05kMvK_I3cJ9LKo-BsKJnU7EY79kpw1IMY7mOPemDc1lhRkEvMkQTsEtAmidK4fpI1UV6HR9xICQdUQxvsB-8vlHpam4BOVisp6117kPdj9UnBV7ZtalYSsr6ZqaGVuYwfFN1iCiZwmj/w640-h480/P1060142.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/AVvXsEgHJ96qgrL-o6MLhuqdQGaN-UwlQwvwVpE3tFdgb-O2QBXd6mkKlsq33YUn86t2lRYxLw9SsKWrZr_g64KaSEK8DcqHSsGY9FpF0ooviY1KjQY4FhmSEK_ZdOOnHWGGmuhK3Q27qCM3gHsIbFXRnEkNE8_jSQxkNYfSzf12Sl5dNxW1OYe5cyy3k-bKjoGv/s4896/P1060144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJ96qgrL-o6MLhuqdQGaN-UwlQwvwVpE3tFdgb-O2QBXd6mkKlsq33YUn86t2lRYxLw9SsKWrZr_g64KaSEK8DcqHSsGY9FpF0ooviY1KjQY4FhmSEK_ZdOOnHWGGmuhK3Q27qCM3gHsIbFXRnEkNE8_jSQxkNYfSzf12Sl5dNxW1OYe5cyy3k-bKjoGv/w640-h480/P1060144.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The maize is up and growing fast now.</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/AVvXsEj8cj7CMWtwoRlAFxlQX5J9_-jJVpzov55EWAXWC6QT-ZD6Hw0cH8qHeQozDDqYNtHqhUUtEc6lNLt73ygc-ptECWj8jZpS_5JOdajQGl6lQke502IvASHyB3NLHswu-UAkNgGGXdUa5sV2U2KzJFjOeSSaUXTw_xn0GlDEiVbzrjo4o1g9TAv8crIuN__X/s4896/P1060151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cj7CMWtwoRlAFxlQX5J9_-jJVpzov55EWAXWC6QT-ZD6Hw0cH8qHeQozDDqYNtHqhUUtEc6lNLt73ygc-ptECWj8jZpS_5JOdajQGl6lQke502IvASHyB3NLHswu-UAkNgGGXdUa5sV2U2KzJFjOeSSaUXTw_xn0GlDEiVbzrjo4o1g9TAv8crIuN__X/w640-h480/P1060151.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the last of the lift bridges, single hander popped it up and I put it down.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><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/AVvXsEhSJpGzIopC8-GYNkFJx_QiuURwxZS748l-6_8Vf-v73bCluDyMvMCVGzYXXkO2i5Fb6t4ShEUwkGNKZ5DrZZgdfgk5xBgeWW-13G5H3CpUSMvFCPiqIsdJgVMrPbfeusY_oZLh1pvdAW1nLez23jUXlyCh6z0L4GLOqll_tAWG4segqNlLxKLMCdMuMcVv/s4896/P1060157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJpGzIopC8-GYNkFJx_QiuURwxZS748l-6_8Vf-v73bCluDyMvMCVGzYXXkO2i5Fb6t4ShEUwkGNKZ5DrZZgdfgk5xBgeWW-13G5H3CpUSMvFCPiqIsdJgVMrPbfeusY_oZLh1pvdAW1nLez23jUXlyCh6z0L4GLOqll_tAWG4segqNlLxKLMCdMuMcVv/w640-h480/P1060157.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our gorgeous mooring, but the next morning when it was completely grey. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> The next mooring was raining so we left later on. We were passed by hire boats due back to their bases, quite a few bases along here and many hire boats, most of them jolly and having fun. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But some very miserable boat owners amongst the mix. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I went up to Quoisley lock to prep and there was a boat approaching. So I topped up the almost full lock and opened the gate for them. Then it went sideways across the canal, then it went to the offside and you'd be forgiven that they had wanted to moor up. Finally they came into the lock.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">New hirers. They couldn't find their windlass so I lent her mine. As they approached just look what happened...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5E3RUSo4q5NbXwJfZVHXfjMhf9UMNs4erm4F-BuHsgPvzM5o37seYTLIEChtBwrbYezAs4lVGITOn4H9kSOGJ2ylGJ9rO4EXtJ1_SL0WqzNCn9yuomEYRWmmuDkG7m0AdAajSEL4NZRn0Ro91a4V4hvLXrdZCwRl9Ft3vGGzavDZH3gO2nY0w7EYsy-6/s3424/P1060159%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3424" data-original-width="2568" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5E3RUSo4q5NbXwJfZVHXfjMhf9UMNs4erm4F-BuHsgPvzM5o37seYTLIEChtBwrbYezAs4lVGITOn4H9kSOGJ2ylGJ9rO4EXtJ1_SL0WqzNCn9yuomEYRWmmuDkG7m0AdAajSEL4NZRn0Ro91a4V4hvLXrdZCwRl9Ft3vGGzavDZH3gO2nY0w7EYsy-6/w480-h640/P1060159%20(2).JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrsB0a9bTt3iaaB6pmRwDdVf7rJKVkzq0w5OvlrLMeUm6_KmnKJPM7PZo6YirpG4MzA4_luyI_CmMqI6Hlb6AF_snjlElsCxgMvVDfuTlqXC_yxzdL7bm0_W-1Ixj3jf07JQkJZddf_ADBywaPV9Nmsow6OSCJ6HrO_totID7KmyJRATjYe6_YABvIw4O/s3117/P1060158%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2338" data-original-width="3117" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrsB0a9bTt3iaaB6pmRwDdVf7rJKVkzq0w5OvlrLMeUm6_KmnKJPM7PZo6YirpG4MzA4_luyI_CmMqI6Hlb6AF_snjlElsCxgMvVDfuTlqXC_yxzdL7bm0_W-1Ixj3jf07JQkJZddf_ADBywaPV9Nmsow6OSCJ6HrO_totID7KmyJRATjYe6_YABvIw4O/w640-h480/P1060158%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Reader, I really did my best first to catch it, then to shoo it out then finally as theirs was a shorter boat to keep them back while they on the opposite side to me tried to do similar.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I held their middle rope in the vain hope to keep it from being crushed, the mother appeared and quacked to it, it tried to flap out of the lock but....</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In the end it simply vanished, the lady crew was in floods of tears and as the gate were opened I said Oh look there it is with mum down there, down towards where David was following the Test Match, (Cricket for my Reader in Brazil).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">She didn't believe me and left the scene of the massacre with her head in her elbow. I felt sad too.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Grindley Brook next, not too much of a wait, we'd been told by other boaters that they had been held up for three hours. There are three locks preceding the staircase three, up we went, so easy with two volunteers prepping it all for you.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><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/AVvXsEiFv-l9Q-lmGZQ4SBpYVNm0BvHkEjBXgxrHed9wzr4WLfdDVwr1iovOxZmH6ZEGY6umwNCo2HFMBxEI9tujJcPNN9tSUDeX7A3txPbnbs88BU97LaoUbAU9LDALYS18KjxgUwP8NZNbj9aewm_x9fgFCQfFwQUO_r2sBv5Pwvx-xU7OAzx0HwdbBl_D5xIG/s4896/P1060160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFv-l9Q-lmGZQ4SBpYVNm0BvHkEjBXgxrHed9wzr4WLfdDVwr1iovOxZmH6ZEGY6umwNCo2HFMBxEI9tujJcPNN9tSUDeX7A3txPbnbs88BU97LaoUbAU9LDALYS18KjxgUwP8NZNbj9aewm_x9fgFCQfFwQUO_r2sBv5Pwvx-xU7OAzx0HwdbBl_D5xIG/w640-h480/P1060160.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Single lock immediately before Grindley Flight.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Finally all done for the day, we'd done ten locks but in effect more, by that I mean due to the strong by-washes on them I used the trick of when the gates are open for David to go in I whip the paddles up to lessen the by wash banging you about, so the paddles had been up and down like a whore's drawers. David's expression not mine. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As David watered up I walked back with the rubbish, there was a boater looking dejectedly at the self pump-out there. I felt instinctively he was American as he was wearing a clear plastic cover with a hood, as we've seen them all wearing at Disney.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I've got some plastic gloves for that, follow me and I'll get them. I gave him a pair of the latex ones we carry and his face was a picture. <br />"This has been a steep learning curve" he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was salmon curry.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-19832067175938006322023-07-08T11:15:00.000+01:002023-07-08T11:15:03.790+01:00Just got going then rain stopped play.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had a relaxing start to the day, the skies were cloudy with some sun too, it's just a nice relaxing feeling not to be on a schedule. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We have been on this canal just the once and it was 2016, all is forgotten and our Nicholson's Guide has not many clues in it as to moorings... I kept thinking we'd moored here, only to think a mile on oh no it was here, no no must have been here...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEhE7qphLh8-c7eSUMR_dP-5BCFwXP1anvYZ7Be18BXWaYjI_ZpbAZ_mxuP3syWk4hvUeAObPzai531SFaoZuijLziyzPJfG1sYSFPUWm9_TGjOdA5eu5Hx8ZzvT0-ECJjkiRuZqYHoKGNJIjb3C3hpkB9drUF0TuuDstPAA3nPUo6lB2aTnPU1YVGXdsXuC/s3992/P1060139%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2994" data-original-width="3992" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7qphLh8-c7eSUMR_dP-5BCFwXP1anvYZ7Be18BXWaYjI_ZpbAZ_mxuP3syWk4hvUeAObPzai531SFaoZuijLziyzPJfG1sYSFPUWm9_TGjOdA5eu5Hx8ZzvT0-ECJjkiRuZqYHoKGNJIjb3C3hpkB9drUF0TuuDstPAA3nPUo6lB2aTnPU1YVGXdsXuC/w640-h480/P1060139%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An arty shot on the flight yesterday I forgot to put up. It does make my eyes go a bit funny. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vjokUqMXgCNviO9ILmD4NruP9wjHETGf8rAHPq-vpHTKE7Z5V8MNWnjw5FD-xgGUQlHl6_67NuqrlPzYGa7YYY-sdc4CzqDDGvfiqCA2md0YHPZJElnrpHinZyFwX4itPOvK6vg9tKj0oQilUQjR9OpDVppcGR2RJCLTzAWqEA8C_HCSqFU3xy-2O6Uk/s4119/P1060140%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3090" data-original-width="4119" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vjokUqMXgCNviO9ILmD4NruP9wjHETGf8rAHPq-vpHTKE7Z5V8MNWnjw5FD-xgGUQlHl6_67NuqrlPzYGa7YYY-sdc4CzqDDGvfiqCA2md0YHPZJElnrpHinZyFwX4itPOvK6vg9tKj0oQilUQjR9OpDVppcGR2RJCLTzAWqEA8C_HCSqFU3xy-2O6Uk/w640-h480/P1060140%20(2).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/AVvXsEghvjibjvz4qWHN94G0rMnSWgtiUBKj_exGNgghSrae1tsMAl_xIjiLPn8vAeyNSCiXKBd1i8hJSS22IiTbcqaSGtCZb9TC_6CBn9xIzKgAo1JvyAumvRSAjRKPuDfdIJYZGyQMMbhsyTLO3RXcTgEfih6efu6H9Ap48tHbpm944Nl9Zxwz5fCyb9wUfPD0/s4096/P1060141%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3071" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvjibjvz4qWHN94G0rMnSWgtiUBKj_exGNgghSrae1tsMAl_xIjiLPn8vAeyNSCiXKBd1i8hJSS22IiTbcqaSGtCZb9TC_6CBn9xIzKgAo1JvyAumvRSAjRKPuDfdIJYZGyQMMbhsyTLO3RXcTgEfih6efu6H9Ap48tHbpm944Nl9Zxwz5fCyb9wUfPD0/w480-h640/P1060141%20(2).JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a very sad sight. With CART funds as they are, when will this be repaired. </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/AVvXsEj4IzbKoNPBso-D1d_OpVenvy0d7c0GoEif0IVZfaF7Fq2_fCYQoE7rQOmhM4BMPLVLul9feibYOJVIoKEkYbcEel99jDq94wLuNYv2TbTgIWrCzh7jGV0wpc9BtaWIU7T5OI-KOfp42BESsEox8_pwqkRdxgnq-vBmTmh7Bwtz2R80JU1I4fZkZQa0P2JE/s4896/P1060145%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IzbKoNPBso-D1d_OpVenvy0d7c0GoEif0IVZfaF7Fq2_fCYQoE7rQOmhM4BMPLVLul9feibYOJVIoKEkYbcEel99jDq94wLuNYv2TbTgIWrCzh7jGV0wpc9BtaWIU7T5OI-KOfp42BESsEox8_pwqkRdxgnq-vBmTmh7Bwtz2R80JU1I4fZkZQa0P2JE/w640-h480/P1060145%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colossal farmhouse, I was curious as to how many extensions have been added over the generations. </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/AVvXsEg8uREgKSf9IggnSyOeAjAg1A1CFPJiC5aDKM5WPSjtMm2ZAmSSE8xQmqXHfau8Ip6C5nefRDmysccYU8aG_-UutuuYYpJCf-tvJkYGWz604pNpwRy2uNqqQIIg7VYOpkb55-RzGX6YiwyFwyRt9bFGDHnsLawdliEQm3G5tvi0yHgGYHNZiOmif5keZbLE/s4896/P1060147%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uREgKSf9IggnSyOeAjAg1A1CFPJiC5aDKM5WPSjtMm2ZAmSSE8xQmqXHfau8Ip6C5nefRDmysccYU8aG_-UutuuYYpJCf-tvJkYGWz604pNpwRy2uNqqQIIg7VYOpkb55-RzGX6YiwyFwyRt9bFGDHnsLawdliEQm3G5tvi0yHgGYHNZiOmif5keZbLE/w480-h640/P1060147%20(2).JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The maize is doing so nicely, but it could probably do with some wet weather.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We jollied along very much enjoying the countryside. There were a small handful of locks nicely spaced but with many boats arriving and departing so not really queuing but making efficient use of water and effort. Hirers are usually are in such happy frames of mind determined to enjoy themselves, a pleasure to chat to.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEjm7kcGOixxqA-7mGXhPRs220J_zQuDstfHsNC1iwV-QlaSl6J_deJOBS554UxPom6qRZzFdLiJWxUaPX3H0VFXC0Iy2dHnjSBdFXX7gIt92Z5RzY0CjLQP2UfhUttbW89Cx-9Xvq_2DDltGSb4kvMVm-yjmyZXkbUxPYjD-ZRf89uaMoHfMPfDfxaPK8he/s4896/P1060149%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7kcGOixxqA-7mGXhPRs220J_zQuDstfHsNC1iwV-QlaSl6J_deJOBS554UxPom6qRZzFdLiJWxUaPX3H0VFXC0Iy2dHnjSBdFXX7gIt92Z5RzY0CjLQP2UfhUttbW89Cx-9Xvq_2DDltGSb4kvMVm-yjmyZXkbUxPYjD-ZRf89uaMoHfMPfDfxaPK8he/w640-h480/P1060149%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite a flow on the side washes.</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/AVvXsEi4dr9IvFIK5psAOUwVJqpxYyE0UWcXzPwlrFJ5zNysdhwr38B5x7BU-xLa1VxHT_sxctXQdTJoFGOi2EkBmxIp_o1Z_hLgz5n5-meOEAooas0nw87v9hn0K79qCI_vgSdQjuELo4c3AM53OR7buEkx2p9ASotVekgQvuhlEAnPezDMCclHz3wBl_Mn-GMj/s4307/P1060150%20(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4307" data-original-width="3230" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dr9IvFIK5psAOUwVJqpxYyE0UWcXzPwlrFJ5zNysdhwr38B5x7BU-xLa1VxHT_sxctXQdTJoFGOi2EkBmxIp_o1Z_hLgz5n5-meOEAooas0nw87v9hn0K79qCI_vgSdQjuELo4c3AM53OR7buEkx2p9ASotVekgQvuhlEAnPezDMCclHz3wBl_Mn-GMj/w480-h640/P1060150%20(3).JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I do love a gateway.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Altogether a lovely few hours but only a few as seemingly within about ten minutes the sky turned black, oooh have a look at that David, shall we moor up? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well we did and as David scuttled in after putting on the tonneau cover the heavens opened.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was stir fri chicken that followed some rest and relaxation as the rain kept going. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Good for the maize.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Todays Pretties</span></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 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUQBHkWYffXfKCaMNrRHzmGluU5722s-5L7LP24URbEbBC11B4PNLRbzIP552fn84LX02fHxJJ_s0noPqx0p6O1nFVV0uV_SEtA7-099XhGX_JQOC5wuNrRPCBOp6VCUCcZMCZaPFDgUYhQZramFF9nBDPQOPnBCYWfl-BAC4EQ6vNVsxhWk3r9oS6JTu/s4896/P1060154%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUQBHkWYffXfKCaMNrRHzmGluU5722s-5L7LP24URbEbBC11B4PNLRbzIP552fn84LX02fHxJJ_s0noPqx0p6O1nFVV0uV_SEtA7-099XhGX_JQOC5wuNrRPCBOp6VCUCcZMCZaPFDgUYhQZramFF9nBDPQOPnBCYWfl-BAC4EQ6vNVsxhWk3r9oS6JTu/w640-h480/P1060154%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylUM31GjaKW5DQobMUyGHdUCRtCMJ3vNxRZQX0E8ip6txxbum7sDI3N-kFOfvRcFAQFVW-xTEsN_Qeob_lf7Z_n5hMT4wiFHB9WwTdvltoUDiR8aU-WDZeSYZvlSVvqOlnVggOsr29q0xslZjFSa31Lg6M2ZOayRI0tkKrmf3xfT_1_Hx7g6LUQY8SMaQ/s4896/P1060148%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylUM31GjaKW5DQobMUyGHdUCRtCMJ3vNxRZQX0E8ip6txxbum7sDI3N-kFOfvRcFAQFVW-xTEsN_Qeob_lf7Z_n5hMT4wiFHB9WwTdvltoUDiR8aU-WDZeSYZvlSVvqOlnVggOsr29q0xslZjFSa31Lg6M2ZOayRI0tkKrmf3xfT_1_Hx7g6LUQY8SMaQ/w640-h480/P1060148%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-40429572581089566702023-07-02T20:20:00.000+01:002023-07-02T20:20:03.468+01:00Baby and Belted's<p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So immediately before coming back to WaL we spent the weekend with all the Grandchildren together. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEhLLsLqMHeerbF-iTnUPNWQdIC1e8SY_r7paKdEt-84ViB2V9l1jkMVZi3TfckfpuXNuiuGegxcHCe-GwNPFVwHRLYVc1cOUgS2O50gO09gZdJZH4nKyBELtdeLP8qaB2xq7_gnPlNWQgJBqUOF0RNH3qcJ1zo828Or48vTkZ3ggOlvPhqz2klFEkF5J9me/s4032/PXL_20230617_214001339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLsLqMHeerbF-iTnUPNWQdIC1e8SY_r7paKdEt-84ViB2V9l1jkMVZi3TfckfpuXNuiuGegxcHCe-GwNPFVwHRLYVc1cOUgS2O50gO09gZdJZH4nKyBELtdeLP8qaB2xq7_gnPlNWQgJBqUOF0RNH3qcJ1zo828Or48vTkZ3ggOlvPhqz2klFEkF5J9me/w640-h360/PXL_20230617_214001339.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh my goodness just look at that baby.....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A special day.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was actually to have been in London but as the temperature predictions rose to 31C the venue was changed to the other daughters out of London house where it was considerably cooler but still flippin' hot.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They are all well thank you for asking.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But we did drive back to London daughter's house, took the Poppets to nursery in the morning then made our way up country to Audlem and Overwater Marina. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We unloaded the car, travelling light this time as most of the "Kit" was already onboard. David departed to plant the car somewhere I didn't listen to and said he'd be two hours.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Marvellous. I'd done most of the driving and wanted to, in the words of that Australian lady I met in Middlewich "Rest my ears". I was thinking, make bed, fetch book and cup of tea and way before he was due to be, he returned.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So with the wind a little under gale force, he reversed WaL out of the longer pontoon, the wind caught it, he almost ended up on the duck island, lots of revving and it was brought back under control and we exited the very nice marina.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We chugged along to Coole Pilate intending to stop here for the night. Moor up right opposite the Belted Galloways I called, I love to see them. We did and they all immediately left that part of the field not to be seen again. The photo I have used is of them when came past a fortnight ago. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was cheese on toast.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEjidgCNW-7LhDGe6Be0OvyW1rdNgXMceYx5__UY4yITnujsTAJvRpTXhn6VbaniHfx0fCYL8EoFi2zTc6u1I7hAM4POAnw9U0tnpkUZrPmUHHrGuc4Ud2JTlAvkABt9DVRYOrFEfZEpEZ72tHqA0H3gn4agi4Mge7R6rR0lkjEyrvQcUsHsV2MeQOmThDVF/s4896/P1060125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidgCNW-7LhDGe6Be0OvyW1rdNgXMceYx5__UY4yITnujsTAJvRpTXhn6VbaniHfx0fCYL8EoFi2zTc6u1I7hAM4POAnw9U0tnpkUZrPmUHHrGuc4Ud2JTlAvkABt9DVRYOrFEfZEpEZ72tHqA0H3gn4agi4Mge7R6rR0lkjEyrvQcUsHsV2MeQOmThDVF/w640-h480/P1060125.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely morning, clear and refreshingly cool.</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/AVvXsEh1MGmUk0yQSUGOCVUMYJYWZ6J2A3Bne8NMo36hlnPKWNrZyJhKUr8EIIW9V2iuEbdHwiqMECzZDUkj_8H3glUnnJ0HQmwj1n8FgO4Yf3mawsiR2oPUr8AMtE8MxEDhYoyPgmE5rwRJEQR61qE3mBIDgJHHlkwZAKxOp7QzMPYxKpuwrXu295jbtfPMaYkx/s4896/P1060127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MGmUk0yQSUGOCVUMYJYWZ6J2A3Bne8NMo36hlnPKWNrZyJhKUr8EIIW9V2iuEbdHwiqMECzZDUkj_8H3glUnnJ0HQmwj1n8FgO4Yf3mawsiR2oPUr8AMtE8MxEDhYoyPgmE5rwRJEQR61qE3mBIDgJHHlkwZAKxOp7QzMPYxKpuwrXu295jbtfPMaYkx/w640-h480/P1060127.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't they cute.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></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/AVvXsEiGw4iPGHNoHoL7m7J7ZG3-_H9820xdZDEZ27vbXIBoNJdzJcFAWwJZoUBRfEfzL0VBgV8RpxmvXW8JGlVpnA8ZwAsrx3iXNauSnuqnk66BV2prXbW3rnsNyoIiQQEE7g3bfGatA7PB--XIFfHjuZWP20e0JKe6eiwGJTIe5mwkccz6WT8hTRynGh5ZnIh5/s3285/PXL_20230626_202817502~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2018" data-original-width="3285" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGw4iPGHNoHoL7m7J7ZG3-_H9820xdZDEZ27vbXIBoNJdzJcFAWwJZoUBRfEfzL0VBgV8RpxmvXW8JGlVpnA8ZwAsrx3iXNauSnuqnk66BV2prXbW3rnsNyoIiQQEE7g3bfGatA7PB--XIFfHjuZWP20e0JKe6eiwGJTIe5mwkccz6WT8hTRynGh5ZnIh5/w640-h394/PXL_20230626_202817502~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely sunset at Coole Pilate.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The next morning pretty smartish we left there aiming for Hurleston Junction and the Llangollen Canal. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Jeepers so nice to be cool after these mad high temperatures recently, I was wearing a coat.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As we approached Nantwich, there was a boat was coming towards us and then very suddenly he pulled right across our path. David slammed WaL into reverse, as you can imagine there was a lot of engine noise, we went behind him and he asked something like if we were alright and then indignantly said we should have waited for HIM! Now David and I were a trifle surprised by this claim. </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I called over asking if he would have done that manoeuvre driving a car? A fair question, he replied that he doesn't drive.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So we can all rest easy in our beds.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We followed a hire boat the rest of the way at a distance. They were slow but we were not in any hurry, they turned left after the bridge to the Hurleston Flight of locks, I said to David to drop me well short of the locks so I can cross the bridge and prep the lock which we did, as I went over the bridge the hire boat was completely out of position and trying to recover, I did momentarily wonder if they were turning but I went to prep the lock anyway. A few minutes later they were back alongside the landing and she joined me opening the lock gates.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">She tentatively asked who was going in first...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Why you are I said, you were first.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oh okay thank you, only the other day another boat completely pushed in front of us in a queue.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I was quite shocked.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They were ANOTHER lovely couple from NZ, living in Australia but going home to live in NZ again. My heart always jumps a bit when I meet Kiwi's as my beloveds are now living there.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We were soon up and everso carefully crept past a line of boats waiting to come down the locks. We moored up and it was only then we noticed a familiar aroma.... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Not everyone's favourite but the local farm was muck spreading.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was roast chicken and chips. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEjmghASSbhY84GB38nmXaYBwRvczGnABG9a7syOBBUInWsIu4UOz5uwJSiFHwLE97xs1Kx0Y9mwRDNs1JUgEQQNMVIAPVdVMYM7aWmhJx2ZmLYPrWDK0BEX3Eg6rLDouZ9xM3UNTlvcGYJOoWIAqYOsmE8dbZJlq1iZXIJ0mFfdPUjDHKlnCOBOO3mEwX4-/s4032/PXL_20230628_201135000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmghASSbhY84GB38nmXaYBwRvczGnABG9a7syOBBUInWsIu4UOz5uwJSiFHwLE97xs1Kx0Y9mwRDNs1JUgEQQNMVIAPVdVMYM7aWmhJx2ZmLYPrWDK0BEX3Eg6rLDouZ9xM3UNTlvcGYJOoWIAqYOsmE8dbZJlq1iZXIJ0mFfdPUjDHKlnCOBOO3mEwX4-/w640-h360/PXL_20230628_201135000.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous golden light on the bridge as the sun went down.</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/AVvXsEiGyG8C7yTAPRyM_WK2_5BwtypdGkNp4hbGW5FrNRd-JuXOdqGYfuL8O-5sl_6sh-IfXGu6ZAO-36kzD-0KqJaw5usTWr9qE4GZamHUTG9jJ36xI5O7gF9KDDNuy9C0oOvvs6oPuq_QXoiqrRr3qNPUzmE3NqFXAMKkPXAytdq5tvAwivHahHjYwthhAxWQ/s4032/PXL_20230628_201113135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyG8C7yTAPRyM_WK2_5BwtypdGkNp4hbGW5FrNRd-JuXOdqGYfuL8O-5sl_6sh-IfXGu6ZAO-36kzD-0KqJaw5usTWr9qE4GZamHUTG9jJ36xI5O7gF9KDDNuy9C0oOvvs6oPuq_QXoiqrRr3qNPUzmE3NqFXAMKkPXAytdq5tvAwivHahHjYwthhAxWQ/w640-h360/PXL_20230628_201113135.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another pretty sky but can you smell the muck?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-3845907847818070112023-06-26T19:22:00.001+01:002023-06-26T19:22:20.455+01:00And things were going so well.<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">David did some maths during last evening, calculating what time we had to leave this mooring to get to Overwater Marina where WaL was booked in to stay, to see the manager of the maintenance shed where WaL was going to have a few jobs done. (We had moored up earlier than we had wanted to due to the mother of all thunder storms catching us early in the evening, we could have done another 90 minutes boating easily). </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I think we should leave at 05:30 he declared.....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Jesus wept.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Frequently Flyers to this blog may have gleaned that I am not a happy riser at what I consider to be the night time, I will do so, sometimes when the need is acute, even without moaning. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sometimes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I pushed the front out, neither of us spoke, no bangs or crashes so to avoid disturbing the lovely neighbours who had helped us moor up in the gusting squalls as the storm started last evening. I should also add Reader that WaL does have a very quiet engine. We have been accused in the past by fishermen of sneaking up on them.. You can never please fishermen.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Now you may have to use your imagine for these early early early morning shots of the dawn breaking through these trees, even I loved it. But the photos have come out a bit flat.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOK4RXNBZhukhA6OMEasJnYSJUf3xJOnufZYaCOezOPJFgPH-lZmKJAYRIpdWqa9_Cuca8Vf5ICpf34BLuVW-1oZx70VdCOnWDMctxBvefXSaEY1yoWLQcPwc1rebiIl69CF86pQzdcsw3GpTieA9OiBE8gho_xiO3qnYfKP7w7oL9rOXJNoqCQiL9cyE/s4896/P1060105%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOK4RXNBZhukhA6OMEasJnYSJUf3xJOnufZYaCOezOPJFgPH-lZmKJAYRIpdWqa9_Cuca8Vf5ICpf34BLuVW-1oZx70VdCOnWDMctxBvefXSaEY1yoWLQcPwc1rebiIl69CF86pQzdcsw3GpTieA9OiBE8gho_xiO3qnYfKP7w7oL9rOXJNoqCQiL9cyE/w640-h480/P1060105%20(1).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;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW21FJkpKPnBFmfSbcxfE4eHzpiaq6Z8LU6BBcP42G50MGheydAisdu2oZxWCzhu0fdw9WAAWq1W8L9mhurE4y2uf9e47kd1laxkg9f7HT9i5teMU_Zar9r7IKwIRyn6VBnDsb0C_8ZjTkEg3D6m_OZBiwc_p_4ptGI5x7TokaaNGk1Sm-xLz8bgtlaRhw/s4896/P1060106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4896" data-original-width="3672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW21FJkpKPnBFmfSbcxfE4eHzpiaq6Z8LU6BBcP42G50MGheydAisdu2oZxWCzhu0fdw9WAAWq1W8L9mhurE4y2uf9e47kd1laxkg9f7HT9i5teMU_Zar9r7IKwIRyn6VBnDsb0C_8ZjTkEg3D6m_OZBiwc_p_4ptGI5x7TokaaNGk1Sm-xLz8bgtlaRhw/w480-h640/P1060106.JPG" width="480" /></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/AVvXsEjyHl72_jK7hFRTQLkNXeGEqVrPJ5M1HJ7Ym6XwzsTghRYPl0nc-nPlItEhenFiwttqsPEO-0h0JrAUXHiuLJEEMO1j0cimo-9B-lN4a77e3Ae24p0RbN9U8PBASV3xUSs9UJAxMYmnPcKDm37rCzHtgFnZdKfYP2oVcM3apO27X7HL0A8kUQyqgLphzaYV/s4896/P1060107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHl72_jK7hFRTQLkNXeGEqVrPJ5M1HJ7Ym6XwzsTghRYPl0nc-nPlItEhenFiwttqsPEO-0h0JrAUXHiuLJEEMO1j0cimo-9B-lN4a77e3Ae24p0RbN9U8PBASV3xUSs9UJAxMYmnPcKDm37rCzHtgFnZdKfYP2oVcM3apO27X7HL0A8kUQyqgLphzaYV/w640-h480/P1060107.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice looking maize coming up.</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/AVvXsEjUbPXLFQR12wDrS9ZeOCvGY5ZmzjiK_B_98L9rgLz-PPIbvQvhVSS1RADjQXIzrh2yqmVDTluuJGHWYCXzSRfT14FRqVs7DoFsY-O0Y7F4ELaP1ciBX6lfgkx8g6-IVFDBsChHPjMngb5PJ_dZpbqmD3f52cr4ZiUU-tT9dY3m5_neSZiNp1cmfPu23gdS/s4896/P1060110%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbPXLFQR12wDrS9ZeOCvGY5ZmzjiK_B_98L9rgLz-PPIbvQvhVSS1RADjQXIzrh2yqmVDTluuJGHWYCXzSRfT14FRqVs7DoFsY-O0Y7F4ELaP1ciBX6lfgkx8g6-IVFDBsChHPjMngb5PJ_dZpbqmD3f52cr4ZiUU-tT9dY3m5_neSZiNp1cmfPu23gdS/w640-h480/P1060110%20(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The well known aqueduct at Nantwich coming up</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/AVvXsEizfEsfoPmLx3YosmvCMN2FsjeWdpXNwE0SIbDveBnH26fJAEb2-0QPRa7yZvbzKSKY4491UuaLagEPOyV32LrBA5yGymKmewTFr_Qmu4S7ZHwjjQrjoDx99H5flOxoJrN_suA553yTbQdGKYjj7RyD2ZjB39I5oz5pN82TEFzEQqhYivsIilHqJi_XjHXu/s4896/P1060112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfEsfoPmLx3YosmvCMN2FsjeWdpXNwE0SIbDveBnH26fJAEb2-0QPRa7yZvbzKSKY4491UuaLagEPOyV32LrBA5yGymKmewTFr_Qmu4S7ZHwjjQrjoDx99H5flOxoJrN_suA553yTbQdGKYjj7RyD2ZjB39I5oz5pN82TEFzEQqhYivsIilHqJi_XjHXu/w640-h480/P1060112.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look Reader, too early for cars.</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/AVvXsEjlp_n6sQ-3TIobI64gGFdXU5Db0wEI_xxrRYAB2IyUoXgivYNu8JUiyugMJt5zIjTufOLy8O4GytXurOAjQT_zvMhRo_J6AmT4pzmRxO5Mke77vmKUR0pGz0afNmGEgCaS7DaGQMvbqIp0utpOzi6AFs9-FfD23E7Sq7XcKYLomo9i0lirWh31Ft2zCN0i/s3629/P1060114%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2722" data-original-width="3629" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlp_n6sQ-3TIobI64gGFdXU5Db0wEI_xxrRYAB2IyUoXgivYNu8JUiyugMJt5zIjTufOLy8O4GytXurOAjQT_zvMhRo_J6AmT4pzmRxO5Mke77vmKUR0pGz0afNmGEgCaS7DaGQMvbqIp0utpOzi6AFs9-FfD23E7Sq7XcKYLomo9i0lirWh31Ft2zCN0i/w640-h480/P1060114%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some very pretty Jerseys. But be warned Jersey bulls are extremely fierce, probably something to do with little man syndrome. David says that Guernseys are darker and dont have such good udders, so now you know.</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/AVvXsEhE7PPt18iBv2L5hhy4_vUXuI9bP-BEsyyTkpyboTZZf5v7nEillluk9pGWZtqfLOCcWRNmCe6M2-z4ZRtr9l8NWYwC_F1JJh1TpartyhFvKQFUv0f9YE5Z3TRVtYiEnmIe9CgA54YWxZFnFQpAZKdYnubNN_wAG_eleT4ZC9nqGpsEADO7issiKdYGABpZ/s4896/P1060119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7PPt18iBv2L5hhy4_vUXuI9bP-BEsyyTkpyboTZZf5v7nEillluk9pGWZtqfLOCcWRNmCe6M2-z4ZRtr9l8NWYwC_F1JJh1TpartyhFvKQFUv0f9YE5Z3TRVtYiEnmIe9CgA54YWxZFnFQpAZKdYnubNN_wAG_eleT4ZC9nqGpsEADO7issiKdYGABpZ/w640-h480/P1060119.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh I just love that untouched water thing you only get at silly O'Clock.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So we got to Overwater in good time, actually before they opened.... The manager was nowhere to be found. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Typical.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But we sorted everything out and headed for home about twelve. We always seem to take two hours to leave from mooring up. Anyone manage it quicker?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The journey home was the very worst in the history of our boating.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The motorways were busy, the sun was blinding, the air con on the hire car was working haphazardly on the drivers side (I do the driving in cars Reader, David's driving makes me scream) there was a crash on that well known car park the M25, the temperature in the car was 33C, my nerves were frazzled in the heat, Google and I aren't speaking anymore after it took us on a detour through the dense countryside of Surrey and to the single lane bridge on the River Wey where things descended into farce and arguments with 500 cars all wanting to get over it. Our 4.5 hour journey took almost 8 hours.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There Reader each time I share the horror of it the trauma lessens.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We will be home for a fortnight, but I finished this blog at home so see you shortly. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-91369011315922198432023-06-23T22:50:00.000+01:002023-06-23T22:50:24.836+01:00Can they fix it?..... Yes they can!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">CART were due this morning. They hadn't arrived at nine, nor ten. Then a couple of CART men arrived, looked around a bit and departed again.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This went on, by now there were several boats all lined up behind us, most chomping at the bit.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had run out of milk and the chaps on the boat behind very kindly gave us a pint of UHT they had spare. It was a tiny bit of the Blitz spirit. Over the hours we had learnt about the wedding the man on boat three was going to in Scotland and his reservations on the bride. Learnt about the Maltese crew in boat four and the appalling weather Malta was having just now.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">More hours past. it got hotter and hotter without shade. Behind us and closer to Aqueduct Marina was a farm or at least some buildings with pigs, their perfume began to be on the breeze.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Finally the senior engineer arrived from gawd knows where, but this is a big area. The planks to stop the water had to be replaced with steel ones, the person who drew the short straw had to go in and clear the debris from the plank channels, there was heaving, sweating and I thought I heard Ross call out "Pivot" ( Reader sorry but that was an hilarious scene from Friends). </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This breakdown had been caused by hapless and careless boaters dropping the paddles. We have met a couple, usually a certain demographic of Boater who think its fine to drop them, who say they were designed to be dropped, who say I've been boating years and I always drop them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well if you do stop it. They break. There is precious little money for repairs.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">David took most of these shots, they are in no particular order but you get the jist. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEhhWAqfiJvooEcM6CCPFsufBvwMQHWUtUn_gG_d6BvCt3a3gez09fNLhAm0CjNlMJdpdQvqOAVWbu5ThqkNwA36gLK1VW164U9h7bRH4kaOkYmT0DERfvakYNyvOG3ibdnBC1WJIjQkH3fZDxZcOP2pQCRBk1rfNGIaUrkM_1NaTXywXgwDgoF4m0Tmgpzd/s4032/PXL_20230612_150131141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWAqfiJvooEcM6CCPFsufBvwMQHWUtUn_gG_d6BvCt3a3gez09fNLhAm0CjNlMJdpdQvqOAVWbu5ThqkNwA36gLK1VW164U9h7bRH4kaOkYmT0DERfvakYNyvOG3ibdnBC1WJIjQkH3fZDxZcOP2pQCRBk1rfNGIaUrkM_1NaTXywXgwDgoF4m0Tmgpzd/w360-h640/PXL_20230612_150131141.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweltering hot day, so lets all wear thick plastic High Vis jackets.</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/AVvXsEi4BQjGeINMshvE92X1ixMnGbyN5gZwGj993YtJGp_2Il5HAgyRYdcM-3pkeFeLfEaM2TDUovnjWVQbZYICTVic4OJ1fK4WYYy6D1eIfliEoLQpq-XPuUYSeqqHIN9fT4KhagmWAVN4kDV3Zr5YcRIkuleNX3PEEVZw-Jb_0P4uYLvOfdPJk4s1xINcHojq/s4032/PXL_20230612_150032759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BQjGeINMshvE92X1ixMnGbyN5gZwGj993YtJGp_2Il5HAgyRYdcM-3pkeFeLfEaM2TDUovnjWVQbZYICTVic4OJ1fK4WYYy6D1eIfliEoLQpq-XPuUYSeqqHIN9fT4KhagmWAVN4kDV3Zr5YcRIkuleNX3PEEVZw-Jb_0P4uYLvOfdPJk4s1xINcHojq/w360-h640/PXL_20230612_150032759.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady kneeling was in charge.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuD4ixZ8-UgU8B35DmYADt-bYG3Ci1PI5acGdp06jp1tE0KDCA1urg73_ZqpxtS1RsGw5OS9p00l__aNar1K_IpCTufoF1o4ie_PJjdz1hJre0x50tXFX9gamHSy8Dj0F9n_V05AUPwVOIde72CKcwzv8r_NivhNAe_YpkGSK8eeU6KCfkq6bNAXrUPkzB/s4032/PXL_20230612_144201081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuD4ixZ8-UgU8B35DmYADt-bYG3Ci1PI5acGdp06jp1tE0KDCA1urg73_ZqpxtS1RsGw5OS9p00l__aNar1K_IpCTufoF1o4ie_PJjdz1hJre0x50tXFX9gamHSy8Dj0F9n_V05AUPwVOIde72CKcwzv8r_NivhNAe_YpkGSK8eeU6KCfkq6bNAXrUPkzB/w640-h360/PXL_20230612_144201081.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VYMBlkLwCGCbLxbkGEQQyHDwrw-lczIn2r4Fd4X-LNl_PTZiPwHNkKv1JKXzEdtFsD8UEmVh7N2H66DnCdY73kqDORaN26fdRbCPL6yDOhWY7iGIhq6sHDoE-z9QtK-Qkh3vQKjprj1eWpQlloRV9rdj-T0PzdALSiOZIhoagc_4Ck-6H_ucqGa8jbH6/s4032/PXL_20230612_145656651.NIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VYMBlkLwCGCbLxbkGEQQyHDwrw-lczIn2r4Fd4X-LNl_PTZiPwHNkKv1JKXzEdtFsD8UEmVh7N2H66DnCdY73kqDORaN26fdRbCPL6yDOhWY7iGIhq6sHDoE-z9QtK-Qkh3vQKjprj1eWpQlloRV9rdj-T0PzdALSiOZIhoagc_4Ck-6H_ucqGa8jbH6/w360-h640/PXL_20230612_145656651.NIGHT.jpg" width="360" /></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/AVvXsEj3cGVaHq45TN9TH5qhOweH7gmn9c3LFPp8p3yCAc7sZQHfDaML7ZOMkL3z9vbf5ilNwsb9TxPI4uStG5ISHO9wPo6SAOz6aNtxln3nvTVZbtCYZ8VyduL-eACe3u8P41hdwo0ArMleP14lMQQStKmNfgWQP4Wtzx9rsLVVC2kUo5rCsCuo3HF7gjstFPeM/s4032/PXL_20230612_145858516.NIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cGVaHq45TN9TH5qhOweH7gmn9c3LFPp8p3yCAc7sZQHfDaML7ZOMkL3z9vbf5ilNwsb9TxPI4uStG5ISHO9wPo6SAOz6aNtxln3nvTVZbtCYZ8VyduL-eACe3u8P41hdwo0ArMleP14lMQQStKmNfgWQP4Wtzx9rsLVVC2kUo5rCsCuo3HF7gjstFPeM/w360-h640/PXL_20230612_145858516.NIGHT.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The long awaited steel planks in position</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5s-rY2lwKCFiw3b3i8AMVi9vK4N2K9kOB8K_73hRbLrraFghv9YrZNCO1WyV5ZNkJiS2f3P5R_h5PKcvFz-exzPGE6ZfE3goGS0Q1i2SB8m5HwEiZI5Mne2v1SfUSP7TPj5wqgOmfhYr4uNgUt45OIoe13mqsqsd2KCis5gsqFJy7OSWbt-psr4TgVaa/s4032/PXL_20230612_150328753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5s-rY2lwKCFiw3b3i8AMVi9vK4N2K9kOB8K_73hRbLrraFghv9YrZNCO1WyV5ZNkJiS2f3P5R_h5PKcvFz-exzPGE6ZfE3goGS0Q1i2SB8m5HwEiZI5Mne2v1SfUSP7TPj5wqgOmfhYr4uNgUt45OIoe13mqsqsd2KCis5gsqFJy7OSWbt-psr4TgVaa/w360-h640/PXL_20230612_150328753.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLmJFrrwgO1f-PX6Ef4Gm2DN9yIkCkD-YPR8CBC35s4woucAGkRGmt7RxvqjmqUjan4yMwOUxd6DN2U8e7CIN0_wLliWHhTdvJS0mMxgMwrg0UGuFFQLhh3dktYb6DlSK6bAcAj_9q1SGXtdPCVYMCsFbCSXtttdRZkLWdyomhnXVr34ck456G53n-zmz/s4032/PXL_20230612_150323847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLmJFrrwgO1f-PX6Ef4Gm2DN9yIkCkD-YPR8CBC35s4woucAGkRGmt7RxvqjmqUjan4yMwOUxd6DN2U8e7CIN0_wLliWHhTdvJS0mMxgMwrg0UGuFFQLhh3dktYb6DlSK6bAcAj_9q1SGXtdPCVYMCsFbCSXtttdRZkLWdyomhnXVr34ck456G53n-zmz/w360-h640/PXL_20230612_150323847.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEgL26O4AaFJuS5E-YxjH4o98Hm7YhB2zqwgqAUN7S0SGf0tp5nKC5MUgSl3VnUs30ZyQO9B-xlBH6IvzzpUGbSKKiU-z1D5WQumVUgnSK54B8BWihAZgwfsxEFfuK7sC8SiQgEoacwj6RCXnkzWt8CdnuZx5tzC-ZOatd_xwoaj6lBClE6K-dsRhe54UPtM/s4032/PXL_20230612_150020304.NIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL26O4AaFJuS5E-YxjH4o98Hm7YhB2zqwgqAUN7S0SGf0tp5nKC5MUgSl3VnUs30ZyQO9B-xlBH6IvzzpUGbSKKiU-z1D5WQumVUgnSK54B8BWihAZgwfsxEFfuK7sC8SiQgEoacwj6RCXnkzWt8CdnuZx5tzC-ZOatd_xwoaj6lBClE6K-dsRhe54UPtM/w360-h640/PXL_20230612_150020304.NIGHT.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tut tut the windlass left on the paddle, (This side was not effected)</td></tr></tbody></table><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 /><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/AVvXsEiwq1IVcsiyVKxj_ukvOXrFVURw5Z44WUWcVJxpLRrDPg8mkkv8C1nQfORgCCeZo7jH40TXj3-MTUBuvPdZlUPkFrPjYcAsjKu3PRnLt9BzK78kfIezYwqcC5G9jnEG374SBfBlewGpX4qf7CzrxU_z4JDsAHREm-V1qHVIlIKbyHnxqi_USe1yVIlyGDkk/s4032/PXL_20230612_135006524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq1IVcsiyVKxj_ukvOXrFVURw5Z44WUWcVJxpLRrDPg8mkkv8C1nQfORgCCeZo7jH40TXj3-MTUBuvPdZlUPkFrPjYcAsjKu3PRnLt9BzK78kfIezYwqcC5G9jnEG374SBfBlewGpX4qf7CzrxU_z4JDsAHREm-V1qHVIlIKbyHnxqi_USe1yVIlyGDkk/w360-h640/PXL_20230612_135006524.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us at the front of a tidy queue.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNq0sGUr37Ykwu6qXueK4ZQemofgmWEJ7oZPieTLT20bk-fqQIOLmf0o9fBBwovYvUUt5fTErCWkuIUmZTcsdOHAoam7o7B_7gQGlZyEH0NOcqCzHMfXQCN494yrk5-e_fAPYEoHrMVLTOCJIN3_0LBgt3Zv9G_73XjXh4ZlZWzdeMkzYwbWuOgcMP79Ma/s4032/PXL_20230612_124127635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNq0sGUr37Ykwu6qXueK4ZQemofgmWEJ7oZPieTLT20bk-fqQIOLmf0o9fBBwovYvUUt5fTErCWkuIUmZTcsdOHAoam7o7B_7gQGlZyEH0NOcqCzHMfXQCN494yrk5-e_fAPYEoHrMVLTOCJIN3_0LBgt3Zv9G_73XjXh4ZlZWzdeMkzYwbWuOgcMP79Ma/w360-h640/PXL_20230612_124127635.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was tested, it worked and we were away. A round of applause broke out as we went on our way. It continued as we passed the long queue of boats waiting to come down.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was late in the afternoon, I thanked the lady engineer profusely for working hard, it now meant I could get my mother to her reunion.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We carried on through the second lock watching all the while as the black clouds filled in, grew blacker, we turned onto the Shropshire Union Canal, hearing thunder all around, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Just moor up!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We did, two men from boats either side popped out to grab ropes, I thanked them and got them both back inside their own boats as the drops fell, David got wet doing the tonneau cover, the thunder was right overhead and lightening now too.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Phew, what a storm, the thunder and lightening petered out but the heavy rain continued till midnight.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was fish and French beans. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The cool air was wonderful.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-82752096550782814542023-06-23T22:08:00.000+01:002023-06-23T22:08:42.139+01:00Oh what a beauty<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So we had a a day or two in hand now before we were going home. How to spend them.....?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We moved on the following day. But just a bit, David was remembering a pretty mooring, frankly there are plenty along this Arm, it's hard to recall precise mooring spots a few years later when hedges grow and change but around the corner we both said at once "Here it is."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So after about an hours cruise, we moored up again. The forecast was very very hot and we had another tree. Priceless.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Two boats past by, both the drivers separately called out, there's rings around the corner... We thought about it but decided against it as we were on our own and on the rings were other boats.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So due to the high temperatures we hid here. Still time to get to Overwater, still time to loiter.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><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/AVvXsEj9amOVY-cailSVSfBMD36rLxtM4Wx4n4TOPgbCJvnFhFGafwErwAHPX1YVrj0GwXH-w1BmRso19GtIh54CEyzC9tf2-CBd13mszccA3AL7a9lM_k-nPnxu9y1PLH3q201_QHcAfCCca5PJmJUi1x7BHJGyQ8PFDy1mv_UBF73u6QGA4dqVatPUnEGgNS13/s4896/P1060083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9amOVY-cailSVSfBMD36rLxtM4Wx4n4TOPgbCJvnFhFGafwErwAHPX1YVrj0GwXH-w1BmRso19GtIh54CEyzC9tf2-CBd13mszccA3AL7a9lM_k-nPnxu9y1PLH3q201_QHcAfCCca5PJmJUi1x7BHJGyQ8PFDy1mv_UBF73u6QGA4dqVatPUnEGgNS13/w640-h480/P1060083.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David helping at Stanthorpe Lock, I felt my back ping at Big Lock that morning.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So in glorious idleness, I can heartily recommend this book. I have read all of Mr Norton's books.<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-xbzw0tIpz2wlGI3Fd41iRyseutU1hBjb6sKll9VE09TM_yVGTx7fpBUvwHESssaE8KVAd9sgJ1CfU6L1oKVGiTZi4C-ZBMkSr1IhI0jWRUKmD0pt10Fm0twGeRbyUTvxlAnDRSDHL8amkDFgSkso0GGtj31h-epw7k5tqKug3xMe25iUQD_JH8_U-o5/s4032/PXL_20230610_165416879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-xbzw0tIpz2wlGI3Fd41iRyseutU1hBjb6sKll9VE09TM_yVGTx7fpBUvwHESssaE8KVAd9sgJ1CfU6L1oKVGiTZi4C-ZBMkSr1IhI0jWRUKmD0pt10Fm0twGeRbyUTvxlAnDRSDHL8amkDFgSkso0GGtj31h-epw7k5tqKug3xMe25iUQD_JH8_U-o5/w360-h640/PXL_20230610_165416879.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><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/AVvXsEjrdyjhTm-Lo3Zl8JJpPXcDARwAw4gKvkIIuxgofIeiDhfd6kIqQu33EW35T797pj1dgZ4129IFOTlQAqr2BPrkCFmRyclCwX50lcQxrwsDHCMB4Z3hQ-JzZSBL9vLlhhxgmcrkVzNqQiJ46iq9GzYMhNRtJkjmw5ZUVEJ3QrXvaHMjaC2Ob-XYVhbumAYu/s4032/PXL_20230610_165333976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdyjhTm-Lo3Zl8JJpPXcDARwAw4gKvkIIuxgofIeiDhfd6kIqQu33EW35T797pj1dgZ4129IFOTlQAqr2BPrkCFmRyclCwX50lcQxrwsDHCMB4Z3hQ-JzZSBL9vLlhhxgmcrkVzNqQiJ46iq9GzYMhNRtJkjmw5ZUVEJ3QrXvaHMjaC2Ob-XYVhbumAYu/w640-h360/PXL_20230610_165333976.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rather nice that the internet was iffy.</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/AVvXsEj8R2v9ThwyaAzM9Q91XJ1SMZcaV_RvNEgfF216ofuBcq9YwtdqCZdgKyp_cIzzstGE1alS6CgfDwxUH47yLUWU05bTPw9HmmFmIZdxhd9wPq6KlLq915nEh1K-nqqXXTR0ZM7uF-dfni8AuONi3iqYISnZQAa_9bojTHmddUxSNzvuWDhhnqI6geUT0-Cl/s3264/PXL_20230610_165401539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8R2v9ThwyaAzM9Q91XJ1SMZcaV_RvNEgfF216ofuBcq9YwtdqCZdgKyp_cIzzstGE1alS6CgfDwxUH47yLUWU05bTPw9HmmFmIZdxhd9wPq6KlLq915nEh1K-nqqXXTR0ZM7uF-dfni8AuONi3iqYISnZQAa_9bojTHmddUxSNzvuWDhhnqI6geUT0-Cl/w640-h360/PXL_20230610_165401539.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our own stretch that day.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But can you see the cloud formation behind me? I didn't seen it until later.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEgQSMXUQPWQQYUCpEBAJ6MARjXX7ArQB5HrUk3wIFU2qW6o23g2TTMN4_bRF-u2CeU0iy_PfyXsqjxh3YpLTaix3I7y5e5P0OkpO8ReEP1SSPNkmpl5DsXk3NfNkbfpV0oJ84Wb50oJ7CbxA3_EcLusay6V97BHt53ooR_OAREF2k3IcKIicXhLCZElhgWS/s3264/PXL_20230611_143437511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1836" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSMXUQPWQQYUCpEBAJ6MARjXX7ArQB5HrUk3wIFU2qW6o23g2TTMN4_bRF-u2CeU0iy_PfyXsqjxh3YpLTaix3I7y5e5P0OkpO8ReEP1SSPNkmpl5DsXk3NfNkbfpV0oJ84Wb50oJ7CbxA3_EcLusay6V97BHt53ooR_OAREF2k3IcKIicXhLCZElhgWS/w360-h640/PXL_20230611_143437511.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saved by the 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/AVvXsEizUKRa4RQ8BCapaI7ZNmC7A7iaYwD3u8s87XbPTV8b7u1fyuxqPiCNeBXbsCOT200a-fLZt5m2-bjfUVGmljyuFrdLlhvvuDgeGx4RGPDLdLZW_Zk5BJm0lhi3LwSudaxc0pO4mNwGz-cEAwzucKxzLZu1qsZkIg4SB2ZHmkNU2_YCQGUCUNiozqC8vrxU/s4032/PXL_20230611_143429564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUKRa4RQ8BCapaI7ZNmC7A7iaYwD3u8s87XbPTV8b7u1fyuxqPiCNeBXbsCOT200a-fLZt5m2-bjfUVGmljyuFrdLlhvvuDgeGx4RGPDLdLZW_Zk5BJm0lhi3LwSudaxc0pO4mNwGz-cEAwzucKxzLZu1qsZkIg4SB2ZHmkNU2_YCQGUCUNiozqC8vrxU/w360-h640/PXL_20230611_143429564.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite a few walkers in the heat.</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/AVvXsEjS4EB22ERZ81Q26CK7ZlbYx08CptiAgY6aBQa8P6pBEfJWe8cRF47ARmyk4QmdX-Kb0vF2KsBweuChLm6m3JEj-EN7qU8QtnEHG3U-zLcPXGhp85F530UBHZBj_Rfa8gF4tspJskP0WX5z87P5i8Q_FiaPdfxBa4irbfQ5mD2Ec-Rjla-ItAXOjc2aMbvM/s4032/PXL_20230610_164849939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4EB22ERZ81Q26CK7ZlbYx08CptiAgY6aBQa8P6pBEfJWe8cRF47ARmyk4QmdX-Kb0vF2KsBweuChLm6m3JEj-EN7qU8QtnEHG3U-zLcPXGhp85F530UBHZBj_Rfa8gF4tspJskP0WX5z87P5i8Q_FiaPdfxBa4irbfQ5mD2Ec-Rjla-ItAXOjc2aMbvM/w640-h360/PXL_20230610_164849939.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then it was rumbles of thunder and this had crept up behind me.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I might out my chair away says I,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I think we are going to miss it, says he...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1S2_Duv-hk-58hQ4-PImk0OAfcsA-cEoDnkOMxCqFekNmW6fF8LNFAy4INvycQMTvUbZDro1AGyeBrvXwZIgpJb8OLpCoyQ1wOD-BFGA3IeVH0bJSaJZL22FM9dqg9gKrnWJxT6UAekG63jumP1y42TGWTesTn-d-6im0g9wObx6Y3B7fPqpwK9wSiCN/s4032/PXL_20230610_183755698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1S2_Duv-hk-58hQ4-PImk0OAfcsA-cEoDnkOMxCqFekNmW6fF8LNFAy4INvycQMTvUbZDro1AGyeBrvXwZIgpJb8OLpCoyQ1wOD-BFGA3IeVH0bJSaJZL22FM9dqg9gKrnWJxT6UAekG63jumP1y42TGWTesTn-d-6im0g9wObx6Y3B7fPqpwK9wSiCN/w360-h640/PXL_20230610_183755698.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPJWFcjZPjgMzgh_rAo_NGUyINwnrUE8k45NK6XLdSv3iKyXEBkJYl6g4P9k66D0l6z4IwXfP5we7KWT-RfwTH0Tv3807c-S1E4ETJ6g3LLpjFHJ-hBqXgblRGOoCdiCEseuOg5SRukTYl6xUJXCYczgfg6_IjU6fL7LJKr-laQPJx7mo9PajoJEnn6gN/s4032/PXL_20230610_183425606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPJWFcjZPjgMzgh_rAo_NGUyINwnrUE8k45NK6XLdSv3iKyXEBkJYl6g4P9k66D0l6z4IwXfP5we7KWT-RfwTH0Tv3807c-S1E4ETJ6g3LLpjFHJ-hBqXgblRGOoCdiCEseuOg5SRukTYl6xUJXCYczgfg6_IjU6fL7LJKr-laQPJx7mo9PajoJEnn6gN/w640-h360/PXL_20230610_183425606.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNC03gvUV9OJFecWAbmHtlbA0bvlNbirS4M_RCmU-mDeixaIxFQMvE9LjqxMO5y9uLBsXeJeyekwPKqKd9AxJKmUyN4wGLKEbug7q0ZHuN7mzTxcC_qE0KrnuzCXUpA1Qab55DihPuMBQCRRiPu5Yp6fu4B6Kq10Uh07AuvyhRI3HD3ptJlEXZj3lQTp15/s4032/PXL_20230610_183341470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNC03gvUV9OJFecWAbmHtlbA0bvlNbirS4M_RCmU-mDeixaIxFQMvE9LjqxMO5y9uLBsXeJeyekwPKqKd9AxJKmUyN4wGLKEbug7q0ZHuN7mzTxcC_qE0KrnuzCXUpA1Qab55DihPuMBQCRRiPu5Yp6fu4B6Kq10Uh07AuvyhRI3HD3ptJlEXZj3lQTp15/w360-h640/PXL_20230610_183341470.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well yes, it walloped it down.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was herby chicken salad.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The next morning the grass was dry and the temperatures rose again. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I do love this tree David... I suggested that we stay here for the sweltering part of the day and do an evening cruise. This was met with enthusiasm so we did.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">My day was spent chortling to this book, really funny, everyone should read it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> <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/AVvXsEicqXhDdIKqDXq6NXfWoTm9S_oBEKAMhxTR5jRY5kajweA60zqGvrY0xoiOSXph_ze-m_72ElLNXf0FxTnbqX6k7G4qGKfo1VN-dLtjjQ-UYfD3eKFDcnhduLR-pfwkksj8LV-CYY0BxXh7yECq_w2KhxjN9V04zvz5LOHY0bkjbWN6arDoK-xlGXhkB4d2/s4032/PXL_20230623_200525104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqXhDdIKqDXq6NXfWoTm9S_oBEKAMhxTR5jRY5kajweA60zqGvrY0xoiOSXph_ze-m_72ElLNXf0FxTnbqX6k7G4qGKfo1VN-dLtjjQ-UYfD3eKFDcnhduLR-pfwkksj8LV-CYY0BxXh7yECq_w2KhxjN9V04zvz5LOHY0bkjbWN6arDoK-xlGXhkB4d2/w360-h640/PXL_20230623_200525104.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you only read one book this year make it this one.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></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/AVvXsEi08OLEeV4bjy5R2p3g2-pluvKu4lkFFkXqdNjHco-SDoMrVMygzFfnbgojN3k-PaoZbmN4lIjyLmEjnEJqa8tpIBc5B5XJYSFo9omatYYFT8wcYICdMOY0-ciBiOFsi28aEVt5E6-Pd-pO2gMatAHzhCQzDahnm5MD3Fx2UG_wQMKw-UqZMPG3XCsJr65U/s4896/P1060084%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08OLEeV4bjy5R2p3g2-pluvKu4lkFFkXqdNjHco-SDoMrVMygzFfnbgojN3k-PaoZbmN4lIjyLmEjnEJqa8tpIBc5B5XJYSFo9omatYYFT8wcYICdMOY0-ciBiOFsi28aEVt5E6-Pd-pO2gMatAHzhCQzDahnm5MD3Fx2UG_wQMKw-UqZMPG3XCsJr65U/w640-h480/P1060084%20(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So on our way in the cool of the evening. The land falls steeply away here.</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/AVvXsEiyuvHXvTa1lnMz4duBX2i_Iql3O4DJxdRPN666ZN6IlUgMhWEZckNR1uLmzKsnSsZJQuEIIryTJUgMY0NDq-PTjocdPvwOy9utQ3253hN6XI9U93vAcRk4I5JbrMFNHGFFk_ygSOiB2LRYIS4pHLYZu-C0IFep0AGkqNdDhWguMWageD7SGqnRvHF_6NMH/s4896/P1060087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuvHXvTa1lnMz4duBX2i_Iql3O4DJxdRPN666ZN6IlUgMhWEZckNR1uLmzKsnSsZJQuEIIryTJUgMY0NDq-PTjocdPvwOy9utQ3253hN6XI9U93vAcRk4I5JbrMFNHGFFk_ygSOiB2LRYIS4pHLYZu-C0IFep0AGkqNdDhWguMWageD7SGqnRvHF_6NMH/w640-h480/P1060087.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reader here we have a field of Holsteins. The very breed widespread now but David's father started his herd of Canadian Holsteins way back in the 1950's</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/AVvXsEiYHe3E6CAhmCFYKIDbbPBN-vetLPz1Im-m5Lyn4iWyxG656iP9sESPqkzPtAWWNLG80sUk9N3F_kHR99UBB0zEFAI65pKYjulW_p50xAJ1xHHpTbJKoG2QWhdYEhvs6oTFiEkeXYI9w6dLOCgU_36pe2bq2FeJzCB76KodTY_n9pXB7b7ZPIwUQqtdz5Xa/s4896/P1060088%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHe3E6CAhmCFYKIDbbPBN-vetLPz1Im-m5Lyn4iWyxG656iP9sESPqkzPtAWWNLG80sUk9N3F_kHR99UBB0zEFAI65pKYjulW_p50xAJ1xHHpTbJKoG2QWhdYEhvs6oTFiEkeXYI9w6dLOCgU_36pe2bq2FeJzCB76KodTY_n9pXB7b7ZPIwUQqtdz5Xa/w640-h480/P1060088%20(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David says the top line is okay, a bit straight legged on her back legs and she could do with more rib... David won prizes for his stock judging when a young man.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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/AVvXsEjIxCREBlAthHWpgimdtsO70wZJ8eGezGowDv89-Rl83mJMZBtPS_-1qAv76scaI8c3B0WLQVFzdM0tuGRFP9MRljAIShI1Z0VPA1Bh81-X5CBznqMgbMuLiX12ubiR8WM3DnvG-cdn_-V33Ok6hXy5qshBPx7NP2MTwmPaIOT1OJcakWj2RZ1D1CChocJt/s4896/P1060090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxCREBlAthHWpgimdtsO70wZJ8eGezGowDv89-Rl83mJMZBtPS_-1qAv76scaI8c3B0WLQVFzdM0tuGRFP9MRljAIShI1Z0VPA1Bh81-X5CBznqMgbMuLiX12ubiR8WM3DnvG-cdn_-V33Ok6hXy5qshBPx7NP2MTwmPaIOT1OJcakWj2RZ1D1CChocJt/w640-h480/P1060090.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A complete contrast in scenery now.</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/AVvXsEgVhFrCGxui89G_uGPZtDaDaPEm6wHRhwr1ouDEM9VYT8ENjICQm0sCUz1EJuZE2qq6XvTMC0sf3hyIzcvbiFcafYi4-DSF7i6Xt6_RcJ6ZqAHiLeyilEezPU9_qULZp6g9BD8FBIuTSm0hQkEnqzfbtg9yX9cVlZY842BhYsQsW6T6Jit33tyFunk9rKjk/s4896/P1060091%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhFrCGxui89G_uGPZtDaDaPEm6wHRhwr1ouDEM9VYT8ENjICQm0sCUz1EJuZE2qq6XvTMC0sf3hyIzcvbiFcafYi4-DSF7i6Xt6_RcJ6ZqAHiLeyilEezPU9_qULZp6g9BD8FBIuTSm0hQkEnqzfbtg9yX9cVlZY842BhYsQsW6T6Jit33tyFunk9rKjk/w640-h480/P1060091%20(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought these were holiday homes, but here's a For Sale sign, any takers?</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/AVvXsEjsBbHtSVbCLdDM_TVdIPoB1_kfR-5PQAoSLiy4kmEG8N3_ET9jQA6-p-aqYi0Ox19az8C_pI-wZABOcT_b8HgToN2FIl4jnc3U92PP4O3szzrTc1JMiMvuM7JQCL3ps2wtHhXWTiXex01nwDIsWINDDukZ6BSpT38p0U7J2y2uPFVgXBj3-t545tTF9vEc/s4896/P1060092%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBbHtSVbCLdDM_TVdIPoB1_kfR-5PQAoSLiy4kmEG8N3_ET9jQA6-p-aqYi0Ox19az8C_pI-wZABOcT_b8HgToN2FIl4jnc3U92PP4O3szzrTc1JMiMvuM7JQCL3ps2wtHhXWTiXex01nwDIsWINDDukZ6BSpT38p0U7J2y2uPFVgXBj3-t545tTF9vEc/w640-h480/P1060092%20(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last of the yellow flags and Queen of the Meadow</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/AVvXsEjp7K-4oIz89wS3FRsH3xiTkAxoXaqG8AdA8INZtFz15RToRHaAcfMSqAjGudWmpEOvS_Pn36CgSFwenTw0NPaeXrd4sL50LHa1xBcIfLqfFYWNadlvapb9mWz46TlJlwpQFxY6fm1Z8Uq-lQnlwFhIAloaKauDDJ30UeldvaS_CLXI6tEBEC7E7cXIuTw_/s4896/P1060094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7K-4oIz89wS3FRsH3xiTkAxoXaqG8AdA8INZtFz15RToRHaAcfMSqAjGudWmpEOvS_Pn36CgSFwenTw0NPaeXrd4sL50LHa1xBcIfLqfFYWNadlvapb9mWz46TlJlwpQFxY6fm1Z8Uq-lQnlwFhIAloaKauDDJ30UeldvaS_CLXI6tEBEC7E7cXIuTw_/w640-h480/P1060094.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first Foxglove, almost missed it.</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/AVvXsEjYG_klBgTWhb9UCP3huf3MJ6dg22WBjG3FD5qyXDSZ9HLBrJoCd3VgSwRzKZyVTsWxn5Ww3r1Bt3mQL0NBptmwBSljUdjV-U5yeISdko4G2HdLRXImm9llOIF8bKwdOCOKc2HLiGXedFHm4zzpLKd0wSX4LdpToWQZKKgu4_o4Vgo0bRLKa3crctLNJrVw/s4896/P1060096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYG_klBgTWhb9UCP3huf3MJ6dg22WBjG3FD5qyXDSZ9HLBrJoCd3VgSwRzKZyVTsWxn5Ww3r1Bt3mQL0NBptmwBSljUdjV-U5yeISdko4G2HdLRXImm9llOIF8bKwdOCOKc2HLiGXedFHm4zzpLKd0wSX4LdpToWQZKKgu4_o4Vgo0bRLKa3crctLNJrVw/w640-h480/P1060096.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that...?</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/AVvXsEj6-OCdzPZtNrH5UpzeERP-akIP6oUU6BkSCnI4Dki1RqeLWvqTWKYB1Qp1_-9XhW8qfaXEjrt5Uy0gLe1N4uSPgKPsNMkcqmkCb4N-BfTNxNvOcJxKzctfjKQRnA9RwpHELogBUYqJJ6Ga26JMzPuvn8_l2R-9bwH9xQ9FYdM07D0ZpOmo-lyTatQR7q3e/s4896/P1060102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-OCdzPZtNrH5UpzeERP-akIP6oUU6BkSCnI4Dki1RqeLWvqTWKYB1Qp1_-9XhW8qfaXEjrt5Uy0gLe1N4uSPgKPsNMkcqmkCb4N-BfTNxNvOcJxKzctfjKQRnA9RwpHELogBUYqJJ6Ga26JMzPuvn8_l2R-9bwH9xQ9FYdM07D0ZpOmo-lyTatQR7q3e/w640-h480/P1060102.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By golly yes and he didn't fly off either</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/AVvXsEic9B1-wo-bmd5Vro6zMdtewjUHU3zCzcrEL7tIE4asGXmcJq_-rW7y42OjzvS2EKcxtLJO0m4HYZsDnPFWGGiWl3FkHwHl3eMuMeJwqgfb5zORqQ5z7QIeJAMNX94ri6M5NiOM3VTA68DB7_W0TL_cp9TxTkdCfqDeaOwAUJ_7mPpFDqayTqnhBLXFyo_U/s4211/P1060102%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3158" data-original-width="4211" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9B1-wo-bmd5Vro6zMdtewjUHU3zCzcrEL7tIE4asGXmcJq_-rW7y42OjzvS2EKcxtLJO0m4HYZsDnPFWGGiWl3FkHwHl3eMuMeJwqgfb5zORqQ5z7QIeJAMNX94ri6M5NiOM3VTA68DB7_W0TL_cp9TxTkdCfqDeaOwAUJ_7mPpFDqayTqnhBLXFyo_U/w640-h480/P1060102%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit of jiggery pokery with this one to make him stand out but I don't think I needed to. Later in trees we saw two flying along together but of course then no camera ready.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The idea was to do the two locks tonight then David could leave early in the morning to toddle along to Overwater Marina, David dropped me and I went up to check no one coming down. But the entire paddle gear had CART tape on looking similar to a murder scene.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oh what luck, a broken down lock. The first boat on the lock landing had a opened cratch door so I knocked to gain further info. The lock had broken the previous day, CART had been in attendance today. Not resolved so they were coming back tomorrow and "Hoped" to get it working.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oh gawd, our extra day under the tree had been expensive. I had made a solemn vow to get my mum to her thirty year work reunion which was in two days time....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In my head I started making Plan B's </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was savoury pastries and salad.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-40612745391144223502023-06-23T20:20:00.000+01:002023-06-23T20:20:05.999+01:00Finally we are off again.<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Flippin' Heck we had a phone call this morning from the car recovery company. They had just been given the job and called immediately. <br />Meet you at the car in 30 minutes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">David on his bike and toddled off. They arrived together, hitched up the wagon and good riddance to bad rubbish, or should I say farewell to David's favourite ever car. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Discussion as to whether it's worth taking this badly damaged all that way when it looks like it's going to be written off....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I walked along to the famous Fish & Chip shop to meet David in the hire car heading off for Nantwich. To the M&S Food Hall (Remember Reader David's favourite shop) to collect my online shop of flipflops, and sunhats mainly. We tried them on in the car and I returned the unwanted bits immediately.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I caught up with David and the trolley, he was deep in conversation with a woman from Bunbury (Home of the famous locks) I'm glad I arrived when I did because it sounded remarkably like he was receiving a proposal of marriage, I kid you not. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I'll be asking him later just how that conversation started.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We filled the trolley with treats and some food, then headed back to Middlewich. Now to find a good and safe location for the hire car for one night. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We unloaded the shopping, then headed back to the pub, The Kings Lock Pub, right on the lock, no food being served but finally we get to enjoy the Fish and Chips, we were early but still a queue.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Early home, reading in the sun when it was a bit cooler.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Delightful.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Next morning we slipped away pretty early, but not before David had deposited the car into Overwater Marina when WaL will be having a little holiday.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">After topping up with water before Big Lock, around the corner were the Middlewich Three Locks ably manned by the Jolly Team of volunteers we had encountered a few days before. I walked forward to Wardle Lock on the Middlewich Arm, it was set for us by another volunteer, who had in the meantime moved a sailing boat from Anglesey to Ireland, a cat nap then caught the ferry back. He used to do it, but had retired, but as the man was desperate he agreed. He confessed that he had enjoyed it so much he would have done it for no money.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We did Wardle Lock and the next one, Stanthorpe Lock, then saw a lovely mooring, a tree and moored up. The view was lovely, the tree imperative, just one or two other boats along.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Finally not to be waiting for other people, just to listen to the birds was marvellous.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was prawn cocktail salad and one of those Magnums I brought yesterday.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEgceM5JfZcyTxY4WxaMmp6wZlcTSTn2J9jVRKa7BDrC3-BUJkGhsu0tLu3-RyowflckwzifqpylwxUKB2NqEAz1QXTwNIfkhBJ5eudp3RS0Fr633FfFJhpOfYcGjevxsXH0ceq4cZTuwE2O4zbJaAFuUwslYpD1Pa5eRf6CbcMFf7PImHq5avjTA_lIdVhO/s4032/PXL_20230605_211110782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceM5JfZcyTxY4WxaMmp6wZlcTSTn2J9jVRKa7BDrC3-BUJkGhsu0tLu3-RyowflckwzifqpylwxUKB2NqEAz1QXTwNIfkhBJ5eudp3RS0Fr633FfFJhpOfYcGjevxsXH0ceq4cZTuwE2O4zbJaAFuUwslYpD1Pa5eRf6CbcMFf7PImHq5avjTA_lIdVhO/w640-h360/PXL_20230605_211110782.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun set on the canal a few nights ago.</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/AVvXsEiCDiXmJEkf8HmHjRKs_oyt1eDjPGWVEN4HwWF-Wjbp_TnOYIcknFjEm37dbZSB4aI7ENwWvo7Jf6GNyD_2a08WbtK0L5lAKRzNDQ9btfu-9xeoEnQckm5H1vxaer1Iu-3Ox-KdU3WFAIkZ1651QtD5CUdGjyj93rXwvDwl3IOUuhnyOS4Vvx9VORMeuvAC/s4032/PXL_20230606_104415813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDiXmJEkf8HmHjRKs_oyt1eDjPGWVEN4HwWF-Wjbp_TnOYIcknFjEm37dbZSB4aI7ENwWvo7Jf6GNyD_2a08WbtK0L5lAKRzNDQ9btfu-9xeoEnQckm5H1vxaer1Iu-3Ox-KdU3WFAIkZ1651QtD5CUdGjyj93rXwvDwl3IOUuhnyOS4Vvx9VORMeuvAC/w360-h640/PXL_20230606_104415813.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roses are magnificent this year.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEjnT_n1jXQMxN6I5x6qhX5UgK073FYy4Ov6DN4kJwHXXcGXl4LkljkbmxNFuK01kzU3oYj46CZbviR1Xwqr-fCwTTLrC7sbZKuaS5VUGDa2NXIGp8R0HaeJaT2gbFDMnp6ERoBN8xThjTS0iMFHhAWtrnTCHWE6Ue7a_qdJ0a-q_z-md_aVDRalhyI1f/s4032/PXL_20230606_104419355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEjnT_n1jXQMxN6I5x6qhX5UgK073FYy4Ov6DN4kJwHXXcGXl4LkljkbmxNFuK01kzU3oYj46CZbviR1Xwqr-fCwTTLrC7sbZKuaS5VUGDa2NXIGp8R0HaeJaT2gbFDMnp6ERoBN8xThjTS0iMFHhAWtrnTCHWE6Ue7a_qdJ0a-q_z-md_aVDRalhyI1f/w360-h640/PXL_20230606_104419355.jpg" width="360" /></a></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 /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-53086512916730162042023-06-21T22:56:00.001+01:002023-06-21T22:56:49.464+01:00The Lift, salt and Bob<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">All this hanging about had been a right nuisance, had we not had to have hung around waiting for this car to be recovered, the car that we were both heartily sick of now, we just might have gone down onto the river Weaver. But as things stood now we were a teeny weeny bit short of time. So this am we walked along to the visitor centre of the Anderton Boat Lift and read all about it instead.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was a tad chilly, the breeze swept up along the river right into the visitors centre, I dashed out when we though the lift was lowering, but its hard to see if anything is moving. I took a few photos.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><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/AVvXsEiY8Fw6qr3TspAVAE8S4rccSw6SuTl3wYnqY3oVvpuZOFdzoOdpBVP-_QuGutCwyIiY20c9lQGrfYVgnqY7L-WaOteEOtMrwseadVi2GYAspQnQZfxtIrcGju9GOfhPn1itDaNIgy03Q4bdxM_QvXUBfdUN1V5v32M3rn68UeObcyr38pzAr-L2lquyILi8/s4032/PXL_20230607_093608103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8Fw6qr3TspAVAE8S4rccSw6SuTl3wYnqY3oVvpuZOFdzoOdpBVP-_QuGutCwyIiY20c9lQGrfYVgnqY7L-WaOteEOtMrwseadVi2GYAspQnQZfxtIrcGju9GOfhPn1itDaNIgy03Q4bdxM_QvXUBfdUN1V5v32M3rn68UeObcyr38pzAr-L2lquyILi8/w640-h360/PXL_20230607_093608103.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So this is it, we watched a narrow boat go ever so slowly into position within the structure.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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/AVvXsEgGNlUDZLAhV_nvDv29PeOyyJIeaYJTt7tA-bNSkglRtxTStTMrsdBJOSI1qgLZI5vJwDvfpJmnr5UrAsgZc4YeScaoRAX-oCbPQjug62XYJ4gb927GNQkGUjFqCB80owv6gCqIz70mmb6FRZKiqx1PadPbFbBpVHG6PgYVcIpOEvjuRfapn9GBpQqUCkFv/s4032/PXL_20230607_090012970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNlUDZLAhV_nvDv29PeOyyJIeaYJTt7tA-bNSkglRtxTStTMrsdBJOSI1qgLZI5vJwDvfpJmnr5UrAsgZc4YeScaoRAX-oCbPQjug62XYJ4gb927GNQkGUjFqCB80owv6gCqIz70mmb6FRZKiqx1PadPbFbBpVHG6PgYVcIpOEvjuRfapn9GBpQqUCkFv/w640-h360/PXL_20230607_090012970.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stood like lemons for a minute or two, I thought it had started lowering, David huffed.</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/AVvXsEhdBgrYyt5LDm75Nz_f2IMD-qWS3W3IgJkvDRIlfGFXi0X-iRcPVyWWOJkQLYvaDqTH4KP26-Y8q6WNa10riueZCMMSOw1_dRTI4rLgQ1zvr-CCUEAowtUq_BUfPouh0QNFS_t9dGpSJEzl78B_qapMtmKO6edHxO0ck1vVAieELEDxxi-t0wsGl2bjJWEB/s4032/PXL_20230607_090006697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBgrYyt5LDm75Nz_f2IMD-qWS3W3IgJkvDRIlfGFXi0X-iRcPVyWWOJkQLYvaDqTH4KP26-Y8q6WNa10riueZCMMSOw1_dRTI4rLgQ1zvr-CCUEAowtUq_BUfPouh0QNFS_t9dGpSJEzl78B_qapMtmKO6edHxO0ck1vVAieELEDxxi-t0wsGl2bjJWEB/w640-h360/PXL_20230607_090006697.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a picturesque setting by any means, but it was very much a working part of the local industry.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> We went back inside with our fleeces zipped up to the neck. I brought four ice-creams, the server was impressed by our hardiness, but they were for two days time when the weather was turning warmer, so much so the BBC had issued one of their weather warnings to be careful of the heat. Right now I was frozen.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We walked back to WaL a short distance away, catching a glimpse of the Lift at the same level as ourselves where we could clearly see the narrowboat only now having the gate closed down behind him so it hadn't been moving at all.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">David made coffee, I found my coat and then David turned WaL around and we departed southwards again. A short distance away was a water point which we used. While we were moored up NB Alton (I think it was that fuel boat, might have been Halsall, I can't remember) came into view. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We had filled up on the Peak Forest Canal a few weeks back so were glad to repeat the exercise.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was a lady helm of NB Alton (or Halsall), she said she knows where all the nice shower blocks are along her route and she is onboard for three straight weeks at a time with no running water. Personally I think that is quite an undertaking but I was very glad to see her. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">She pulled away from us and went on her merry way, David finished up and set off in the same direction but we didn't see her again.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A short distance further along was the Lion Salt Works, right by where we had moored up yesterday to cycle to the museum. We went into the Salt Works which is right on the canal side.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The attendant asked if we might be interested to have an introductory talk from Bob.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Very much so. Bob turned out to be an retiree from the salt industry who had worked for ICI hereabouts. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Such an interesting man, really engaging about the subject. Definitely worth a visit, the works only closed in 1986, when you look around you'd be forgiven for thinking it closed in 1926 or even earlier. Most unpleasant working condition's and dangerous too the poor workers endured for such a commonplace part of our everyday lives.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgBA1yDDqHw&t=97s">HERE</a> for a wee film about the museum.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">On this stretch of the canal you go around a bend then suddenly the canal goes right through the centre of a modern chemical plant. Presumably it was the site of a salt works and the canal was used for transport. It comes upon you suddenly form either the north or the south the viewer is unsighted by trees, then almost as quickly another bend and its gone from view again.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEjL_qm6Cdf_yp75ADgTqnF4j1b7NvqMUXVxJVptBu7-kXAUYtEFpwbRxMSp-XoMd9xBI0KZMMRpAFSd06gDwneHnJhrnsa17Pk8D_aX9syYkzC-C-lWuX2q3j7Ds2lM5kBZ6uVnXcMPJCBXVrApTB1ddT8qWHvYJC0IBPsNG70fAPwNm7aLrr5V_emn_fHD/s4896/P1060072%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_qm6Cdf_yp75ADgTqnF4j1b7NvqMUXVxJVptBu7-kXAUYtEFpwbRxMSp-XoMd9xBI0KZMMRpAFSd06gDwneHnJhrnsa17Pk8D_aX9syYkzC-C-lWuX2q3j7Ds2lM5kBZ6uVnXcMPJCBXVrApTB1ddT8qWHvYJC0IBPsNG70fAPwNm7aLrr5V_emn_fHD/w640-h480/P1060072%20(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not crazy on this mooring, but, no neighbours either.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkGJbwK3u1QtbrcWws194OwKnHaK_UNVUkkmFDLaAhhy-TLh89m2Q3hdrm8oCT7VCyWfMv8z-4eRiH70O_Eow17ncEzWVQpN1AAnfrfNsBPmCsPC0LaXXSUNeExsstTelb73Yi0IusJ1cerh978izJn7BAkB-iJ_SLG-Wi7ctuRb6W8kCNk92U_fLQi6d/s4896/P1060074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkGJbwK3u1QtbrcWws194OwKnHaK_UNVUkkmFDLaAhhy-TLh89m2Q3hdrm8oCT7VCyWfMv8z-4eRiH70O_Eow17ncEzWVQpN1AAnfrfNsBPmCsPC0LaXXSUNeExsstTelb73Yi0IusJ1cerh978izJn7BAkB-iJ_SLG-Wi7ctuRb6W8kCNk92U_fLQi6d/w640-h480/P1060074.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/AVvXsEh4GFoL5MLc7jWZe9qmNzAo7R8H5jwuiorLj5MweuWnEOrhvtXEgO32GtGFFvz7eiwBt1eQFgl3gIQZauxcKxFoW8IRwJ0yoxyC3yfjiC4xvV7_Qo7-joV-Iu8Yn7f_fCpCONPrXFRPbdWZCx8VuavIm0Rx-qCHCHQ_KZrFEVnezxpD77I_Kb82DlaHy-oH/s4896/P1060078%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GFoL5MLc7jWZe9qmNzAo7R8H5jwuiorLj5MweuWnEOrhvtXEgO32GtGFFvz7eiwBt1eQFgl3gIQZauxcKxFoW8IRwJ0yoxyC3yfjiC4xvV7_Qo7-joV-Iu8Yn7f_fCpCONPrXFRPbdWZCx8VuavIm0Rx-qCHCHQ_KZrFEVnezxpD77I_Kb82DlaHy-oH/w640-h480/P1060078%20(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enormous.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuboZpzHqgeS_GCBAHE75Jyi052Eh-f_QDtmTuWMw7JRAztrBM8IayNCG2xZgcFPxYJKQOWNgbjynMvwMf3tdZiH7AQbXjjsNMZgGVGgeoCrxCfYd_pQwZSskFYTEZi0NVO0E9nAn50WydXrZPvLA_EdKUj5_gEHnDjQuaBepUboLoZmLUV-uDggQCBnN9/s4896/P1060075%20(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuboZpzHqgeS_GCBAHE75Jyi052Eh-f_QDtmTuWMw7JRAztrBM8IayNCG2xZgcFPxYJKQOWNgbjynMvwMf3tdZiH7AQbXjjsNMZgGVGgeoCrxCfYd_pQwZSskFYTEZi0NVO0E9nAn50WydXrZPvLA_EdKUj5_gEHnDjQuaBepUboLoZmLUV-uDggQCBnN9/w640-h480/P1060075%20(1).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/AVvXsEiuacqm7vj9ToppGkEKYx1qMMayxq767i6_XM_gATwmyF8ueG0yrQFuZqSw1jZi4r4nlq63nYJuHYRGP72PIHSXCqIn5x-bw-kZtRuEs3VmIqmyX6FmO79XBQtuyDCPGGhhMqyX_6f_JPT8kXdKa78Pyrs7akyg1mm6PKQ8tO6U8QlUMHFrzm-yYgkUyUBM/s4896/P1060071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuacqm7vj9ToppGkEKYx1qMMayxq767i6_XM_gATwmyF8ueG0yrQFuZqSw1jZi4r4nlq63nYJuHYRGP72PIHSXCqIn5x-bw-kZtRuEs3VmIqmyX6FmO79XBQtuyDCPGGhhMqyX_6f_JPT8kXdKa78Pyrs7akyg1mm6PKQ8tO6U8QlUMHFrzm-yYgkUyUBM/w640-h480/P1060071.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clever, one leg.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Back on WaL we toddled off south towards Middlewich again. I had requested that we might stop on one of several Flashes, so called as wide parts of the canal in places, but when we got to them one was busy with boats and another only had Mallard ducks on so we didn't bother instead we we arrived in time back at the outskirts of Middlewich at the other end of the very sunny moorings we had enjoyed only a day ago. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The weather had improved all the way down and it was lovely to enjoy warm sun.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The car is still not collected. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-36990106159338896692023-06-19T22:09:00.000+01:002023-06-19T22:09:22.606+01:00Salt mines and collapses.<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We were still waiting to </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">get a phone call about collecting the wreck we needed to hand over the keys. If they called they would have to wait now for our convenience. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We decided to head north to the Anderton Boat Lift. We could have gone on the River Weaver, we have been on it before several years ago, I quite liked it David less so. We decided to stop on one of the "Flashes" that I somehow remembered to watch for birds on the way back if there was a space.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So we left the following morning. David had found online somewhere about the Norwich Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse. So its an Workhouse building or what is left of the original, most was demolished and it became an old peoples home, but now about life in Northwich with the discovery of salt, the Romans and how the river Weaver became so important to it all.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I leant masses. Like salt was mined, I mean who knew? I though they boiled salt water and scraped the residue. Well salt production and all its related industries were a big employer, as were boat building on the Weaver and engineering. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjLTxMmHQ1pI0g7oRovFIdRp2tqF673k3XkyvVTN_shq6_jX-u2icZaJOx3KNuqDQn9T1HAnB0Q-Utm051eE4_ND_kK3b4-ZYdFa0gBdq8DLCE77qkWd8b5UHIQiZEOLDs9n04wyrAN5qnw3g3TVH8pQ_C92OFkdcQD_xxfNmm6JfYytIYuDZwl1Ltose/s4032/PXL_20230606_135308949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjLTxMmHQ1pI0g7oRovFIdRp2tqF673k3XkyvVTN_shq6_jX-u2icZaJOx3KNuqDQn9T1HAnB0Q-Utm051eE4_ND_kK3b4-ZYdFa0gBdq8DLCE77qkWd8b5UHIQiZEOLDs9n04wyrAN5qnw3g3TVH8pQ_C92OFkdcQD_xxfNmm6JfYytIYuDZwl1Ltose/w640-h360/PXL_20230606_135308949.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxDPZjuWu9MM79B7n9FCmuHJFP7kDPkfEjCJOIxkcqNPEKQZ57c4wujXj6uZIDOaXyoD4cJM6aPI1s8sb086t2_XtPFSL1JEsfGweO919LAcf75zbPqZlGu_ikbTcGJYW8uUtrLihy4t6FqQ0vumE7BSv0LBvX52PXX18a-ZF3QiVaSOqyCNemNhDDzSD/s4032/PXL_20230606_135245192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxDPZjuWu9MM79B7n9FCmuHJFP7kDPkfEjCJOIxkcqNPEKQZ57c4wujXj6uZIDOaXyoD4cJM6aPI1s8sb086t2_XtPFSL1JEsfGweO919LAcf75zbPqZlGu_ikbTcGJYW8uUtrLihy4t6FqQ0vumE7BSv0LBvX52PXX18a-ZF3QiVaSOqyCNemNhDDzSD/w640-h360/PXL_20230606_135245192.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Yes so mining, all around the area, but then the mines collapsed causing one or two slight irritations, like your house falling over. I would have thought they might have abandoned the towns but no. To find out how they did save the town you'll have to go.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEj69W5qxbboXMtreXB5TEdBAMVtQn90Ula76XYjxSuIgz3PK6xOlBriU_uGP_m0xHN7QQB5CR4Dm1OnHewi0IhiurlIS1bQcD6ibY6MEYr4fC0mXr2tcRGNY9DhqkMvlJbvwog3AmTc52ll2vyhX3npeW8Kd1-eo3r1S6XKBen_C1Pn8HHWN-sKr66s62fU/s4032/PXL_20230606_134423166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj69W5qxbboXMtreXB5TEdBAMVtQn90Ula76XYjxSuIgz3PK6xOlBriU_uGP_m0xHN7QQB5CR4Dm1OnHewi0IhiurlIS1bQcD6ibY6MEYr4fC0mXr2tcRGNY9DhqkMvlJbvwog3AmTc52ll2vyhX3npeW8Kd1-eo3r1S6XKBen_C1Pn8HHWN-sKr66s62fU/w360-h640/PXL_20230606_134423166.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted in 1806, but from the photo below you can just make out it is quite accurate.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfucPHEhr-pSYfJB8NrBJueRYaXTfbFvreMy0o08hNr6hTozv3JkJrkVXryDsTwthB36p-Pjcx2y5qhlqORP_FIpZLo6oYwYaPBCOO45PA8Sx7cQ30cW74RCuTXm45ws8vDMSNLDHkPdEtXQVq2h1PFsxngosP5Sie_RkEtstLQQEi5mVx9uEaTa1Rycv/s4032/PXL_20230606_134433187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfucPHEhr-pSYfJB8NrBJueRYaXTfbFvreMy0o08hNr6hTozv3JkJrkVXryDsTwthB36p-Pjcx2y5qhlqORP_FIpZLo6oYwYaPBCOO45PA8Sx7cQ30cW74RCuTXm45ws8vDMSNLDHkPdEtXQVq2h1PFsxngosP5Sie_RkEtstLQQEi5mVx9uEaTa1Rycv/w360-h640/PXL_20230606_134433187.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I am quite glad I didn't have to go down a salt mine. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We cycled down from Marston. An easy bike ride or a 45 minute walk from the canal.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We whizzed back to Wal having really enjoyed looking at all aspects of Northwich and carried on towards Anderton. Not many moorings left but we fitted in under some trees.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was smoked salmon with horseradish, then cold salmon with asparagus then a fine dessert of chocolate and coffee.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1112384957093516647.post-80328829178008991762023-06-18T21:39:00.002+01:002023-06-19T21:20:37.033+01:00Thumb twiddling<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">So we were still awaiting the phone call to collect the car. I had suggested just leaving the keys under the seat but as it technically still drivable even if not legally drivable, we would have to wait.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">More phone calls, Saturday drifted on and we waited in vain for a call saying they were coming. We went to the pub after lunch and not for the whole afternoon I hasten to add.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">An amusing ditty, I asked for a Martini Rosso with bitter lemon, a throwback to my youth when I worked in the pub David frequented, or came to frequent. Definitely a throwback drink from the 1980's so <span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm used to explaining it, this occasion I explained it, what size measure and I had already seen the bitter lemon on the shelf. She handed me the glass devoid of the mixer,</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oh can I have the bitter lemon with it please?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Yeah I already put a b' o' lemin innit.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Well I laughed anyway in the garden, not at her, she was a darling but at the younger generation misunderstanding us "Elderlies" **.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We went home for a high tea smoked salmon wrapped around cream cheese, asparagus, scones and clotted cream and fresh cherries. Thank you Waitrose in Wheelock.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now there are some nice parts to Middlewich but in general it fails to hold ones attention for a longer stretch.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">By Sunday afternoon, we were both utterly bored and hot under the collar.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We'd spent the day reading, but yes in the afternoon we toddled along to the pub. David was certainly enjoying the beer, maybe a little too well..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was people watching which is good here, very good and in this hot weather with all customers sitting outside its marvellous.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I thought when two "Elderlies" left that David and I should review our image when they climbed into a sporty Jaguar with the soft roof down! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next a loud sporty Mercedes came into the carpark and I had to close my jaw when the owners both walked into the pub on two walking sticks each. I was just taking all this in when two hunky men in full biking leathers got up from the table next to us and got on two Lambretta type bikes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295463725303?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338749392&toolid=20006&customid=GB_131090_295463725303.145628799569~1899474202524-g_Cj0KCQjw1rqkBhCTARIsAAHz7K2RKGVDL2fwb6LWfCZtKutGWJet8QUSbGNuLk-SIDwtqXS8xUDn0w0aAp16EALw_wcB">HERE</a><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Nothing wrong in that of course but from their outfits I was expecting a huge Harley Davidson.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">You just can never tell what's coming next.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A hire boat came into the lock, an Australian couple and the wife helming, first timers too. I said look at your husband chatting to all those women "Oh that's okay, it gives my ears a rest" she said now that did make us both laugh. I complimented her on her helming and off they went towards Heartbreak Hill</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">David decided to be at the hire car office at 9am on Monday morning, so off he pedalled. When he arrived and was the first in the door, he said he'd come for the car and the assistant said oh that one has gone out. No more cars until midday.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">His natural charm I think swung it and he arrived back at WaL with a car. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">As soon as he got back I jumped into the car and we zipped over to the Bosley Flight to help our friends up the flight, but they didn't think we would get a car sorted in time, so they started early. Well we caught them up, shut a few gates and enjoyed coffee in the sunny cratch. It might be their last year of cruising.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Might.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here they are again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRS2D1JCVwzZtwPsbSE0f-mI_lRguohDsqCFV6D1dsZ-n3aW-PCPoKKwIB4lQCLjbTYfOBBP6YjEnFcctsGZIeAs0C5n9eKCoMN8SMpc2ZJ9ZSGEAtGJPpkbS9bcl_s4tOl5StChwF8WwpqKL6OXRUnVzAOvuOjvZrUcuzRlFLN_-txkkIk4zYy7yvw/s4032/PXL_20230605_104130604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRS2D1JCVwzZtwPsbSE0f-mI_lRguohDsqCFV6D1dsZ-n3aW-PCPoKKwIB4lQCLjbTYfOBBP6YjEnFcctsGZIeAs0C5n9eKCoMN8SMpc2ZJ9ZSGEAtGJPpkbS9bcl_s4tOl5StChwF8WwpqKL6OXRUnVzAOvuOjvZrUcuzRlFLN_-txkkIk4zYy7yvw/w640-h360/PXL_20230605_104130604.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: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As we left I saw out of the corner of my eye these cows on the bridge. A nano second of reminiscing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEgyddZELjq7k5v3V9t5nQHaxE_XBTKlzP3jdZMZJE104tw-wYQVpHe09K43FufnlItq1scSGjLo1TFzV3Gfh4k3au1C7zdMA9HfQX46QClap5L5I7AUqGFe0oTeeOTgZQFC5CfIkRHo453kJ-gY79jfVFNbcQ6g8iRKd47RuUdPglgBrt665jLBS-gR8Q/s4032/PXL_20230605_104139486.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyddZELjq7k5v3V9t5nQHaxE_XBTKlzP3jdZMZJE104tw-wYQVpHe09K43FufnlItq1scSGjLo1TFzV3Gfh4k3au1C7zdMA9HfQX46QClap5L5I7AUqGFe0oTeeOTgZQFC5CfIkRHo453kJ-gY79jfVFNbcQ6g8iRKd47RuUdPglgBrt665jLBS-gR8Q/w640-h360/PXL_20230605_104139486.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">With no phone call, we decided to move WaL finally and get away from this busy road. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was blimming hot still but with a sun hat on off we set. Kings Lock first, then I walked ahead to the Middlewich Middle Three as I call them and would you Adam & Eve it, they were manned by volunteers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wonderful volunteers and frankly Reader two of them I could of married because they made me laugh so. All working as a team, poking fun at each other too. Definitely arrive on a Monday or a Friday here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEiguKBIP7HmJQbcTFB_CNOQCpgP7DvS6mUrSOW_q3i2Lh8WXJDQnz1qNRoMjlC6FKDdkdVCrMcCFRP3Cmrg_XUrxBw3xwdU-ScHrfnYwBnKxsmSD0E3l7PfMuYG2xRNGM3k1_7ezNtyIaPGYNPao04I29LnkZgEhkF_AluQzz1o0c2q5bVlSD_0dWK8SA/s4896/P1060059.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguKBIP7HmJQbcTFB_CNOQCpgP7DvS6mUrSOW_q3i2Lh8WXJDQnz1qNRoMjlC6FKDdkdVCrMcCFRP3Cmrg_XUrxBw3xwdU-ScHrfnYwBnKxsmSD0E3l7PfMuYG2xRNGM3k1_7ezNtyIaPGYNPao04I29LnkZgEhkF_AluQzz1o0c2q5bVlSD_0dWK8SA/w640-h480/P1060059.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great guy, we traded windlasses as he'd not seen a Dunton before. I really liked his one too</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/AVvXsEi-mX5p6rStinCP-jzo3UKTKlMo8grzF7bjeFHiyIbBFDTc-e_QTfNbt39YUOskCtU28oRIq3xKuZs2FcdmgOSFrSTsRPfc_7wbopdPHiP_Jf5OCT2z8kHpcVSH1kmcCX6zEL7b5ZjPfvdyz4cQbDCM67qPHDfy11VyiotHWlnWQT7Am9LMv4xmwmOJLQ/s4896/P1060060.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mX5p6rStinCP-jzo3UKTKlMo8grzF7bjeFHiyIbBFDTc-e_QTfNbt39YUOskCtU28oRIq3xKuZs2FcdmgOSFrSTsRPfc_7wbopdPHiP_Jf5OCT2z8kHpcVSH1kmcCX6zEL7b5ZjPfvdyz4cQbDCM67qPHDfy11VyiotHWlnWQT7Am9LMv4xmwmOJLQ/w640-h480/P1060060.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the last of the Three locks here. Onto The Big Lock.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We were going to water up in Middlewich but a boat was on the water point so we carried on. David dropped me off on a bend before the double lock, all the moorings were taken down here in the shade another reason to carry on.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I was just about to fill the double lock when some movement in the distance caught my eye and it was a Vintage boat coming around the bend, I opened one gate to let him in. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Are you a single hander?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Yes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I inwardly groaned whilst smiling.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I shut the gate and in a flash he was out like a monkey, got a rope, on the paddle before I could walk the 72' to the top gates. I guess the time was about 4pm... I asked him where he had come from today, Yarwoods Boatyard on the River Weaver, I got the 10am Anderton lift up, but I stopped for a hour in the heat.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Golly says I, so where are you headed tonight?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Harecastle tunnel!!!!!!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Are you joking I said disbelievingly, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">No he replied, its the best time of day to travel. Well we too were travelling later in the day but that is unusual for us, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Good luck I called as he departed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I told David what he'd said and David burst out laughing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We'll never know just how far he got of course but I don't think he meant it as a joke.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEgcEcQROfo2pL51gaxYODA8KyzTHuoqRupM9v8d3rKPUSDG3B02UKAV9Ow_LBtN1dNUMMgLSlXrqowFbcdSnNciw0vAjGcdnqCTj48zSwCoJEXgW9IrQCFMZzsG7Ikh1xAqSDhCL5WNp9ev79JefxR7gdD_uze1qLfLM5rsCZoU6c5SW1csyi83pq_4HQ/s4896/P1060061.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEcQROfo2pL51gaxYODA8KyzTHuoqRupM9v8d3rKPUSDG3B02UKAV9Ow_LBtN1dNUMMgLSlXrqowFbcdSnNciw0vAjGcdnqCTj48zSwCoJEXgW9IrQCFMZzsG7Ikh1xAqSDhCL5WNp9ev79JefxR7gdD_uze1qLfLM5rsCZoU6c5SW1csyi83pq_4HQ/w640-h480/P1060061.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long hot journey ahead of him.</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/AVvXsEiexHg0yeOCuVe91O0jSKhZ79jKW6y9at5Sljn2FqD5HFZrDdRRJ5az2xIthMCgGfITFxm14QoHKf9fajCkYmdjep3cR4B_lL3VlsOBfGYSJQGZFh4Dd8H0VKEH4FkggzI7hUAtW5EaU-zmXUGPt74QT7P3PsSuOBH5Urb8F1joQvV3_AYqr29ENpq2eg/s4896/P1060063.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexHg0yeOCuVe91O0jSKhZ79jKW6y9at5Sljn2FqD5HFZrDdRRJ5az2xIthMCgGfITFxm14QoHKf9fajCkYmdjep3cR4B_lL3VlsOBfGYSJQGZFh4Dd8H0VKEH4FkggzI7hUAtW5EaU-zmXUGPt74QT7P3PsSuOBH5Urb8F1joQvV3_AYqr29ENpq2eg/w640-h480/P1060063.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In we come.</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/AVvXsEgGzR6LDm4b7y3vF4DIxb4iXMlqZh6CbiN342Mdu56DuTaozjeDgVMO2UcZ7WU7zItyF-jbitPu1ahsg6-64jJhnGxtY94MEsQ7aBUExu55hsxkU5VXLsIeDB33rlOdJQSE4q9DSD5wnkSucSMd51bFY3U8oQcdDbKwmb0F6sB-qeC0TpMPGIHW1siNJg/s4896/P1060064.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzR6LDm4b7y3vF4DIxb4iXMlqZh6CbiN342Mdu56DuTaozjeDgVMO2UcZ7WU7zItyF-jbitPu1ahsg6-64jJhnGxtY94MEsQ7aBUExu55hsxkU5VXLsIeDB33rlOdJQSE4q9DSD5wnkSucSMd51bFY3U8oQcdDbKwmb0F6sB-qeC0TpMPGIHW1siNJg/w640-h480/P1060064.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WaL in The Big Lock and The Big Lock Pub.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_eNKrglqLU0-mSQ1csgUicARP086-Gydw9HjGZ3sdXuBe9rGJa8UDNAkR0RbjiipSuRyoV5yWjg4rv-s_FDOe1YPGq3nR7VjkAAgH0DiVpVysKGeWbbEAkIOLukjW1ZbIczxPBp_C9F68OGuyiuAnBO3l8D8ANDniqIfskRA6XIUVVXEAJ4X2t5NBg/s4896/P1060065.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_eNKrglqLU0-mSQ1csgUicARP086-Gydw9HjGZ3sdXuBe9rGJa8UDNAkR0RbjiipSuRyoV5yWjg4rv-s_FDOe1YPGq3nR7VjkAAgH0DiVpVysKGeWbbEAkIOLukjW1ZbIczxPBp_C9F68OGuyiuAnBO3l8D8ANDniqIfskRA6XIUVVXEAJ4X2t5NBg/w640-h480/P1060065.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: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Here we are finally. We nestled ourselves in immediately after the wee aqueduct the last in a line of boats at the end of the day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It had felt great to be moving after three nights 'Enforced' wait by that busy road.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Supper was Italian Eggs that I went in to cook to be in the shade. I am losing my sun tolerance at this advanced age, but really its the heat that's too much.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">** Elderlies is not a term of abuse, its a expression my Dutch son-in-law coined when referring to David and myself to his wife. Its now a family joke and we too refer to ourselves as such.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04612874187940845427noreply@blogger.com0