When the going gets tough, the Tough get sandwiches.

It was a day of moving on, however if we hadn’t of had an appointment to keep we would have stayed another day at Shackerstone where the moorings south of the village are nice and straight, long and towards the end in full sunshine, then enjoyed a bit more exploring but…

As we jollied along who did we meet at a bend and a bridge but NB Oakapple, a simply beautiful boat just a few years old now but you may remember was voted ‘Best in Show’ by the general public at Crick a few years ago, (I too voted for it actually), and it was looking lovely today. 

We did know that Oakapple was on the Ashby and had hoped  to meet up but the timing was all wrong and today it had to be a quick chat and catchup mid canal as we were slightly pressed for time.  We’ll have a longer chat next time both.

Richard and Sharon on NB Oakapple

But today I had plans to meet an old work chum of mine Laura, who has just this week relocated from home to Ashby de la Zouch.  She was bringing her two little divine children so I had had the idea of a quick boat viewing at Market Bosworth and then a stroll to the Water Park cum campsite cum playground that is just outside the village to the west.  It proved a big hit as the children ran and ran in total freedom.

So lovely to see old friends again and although the time flew past, I love the Ashby canal and will return somewhat like General Douglas MacArthur “We will return” to play with divine children again.

When they had to leave us, I was sad of course as its such fun pretending to be a Grandma, but David said he fancied a pint.  Easy you would think, but he fancied it at the pub in Stoke Golding where we had been before so with TMS (Test Match Special) coming on I relocated to the pointy end, rolled up the cratch sides, fetched the paper and a cup of tea and far too big a slice of flapjack that I had knocked up quick and settled down in the warm sun.  Nice.

After mooring up, amazingly even though it was later on in the afternoon, the moorings were all empty.  We chose the sunniest spot, and off we went to , I guess it was maybe 6pm.  The pub was rammed with locals, a couple of families, workmen on their home, couples old and young, dog walkers on their way home and I have to say I LOVE THAT.  The village felt like it was a real community, friendly smiley staff, guest beers, tasters offered and I grabbed the last table while David chose his pint from a choice of about eight beers.  He really loved the “Standard” one from this local brewery in Nuneaton, Church End I think it was called.  So if you are near…… go sample.

Sunset at Stoke Golding, nice huh?

A lovely end to a lovely day.  Supper was to have been steak however after way too much flapjack earlier we had egg tomato and mayo sandwiches on fresh fresh granary bread instead.