Shugborough and Cannock Chase

We managedto finda mooring opposite Shugborough Hall on Wedsnesday (or maybe Thursday), which gave Lesley, 4 dogsandI a chance to walk the fabulous countryside. Lesley said she'd load way points into her GPS and we'd do a 17k walk on Cannock Chase (remember the Cannock Chase murders). So after several hours of uphill and down dale I suggested we make for home - battery's flat on the GPS! We'll be alright she says, we'll find our way back. I'm sure we will, but preferably this side of another 17k. Eventually spotted 2 guys in army fatigues - but they don't have a compass either. We made it home via a very welcoming pub, The Red Lion, at Little Haywood who gave the dogs bowls of water and biscuits (Baxter had been losing the will to live) andLesley andI excellent pints. Lots to tell but we've had no signal - Lesley still hasn't so I have to go as she's yelling at me to get my boots on

Daisy's Bones

If you look at the row of bones coming from her chest, they should continue horizontally along her ribcage, however, daisy's don't they dip sharply after her second rib and form a shape which Jill says looks like the plough constellation's saucepan shape!

Friends Re-united

We were in the last lock out of Fradley yesterday when I was assaulted by two hulking great labradors - one of which jumped up and did his level best to knock me backwards into the lock. Yep, it was Floyd & Fletcher with Lesley from NB Caxton in (very) hot pursuit. The dogs were ecstatic about being back together in their pack and it was lovely to be back with Joe & Lesley too. Since we've been back together we've nattered, downed a few, eaten a bit & walked. We have a lot of catching up to do as we head west and then north together.

Cooling Off

Where's she off to then?

They're at it too.

Salad days

Toddled up to Barton Turn Lock to help a single hander down and hovered happily in the sunshine waiting for MR to stick her nose in the lock. Then heard himself making loud shouty noises. Couldn't understand a word, so nipped back over the top gate to see what all the fuss was about only to meet Daisy chirruping her way up towards me by the side of the main road! So THAT'S what the shouty noises were about! She'd legged it, as he entered the lock, through the brilliant fly/Daisy screens that he'd sewed together the night before. Errm - modification required.

Passing the church at Wychnor.

Moored in Alrewas and went for a pint with Carol & Noel off of Willy Nilly from the Chesterfield canal. The cottage here is still for sale, as it was in February.

Took the dogs down to the river for a swim (and a paddle for us) and then stopped for a pint with Carol and Noel on the way back - traded some good advice about travelling on tidal rivers for a bag of salad before they headed off to the Indian for dinner with friends. This salad stuff is quite good currency, but does anyone want to swap me for something edible (mushrooms, courgettes, tomatoes, etc)?

We shall be re-united with Caxton & crew over the weekend; don't tell anyone I said, but Lesley will be as old as me a week Saturday.

Muttley is somewhat embarassed by his new hair cut but he should be a little cooler. They do struggle in this heat with their double coats and I can only walk them early mornings and late evenings at the moment - being back with Floyd & Fletcher will soon perk them up though.

Talking of heat, I turned the hosepipe on the boat today after watering - wow; you should have seen the steam rise & hiss. It's a bugger keeping on top of the gardening in this sauna.

Continuing to cook (deliciously)

Hovered in Willington to get some bits from the shop and then trundled on through. Our timetable is, somewhat, governed by the men's tennis at the moment.

Starting to notice some very low water levels in reservoirs and rivers which is not unexpected.

Decided to nip into Shobnall Marina for fuel (haven't taken any on board since Debdale), self dec- 65p for 100 ltrs plus; 70p for less than a 100. Truth be known, he just wanted another excuse to go backwards.

Prettiest garage I've ever visited - sort of taverna for boat fuel!

First time I've mentioned it, but I've been doing more than a bit of the home grown: we have 7 or 8 varieties of lettuce, rocket, basil, mint, chives & flat leaf parsley. Trouble is, although I staggered the planting, it all sort of bolted & joined up when the weather turned so gorgeous; making lots of mates in the process of giving it away though! More on that next time.

Spot the odd one out!!!!!!

Sunday traffic

We wouldn't, normally, move on a sunny Sunday due to the amount of weekend traffic. However, we had moored by bridge 5 (west of Shardlow) as there appeared to be good walks off of the bridge in both directions, only to find that they were closed to the SE due to quarry workings; I'm not talking temporary - these were closed over with massive concrete blocks. By the time we pulled pins at 11ish, 9 boats had passed us heading for the close by Aston Lock, but we thought we'd join the queue & have a natter and a cuppa. Amazingly we were just in time to drive in as the second of a pair & we never had to wait at a lock all day. Masses of spare crews and gongoozlers around so all I had to do was walk the dogs (until they got too hot) and make sure paddles were opened and closed in the right order - also stopping the over enthusiastic winders who were, at times, determined to wack open both ground andgate paddles simultaneously!!!

Walked into Swarkestone to look at this 18thC bridge which carries the road over the flood plains all the way to Stanton - ironically, it's beauty was spoilt by the shere volume of traffic and it was just too hot for tarmac and cars.

After a bite to eat, we were heading for Willington but we were seduced by a shady bank and moored up 2 miles earlier.

Whilst we are delighted that Daisy is moving around more, we are having to keep windows and doors Daisy-proofed as she cannot go out.

Daisy sleeping on her back with her paws protecting her new hurty lumpy bit (in amongst the clean washing of course).