Decisions!

Stayed put yesterday, but not really a day of rest as we had dogs to groom & Muttley squeals like a stuck pig (it's something he often does for no particular reason & has frightened many a full grown vet with his random squealing - ie 5 mins AFTER an injection) which stresses the hell out of me. Autumn really showing it's colours now; admiring the gorgeous colours of the Virginia Creeper & kicking down the dried leaves on the tow paths.
Talking of "gorgeous," it's a word, amongst other superlatives,that I seem to have over used on the Stratford Canal - I won't apologise because I have been totally charmed from the first moment: so much so that we are going to divert beyond our junction & continue on up the Lapworth. We have to do some planning soon as have friends coming for 3 nights , a week Thurs , & be back at Brinklow around 25th Oct for Boat Safety Cert .

Two photo's above of NB Debdale who we met a couple of times on the Stratford, from the smell emminating from their boat they bake beautiful bread!

Returning North

Slowly heading back up & met up with friends, from Norfolk , on Friday evening at The Mason's Arms at Wilmcote (well cooked pub food with lovely, friendly staff). Had a fabulous cruise together up to Lowsonford on Saturday, in glorious sunshine, before they had to return home. Sally recognised the sound of the Buzzards first-4 in total & 3 clear enough to see their glorious markings. There also seemed to be some kind of running competition going into Wootton Wawen & I don't expect the competitors who encountered us (on a very narrow part of the towpath) trying to hang onto boat , whilst trying to pull sloes down with boat hook into reach of picking, were discussing our activities very kindly in the after race bar post mortem! What the hell - shall it be gin or bacardi? Essential stop at the farm shop there and allowed aforementioned friend a measly 3/4 of an hour in the gorgeous barn shops there. This is getting VERY scary - I'm beginning to sound like a proper female - I'm sure it's only a momentary lapse and my normal allergy to do with anything retail will soon return.

Town Centre

Put the extra pictures on as they describe the canal better than I can. The last couple of miles were horribly ordinary but then you sort of burst into the basin like the leading lady on premier night under the flash bulbs of the (largely Japanese) press - weird!
Sadly, for current visitors, the basin & RSC building are undergoing major construction so no photo opps in the immediate vicinity but took the dogs down to the acres and acres of parkland beside the Avon which are quite stunning and SO MUCH SPACE right in the centre. Daisy & Ted, however, are not happy bunnies as I wouldn't let them out in this geo situ. Wandered into town this am to sort out some bank stuff & buy some shoes (needed) & some boots (merely wanted), had lunch out (superb) & then we were too cowardly to brave Daisy any longer, so legged it out of town through 5 locks and let her out at the first safe opportunity! my God, that cat is ruling our lives - we now feel guilty for having our first night in town EVER- & the language from her; she certainly didn't learn it from me!

"Legging," it out of town, however, was a little easier said than done! Although, we had been told, the canal had been in virtual flood conditions only a week ago; the last few days had seen rather alarming drops in the pounds - 2 out of the 1st 4 locks saw us seriously bottomed out & we had to do a bit of "flushing" to re-float.