Woops a Daisy (again)!

I really don't understand why Daisy hasn't learnt to stay out of the cut - one minute she was asleep in the sun and the next she was washing for England; pretty quick reactions though as her head and neck are still dry this time.

Having been flushed UP Wilmcote locks last week in double time (by a load of service guys on a "blokes" weekend), we had had little time to do more than fling the odd branch onto the roof - blackberry picking was completely out of the question. So spent a little time logging, kindling & stacking.

The dogs, of course, insisted on helping!
Then wore themselves out.

Winded on the Grand Union & walked to the shop through the towpath tunnel at Shrewley, so we are now pointed the right way to nip back onto the Stratford & head North tomorrow.

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.