Coventry.

  

It was a dull overcast day so we caught the 585 bus which took us into Coventry for the day, as we needed some things from IKEA. It is usually quite enjoyable travelling through the countryside and through all the little villages en-route. That is if you have a driver who can provide a smooth ride and not jerk your head off at every stop! Needless to say the ride in was horrendous. Luckily not all bus drivers are as bad. Lady Godiva now overlooks the vast pedestrian area which was completed in time for the 2012 Olympics.

Family aboard.

                      

We have spent much of the last two months visiting our families, but while we were in Brownsover our daughter brought our two grandsons for a visit. After catching up with each others news we had a leisurely lunch on board. Then we took the two boys to the nearby park while their mum put her feet up for a while to recuperate! It was lovely to see them again and as usual we were left quite exhausted. 

Soon we were cruising off north and noticed these white cows galloping down across the field. Turns out the farmer had come with their breakfast.  As we cruised slowly past a man relaxing with his coffee on the front of a moored Viking Afloat boat, he called out to us on seeing Ebley Wharf on the side our boat, “I’m from Glawster”

Critters.

 

Moorhens are quite territorial and are very aggressive towards other critters who invade their space. They spend most of their time hidden in the canal-side vegetation, but come out to feed their chicks once they are afloat. Swimming jerkily along, making a click-click sound, they seem almost like mechanical wind up creatures. Are Moorhen chicks the ugliest looking baby birds with their sore looking heads and black bulging eyes?

 

These young lambs and calves were sunning themselves alongside their mothers.

Farewell.

                           

It was such a beautiful morning we decided to walk into Rugby to meet up with our friends before parting company for the summer season. This wide straight pathway leads almost directly  from Brownsover right into the town centre. Since we last walked this route the steep steps over the railway lines have been replaced with a zig-zag construction. This makes it easier for wheelchair, pushchair and cycle users to negotiate now.

                           

When  passing the park we could hear bells, then we saw this moveable contraption where people were trying out  their campanology skills. After an enjoyable chat over drinks and a snack with Lynne and Paul we said our goodbyes and made our way back to Oakfield. Bottle walked and I caught the No 12 bus up to Aldi in Coton Park, then walked back down the hill home.

Brownsover.

                       

This was our lovely porthole view for a while, and when we woke up one morning a spider had woven it’s silky web there, glinting in the sun.

                        

There are plenty of natures clocks and bells around the hedgerows here.