We slept well after spending a nice quiet night at Alvecote, then set off early to cruise the six hours to reach Fradley Junction. It was another lovely warm day and we had coffee and nibbles while on the move. As Thursday nights are folk music time we went for a drink at the pub, but as we were quite tired we decided to have an early night instead.
Friday we went for a walk around the lake and wildlife area and because it had turned so cold, we re-lit the Squirrel. In the afternoon we picked up the car we were renting for the weekend from Enterprise in Lichfield.
So on Saturday we motored down to see our grandson as he had recently had his third birthday. He was pleased with his ‘magic magnet’ train and took it with him when we went out for lunch. Of course it was quite entertaining for him when it was attracted to the cutlery on the table! It was a lovely joint birthday celebration as it had been my birthday too during the week. The afternoon was spent doing puzzles, reading books, playing games, then out into the garden for ball games and riding on his new Go-Cart. it was quite fun as he hasn’t quite got the co-ordination to pedal and steer at the same time! Then it was time for tea and tasty warm chocolate birthday cake. It was a very long day for him as he is always up early and so after tea he fell asleep. The adults then had time for a chat in peace before we left to return to Oakfield.
Sunday morning we drove to the nearby National Memorial Arboretum which we thought was very impressive. It commemorates all those servicemen and women who have been killed on duty since the second world war. The main memorial is set on rising ground, but there are many more set in the vast grounds all around it.
There were many people strolling around in the sun and the cafe and gift shop were also very busy.
On Sunday afternoon Graham and Jan came up from ‘nb Huff n Puff’ from their mooring to join us for drinks, we sat out on the towpath. It was great to catch up with what they had been doing and swap all our news over a few drinks. In the evening we met up at the Swan for an enjoyable meal together. The shop next to the Swan has been enlarged and refurbished with an art gallery opening up on the upper floor. It still sells the basic foods, with toys, books, chandlery, hats and cards.
Early Monday morning we set off cruising again through the little swing bridge which must be the easiest one on the whole canal system to open. We turned left at the junction onto the Trent and Mersey Canal. There were several boats on the move and we waited at Woodend Lock where the ‘one up, one down’ system was working as it should, saving water.
Tuesday morning we travelled up to Rugeley and stopped to visit the shops there briefly. It was quite a dull day and much colder so we were glad the fire was still going well. We approached Haywood Junction and moored up just before it in a nice open space. Just after tying up it began to rain and the wind got stronger. The boat was rocking a bit during the night and now we are firmly held against the towpath by the wind. Despite the heavy gusts of wind and horizontal sleet some boats have been moving at top speed this morning. This makes quite good entertainment as we wait here for it all to subside. Luckily we have got a good signal here, hence the blog is quite a long one!
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