Don't ask! |
Woke early this morning and happened to look outside the bathroom window. The mist was rising and all was still and apart from the odd bird song, nothing else could be heard. It's what we both call a 'canal morning'.
Above Colwich lock and the queues already forming. |
Things were set to change though! The long length of moorings at Shugborough hall had yet to be reached and I was pretty convinced boats would have started leaving. I was not wrong and quite dismayed to see a long line of waiting boats. In fact when we arrived by 10.am we were then 9th in line!
This was the queueing boats before the bridge. |
and after the bridge looking toward the lock (apart from the first boat of course) |
1hour and 40 minutes later and it was finally our turn. Then it was turn left at the junction and down the Shroppie. Going past the Anglo Welsh yard at Haywood an engineer hailed me asking about the queues at the lock. It turns out an Anglo Welsh boat should have been back at base by 10 am (time was now about 11.40am). The boat in question was due out again in a couple of hours and the engineer was beginning to panic.
So onto Tixal wide and there, after all these years, I finally get to meet Jaq. Nearly sailed right past as Jaq was in the process of painting Valerie so no boat name! It was only because I was being nosey and looked through the window that I realised who it was. That's it, we had to stop and it was just like greeting an old friend, one that I had never met but knew almost as if we had. So much admiration for this lady especially after everything she had been through with Les. We laughed together, stories were told of some of Les's exploits when he was a single hander and also when they were both together, the odd moist eyed moment from both of us and of some of the problems encountered since Les's death. We had tea and cake and the time flew by. Fully aware that somewhere ahead Dennis and Margaret had moored and was ready to continue the journey, we said our fond farewells and hope that it wont be another 5 years until we meet again.
Jaq my hero. |
Tixal wide. |
No queues at Tixal lock, what a nice change! A suggestion was made to see if Stafford boat club had room for two boats for tonight. Ian phoned to be told they had the canal side mooring free. So this will do very nicely especially as we can partake in their very good ales in the club house tonight.
And seen on top of a travelling boat,
Harris Hawks |
And in the skies above,
4 comments:
Wow! You are one quick draw getting this blog post out!! thank you both so much for blessing me with a visit today. I am sorry I didn't get to meet Margaret and Dennis--they look like a fun time. Enjoy your cruise to the Llangollen and thanks for the divine cake!
Kindred spirits,
Love Jaq xxx
What are rhubarb windows?
Hello, Adam. A sponge mixture is put in a large square tin and the rhubarb pieces are evenly placed (like windows)throughout. It is then baked like a sponge and hey presto, rhubarb windows. Here is a link to a recipe. https://cookingacontinuum.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/rhubarb-window-cake/
Thanks -- I'm going to try that!
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