Nearly beached her!

Before I get on to that subject, I must say what a smashing job Sheila is doing on K2. Steve has written quite a lot about this finishing touches to his boat, and now that he has published (if that is the right wording for weblog posts), I thought I'd add a couple of ours.


The first was snapped from the dinette window showing some lettering completed (with shadowing effect et al) and some not.


The second shows Sheila busy on the Port side of K2. It is very odd actually having K2 facing the wrong way - we're so used to having that huge tug deck as a sort of extra bit of pontoon!!! (did you know they use it as a barbecue deck Steve? - ed.)


There has been a bit of wind lately and the Midlands have had most of the rain allocated to the British Isles. This has not kept us all tied up to the pontoon or towpath however (see related blogs). So the day before yesterday, I had the interesting experience of approaching the pontoon in a sideways sort of crab as the northerly wind got me broadside. I thought I was going to do a good grinding and scaling job on Helva, the boat that snuck in behind us. So I poured on a bit of power, and gaining plenty of steerage way, missed by at least six inches. But whoops!! that is a beach ahead, not wide water. So with 55hp stern thrust and helm hard over, I watched incredulously as our mooring rings vanished from the peripheral site astern; then appeared again as Gleemaiden nudged gently into the pontoon. No hesitation, rope in hand, I shot a loop through and got her in nice and tight. Apparently, I missed the beach by about two inches, and Audrone told me that she thought that she was going to be catapulted onto the bonnet of our car when she hit.


Apart from the fact that one doesn't really like taking the camera out in rainy weather, there haven't been any water based shenanigans to capture over the last week - apart from another intrepid painter. Martin (aka Gussie Finknottle), borrowed Debby's little punt and managed to put a good coat of paint on the off-pontoon side of Hetty Peggler.


We also had a lovely evening on Clarence last night, but it is best, even if episodes of such evening are recorded on film, that they are left unpublished. For this good reason, we were far too tired(!"!) to wish Neil and Ruth a bon voyage as they set out for the Ashby canal on Nerus this morning.

First day of Summer

A remarkable change has (and still is) happening to K2! The sign writer has arrived and she is giving a lift to the livery on Steve's boat; which now bears his name and Julie's along with a legend claiming that K2 is ready and raring for the canal towing business. Maybe he could start by towing 'The Druss' around the other way for Simon.

Anyway, I haven't posted any pictures of this transformation; I think probably Steve would like to do that - anyway the whole job looks smashing and Steve should be very pleased with it.

Got a little more sunburn over the weekend. It was too good to waste sitting on deck chairs in the marina, so we went out and moored up just at the start of All Oak Wood. Also moored up along this stretch was 'Hetty Peggler', so out came the Barbecues and we celebrated the last day of Spring and the first day of Summer in fine style.

We certainly didn't have a dull couple of days, huge number of boats going by and more than a little selection of wildlife to watch languidly from the deck or towpath, with glass of wine in hand.

This beautiful pair of hotel boats passed us as well. The butty looking particularly resplendent - but where is the horse's tail hanging from the rudder post??



. . . .And there was also some some tame wildlife on another passing boat. . .



This cygnet was trying to talk its mother into going back for seconds of Malt Kiln Farmhouse bread.




Meanwhile, a heron nearby was trying to find fish in the field opposite.






. . . . . then realised that the canal is probably a better prospect. Didn't seem to catch anything though.

Spring Bank Holiday - part four

Right! I have been admonished for abandoning Blog, so here we are again. This time at Bank Holiday Monday, which started off warm, but cloudy and it seems that the Cashmores on Beaurepaire are returning today. Not in any great hurry though, as they were still ploughing their way through an enormous breakfast at 9:30 when we paid a visit.

This is all leading to the modus operandum of David's turning the boat to face north again. It has to be mentioned that the cut at Braunston was particularly busy; boats passing every couple of minutes and a a bottle neck from time to time at the junction itself. Owing partly to the proximity of the Midlands Chandlers, water point and rubbish disposal. So I was not a little surprised when David decided that it would be quicker to turn by reversing into the junction, under one bridge and out again in forward gear through the other.

Some people are blessed with good timing and as the pictures show, he managed the whole manoeuvre without bumping into or jamming up any other boaters. There was some ribald teasing though about how much easier it would be if he had fitted bow thrusters. David gives me a lot of aggravation over the fact the Gleemaiden is fitted with them. Keeps telling me how embarrassing it must be to be seen using them!

Quite frankly, I am sure that the majority of working boatmen and boatwomen would have welcomed these handy appliances had they been around in those times. They did after all move from horse propulsion to steam to diesel. They were also quite happy to take on rechargeable batteries as well when they became available and use electric lighting.

That afternoon saw us sauntering up the towpath toward the tunnel after the sun had burnt off all the hazy cloud and the day got brighter and warmer. We were also surprised to see that the Admiral Nelson is open again after finding it closed on our last visit.

I should mention at this point that in 1997, Audrone and I paid a visit to Braunston (along with Oxford and Banbury) at exactly the same time of year. We were sitting at an outside table belonging to the Admiral Nelson drinking Scrumpy Jack cider and generally gongoozling as the boats negotiated the third lock of the six in the Braunston flight.

Afterwards (12years ago) we had gone for a walk, following the towpath as far as the tunnel and then across the hill to the other side. We were to say the least absolutely gob-smacked to watch boats being swallowed up by the Stygian gloom as they slipped under the entrance and disappeared into the hillside with steerers standing nonchalantly on the stern.

at the other end we watched fascinated as they emerged swathed in diesel fumes into the dappled sunlight. We wandered a little further down the towpath and stood on one of the picturesque hump back farm bridges and watched boats slide underneath. It was as were were returning to the Admiral Nelson that it dawned upon us that it might be possible to join this wonderful and mysterious clique of waterway travellers - if we only had a boat. . . .

So this afternoon's trip was more than a little nostalgic. But we realised how far we had come from these early years while photographing a boat as it emerged from the tunnel at the Braunston end, for our reminiscence photo file. Audrone said:

'Oh look, that boat has a bubble on the roof for the satellite dish just like Clarence has.'

At which moment I was more like Clarence the cross eyed lion in Daktari, as I squinted through the viewfinder (well actually at the LCD display - ed).

'It is Clarence!' shouted Audrone. And so it was. Derek and Sheila were returning from their cruise and as it turned out were intending to moor at Braunston for the night, before heading back to Brinklow.

Well, things have changed - we could hardly have had a meeting like that 12 years ago! We retired then to the Admiral Nelson and took a couple more snaps of them as they passed us again, passing through lock no. 3 on their way to moor. As it turned out they moored right opposite us at the Old Mill near the aforementioned junction.

We had every intention of having our evening meal at the Old Mill, but when we arrived at just after six, we were told that meals were not served after 6:00pm! How stupid is that? 'Oh sorry, its dinner time now and we've closed for the night.' Most of the time you arrive at 4:30 or 5:30 only to find the pub that you have stopped at is shut for the afternoon, but will be open again at six. We could have had a liquid tea, but opted not to and returned to boat for a simple meal. We were after all heading back first thing in the morning to avoid the traffic.

Above . . . . Sheila has just clocked the camera pointed at her from the pub lawn!

Now here's a funny thing; when we left the pontoon, we left behind Nerus and K2 still moored up and not looking like moving. Neither was there any boat moored behind us.

Come Tuesday, when we return, there is another boat installed in the spot behind us (most unexpected of course when turning in - you don't extra landmarks to appear when you have only been out for three days). And there was Steve from K2, giving us a hand tying up and coiling ropes.

'Going off? I asked. 'Oh no,' he replied. 'Got back from Braunston a couple of hours ago!'

I think I just looked stupidly at him. Firstly, we hadn't seen him at Braunston; secondly, we had left at 7:00am! Apparently Julie had a very early engagement.

Back at Braunston outside the Admiral Nelson (again, the Monday), a boat glided into the lock with one of those beautiful sounding classic engines beating away. I maintained that it was a Lister and Audrone marked it as a Russell Newbury. It didn't sound like K2 though, so I was determined to find out.

Looking through the open engine 'ole, I spotted the bold RN insignia gleaming brightly on the engine head. The skipper of 'Muchgigglin' explained the reason for the distinctive sound of the RN engines and given that this was a two cylinder 19 horsepower engine as opposed to K2's three cylinder engine, it was no wonder that it had such a slow beat - I think I'll know better next time.

When my curiosity was explained to the pipe toting skipper, he laughed and said that I owed Audrone a drink - so I bought us both one!

There is a sequel to this little yarn When we were back on Gleemaiden, we again heard the familiar thump of the RN approaching from under the bridge. As they drew alongside, they were hailed from the shore. It turned out that they had lost their mooring chain earlier on when it became jammed around the armnco railing, and now another friendly boater was returning it, having managed to prize it free with their boat hook. The said item was then passed back to them across Gleemaiden as they hove to outside the Old Mill pub opposite.

Spring Bank Holiday - part three

Well, 'ere we goo as they say in the Black Country, a bit more about the weekend away - there is also another slant on this weekend from Steve on K2 next door http://nbk2.blogspot.com/ - he is right, the traffic was heavy, but in the main 'hail fellow, well met' sort - a quick wave or nod of thanks after giving way at a bridge hole or aqueduct.

After negotiating the Hillmorton locks and passed Rugby Boats, we came accross idiocy - but it took a while to dawn on us what was going on; only a hint. when a boater said somebody had broken down in the winding hole. How unfortunate.

Unfortunate indeed! But did this water pikie call the RCR? Oh no! Anyway, given the state of his boat, RCR membership was probably to price of a years worth of diesel - well some good Samaritan took the boat in tow apparently.

So, the boat in front of us and all those who were behind us were reduced to crawl the rest of the way to Braunston at tickover and less, when the idiots lost control of the towing process. All I have to say is that consideration and help for those in need on the Cut is paramount; but selfish fortitude at the expense of others can only be treated with the contempt with which it deserves.

The Cut is a shared resource, and so on . . . .

It would have been a simple gesture, and a sharing one to allow others enjoyment of the beautiful spring weather without getting sun burnt while trying to keep a boat in steerage way at half a mile an hour!


And so it came to pass that we were the leading vessel of a long and slow convoy arriving at Braunston, surprised that we hadn't been torpedoed by the kayaks and a rubber inflatable that was keeping up the slow pace in the the junction. So we took the first available short term berth available to us, which was opposite the 'Old Mill'. There were moorings further on past Gallows Bridge, but we didn't want to spend an extra hour getting there.

Beaurepaire fronted up mid-afternoon and David complained that he'd had a very slow trip, owing to the fact that the 'silly berk' in front of him couldn't find more revs than tickover!! More angry boaters filtered around the bend at the junction and it became obvious that everyone was blaming the only culprit they could see - the boat in front!


Meanwhile those responsible had crept on ahead, while all the chaos settled down behind - never did get to see the names on the boats.


This however, is not the spirit of boating and the rest of Sunday was glorious.

After all the mooring up and tidying away was done a lot of laughs were had with the crew of Beaurepaire and others who were looking for moorings or sorting out dog walks and visits to the pub.

One of the boats passing us had indeed five dogs aboard and Audrone attempted to picture their enthusiastic greetings as they clambered over each other to gain attention from the fo'rard gunwale of their boat. The issue was that any number would appear at once and then clamber over each other and disappear. Did five ever appear together? Mayhap, but not on camera. It was susggested that calling 'Charlie' would work. It did! Charlies scrambled up and nearly over the gunwale in tumbled mayhem - but never five faces at once!

Moored up opposite the Old Mill, we thought that apart from having to listen to pub crowds all afternoon and night, we were also in the limelight of gongoozelers (which we were). However the scene was in fact relatively quiet and we took our turn to become 'auto gongoozelers', as David, Geoff and I looked over our boats from the pub.

A bit of a jokey session was had by all that night, both in the pub and in the boats; next morning saw a (somewhat late) farewell to Beaurepaire) as all members had various and eclectic duties to perform further north the the Oxford.

I leave you with some of the interesting antics that Beaurepaire executed in order to avoid travelling for five minutes up the Grand Union to wind. I took myself elsewhere while this was happening, because I knew how busy that junction can be at any time. Besides, I wouldn't, or couldn't have been able to help myself waxing lyrical on the subject of bow-thrusters.

. . . . . . Er well, the pictures tomorrow - and the corrections.

Spring Bank Holiday - part two

Just got back from ringing practice at St Johns in Brinklow. Tonight was very special, as all of us (those who are learning new stuff anyway), made great headway. Audrone gained good ground on the 4th; Tim R did well in getting to lead on the treble and I managed to get through some courses of plain hunt without prompting - an then managed to ring treble for two courses of Plain Bob (with prompting from Emily). It gives me a little confidence in that old dogs can learn new tricks.

Late it is now, so for the time being, I am going to summarise this posting and finish it tomorrow:

• inconsiderate bastards


• hi-jinks at Braunston


• we meet a neighbour exiting Braunston Tunnel


• The Admiral Nelson is back on line (real, not virtual)


• A short reminiscence from this time 12 years ago

Just the one image to go on with . . but this may be replaced tomorrow:

BRAUNSTON

CRUISING

YACHT

CLUB

Come aboard and:

• Explore the Braunston Tunnel - only six locks and a mile to the east
• Go right at the junction and cruise the 10 miles to rugby
• Take in the Warwickshire countrysied under the romance of sail
• If the desire takes you, turn left at the junction and explore the beauty of Napton's nine narrow locks under sail
• Negotiate Fenny Compton Tunnel in wide beam comfort

At least those huge fenders would help if a narrowboat should bump you as you swept majestically past. (That's enough sailing nonsense - ED).

Right goodnight!!

Spring Bank Holiday - Part One

After a windy and sometimes rainy week, followed by an amusing if blustery Saturday - I burnt both myself and the kebabs on the Barbecue, while Jeeves was being entertained by David and Doreen, who were supposed to be at a wedding reception (D &D from NB Beaurepaire), we set of in convoy on the Sunday morning. Clean water tank full; black water tank empty; nice stable boat!

Cracking weather, no wind and plenty of sunshine. Plenty of boats too (of which more later). Heading off first and again remembering the TV aerial a split second before ramming Bridge 40 with it, we headed right into the North Oxford without banging into any boats on the way. D & D on Beaurepaire following shortly after - as can be seen in the image through a bridge hole.

We were now a convoy of three heading for the tunnel at Newbold; Gleemaiden leading (another three and we'd have a peal of boats - that's enough stupidity, Ed.). As we emerged at Newbold, an oncoming boat got just past us as we swerved to avoid him with moored boat on the starboard; he proceeded to enter the tunnel as I pointed out that there were two boats already in there.

'Two can pass.' he shouted back with a surly frown, and entered the tunnel mouth, disappearing out of sight as we rounded the sharp bend that greets your exit travelling south That wasn't the end of though, as the boat behind David was most upset by the slow speed that all this kerfuffle caused when David had to slow to tick over to pass the idiot. The boat behind kept blasting his horn at David! All this I heard later.

Our next adventure in the realm of ignorant boating was just past Newbold and and emerging from bridge 51 that Audrone spotted a boat meandering along about three or four feet from the towpath bank heading straight for us. What the . . was it doing? Audrone sounded the horn and slowly but surely it moved over enough to leave us room to pass port to port - but not before we scraped the bottom doing so! Jeeves was furious and gave vent to the steerer of the errant boat, whose compressed lips and averted stare said anything but sorry. We did get a good picture of what was taking their attention away from boat control - swans and cygnets.
With the sun beating down on the late Spring landscape, we journeyed on through the Warwickshire countryside and then through the seamier part of Rugby's industrial hinterland and a huge residential development turning hundreds of acres into a dustbowl on the south side of the bank past bridge 58. One; two; three; four and five bedroom apartments - all, claims the billboard, with canal-side views.

Once clear of the moorings and the eyesore on the starboard view, we cruised under (or nearly under) some overhanging trees. Our little visitor literally dropped in on us!

There was a flutter about my head, and Audrone jumped up from the taffrail. Then before you could say 'tiller', a little bird flapped down past my shoulder and landed heavily on the gunwale just about two feet fo'rard of my left foot.

The gunwale is an extremely narrow landing strip even for such a little bird. Well, Audrone came to the rescue and saved him/her from a watery death or being made into chop suey for the local carp or pike after passing through the prop.

The poor little thing wasn't going to go very far, because as far as we could tell he was only just a fledgeling. So inside he went to live temporarily in a surrogate nest (a hat which was more suited to a jackdaw than this one).

Meanwhile our attention was taken up with navigation and the Hillmorton locks which were coming up. So it was quited surprising to find that the little bird had found wings and sorted out for himself a spot among the hops in the dinette.

It wasn't before long though that it was evident that the little creature was tired and probably hungry. They must use up a lot of energy trying to fly and have such little body weight that for every effort there is a need for energy replenishment. This was going to be a difficult problem - we didn't know anything about what such a tiny little bird would like for elevenses.

Jeeves and I held a conference at the earliest convenience and came up with the idea that it could have a choice of water and odds and ends of finely chopped up stuff that we eat.

Then we hit upon the idea of feeding the little bird some tiny bits of 'Fat Ball' bird feeder that we use to feed the wild birds in a bird feeder. The bird proved equal to a feast of this (must praise Wyevale for this), and soon recovered energy enough to try out every perch available in the boat, accompanied by loud 'tweep' 'tweep' sounds. Also tame enough to be fed on a regular basis now.

After a quiet night, we were aroused the next day to more chirping and demand for food. Lots of flying around as well was reassuring us that this little bird was indeed much healthier and had plenty of energy. Then mid-morning I noticed that it was up and down the saloon window sill tweeting for all it was worth, looking through the window and hopping about. We heard the same tweeting coming from the hedgerow and realised that another was calling him.

So Audrone took him on her finger and released him - hopefully to friends that were waiting to show him around the Braunston hedgerows divide the cut from the fields on the southern side of the cut.

Not Granny's Button

While we were in Banbury, we splashed out on a brand new button (stern fender for those not waterways wise), as our old sisal one had just about had it. We suspect that it was second hand when installed anyway, Bernard or Richard at Swiftcraft probably found it lying around the humpy that they call their workshop. Anyway it was also too short and would only protect the rudder when the helm was push it right over.

We had also tried to install the thing at our (very public mooring) in Banbury. Five minutes into this spectator sport, I dropped the shackle bolt into the cut. It is very difficult not to say things that shouldn't be heard by women and children when that sort of thing happens, so we gave up for the time being - couldn't find another shackle anyway.

I bought another shackle bolt (and a few spares) from Arrow engineering supplies in Rugby and set to work fitting the button, turnbuckles and all to the stern. This would be a lot easier if you could kneel or squat on the water while holding said button (as would cleaning and painting the other side of the boat), but that sort of feat hasn't been achieved for about 2,000 years. I really like having the taff rails to sit on and the swan neck is a wonderful steering aid, but the contortions your body performs to suspend a heavy button over the stern while fastening the shackles can be excruciating.

Luckily Neil and Ruth were here doing some work on Nerus, because Neil lent sturdy assistance from the pontoon side - he has great stamina and patience. Anyway with a bit of team effort the job was accomplished, The highest accolade should be awarded to Jeeves, who wth great determination managed to attach the bottom chain!

Brinklow Marina is indeed in a beautiful location, however it is rather exposed to the wind. Earlier I was explaining that painting the other side of the boat is a bit tricky when only one side is up against the pontoon. Neil and Ruth noticed this too, when they were placing their boat name transfers on the bows - starboard easy, port not so. But of course turning the boat around is the answer (power cable out of reach of course, but port side accessible). So Neil took Nerus out of the berth astern - it is a doddle to do a 180 degree turn in a marina this size isn't it???

While all this was supposed to be happening, it was a lovely day outside, and we were enjoying coffee and cakes in the saloon aboard Gleemaiden . . . . . .


Remember what the weather has been like? Well, it was perfectly calm when Neil backed out, but went from force 1 to force 9 on the Beaufort scale as soon as he got 10 degrees of the turn in. Narrowboats are not built for sailing, but in open water with the wind broadside on, they can go faster sideways than we are allowed to travel forwards on the canals - Nerus nearly did. So Neil decided that discretion was the better part of valour and motored down the end of the marina, turned and made another attempt. Success this time.

It was a bit of a race against time though, with Nerus approaching from the North at 3 miles an hour and a huge squall heading for the now empty pontoon from Church Laawford in the south - Neil got there first, but only just. Then of course, there was no outside work until the weather passed.

It might have been noticed by the keen sighted observers that images posted on this site have been somewhat marred by a blur in the top right hand sector of the photos. I thought that I had bought another technological lemon, with no recourse to a photographic shop to apologise and have the fault remedied. Careful observation showed a slight smudge on the lens of the camera. God knows how it got there, the thing is covered most of the time, anyway with great care and a very soft cloth, I think I have removed it. As these pictures taken subsequently by Audrone should demonstrate. They were taken last night actually; the light and colour is a bonus that can be gleaned from.

This is very tedious you know - especially editing, so . . I'm not yet ready to give up my day job as a retiree.

Topsy turvy week

So much for cruising - we seem to be having April weather in May, but then that is not really daunting, as we had May weather in April and took advantage of it! This goes to shoe that we are not necessarily 'die hard' boaters and are prone to put off setting out in gale force winds and rain squalls (although if out and caught in it. . . well, that is life isn't it?).

We have however, had some good on board entertainment and some frolicking in the local watering holes with visitors - notably Loretta who dropped in last week between visits to relatives in Dublin, Donegal and York. It was good to catch up with Loretta again - she was going to visit us last year when her Aunt was in Coventry and we were in York - but then Rugby and Coventry are a lot closer to London that Bradford!

The accompanying images are not of Loretta, but of Jeeves and Aunt Agatha taken on board while dinner was being prepared - they had both visited the Plant Display at Easenhall. Those fluffy toys incidentally are the same tweety birds that hold forth conversations with their live cousins on the cut (see Blogs passim). And no, I do not think that two cans of Merydown is an excessive amount of cider - not compared with 10 cans of Carlsberg Special Brew, Gussy Finknottle!!!

Pictures when I get back. . . . . Right so here I am and there are they.

Other friends have turned up at the Marina, this week. David and Doreen who own 'Beaurepair' which is an old name for the region around and including Belper in Derbyshire.

The point made earlier about spring showers and the like were very well brought home to David and Doreen who set off at 07:00 on Tuesday morning with a good chance of getting through Hawkesbury Junction by the afternoon. They did; but not after being rained on hailed on and blown all over the cut - as I mentioned very blustery weather.

Both Doreen and David managed to lose their glasses on this trip, but David struck gold in a pub where he was having lunch: the gaffer wanted to know why he hadn't decided what to order having scrutinised the menu for some time, so David explained the predicament:

'I can't read it, can I?'

'Why not?' Asked the concerned chap.

'Lost my flippin' specs - they went in the canal' said David.

'Might be able to sort that for you, just try some of these that have been left behind.' Offered the helpful gaffer.





David did;



. . . . . . And was able to order a smashing good pub meal. hear is wearing them now, having been allowed to keep the specs that let him read his dinner menu. Pity I can't expect to do use any specs but my own - if mine were any stronger, I'd be looking at the world upside down.

Audrone had a splendid idea; we meet the intrepid pair at Stretton Stop, which we did. NB Beaurepair slid nicely through the ready opened swing bridge and I stepped aboard to meet up with everybody back at Brinklow. Audrone took Doreen by car, Richard (the son in law & Mr Van Man) must at this time have been less that amused waiting at the gate with his van, given that D & D had told him that we would be there.

Well we we weren't actually as the pictures show, we were all over the North Oxford in boats, vans and cars.

Thing is though, I have to take my hat off to David, who stood at the tiller for 14 hours. And endured one of the heaviest rainfall I've ever had to endure with the bathroom hatch only a quarter of an inch open - I was soaked and not even in the shower!

Now I have to tell the story of NERUS. But I need a new entry for this. So the next post will begin with a load of eggy nonsensense.

Aaaaagh, the whole stupid system went into meldown - here is the eggy bit anyway.

Yes, well, these little chaps seem to have some an understanding of what it is like to have an egg for breakfast - and a little bit of toast, but they don't know about that.


Neill and Ruth were doing the signwriting on NERUS while this was happening, so they are innocent!!

Another May Day

A bit of a dull one today, but not lousy enough to prevent us taking a very pleasant cross country excursion (on foot) to Easenhall where we had a chat with or lady host and a nice cold glass of lager. Oddly enough, for a man of Kent, I haven't really taken to supping on the vast selection of real ales that are available. I tend to drink cider, if a decent drop is available or a nice crisp lager. And of course quite often wine, which one has to be a bit selective about, given that some pubs pass off absolute rubbish at a rather hefty price. All in all, something sparkling and refreshing is needed after a good walk.

Our host at the Golden lion in Easenhall liked our walking sticks. They were purchased in Arundel from a shop that specialises in walking sticks, carrying a very diverse stock of them - some are awfully pricey too. The one shown in the picture is the latest acquisition, but I can't remember what sort of wood it is. Has a fish in the antler horn bit of the top anyway which I suppose is quite appropriate.

A short time ago, when we were up at the crack of dawn we saw the oddest animals wandering through the shrubbery (no, it wasn't a field). They had these funny spots all over them and their faces in the half light had a piggy quality about them. We thought that they may have escaped from somewhere, but there were to many to draw that conclusion. It seems that they were giant spotted sheep, accompanied by their lambs, munching their way through the gorsy hillside adjacent to the cut.

Picasa Web Albums - Richard

Picasa Web Albums - Richard

Picasa Web Albums - Richard

Picasa Web Albums - Richard

Back at Brinklow again

Slowly but surely, I am bringing these posts closer to the 'here and now'.

Spring has certainly brought some colour to Warwickshire.

Went for a bit of a walk and the countryside is buzzing with bird calls, bleating of lambs and cattle lowing.

The bluebells are quite stunning too, but mostly hidden in the woods behing signs of 'Private Wood - Keep Out'. Not very welcoming or sharing, but nobody there to enforce against a peek at the flowers.

That us enough chat for the moment, methinks I put too much text into this activity.

However, there is one more important thing to say; we would both like to wish Neil and Ruth from NB Nerus a very warm congratulations on their 30th wedding anniversary. When we celebrate our 30th, we might be a little older than the youthful Neil and Ruth!

. . . . . and more bluebells.