(18) UK - Birmingham to Stratford Canal

Waking up refreshed to the normal grey skies, we set of to turn the boat round to head back towards Kings Norton junction. Turning the boat near the permanent moorings went swimmingly but a few yards further down when we tried to tie up for water, the boat caught the wind and it nearly went adrift in the canal again! James managed to jump on and then rescue me from the shore. The wind was so strong that we abandoned the idea! James also had to contend with some canoeists who just did not give way despite the fact that the narrow boat is much bigger than they are. We reckoned they were Uni students out practicing. Trying to avoid a small object like a canoe when steering a very long narrow boat is not an easy task but thankfully, James did manage to avoid them otherwise we could have been locked up in Birmingham! The students are not at all friendly, they all avoid one's gaze and look away or down but there are no friendly Hello's. The only chap who greeted me was over 60 and riding a bicycle.

A little further down I hopped off to walk the tow path which is my favourite part of the day. The section from the Gas Street Basin to Bourne (Cadbury's Chocolate) is fine for walking as the tow path is well used by students of Birmingham University. It is nice and wide and is very pretty with many trees. There are moorings at Bourne, plus a burnt out boat, but there is also a warning sign that thieves operate in the area so take your belongings with you if you intend to visit the chocolate factory. It's rather sad that one can't be safe anywhere these days. And we think South Africa is bad?
The graffiti along the next part of the canal continues to astound me - ever inch of space is covered in weird markings that only the "artists" must understand - the meaning is beyond my little brain! However, it makes for a bad vibe and an area that one just needs to get through. One supposes that a city as big as Birmingham has plenty of louts who thrive on making their stupid mark for whatever rocks their boats.

We have now turned into the Stratford Canal and will only be doing a small portion of this before heading back to Alvechurch. Already this feels more peaceful and we have moored up for a welcome lunch break and a short walk. The weather is not being kind so we got wet while walking through a lovely park called Kings Norton Park. Some of the trees are sporting their glorious autumn colours and this perhaps makes up for the awful weather? Just a tad - a brief moment only!

 Carrying on we passed more graffiti - do these folk have NO LIFE???? I think not. It's a shame that this happens in a 1st World Country. Greece was bad but then so are there economics! The canal here is much narrower than the one up to Birmingham but it has been very quiet. Brandwood Tunnel was fairly short at 322 m but I forgot to switch on the lights inside the cabin so I had to remain on "deck" as I could not see the steps down and didn't want to fall! The tunnels are very dark and horrid but at least this one was short.

The trees and ferns along the banks are gorgeous but the water is dirty and full of rubbish.

We passed a large number of boats moored at Lyons Boatyard so had to go very slowly and luckily did not meet another boat coming up. One boat even had a baby on board! I could not imagine living on something like this - it's great for a holiday but full-time? One would need to be very minimalistic and that's one thing just cannot get right. Even the luggage is just about always overweight when leaving home. After the boatyard, we enjoyed lovely forest like surroundings until we came to homes on the canal banks. These homes have gardens right onto the canal banks - some are so cute with lovely flowers, others are full of rubbish. A number have lovely wooden decks and just about every home has some sort of patio furniture - from the very basic plastic chair to very smart black woven furniture. Many also have heaters!!
By now the rain had set in and James was getting soaked so we hoped for mooring soon.......it seemed to take forever but the Shirley Drawbridge with moorings suddenly appeared as we rounded the bend. Horray! We have now moored and will have soup and Melba Toast for supper as walking in the rain does not appeal at all.

After awhile, the rain seemed to ease off so we decided a warm pub was a more welcome break from the boat. Luckily, the Drawbridge Pub was just a few yards away (very original name seeing as it is right next door to the drawbridge which we still have to go through!)
The pub was lovely and warm and we found a cosy corner table away from the loud chatter at the bar. The food was good and the waitress friendly. The couple next to us also started chatting to us and we discovered that the elderly gent was born in Gas Street Basin, Birmingham! Having just come from Birmingham this was quite a coincidence.
After some good, hot food we felt more human again and set off back to the boat for an early night.
Tucked under two duvets, it's the best place to be when it gets dark with our Kindles.

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

Please share - if you did not enjoy this post .....Shhh - but please still share!

Thanks!

(13) UK - Leaving Rutland - On the Move - not with Eddie Stobart!

Sadly, today we have to leave Barnsdale Country Club to head south-west to Much Marcle for a family wedding. Barnsdale Country Club has been a superb base for exploring Rutland and the surrounding counties of Leicestershire, Northhamptonshire and Lincolnshire. There is much to do in this area and we have been kept busy and had to leave out quite a few excursions.

The roads were busy with many trucks, including the "Eddy Stobart"  trucks seen on local UK TV - why there is such a fuss about this company we did not quite understand as we tuned in half-way through the program! A section of the motorway had only 2 lanes open and this slowed us down considerably. There is nothing worse than travelling on a motorway in any country - it's boring, usually very busy and seems to go on forever. South Africa excluded - we have such diverse scenery that one cannot get tired of it! But I suppose I am slightly prejudiced!

We eventually reached the Malvern Hills and the Tom-Tom took us via a narrow lane fit only for one vehicle with no turning spots!! Thankfully, we met no other car - heaven knows what would have happened if we did. So take care and do not choose the "scenic" route unless you enjoy the unexpected.

Our booking was at the Royal Oak in Much Marcle - we found the pub easily enough but could not check in until after 17.30. This was most annoying as we had been on the road, stuck in traffic for over 2/5 hours. The room faces a car park - so yuck! Anyway, the room itself was OK so we decided to stay.
Our evening get-together was at a place called the Inn @ Welland and the food was good, the group noisy and happy with a wedding looming so it was a great evening.



Postscript: 13/08/2013

Via Face Book - August 2013 - April Jones (Deceased)
Eddie Stobart is coming to Machynlleth, Wales to release there new lorry which they are naming in memory of April Jones, this lorry will be followed around the country by a TV crew for a year which you can watch on channel 5 (UK). Please come and support us as well as giving a big cheer to Eddie Stobart for putting April Jones' name on their lorry.

Background:

A five-year-old girl from Machynlleth, Powys, Wales, disappeared on 1 October 2012, after being sighted willingly getting into a vehicle near her home. Her disappearance generated a large amount of press coverage, both nationally and internationally. A 46-year-old local man, Mark Bridger, was subsequently arrested and charged with Jones' abduction and murder.
  On 30 May 2013, Bridger was found guilty of April's abduction and murder in addition to perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. The trial judge ordered that he never be released from prison.

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

(10) UK - Rainy Day - Pub Lunch and Egleton Ramble

Waking up early was a waste of time - it dawned cold, grey and miserable! UK weather certainly lives up to its horrid reputation - don't set foot here if you are wanting sunshine - choose the Greek Islands instead! But if you are looking for history, great pubs, walks in nature, markets and gorgeous small villages, then you are in the right place.
After doing some chores we headed off to find some lunch. Our first stop was at the Black Bull in Market Overton. This is supposedly a "warm, traditional inn" with owners from Yorkshire. Well, the van was parked outside, the door was open, the bar was unmanned and there was nobody in sight! With money and keys lying around, they are obviously very trusting but it did not smell as if there was any food cooking and nobody came to assist. Perhaps the locals draw their own beer and pay later! Anyway, we left.

We then headed for the Sun Inn in Cottesmore (bad name for a pub on a rainy day!) The welcome was better here - the pub was actually manned and had some patrons! It's a gorgeous white building - ever so cute from the outside. The staff were friendly and the 2 course menu cost 10.50 pounds. We had Shepherds Pie and Veg (our first veg in ages - too many pies in this country!) and then a fruity pudding with custard.
Unfortunately, it was still pelting down when we emerged after lunch so although we took a drive to Whitwell Harbour, there was nothing happening - in fact, the yachts are mostly on dry land! The Rutland Belle, which does cruises on Rutland Water, was cosily berthed and not going anywhere!
Back home to read the Rutland Times and have our tea.

The weather suddenly seemed to improve, so back in the car to drive to Egleton for a walk on the cycle path to work off the food and the feeling of being cooped up all day - even though we were not! The wind was icy cold but a brisk walk soon got us warmed up although we had to dodge many puddles until we eventually were forced to turn back after a huge section of the path was totally flooded. Lovely reflections in all the puddles made for some interesting photos.
Back home, we were amazed at the brilliant sunset that faced us through our picture window.
A picturesque end to the day and we hope the weather is just a tad better tomorrow!!!

www.discover-rutland.co.uk

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

(8) UK - Hambleton Walk, Pie Fest, 2 Windmills and Country Roads

Today dawned bright and sunny - hurray!!!
Due to the favourable weather conditions, we aimed for Hambleton to do the 7 mile walk around the peninsula. Rutland Water was created in the 1970's to meet an increasing demand for water. A couple of villages vanished beneath this large expanse of water, however the spin-off was a wonderful area for waterfowl and Osprey (unfortunately gone already as they are here from March to early September each year) The views on this walk are glorious and I would recommend it to all. This man-made lake is the largest in Europe and the walk we did was voted as one of the top lakeside walks in Britain. And we did it!
We parked at the Finch's Arms and walked down - found a "Right of Way" very wet path which looked as if it had not been used in ages. I wanted to turn around but James insisted it was THE path! I turned round and we found an elderly gent walking his dog who showed us down the road to the correct path. He was telling us that Hambleton is a very expensive place to buy property - starting at approx. 800,000 thousand pounds up to 2 million pounds! As a retiree, he loves the area and we can see why. It's truly beautiful, quiet and peaceful.
We passed a fly-fisherman, waist deep in the water and seemingly enjoying himself! At least the fishermen in their small boats were dry. The only sound was the crunch of our feet on the gravel - if we stopped, the silence was absolute. The path is very popular with cyclists who have their own warning signs, for example, steep hill or cattle grid ahead - dismount! Walkers and runners were also out enjoying the sunshine today.

I felt that 7 miles was rather ambitious but it is such a lovely experience with incredible view over Rutland Water for most of the way except when walking through Hambleton Woods. If I thought I had a problem with sheep pooh last time, this was even worse in places where the cows were grazing! Sloppy, wet cow dung is best avoided at all costs and it required great skill to avoid the numerous cow pats!
The walk took us about 2 hours and we decided to give the Finch's Arms another try after our diabolical experience on Sunday. We chose our beers and were shown our table..........and then we waited. Apparently, they only print the menu's at 12 noon so there is no food available before then. We had nearly finished our beers so James went to find a waiter only to hear again "The menu's have not yet been printed" When they eventually arrived, we told the waitress that we were leaving. The Manager then approached us and asked if we had done a "Trip Advisor" review on Sunday. He told us that he had done 190 covers on Sunday and if we had waited 30 minutes we could have been served! NOBODY said we would be served - we were told categorically that no food was available after being shown to a table. This manager also said that there was a difference between the pub and the restaurant. Again, nobody had told us this. He was quite scathing about other British pubs - calling them the "plastic menu" brigade! Somewhat full of his own importance I would say and certainly not very friendly to visitors.
Apparently, this printed menu can also change mid-way through lunch when the chef runs out of ingredients and then has to improvise! A weird set-up and certainly not a welcoming British pub.

Now without lunch, we decided to head for Melton Mowbray where the Pie Fest was being held. We wandered around the Saturday Market with it's fruit and veg, beautiful plants and flowers, tons of NIGHTIES and could not find the Pie Fest! We asked eventually and found out that this consisted of a few stalls with hardly any pies left for sale! There were tables outside for the PIE-NIC but they were all full. We bought a pie from Mr Kew's Pies - not much choice left. They are award winning Pie makers from Norfolk. I will let you know what it tastes like when we have it for supper!

Melton Mowbray is famous for Pork Pies and Stilton Cheese and the queue into the Olde Pork Pie Shop was horrendous! So we ambled around and viewed the Melton Mowbray Town Estate Memorial gardens. These are lovely gardens with many names of those lost in battle. A tribute to the fallen.
Once back in the market place, we found a small cafe for some tea and a sandwich whilst James insisted on the real thing - a Pork Pie with Stilton Cheese!
Luckily, when we had finished eating the queue at Dickinson &  Morris had calmed down to a trickle and we could purchase two small Pork Pies plus a Lemon Madeira Cake.

Our nest stop was to 2 different windmills, one still apparently operational and the other not. The one at Wymondham can be climbed to virtually the top - can you  believe that after all my morning exercise, I actually ventured up these steep and narrow stairs? Getting back down again was a challenge! The other windmill which is still operational, was not open but it was well worth the detour for the photos of the sails. This is the Whissendine Windmill which still supplies flour to places like Hambleton Bakery. The windmill dates back to 1810 and was restored in 1996g t. Traditional scales are still used! It's a beautiful mill and visits can be pre-arranged during the week.
Our trip back to Barnsdale took us via some simply incredible country roads - so narrow that they have "passing" places only. It was so truly in rural Britain and a lovely drive! We had to stop at Ashwell to wait for the train to pass at the crossing. It came belting along at a very fast rate!
At Barnsdale Country Club, we had to change units today. Our new unit is very close to the water and the ducks and squirrels all came passing by while we enjoyed out teatime treats.
The countryside in Britain is very quaint and pretty and these 4 counties that we have been visiting are both interesting, entertaining and certainly worth visiting.

www.discover-rutland.co.uk 

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

Please share - if you did not enjoy this post .....Shhh - but please still share!

Thanks!