We met up with Ceila and Richard at the Hatton Arms. Walked along the Grand Union Canal and back for 50 minutes or so in some unexpectedly brilliant sunshine. Yes, the weather had taken a break from the incessant cold and wet weather we have been having. We met C&R here before several years ago, the metal dragonfly is still in position.
Back at the Hatton Arms we had lunch on the terrace and continued to catch up with each other’s lives.
We had a lovely weekend in Leicester staying with Valerie and Norman, along with Bill and Viv. The visit started off with a chainsaw massacre in the garden with a little bit of pruning. After this hard work, our thirsts were quenched with a couple of pints at The Classroom Real Ale pub. This is a real ale micro pub, twenty minutes walk away, serving some great ales straight from the cask. I was very impressed with the quality of the beer and service. Looking forward to a return visit.
Next day Bill, Norman and I went for a walk along the Grand Union Canal from the Navigation pub to Wistow Rural centre. Lovely day, the canal had a thin layer of ice, and the outward walk was over frozen mud. At Wistow Rural Centre we ate lunch and had a walk around the garden centre. The pictures I have taken are of a model village, notice the campervan. The walk back was a little muddy as the mud had thawed. On the way home we stopped off at a real ale pub called The Cow and Plough for a quick pint.
In the evening we took a taxi into Leicester centre for supper at the Ask Italian restaurant.
On Monday we had a walk at Bradgate Park. A large open deer park with a ruined house, some lovely oak trees. We walked to the top of the hill where the Old John Tower is situated. This 18th Century folly sits on the highest point of the Park and is one of Leicestershire’s most famous landmarks. Lunch nearby in the Jade Tea Rooms. Very reasonable and sizable portions.
Today was a repeat of last years (17th August) canal trip organised by John and Carol Curd. The trip followed the same format, day boat from just outside of Cheddington, going south through several locks. Stopping at around 1.00 for our picnic lunch of Salmon, meat balls, humus, salads etcetera.
Back through the locks and back to the marina for 5.00. An invite by Stuart to his house for tea, and a cooling spray of water from a hose pipe. Yes it had been yet another hot day, and with the running around closing and opening lock gates we were rather warm and dehydrated.
No I did not fall in, job or get pushed into the canal. The dead floating fish put me off from this exercise. Quite a few birders were on the tow path, apparently looking for a Least Sand Piper, a visitor from America..
No rest at all, up early to do the final touches the chicken dish for the Saturday picnic. At Pitstone by 9.00 a.m for the canal trip kindly arranged by Carol and John Curd. There were twelve of us on board.
The boat was on the Grand Union canal. We took it South going through 6 locks stopped for the picnic and then took it back to its berth.
The day was excellent, the sun shone, a breeze kept the temperature down to a comfortable temperature. The company was good, the different foods provided on the picnic were excellent, as was the wine. The entertainment of opening and closing the locks kept us amused and fit.
Only bad point was I seemed to miss a hand rail on the boat and fell into the canal. Oh well, can’t be helped, it did seem to provide amusement to all those around.
