Trip to Bridgwater for Wedding

Friday 27^th June

Off on the train today to Bridgwater for my nephew Darrrell’s wedding tomorrow.  Our friend Dave gave us a lift from the Marina to Crewe Train Station.  Got our train okay, had to change at Stafford and Bristol Temple Meads, then arrived in Bridgwater mid-afternoon.  Dad and Mavis were going to pick us up at the station to take us to the B&B, but they got caught in traffic , so we walked there and they came straight to the B&B.  We stayed at The Old Vicarage in the centre of Bridgwater, a really nice place.  It was really lovely to see Dad and Mavis and have a catch up.  Went for a coffee, then chilled out in our room.  Janet, Les, Catherine and Angus joined us in the evening and we went to a pub just down the road called The Cornhill, we all had a really nice meal and evening.

Saturday 28^th June   

I went to the wedding dressed like this, Kev went like that, I suppose at least he had a tie on!!!!

       

Darrell & Frankie

Today my nephew Darrell is getting married to Frankie, so we are off to the wedding this afternoon.  Dad and Mavis came up again to bring up our post which was forgotten yesterday, but that was good as we got to see them both again.  We got ready and our friend Ian gave us a lift to the church.  Darrell was already there, so lovely to see him again and he looked so smart!!  Frankie arrived and she looked really beautiful, such a lovely dress and we had the service, it was really nice and a lovely small church.  When the service was finished, photos were taken, then we all headed up the road, about a two minute walk to Frankie’s parents house where they had a big marquee in the garden for the reception.  We had Pimms and Canapés on the lawn, the sun had come out and it was a lovely sunny afternoon. 

Darrell & Nicola

My niece Nicola (Darrell’s sister) came to the wedding, which was lovely as I hadn’t seen her for a number of years, it was so nice to spend time with her, we had a lot of fun. Darrell, Nicola and I spent a lot of time together catching up, it was lovely.

We had a lovely wedding breakfast, they had a jazz band playing who were very good.  There was just a small gathering for the wedding and reception which was really nice as we all got to know each other.  Frankie’s family were absolutely lovely and made me and Kev so welcome.  In the evening, they had a lot more guests arrive, we had a DJ doing the music and they had a hog roast which was lovely, we were full, but we had to have one, as you do!  Frankie’s sisters hired a photo booth for the evening and you could dress up in wigs, hats, silly glasses, etc and have your photo taken, well we had to have a go, would be rude not to, what fun we had, Kev dressed up as a rock star, but halfway through our photos, he had a wardrobe malfunction and all hell broke loose, we were crying with laughter. The music was okay until around 11pm, then as there were a lot of young  people there, it changed to what they play in the nightclubs these days, time for a sharp exit!  Said our goodbyes and headed back to the B&B by taxi.  We had a brilliant day and we enjoyed every minute of it. 

Sunday 29^th June

Had a really nice breakfast in the B&B, it was a really nice place, would recommend it and stay there again if we need to.  Checked out, walked to the train station and got our train okay, had to change at Birmingham.  Our friends Jane and Malcolm picked us up from the station and took us to our other friend’s Dave and Anthea’s house, we had a few drinkkies, then we went to a really nice pub called The Farmers Arms in Ravensmoor, run by Dave’s cousin.  We had a really lovely meal.  Jane and Malcolm took us back to the marina.  We are off back out on the canal again tomorrow, staying here until the weekend for the party in the park.

Monday 30th June

We headed out of the marina out onto the canal this morning and back to towards Audlem  turned around at the bottom of the locks and moored up.  It was such a long way, about half a mile!!!!  This is where we will now stay until Sunday.  We almost feel like Audlemers, we have been here so long!

 

Locks 13 to 14 to Overwater Marina, Audlem (Shropshire Union Canal)

Sunday 22^nd June

Hankelow Sign

Our seats at The White Lion!

Hankelow Fete

 We are off to the fete at Hankelow today, a small village a couple of miles from Audlem.  We could walk along the main road to it, but decided to see if we could find another way off the road, Kev found the way and we set off to Mill Lane, then Monks Lane and Longhill Lane and we were in Hankelow, it was a really nice walk, down some small lanes and through a wooded bit.  On the corner of the lane was The White Lion pub, it looked really nice so we went in for a drink, as we do!  There was some child seats in the garden, we thought they would do nicely for us, especially for Kev!! What a nice pub, we decided to come back in the week and try the food as it looked so nice.

We went over to the fete which was now up and running and we had a really nice afternoon, the sun was shining and I won a bottle of wine on the Tombola, we had burgers, then an ice cream and finished off with tea and cake.  There were hundreds of people there, it was a really good fete.  We waited for the raffle to be called, but no luck, so headed back to Audlem and the boat. 

Monday 23^rd June

It was another nice sunny warm day so we moved the boat down through locks 12 and 13 to where we usually moor when we come to Audlem, that was enough exertion for one day, so moored up and chilled out.  Went up to the shop in the afternoon and got an ice cream, then sat on the wall watching the boats going up and down, this is the life!!

Tuesday 24^th June

White Lion Pub, Hankelow

The sun was shining yet again, so we decided to walk to Hankelow and have lunch in The White Lion as at the fete they were giving out leaflets advertising a two or three course lunch which was being served Tuesdays to Thursdays, so off we went, we walked the same way as we had done on Sunday.  We got to the pub and it was in darkness, but we thought perhaps it doesn’t open till 12.30, so we went and sat by the village duck pond for a bit, then went back to the pub, but still closed, then we saw a sign in the window saying the opening times from 1^st June and it is closed Monday and Tuesday lunchtimes, some other people had also come for lunch not knowing it was closed, so it wasn’t only us.  What a blow, never mind, we walked back to Audlem, had a drink in the Lord Combermere, then went to the Shroppie Fly pub which is on the canal and had lunch there as since we came here last time, the pub has been refurbished and they are now concentrating on making it a food pub, so we wanted to try it and it was really good.  We then got an ice cream and sat on the wall watching the boats and the world go by.

Wednesday 25^th June

I know this is getting boring, but the sun was shining again and so we set off for a walk, we went up the tow path to one of the bridges and up Badley lane, then across a field, past our friend Malcolm’s work, and through another field and back to the village.  It was lunch time by then, so we stopped in the Old Priest House coffee shop, it was really good value and very nice.  Then went on another short walk which took us past Moss Hall, across the field and out onto the canal at lock 15, then back up the canal to our boat.  There are some really nice walks in and around Audlem, it is really a lovely place.

Thursday 26th June
 

Coming out of Lock 14

At the bottom of the Audlem Flight, Lock 15

We are going into the marina today, leaving the boat there as we are going to Bridgwater, Somerset for my nephew’s wedding on Saturday, coming back Sunday afternoon.  We set off to lock 14, there was a bit of a queue, a couple of boats in front of us and some coming up, got through there and onto the last lock of the flight, through there and up the canal and into the marina.  It is a really nice marina, very open and well kept.  We checked in and was allocated a berth, got into it okay and moored up.  Chilled out for a bit, then went to the café in the marina for a coffee, then had a walk around the marina and back to the boat.   Chlling out for the rest of the evening and getting things ready for our trip.  We will be back on Sunday evening, staying there the night then back down the canal to the bottom of the locks where we will turn around in the winding hole and moor up there for the rest of the week as there is a music event in Audlem on Saturday 5^th July and and we are staying for that.

Locks 2 to 3 to Locks 11 to 12, Audlem Flight (Shropshire Union Canal)

At the bottom of the Lock 11

Coming down the Flight

The Audlem Flight

It was a lovely sunny morning, so we thought we would get through the flight before it got too busy, a boat came up the flight, so we decided to set off as then at least some of the locks would be in our favour.  Went through the locks with ease as they were all set for us, just had to top a few up as they were leaking.  Got to just before lock 12 where there is some moorings and decided to go to the start of the moorings so it was nearer the road and not so far for our friends who are visiting us tomorrow to walk.  What a mistake, we couldn’t get right into the side as the shroppie shelf was there (on this canal, under the water in places there is a concrete shelf, this was done in the old days to strengthen the sides).  We tied up, but every time someone went up or down the locks, we went onto the shelf at an angle and all the drawers kept sliding open and our little unit on wheels kept sliding up and down, what a nightmare, then when the water level went up, we plopped off the shelf and was upright again!  I didn’t like it at all, but as all the moorings behind us were full, we had to stay there, but will move tomorrow if we can.

Audlem Main Street & Church

Audlem

Went for a walk around the village, it is a lovely village, went to the Shroppie Fly pub (it was for tea/coffee!!).  Went round to Jane’s house in the evening and Dave and Anthea were there, it was great to see everyone again and to catch up.  We had a few drinkkies and then got fish and chips which were very nice.  Jane’s husband Malcolm who works long hours came in abit later, so great to see him as well.  We had a really nice evening, will catch up with them again soon.

Saturday 21^st June

Shroppie Fly Pub

It was a bit overcast this morning but still very warm, so we decided to walk the boat back up the moorings, away from the shelf, aah we miss having a dog!!. Our friends Chris and Mike who have been on a road trip and were coming back from the Lakes were calling into see us today, so we were looking forward to that.  Decided to go up to the Co-op to get some rolls for lunch, and who did we bump into, but Chris and Mike, they had just parked up and were coming to find us.  We got the rolls, then went to the Shroppie Fly for a drink, then back to the boat for  lunch and a good catch up.  Our friend Dave who was working nearby dropped by for a brew and ginger cake!!

Was seeing Mike and Chris off and walking down the lane was Jane, I had ordered some shoes and they had been delivered, so Jane was bringing them down for me.  So back to the boat for a cup of tea and more cake.

It was a lovely sunny afternoon, so Kev and I walked up the locks to the next bridge and down a lane to the road and along there, we were looking to buy some eggs, but there was none at the stall, never mind we had a really nice walk.

Back to the boat and just chilled out.  We are off to a summer fete tomorrow in a nearby village called Hankelow, that should be good. 

Market Drayton to Locks 2 and 3, Audlem Flight, Shropshire Union Canal

Leaving Adderley Locks

 It was another hot and sunny day as we set off, we stopped for water, then made our way to the Adderley locks, a flight of five locks, got to the first one and a boat was coming out of the lock, so in we went and you won’t believe it, but that happened at all five locks, as there was lots of boats coming up and only us going down, I had help to do the gates as well, so we flew through there.  I don’t think we have ever been on a flight of locks and Kev has just driven into every one without getting off, how lucky was that.  There is a farm shop at the top of the flight, but we didn’t stop this time as we stocked  up with everything we needed at the market yesterday.

We went on up the canal to the start of the Audlem flight, there are 15 locks in this flight but they are not very deep locks so easy to do, it is a really nice flight.  We did the first two, then moored up as there is a nice mooring there, open and sunny.  We will do the rest of the flight tomorrow.  We did five miles today and 7 locks, not used to all this hard work, we need a sit down now!!

Locks 1 & 2, Audlem Flight

Moored between Locks 1 & 2, Audlem

Went for a walk down the flight, all the boats seemed to be coming up, with no-one going down, hope it is like that tomorrow as if so, it will make life very easy for us.  It was a lovely afternoon, very hot though.  Looking forward to going down the flight tomorrow and seeing our friends Jane, Malcolm, Dave and Anthea who live in this area.

Day out at Shrewsbury and Market Day at Market Drayton

Tuesday 17^th June

Kev had a look to see where the buses go to from Market Drayton and there was one to Shrewsbury so we decided to have a day out there.  Walked up to the bus station and got the No. 64, we got a group ticket for £10.00 return for the two of us, only drawback was that we had to stay together!  The bus journey was about 50 mins.

Market Square

Cobbled Alleyway

Got to Shrewsbury and had a wander around, picked up a map to get our bearings and then went for some lunch in Zizzi.  After lunch, we walked to the market square where there is a lot of old buildings and little alleyways leading off with cobbles.  It is really nice.  

Shrewsbury Castle

Laura's Tower

  

We then walked up to the castle and had a walk around the garden and up to Laura’s tower.  Kev wanted to rename it Sheila’s tower and lock me in it, but luckily he didn’t!

River Severn at Shrewsbury

After that we walked down to the River Severn and had a walked along there.  The river goes all the way around the outside of the town.  There is an old boat house on the opposite side and also an impressive looking school where Charles Darwin used to attend and also Michael Palin went there.  There is a part called The Quarry which is tree lined with lime trees which is really nice.

We went for coffee after our walk and then caught the bus back.  Shrewsbury is a really nice town with a good mix of new buildings with shopping centres and old buildings, there is a lot of history there and also a river walk, it’s a town well worth visiting.

Wednesday 18^th June 

It’s market day today in Market Drayton, so we ventured up to see what it was like.  There were stalls all the way down the middle of the main street selling all sorts of things, household items, plants, cheese, bread, tools, fruit and veg, etc.  There is also an indoor market which is only open on market day and in there was stalls selling local produce, meat, cheese, pies, fish, cakes, etc.  It was a good market and well worth a visit.

We came back to the boat and was having a bit of lunch, when there a face at the window and it was our friend Jane from Audlem, who knew we were here in Market Drayton and so had come to the market, then as she didn’t see us there, came down to the canal to find us.  What a lovely surprise, it was so nice to see her. She stayed for a sandwich and a chat, then headed off.  We will be seeing her and Malcolm and Dave and Anthea at the weekend as we will be in Audlem then, we are really looking forward to that.