Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Bringing the curtain down on 2013.

First of all, we must take a very heavy slap on the wrist for ignoring our blog for the last three months. Is it really that long since we tied up after our last summer trip? Granted, boating has taken a back seat since September, but not to have blogged for over three months is poor......

We are just back from a couple of days away on Blue Moon to round off the year. A bit of peace and quiet and short trips between pubs was the order of the day. Sunday was a lovely day with blue skies and sunshine, although the temperature could have been a little warmer according to Louise who unearthed her winter boating hat to keep her ears warm !!

'Komrade' Louise doing her impression of Deputy Dawg
Fradley in the winter sunshine
We spent Sunday night down at Huddlesford at enjoyed a lovely Sunday dinner in friendly surroundings. We stayed put as the wind and rain dominated Monday morning although John braved the weather and took Jasper for a three mile 'mud run' along the towpath which Jasper thoroughly enjoyed !!

A wet and happy Jasper
The weather improved on Monday afternoon and so we 'pub hopped' back to Fradley and moored above Shade House Lock. It is good to see that CaRT have been busy chopping back the trees on the non towpath side along the Coventry which was much needed. We came face to face with a kingfisher near to the new Kings Orchard Marina where we could almost reach out and touch it and then had very close encounters with a buzzard and a sparrowhawk perched in a tree approaching Brookhay Cottage.
The Swan
We spent the evening in The Swan at Fradley together with John & Pauline from nb Kali 2, who also moor at Kings Bromley. The pub was full of boaters and dogs and together with a cracking meal and a few good pints of real ale, what more could you ask for. You just can't beat the place. We were very tempted to hang around and go to the new years eve party planned there for tonight, but we have other plans in place so will save that for another year.

Jasper doing his impression of a ram, he's a Derby fan at heart.
So after mooring up for the last time this morning, another year comes to an end. The festive season has been a quiet one for us remembering those close to us that are no longer here. Our boating this year has been most enjoyable and we have met so many wonderful people whilst out on the cut, forming some great new friendships and meeting up again with others from previous years.

Our plans for 2014 are under way but not yet confirmed, but we hope to explore some parts of the BCN which we have not seen before, head back down to the Avon which we really enjoy but have not been back to for a few years and make time to re visit the Ashby and Macclesfield / Peak Forest. 

So to all our friends out there who read our blog, best wishes to you all for 2014. We hope to meet up somewhere along the way and enjoy the best that our waterways have to offer. Happy 2014 !!!!!

1 comment:

  1. Happy New Year to you both guys, thanks for the blog comment, we did wonder how you are no blogging for such a long time! Look forward to meeting up in 2014 with you again, such great times we had with you both xxx

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