Apologies to our follower that a month has elapsed since the last post. Actually, on this cold wet August bank holiday (fire lit, dog walkers out in hats and gloves) it’s hard to imagine it’s only a month since we were walking around Shugborough in hot sunshine.
Brief update – after a great day at Shugborough back at the end of July we decided to head for home fairly speedily. Ira had received a couple of promising calls about contracts and we thought we might need to move quite quickly, and there were jobs we wanted to do on the boat while we had the time. Well, a few days later we got back to a great reception from our friends here, after 513 miles, 296 locks, and 34 moveable bridges (according to CanalPlan). We also got back to the worst broadband signal we’ve had and it’s been dreadful ever since, whatever we’ve tried to improve it – hence no blog.
Then absolutely nothing happened on the contracts front. However we had lots to do and and spent a week catching up with things we’re involved in and sorting out the mooring. Cal caught up with the Norbury to Newport Canal Restoration CIC, having been elected its Secretary in her absence, while Ira developed their website. On the mooring we cut down three months worth of grass and sorted out the log store, revealed in all its glory (as in “glory hole”) after the felling of a big tree that was blocking the security light – only to have a pile of logs stolen once they were tidy and visible. We immediately made it untidy again.
We're not too sure about this ...
Then, after our journey round England by water, we set off on another one in the by car. First stop was Grantham to see Jenny, Phil and Martha, then on to Middle Wallop to see Hannah and Darcy (John was working away).
Next was a long-promised week in Highbridge/Burnham on Sea, Somerset for the occasion of Aunt Alma’s 80th birthday. It was great to see everyone and spend some time by the sea.
Happy birthday, Alma
A postcard from Burnham on Sea
Then it was back to Norbury and normality – well, as near to it as we get! Cal’s been to lots of waterways meetings, Ira is still contract hunting, and we’ve finally begun the DIY. We may even do some more boating ….
