10-04-2015

Photographs from the Past Part 2.

Photographs from the past.

A Grand Day Out.

Yesterday friends Chris, Rebecca and son Arran came and found us after they found their digs in Coventry. We sat for a couple of hours nattering and catching up.

This morning they arrived at 9.30 am for a day out on the boat. Because they had never been on a boat before, Keith took them through a few safety things and we then got underway. We arrived at the first of the Cape Locks, where Arran stepped off with me with a spare windlass. I gave him a quick course in how to work the locks and he was well away. Arran is a complete natural, just as well, because they all hope to have a boating holiday, possibly next year.

Down through the locks, it was then a chance for them to take turns in steering. Arran was the first to get some Tiller instruction from Keith and he was then off on his way.

Chris then took over.

It is always the way that you need to meet a boat coming through a bridge ‘ole and in our case we met Dane towing Clara. The sound of Danes Bolinder was a joy and always brings a smile to my face.

Dane and Clara went on their way and we chugged on through the bridge ‘ole. We cruised to near Lidl on the Myton Road, running into Leamington-Spa where we winded at 11 am. The plan was to head back to the Cape of Good Hope for lunch.

Having winded, Keith then handed the tiller over to Rebecca. One thing is certain when they hire, they will know exactly what they are doing.

We were now on our way back and on their way out were Jane and Roger on NB Paneke. They had Winter moored in the Arm. I wished them a good cruising Summer and we will see them later in the year.

We arrived at the Cape Locks and Arran, Chris and I worked the locks. As Keith got into the bottom lock, I saw a boat coming in the distance. It was NB Pilgrim, so we waited and share the locks with them. They were heading into the Arm for a couple of days and it was lovely to see them both again.

We moored the boat in front of The Cape of Good Hope and were soon in the pub ordering a pint. Lunch was very good. The last time we used the pub it was run by someone else, so it was nice to try out the new owners. We can recommend the Fish and Chips. The only thing I did not understand was why they felt the need to put paper under our food on the plates, but we have had that happen before when we have eaten out. Waste of paper and it goes soggy, so you end up eating the paper as well. There was lots of chatter and laughter, before we said “Goodbye” to the pub and head back into the arm, where we did not bother to wind, we just moored straight up for a change.

It was absolutely wonderful to see Chris, Rebecca again and to see Arran now he is grown up and a delightful young man. Hopefully we will see them again, because we have had a wonderful couple of days with them.

Photographs from a Summer long past.

Making the most.

 

Last nights sunset over the Arm.

Today was the day we uncovered the Wildflower Garden. It has been covered by a carpet and chippings all Winter to smoother the weeds. This morning with the help of others, we uncovered it to the air and were very pleased to see that there were no weeds, just bulbs which had come up and tried to find the light. Clearly we had not dug them all up last Autumn. The bed was then sewn with Wildflower Seeds and our fingers are crossed that the bed will look a riot of colour throughout the Summer.

With the Wildflower bed done, we turned out attention to Bernard the Willow Bear, who needed some work done to him. He has been standing for almost a year now and has survived all the weather and attention to given to him by the Arms visitors. Alan his designer and builder came to add more Willow to his body to strengthen him for the season ahead. Jack and I helped by tidying him up and filling in where spaces had appeared.

Bernard’s new hair do, which was clipped when finished.

All done and ready to receive his public for another season.

The weather was so lovely, so it was nice to get a few jobs done in the Arm.

A Little something we made earlier.

Hello my blogger friends.

I really do love it when I get feedback about my posts so keep it coming please. it is always lovely to hear from you.

I know that the posts have been a little fragmented for the past 18 months, but once we are on the move sometime in April, fingers crossed and all that, you will get more from me I promise.

Whilst we have been on our lovely mooring, we have been busy with the garden as you will know from previous posts and photographs. The one thing I have wanted to add to the garden is a Bug Hotel.

Before Christmas we found an old pallet, which has been waiting to go into action. A couple of days ago that day arrived. We put it into four and made it stackable. I know it is a bit ragged, but that is how I wanted it. I then set about collecting together lots of bits and pieces to put into the layers. The only thing I paid for was a small bag of straw from the local pet store. The rest of what has been used was found. Even the dish on top of the Bug Hotel was found at the local recycling bins. It was sitting on top of a bin looking for a new home. It is now a bird watering hole or bath, which ever they prefer to use it for. I can see me adding to the hotel as I find more and more bits, but for now it is small and perfectly formed to what I wanted. I am even going to put a sign on it so the bugs know where to come .