Family time

We have had some lovely times with the children . This weekend we went to Bradgate country park.  It's amazing how many deer there are roaming around , not bothered by the visitors.

This deer certainly posed for the photograph.  The park is very large and during our 3 hrs there we oly covered a very small part of it.

There is also the ruin of a very old house.  Bradgate house.

On the top of the hill there is a folly called OLD JOHN.  This was a tribute to a local worker.

The climb to the top of the hill is worthwhile as the views are amazing.

 

     The view from the top of the hill

Back at the marina and going out and about locally

We are based in an ideal location for visiting local cities. It's takes about 20 minutes to drive to Coventry and also Leicester.  Birmingham is around 40 minutes.   The nearest  town being Hinckley just 5 minutes.  There is a local market a couple of times a week.  The high street has a variety of shops.  Nuneaton is about. 10 minutes drive and has large stores as well as the general high street ones. There is a small indoor shopping centre  and a very lively market. 

Leicester has some interesting  buildings , Coventry too.  We like wandering around the back streets where there are some little boutique type shops selling way out fashion items and collectables. 

Many of the old banks have been turned into wine bars and pubs.

Train trip to Blackpool

As we have never been to Blackpool before we felt it was somewhere we needed to see for ourselves. When we told people that we were going, most said whatever for !   And you won't like it !

Well we did go and we did like it !   I am not saying that its a place I feel the need to return to ,  but I am glad that I am say I have been there.

It was not what we expected.  It was very clean and the seafront has recently undergone some serious  modernisation.  Lots of seating areas.  No donkeys !   Not one.   Well i guess there was very little beach either !

The lights were nice but not so many as we had imagined  there would be.  Only a couple of decorated trams.  However we really enjoyed some refreshing walks along the seafront.

We travelled to Blackpool by train , changing 3 times. It was the cheapest way to do this journey.  Just a sort walk from the train station there is a fairly new Travelodge.  It was very good value at £32 a night.  The rooms were spacious and the beds new and very comfy.  I was so impressed i gave them the highest rating on Trip Advisor.   Everything seems perfect until checkout.  We asked if we could leave our suitcases at the hotel until later that day.  Our train did not leave until 7pm.  The answer was a very clear NO.  We explained that we did to wish to drag our suitcases around Blackpool for hours.  Unfortunately there was no persuading them at all.  Their only suggestion was that we leave our bags in a locker at the Pleasure Beach complex.  This is the fairground with the Big Dipper etc.  Ok so that's what we would do,  the catch being you have to pay an entry fee for the pleasure beach to be able to use the lockers !  A overall cost of £24 !!!!   No left luggage at the train stations these days. Or bus stations.  Thanks to the terrorists that have made life difficult for everyone.   

Ellen and Mike to the rescue.  Ellen is Les' cousin and she noticed our comment on Facebook that we were in Blackpool and sent a message asking if we could meet up.  They live about a hour north of Blackpool.   It was really nice seeing them and catching up,  we have not seen them for quite a few years.  They kindly stored our luggage in the boot of their car.   We had a lovely day with them and a very long walk.  Stopping off for a fish and chip lunch on the seafront.   The downside of Blackpool is that there is very little choice of restaurants. 

Overall a very nice couple of days experiencing somewhere new.   Another one ticked off the list !

The wedding of very good friends

How lucky we all were the sun was at its best on this day.  We had rain the day before and rain the day after.   The wedding was of very good friends of ours who have taken rather a long time to tie the knot !  Having been a couple for 38 years!

Pauline looked fabulous , just like a film star.  The whole day was wonderful. We all had a great time.  An occasion to remember for ever.  

We met some really nice people , and were glad that we were in the UK and able to attend.

Torquay

The journey to Torquay was long, wet and foggy.   We noticed an incredible increase in temperature though on arrival.  The Iran cleared and the fog too.  The view from our room at the premier as lovely. Not directly overlooking the beach but across the gardens and the sea beyond.

 

We love Torquay,  it is a typical family holiday resort with many attractions.   The addition of the Torquay Eye now like so many tourist places. 

Our reason for coming to Torquay was to visit cousins. It was good to see my Goddaughter Terri and her family, she is the daughter of one of my first cousins.  She made us very welcome and it was good to spend some time with them.

The next day we spent with her mum and dad,  until recently they had a hotel in Torquay but now live in a lovely garden flat close to the seafront. 

We had a good time visiting nearby Brixham. It's a beautiful unspoilt fishing village with a busy harbour.

I remember it was a favourite place of my grandfather and he would tell us stories of his times there. He also used to drive a bus just like this one.

Time to catch up with family and friends and leave Blue Moon at the Marina.

What a fantastic time we have had.  We have managed to see so many new places.  Villages that we had never heard of before.  We have also met some really interesting people.  Buying Blue Moon has been one of the best things we have done.  Our only regret is that we were not able to do so sooner. 

Since arriving back at the marina we have visited family and friends in various parts of the country.  including a journey to Wales to see Les' mum who is 92 now.

Lewistown, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, South Wales. 

On our return we stopped at Ross on Wye, then Ironbridge and Bridgnorth.  3 lovely places all very interesting.  

We will definitely return here again one day, such a nice place.

The Watermill at Kidderminster opposite the Premier Inn where we stayed.

Unfortunately it was raining at Bridgnorth, so photos are so clear.

Is that more rain clouds heading this way !

Returning to the marina

After staying overnight at Braunstone we had just a few hours before we reached Rugby.  I like mooring at Rugby it gives me a chance to visit the shopping outlet nearby.  I particularly like the Range superstore that sells many craft items. Also TK Max.   The town of Rugby is a good walk away but has some interesting little shops and cafes.  

We stayed 2 nights in Rugby, our Grand daughter Bella joined us after school on Friday, for 2 nights. She enjoyed all aspects of canal life.  The ducks also got fed well as they did when Lexie was with us. 

Bella also had a lesson in steering ,  she did really well and was really pleased with herself.  It was a great opportunity for her. 

We picked lots of blackberries and made 2 delicious crumbles. Bella also enjoyed dong the washing !  What a useful cabin girl she was to have with us. 

We had just one lock to do so Bella will need to come along again on a different route so she can do lots more. 

When the water is the right level then all you need is some strength to push or pull the lock gate open. 

Charlie joined us for a short ride back to our mooring, he was not to miss out on a little time on 

Blue moon.  

We have seen many animals on our travels and lots of interesting buildings.  Met some wonderful people and have just thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our time afloat.  Even the rain and the cold has not deterred us.  We have run out of time now to travel anywhere far.  Maybe just a short trip up the Ashby before we go home.