End of May 2012

An interlude full of great events!
We arrived at PB Mechanicals, our destination for the Early Summer Cruise - on schedule.
My Log Book entry shows:
Early Summer Cruise: 14 days covering 7 canals and branches; 9 days travelling and 4 days painting ( 1 day chilling!). Covered 73 miles and 34 locks with 3 tunnels and 1 lift bridge and the amazing Barton Swing  Aqueduct.
50 engine hours, including some electricity generation gives overall 2.16 lock miles per hour.

Summary: This has been a great cruise, not least by the improving and brilliant weather once we pushed past Northwich and onto the Bridgewater. These were all fresh canals to us since our 1993 cruise this way on our first boat up here in nb Alcantara. This time, we took our time with stops at Dunham and New Springs, Wigan. The boat is running well and the various systems working OK. All in all excellent!

The boat outside PB Mechanicals

We have now transferred all we need (I hope?!) for our summer holiday from the boat to the car - 2 trips - and are now camping back at Overwater Marina on their small CL Campsite.
It's amazing what you can get into a motorvan!

On land - on Holiday!

Our first great event was to celebrate Chris' 59th Birthday, by getting over to the National Trust garden at Bodnant. It was in full early summer bloom and simply wonderful!



Enjoying the delightful gardens before the obligatory National Trust tea and coffee and walnut cake!
This weekend we settle in to enjoy the Jubilee Weekend which will include two band gigs for me and then up at the Audlem Festival to watch Blue Cafe, in which our friend Sally plays.

Monday is scheduled for a bbq if fine.
AND of course watching the River Thames Flotilla event -wow!
See Herbie's blog for info on this - Herbie in the Thames Flotilla