Out & About

We spent this afternoon just wandering around the area, taking in all the changes that have occurred since we were last here a couple of years ago.

Just beside the canal approach to the basin there is a small holding. It used to be quite small and tatty but has been much improved and extended. It's such a shame that they've had to put these signs up but they've obviously had trouble and injured animals. I still believe that all dogs should be kept on a lead in public places, especially when damage like this happens. There are just too many irresponsible dog owners out there and we've seen a few examples today. There was the woman who was wandering round the basin texting while her dog fouled on the grass. Needless to say she was totally oblivious and didn't pick up after it. I was in the boat at the time or I'd have pointed it out to her. Then there was the man walking his dog off the lead who made no attempt to control it when I'd picked Chico up and his dog was jumping up trying to get at him.

The animal housing and fencing are all fairly new. This pair of goats seemed quite happy.

This pair of Peahens were totally unimpressed with their mate.

Even when he was displaying and strutting his stuff they were being coy.

We heard recently that one of our favourite pubs, the Dog & Partridge in Bridgemont, had closed so we walked down to see what was happening to it. It's another "profit & loss" story. Profit for the pub chain but not enough for landlady Kate, with the result that after 16 years bankruptcy forced  her to close with a big loss for the village community.

The two small cottages which were next door are being renovated while the pub itself is being converted into 2 houses.

We walked into Whaley Bridge and then came back along the towpath, first passing the trip boat Judith Mary on her moorings at the old Transhipment Sheds.

The permanent moorings which are from Whaley Bridge to the canal junction were over half empty. It still seems daft to me that they are all "permit holder only" moorings, even though there are huge empty spaces . Why did BW not install some short stay shopping moorings when Tesco arrived canalside? It might have encouraged more boaters to come to Whaley Bridge if they could be assured of a decent place to stop and shop.

The total walk was just under 3 miles and was extremely pleasant, even though the wind was a bit nippy at times.