Sunday & Monday all goes to plan. Visited by friends Philip & David just after we joined Eos and went for a short cruise to show off boat to Crown Meadow Arm, about a mile & back. After Philip & David left another friend Sue joined us.
Sue will be with us for a couple of days and provide help going down Tardebigge locks. Sunday evening made the obilatory visit to the Weighbridge for tea and a couple of pints.
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| Bright blue sky, going down Tardebigge |
Monday morning woke to a cloudless blue sky with a promise of hot weather during the day. As there was no rush we had breakfast before we left and proceeded to Tardibigge locks. All went to plan, accept for the sun which must be the sunniest day of the year so far and totally unexpected for March. On the way down Tardibigge there was a couple new to narrow boating in front of us, we gave them a hand and they offered to let us go in front. We declined saying that there was no rush and continued to offer them assistance, as and when they needed it, down the flight.
Arrived at Stoke Pound (bottom of Tardibigge locks) about 4pm, planning to have tea at the Queens. Unfortunately the Queens is closed on Monday evenings in the winter(?). It was agreed to cruise on to the Navigation at Stoke Wharf. When we got there the hire boats from Black Prince boat yard were moored 3 or 4 abreast and we didn’t think it reasonable to moor opposite them and restrict the width of the canal, so agreed to carry on to the Boat & Railway at Shaw Lane bridge.
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| Sue & Josie W&B Canal |
We arrived at about 6pm moored up and made our way to the pub. Whilst drinking our first pint and looking at the menu the landlord informed us that on Mondays meals from the Grills section were half price. That simplified things; we ordered a rump steak, a gammon steak and a mixed grill all for less than £15. The Queen's loss was certainly our gain.
Whilst finishing our meal the waitress approached and said a round of drinks had been ordered for us, ‘by a gentleman sat outside’. To our pleasant surprise this was the couple we had provided help to earlier in the day, we tried (not to strenously it must be said) to decline the generous offer, but he insisted. Just proves how friendly people on the canals are.
Whilst finishing our meal the waitress approached and said a round of drinks had been ordered for us, ‘by a gentleman sat outside’. To our pleasant surprise this was the couple we had provided help to earlier in the day, we tried (not to strenously it must be said) to decline the generous offer, but he insisted. Just proves how friendly people on the canals are.