Fri 28th August
Hopwas
The Social Club at
Hopwas, scene of last night’s folk club.
An unusual wooden
cruiser moored at Hopwas
We had two motorbikes along the towpath, going very
fast. Hugo dashed out from the bushes at
the noise and missed the front wheel by inches.
Then he was chased by two spaniels, who were totally out of
control. The poor cat was having a bad day!
We went to the Tame Otter car park as planned to meet the
representative from Enterprise. James had great difficulty fitting into the
car, so it was just as well that we had requested a group B car.
At the office we were given a local street map, printed off
the internet. We had been unable to get online to get the Ordnance Survey map
of the area, so we drove around Tamworth to get orientated.
We visited Sainsbury’s in Ventura Park for a few essentials,
before parking in a multi-storey in the old part of town. A pub called The Vaults was having a cider
festival, so we tried one of their large selection, and had a basket meal. They
were all the rage in the 70’s.
Cider Festival
Wasp excluder
We visited Tamworth Castle, which we found fascinating. It
is the second largest motte and bailey in the country (after Windsor Castle)
and it has medieval buildings within the walls, and an approach on a causeway
wall
Tamworth Castle motte
and bailey
Tamworth Castle inner
area
Tamworth Castle
causeway
Causeway and castle
Finding the way back to Hopwas was a bit of a challenge, but
after one false start, going the wrong way on the A51, we turned round and
returned to the Tame Otter car park.
This appears to be a public car park adjacent to the Tame Otter.
Our hired car
Awesome Wonder had arrived. This is the third time we have seen him this year. We still don’t
know his name.
No boating today
Sat 29th August
Hopwas
No internet again this morning, so we couldn’t get the maps
we wanted for High Wycombe. Thankfully we have a small road atlas which helps
us plan our routes but it does not provide the detail.
We set the feeder for Hugo, and set off, sadly forgetting
James’s phone, therefore no photos today or tomorrow. We drove first to
Braunston, as we wanted to buy some paint.
Midland Chandlers had no black raddle paint. This was a surprise as they
had quite a range of paints.
We had lunch at the Boat House, watching boats go past,
before finding our way to Wharf House Narrowboats where we bought some Hempel
paint that is primer, undercoat and top coat all in one. It’ll do.
Down towards the M40 via the A5 to Daventry and the A361,
where we were stuck behind a tractor and hay cart. When they finally turned
off, we had a mile with no hold-up, and then we were behind a horsebox.
We managed to find our B&B after taking a wrong turn and
asking the way.
In the evening we went to Alan and Geraldine’s golden
wedding party in a local village hall.
Peter and Lin were there, as well as Margaret and Rex, plus a couple
called Andy and Jane Slater, who are folk music enthusiasts and live in
Oxenhope. We may call in to see them if we do the Leeds and Liverpool next
year.
Back to the B&B where we met the landlady, Fran.
The place was immaculately kept – very clean, with
everything you need. The only problem was that the bed was too soft, and James
had an uncomfortable night, being used to a harder mattress. He has slept on
railway platforms in India in the past.
No boating today
Sun 30th August
Boat and Hugo at Hopwas, James and Hazel in High
Wycombe.
Continental breakfast at our B&B, then we drove about
half a mile to our lunch party at Alan and Geraldine’s. Once again, a great
time. We chatted mostly to Andy and
Jane, the people we met last night.
We avoided motorways and chose a scenic drive back, visiting
Long Crendon Courthouse on the way.
This is a medieval building in a delightful small village.
Long Crendon
Courthouse
We had panned to take the A43 to the A5, but this was
horrendously busy – maybe a Silverstone event?
We crossed over and used the A361 again, finding ourselves once more
behind a horsebox!
On arrival back at Hopwas we made our way to the boat just
as it started to rain. Hugo was happy to see us.
No boating today
Mon 31st August
Hopwas
Very wet this morning
Highlight of the day: shopping at Ventura Park. The place was packed out. Finding a parking place was a
challenge. M&S plus “lunch” at KFC,
a new experience for us. Why don’t they
put the menu where you can read it before you get to the order point?
A pair of shoes for James, then stocking up at Sainsbury’s
before driving back to the boat.
Thankfully it had just stopped raining when we needed to walk from the
Tame Otter car park to the boat. It
started again later.
Another motorbike went very fast along the towpath!
No boating today.
I would like to thanks for your great information and keep sharing.
ReplyDeletewedding car rental jaipur