Saturday 12 April 2014

We set a personal record and find a speed camera. Plus nature note.

We spent last night at Salt, cannot pass the place without stopping for a meal in The Hollybush Inn where the food is always top notch. Dinnner yesterday was no exception, absolutely splendid. Pheasant, black pudding and apple pie, irresistible. Jill had the venison casserole, superb she said.
Bright and early this morning we were on our way again.


Through Great Haywood and the junction with the Staff. & Worcs. Canal, this means we have completed the four counties ring in three and a half months, a new record for us.


We were soon passing Shugborough Hall with the follies in the grounds.

Way to go!! Narrowboat and Moto Guzzi!

You always know when you are approaching Rugeley, the power station dominates the scenery for miles.


One of the residents has a sense of humour and a reminder to some of the need to slow down when passing moored boats. The boat traffic today has been manic and the speed of some as they pass moorings shows no consideration, please note that none of the offenders we saw today were hire boats.


Passing the Armitage-Shanks factory, lots of their most well known product on pallets in the yard. I know everyone puts this on their blog, so why should we be different?
Nature note:-
Yesterday we were sure we saw a swallow, today we definitely saw two flocks of them. Have you ever tried taking a photograph of a flying swallow? Don't bother.
Finally, a question.

Does anyone know what these flowers are? We passed a garden glowing with spring flowers but did not recognise these.
Moored tonight near Kings Bromley, we will be trying to negotiate Fradley Junction tomorrow, with the number of boats about that could prove interesting.

Watch this space.........

To Mike C. at Rugeley, will make a point of stopping next time we come through. Never pass up the chance to swing the lamp with naval types.

4 comments:

Nb Yarwood said...

Graham
I think the plants you spotted are fritillaries
Lesley

Caroline and Martin said...

definitely fritillaries,it's Fritillaria imperialis or commonly known as the Crown Imperial, Imperial Fritillary or the Kaiser’s Crown, Caroline

Richard said...

Moored just in front of you at Salt last night had hoped to say hello this morning but you were pup very bright and early!!

Richard
NB Pendle Warter

Graham and Jill Findlay said...

How embarrassing, my last ever place of employment was a garden centre.
We are inclined to kick off early and stop while everyone else is on the move, it means we get the pick of the moorings!