Monday 28 September 2020

Final catch up with family and a rush up to Scotland


Cheers! Us with Jackies mum, Pauline
We had a lovely Sunday dinner cooked by James at his and Fiona’s. We did think portion control had improved at theirs, but no! It was however a delicious piece of beef, the Yorkshire puddings were very impressive and the seven veg (unless I’ve forgotten any) a real treat.


We didn’t rush off on Monday morning, we’d booked a space in a pub carpark in Lymm in Cheshire (campsite location: 53°22'44.4"N 2°29'15.8"W). A good journey allowed for a walk to the dam and round the lake before an early pint. The pub WiFi was good enough we could even join Monday Club for a chat, to save Tim from the wing and windsurfing conversation that Mark and Bill gravitate towards.

Our spot for the night in the Crown pub car park in Lymm 


With a very pleasant walk round Lymm dam

With impending announcements from Boris for England and Nicola for Scotland we decided to only have one further stop on our way back to Nicky and Tony. A lovely little site, for three mobilehomes near Lanark (campsite location: 55°42'00.6"N 3°48'58.1"W). We’d rung to book, and were pleasantly surprised to find he had space. He’d then gone out and mown the walking path round the fields and through the woods.



Second night in our rush north at Lee Garden Farm. Motorhome parking with three spaces with all services (including wifi)...

...And a great walk through the woods

A lazy start got us to N&T’s by about 3.00pm, Nicky was at work, and so was Tony, but lecturing to students online. All part of the ‘new normal’. He soon finished and we had a walk around of what had happened since we’d been away. I think we managed two and a half hours before changing into working clothes to do some work on the drive. Manu and Crystal had helped to finish the lockblock and Tony had worked hard to put new stone chippings down where we park Ted. This left the rest of the drive, some sub base, then weed suppressing membrane before tons of chippings. Many trips to the quarry to get about three tons a go on the trailer and we’ve nearly finished. Will one more load do it?


Driving on the M90 motorway over the new Queensferry crossing bridge over the Firth of Forth WNW of Edinburgh. This bridge was opened to traffic in August 2017, cost £1.35 billion to build and runs alongside the Forth Road Bridge, carrying the A9000 and the Forth Railway Bridge. You can just see one of the suspension towers of the road bridge on the left and, on the right, a bit of the ironwork of the iconic railway bridge built in 1890 and now a UNESCO world heritage site. Location: 56°00'00.2"N 3°24'55.9"W

We’ve also moved on to the path from the front door, so lockblock has been Tony’s mission between lecturing and preparing for his students, some of whom only became his students, in a subject that isn’t his, about two days before the beginning of term!


Double rainbow at Tony and Nickys 

We spent the first four days sleeping in Ted as Nicky had Airbnb guests in. Ghengis joined us the first night, but as it was the coldest September night in 23 years he didn’t fancy the next one, even though it was much warmer! Last night however he’d made himself at home in the bedroom, curled up very neatly on my pillow, not shifting till after I’d gone to bed, read my book and turned the light off! Cookie cat was delighted we were back in, apparently she is another cat we’ve ruined! She has always been referred to by Nicky (who’s cat she is) as ‘the spoilt brat child’, she hates all the others, they might look at her, or heaven forbid touch her! This has always resulted in caterwauling. Since we left however she has been shouting at the closed door and the unsuspecting guests behind it....!


She waited for Genghis to leave and staked her claim on the bed!


Genghis stakes his claim on the bed and kicks teddy out

The other animals we wanted to check on were our hatchlings. We had been given the bad news by Manu and Crystal, so at least we were expecting it, but....of the 10 chicks successfully reared and put out in the big outdoors, it turns out 7 of them were male, what are the chances? So we came back to only 4 of our babies, Number 10, two black and white with a slight copper tinge around the neck and the handsome cockerel that was the perfect yellow chick has been kept, as long as he behaves and doesn’t become aggressive. At the moment this is looking fine as he is a big wuss, running away from the teenagers and not exerting any authority at all!


All in all it’s wonderful to be back, and just like we haven’t been away.


Like we've never been away. Jackie helping Tony lay the lockblock path 

She's not sleeping on the job, she's stopping the wind blowing away the terram (weed suppressing membrane) before we covered it with the stone chippings on the front drive


Saturday 19 September 2020

Days out in the West Midlands

Our own compartment on the Severn Valley Railway

The last blog was written on Wednesday morning, but he didn’t get all the photos in till Friday, so it’s all a little confused.


Wednesday afternoon we walked to Bournville station to get the train to Erdington, good value group saver for £10.60! The walk started off through various parks, and was interesting under Spaghetti junction and through the industry still on the outskirts of Birmingham. Ian’s estimate of 2hours for a 7mile walk however was a little optimistic, so bits of it did feel a little like a route march. Not to worry though, we arrived in the centre of Birmingham in plenty of time for a pint and a look round the changes in the roads and building in the centre.

This is the railway station for the heritage steam train from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth. Although it looks authentic it was only built in 1984. Originally the line was a British Railways branch and used the main station across the car park, but had to be separated once it became private and this was built to look like an old station - and very good it looks too!

All aboard!

Another pint, this time with Manu and Crystal before, as ever, a delicious Chinese meal. Having a range of food selected to be shared by us all, by Crystal really is a treat. A final pint before getting the train home made the walk back from the station fly by.


Thursday was our day on the Severn Valley Railway. A compartment to ourselves on a train of four carriages pulled by a steam engine. We went for the full engine experience, train from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, half an hour to watch water and coal get loaded on before getting the train back a short way to Highley to the ‘Engine Shed’ train Museum where we had lunch, looked at the exhibits and had a private tour of the Royal Carriage of King George VI, built and travelled in during the war. Back to Bridgnorth to collect those who just went sightseeing before returning to Kidderminster.

So we sent a photo of the station to our friend Tim (a keen train spotter), without any comment at all. Within 5 minutes he sent  a message back saying 'enjoy your trip pulled by engine number 75069'. At the next station we went to have a look at the engine and, sure enough, it was 75069 - how did he know?


What do you think?

Friday, a day at the Black Country Living Museum. Another full day that we can all recommend. We didn’t see it all, but we talked to lots of people, in character and doing demonstrations. Our tickets are valid for a year so we’ll have to see if we can go again, it would be a whole different experience with different people talking about different things.


Saturday was the end of Monty’s holiday, so while Brian and Ian opened a path to a heavily laden apple tree in the park, he was brought home. He looked pleased to be back, but looked pleased when he went to the kennels too! An afternoon walk took us to the Covered Wagon, pub from the outside, but Indian restaurant on the inside. Sadly nobody was hungry but the food looked great. So much so, I messaged Abi to see if she was happy to go the following afternoon when we were seeing her, she was, though she thought it an odd request as when she was last there, 35ish years ago, having a farewell drink with her teachers from school it was nothing special! How it has changed, the sharing starter platter was stunning.

Here's a photo that encompasses two of our days out, West Midlands Safari Park and the Severn Valley Railway. The train passes next to the WM Safari Park and here, the black outline is the carriage window and, in the distance is a Rhino in the Safari Park


Shunting engines at Bridgnorth

Monday B cemented back the large sandstone window sills, that apparently had ‘just fallen off’ while I prepped and sanded the porch. I started painting it but then went with Abi to collect Sooty from the vets while Brian finished off. Back to mum before lockdown hit Birmingham, earlier than expected. Told her we’d done the porch only to be told “mine needs doing too!” Like a good egg, B did that on Wednesday while mum and I went out and spent money. She now has the same phone as I do so will hopefully not have to delete every WhatsApp conversation at the end of every day!


General ‘life maintenance’, eye tests, dental hygienists and catching up with Sarah, and Alex before collecting Ted to sort and load. Tomorrow a late lunch with Fiona and James to leave them our car as theirs has died before heading north on Monday, running ahead of lockdown again we feel....

Now this photo is taken aboard the King George VI carriage, now at the Engine House museum, and this is the sitting room on the bullet proof train where war cabinet meetings were held. The furniture is original and it oozes with history. Can you just imagine Churchill sitting there with the King discussing secret plans such as the D Day landings. I love this kind of thing

This is the oldest engine at the museum, built in 1898, called the Lady Armaghdale. It might look familiar - in its retirement it served for 20 years as Thomas the Tank Engine

At the coal mine at the Black Country Museum

All of these buildings are originals, taken apart brick by brick and rebuilt here at the museum 

All furnished with original items. Look at this old radio shop

Amazing to think that none of this was here. Even the bridge over the canal was brought here from Wolverhampton. It was due to be demolished so was salvaged by the museum

And they've even got people working here. Here's someone chain making

Walking in Moseley Bog with Monty dog. Did you know J.R.R. Tolkein lived nearby as a child as used this area as inspiration for ancient forests in his books Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit

We did manage the odd beer or two as well. This was at the Covered Wagon, now serving excellent Indian food

So next day we went back again with Abigail to try some. We were not disappointed!

Here we are at Abigails having refitted the stone window sills you can see behind and painted her porch

She didn't mention about the little treasure hunt we set for her friend Sarah, who's recently been quite ill and is recuperating by walking along the canal in Alvechurch. Jackie made 5 little and 1 big penguins (her favourite animal) out of flat stones and we hid them along her canal walk, just before she set off with husband John. The first one was placed outside her house with a note saying 'I couldn't keep up with my 4 siblings and mummy, please help me to find them'. Here's the first one in a damaged brick on a canal bridge 

Number two on a bear statue

Number three in the fork of a tree

Number four we placed on the side of someones narrowboat. The owner was working on his laptop and seemed quite amused when we asked him if it was OK

The last one was 'mummy' placed in a pipe outlet on the bridge that takes the M42 motorway over the canal. They found them all and it really made Sarah smile and cheered her up 

Lunch at the local pub, The Peacock, with Jackies mum on a glorious day

Whenever we stay with Jackies mum she hates it if we get our phones out and start looking at them accusing us of being like teenagers (if only!). Well, here I managed to get a photo of the two of them looking at theirs. Ha!


Wednesday 9 September 2020

Rhinos, tigers, beer and beach!

Jackie having her hand sucked at WM Safari Park

We cleaned and tidied and said a fond and sad farewell to Nellie and Mr. Pickles. Back to mum for a couple of nights and then to Abi for lunch on Friday. Lovely to see her and Sooty. Then on to Helen and Ian for our staycation! We started with a pub walk with Monty dog before a curry takeaway on Friday (well we had had a big lunch already). Saturday was meant to be a big walk, but with not wanting to stress Brian’s knee too much at the beginning of the week, it shrunk to just a couple of hours. Monty was happy though, and it wasn’t the only one for the day, a table had been booked for an hour at the Birmingham Brew Company. How weird having to book a slot to go for a pint?


These giraffes certainly know where the food is

We were allowed to feed all sorts. Glad he didn't put his head through the window!

Sunday, out with the dog again, before a quick lunch followed by meeting up in Cannon Hill Park for conservation. 17 of us litter picked, pruned sycamore trees from by the path and hacked back brambles. A solid two hours work showed much improvement justifying the roast lamb dinner.


Rhinos - lots of them - and all with horns. After our trip to South Africa earlier in the year and the poaching of Rhino horns there, it was a pleasure to see them and the park rangers pretty relaxed and not paranoid about possible poaching

Look at this handsome chap enjoying his ribs!

Monday was the start of the staycation proper, Monty was dropped off at his dog hotel and we continued on to the West Midlands Safari Park. We all enjoyed it, though there were tears from Helen early on as she was almost mugged by a camel. We weren’t meant to feed them but try telling them that! Fortunately they were tears of laughter. Ian looked slightly nervous as a rhino approached the rear of the car, didn’t seem to be any damage, but there was grass and rhino slobber on the back of the car. A claim to fame that not everyone can share! The giraffes we were allowed to feed, and we did, they were lovely, much less slobbery than some of the other things. It rained briefly as we were sitting waiting for the sea lion show to start, but that wasn’t for long. We almost missed going into the parakeet house which Ian would probably have been quite pleased about and Brian would have been devastated about. Ian doesn’t like birds, but with the little pot of nectar in his hand they liked him! As ever with this sort of thing a picture will speak 1000 words, just hope they are not all put on, they were on a slide show while we were eating home made pizza for tea, they only went through twice in the whole duration of dinner!


Baby elephant wouldn't leave mummy elephant alone, even though she was getting a bit fed up with it

This rhino was OK until he got too close....

Tuesday was forecast to be the best weather day, so that was the beach day. Off to Colwyn Bay and then on to Llandudno. We all went out wearing shorts, paddled, lay on the beach, picnic’d walked along the pier and around the Alice in Wonderland thing in the park. Ate ice cream, drank beer and generally had a good seaside day, stopping for dinner on the way home, it was a full day out.


Today is a little housekeeping, shopping, blogging making bread rolls for a bbq tomorrow, the boys have been into the park to stake a tree that was unearthed while hacking back in a meadow on Sunday. A quick lunch will be followed by a walk to the train station, train to Erdington and walk back under Spaghetti Junction, through Birmingham to see what has changed before meeting up with Manu and Crystal in China Town for yummy Chinese tea.

Taking a close interest in Ian's car - a bit too close for comfort!

And then he/she headed towards our open window. Time to close it! I'm sure it said somewhere that we could feed them, but somehow it didn't seem appropriate! Perhaps we imagined it - in any case we weren't going to try

Rhino smeg on the car - not many people can claim that
Quite a cute photo of a giraffe leaning down and about to stick his head through the open window


Hippos! We like hippos (from a distance). This one seemed quite disappointed as he'd got out of the water to go indoors and found it locked, he had to go back into the water. Watch out little duck!

These red bellied lemurs came bowling down the path when we arrived and immediately jumped on us. How cute we thought - no, for two reasons, 1 is that they had very dirty paws, the other was that they smelled horrible - really horrible!

The Lorikeets liked Brian and particularly Ian (who doesn't like birds!) 

A day at the seaside. Guess where we are!

Beach...

...Ice cream...

A walk on the pier at Llandudno (the hill behind is the Little Orme and Colwyn Bay to the right)

A little walk on the Great Orme to the Victorian Garden (that's Llandudno pier behind)

A little story time from Helen in the bookworm corner

Sitting at the Mad Hatters Tea Party table

On the Alice in Wonderland Trail. Now that's a proper day at the seaside!