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| The Crown in our village, next to the canal. Probably our closest pub but not our regular, that's the Weighbridge at the next bridge along on the canal. This was our meeting place for our walk with Brian the other Tuesday, up over the fields to Barnt Green |
Planning for Canada ramped up considerably, as it is now only two days till we go. We fly to Vancouver, spend a few days there before going to Vancouver Island for a fortnight. Three stops, a housesit in Victoria for two cats for three days, Campbell River and Ucluelet. Up to the Yukon where we have hired a truck camper for a fortnight, so are venturing into the wilds, followed by a fortnight in the Rockies, starting and being based in Calgary with Richelle who we met in Sri Lanka a couple of years ago. The Yukon is very remote, with no cellphone coverage for lots of it, so although it's not that long that we've all been dependent on being 'connected' we have bought a device that will connect to satellites to prompt a rescue should we need it. Now we've got it, hopefully we won't use it.
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| Brian and Jackie in the middle of a Rapeseed field (they were on a path) |
We have also booked a cruise for next year, with Denise and Paul, taking advantage of the 15% discount Fred Olsen offered us for the missed ports on the Northern Lights trip. We haven't been this forward planning since we started travelling!
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| A pause to look at Birmingham City Centre in the far distance |
Tuesday walks (though two of three have been on a Wednesday) have continued. We did a local one with just Brian ending up at the Coach and Horses while John was at work. Last week the four of us, and Keith, went to Bletchley Park which was really interesting. We had been before, but a long time ago so could remember very little. A full day there before returning on the train to New Street where we set off in search of a pub. This wasn't difficult. As we were later in the day, when we hit Alvechurch the Weighbridge was open so it would have been rude to go home without popping in which really wasn't good for the head the following day, but rounded off our day nicely. This week a very gentle day out, to the Coffin Works in Birmingham. Another factory that was locked up and walked away from leaving everything exactly as it was. It made or provided everything except the actual coffin, the handles, the shroud, the embalming fluid, and all the coffin decorations. We obviously asked a lot of questions as the poor guide only had about 10 minutes between us and the next tour, hopefully he managed to get a quick sandwich! We headed up to the Craven Arms, just round the back of the Mailbox, where I used to work, one of the Black Country Pubs chain that we know and love.
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| Alpacas lazing on a warm afternoon |
We've spent a couple of days at Abi's where Brian fitted the bath, toilet and basin unit. Tariq had done most of the plumbing, and will go back to finish off, but it means he doesn't need to mess about with woodwork which is not his favourite. She will finally have a fully functional bathroom for the first time in months. Hurrah.
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| Our reward at the Coach and Horses in Weatheroak |
We've had a fab night out with Helen and Ian, beer, curry, laughs, the usual. A Monday Club curry and another one with Fiona and James. You just never know how easily accessible Indian restaurants are when travelling. In the US the equivalent is Mexican, in Germany it's kebabs and by the sound of it it's Chinese in Canada.
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| Out with Ian and Helen on one of several stops |
The Monday Club curry threw all my planning out. I knew what was in the freezer and how many meals we needed before I emptied, defrosted and unplugged it! What a trauma, talk about first world problems!
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| I had to put this photo of the Amaryllis in bloom. Its been in this house for probably 20 years, cared for by Jackie's mum, now Jackie. It's really fabulous |
Dentist, physio and opticians for body maintenance. Sadly my new glasses were no good so they are being redone. She thought they might arrive today, but I haven't heard yet, and I'm not sure I'd want to immediately take them away anyway if they are no good. The physio was for a strange referred pain in my knee caused by my hip. She did really well, and gave me exercises so hopefully I'll be ok. It's only uncomfortable and doesn't stop me walking. I've opened the two birthday cards forward planning Fiona, and Elizabeth sent me, thank you.
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| Next doors cat at the top of our stairs as our back door was open. She just trots in treating it as her home, which is lovely |
The garden is looking lovely but I am really disappointed that the peonies are about to flower, and we are going to miss it. We are finally packed, bus to Heathrow tomorrow and flight on Monday, which appears to be going ahead as scheduled.
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| Outside the manor house at Bletchley Park with Keith, John, Brian and us. Bletchley Park was the WWII secret spy headquarters where Alan Turing built a machine to break the Nazi Enigma code, shortening the war by at least a couple of years. The D-Day landings, for example, only took place because of the intelligence gained from here |
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| Brian dancing with Jackie in the old ballroom of the manor house. It was full of machines and people during the war |
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| A recreated operations room in the manor house |
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| We'd caught the train back to Birmingham and we're heading to a pub - no wonder everyone has such a smile on their face! |
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| Building a cupboard to fit next to the bath (it's a special one under the window with a door in the front) |
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| Cupboard fitted by bath, toilet and cabinets fitted, it just need the wash basin connected which we've left for Tariq to complete. At last, a bathroom she can use! |
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| Another Tuesday walk (except its a Wednesday!) with Brian and John, but first, breakfast at Great Central Kitchen |
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| At the fountain in Victoria Square, in front of the beautiful Council House building in Birmingham City Centre |
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| The Iron: Man sculpture outside the Town Hall |
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| Arriving at the Coffin Works museum, Birmingham, the old Newman Brothers works that was closed and left as it was complete with stock, machines, furniture and files. |
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| The old workshop. High up right is an old lineshaft that was driven by a gas turbine engine that powered all the presses. The operator pulled a rope from a pit on the right which raised the ram to punch the component. Very noisy and very dangerous! |
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| Upstairs in the packing department |
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| No-one is very sensible on our days out! |
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| Walking back through Birmingham City Centre. That's the Town Hall right of centre, the Chamberlain memorial spire on the right and the museum and art gallery on the left |
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| Our after walk refreshments, a few beers and cheese cobs in the Craven Arms. Another excellent day out! |
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| And finally a nice photo of our back garden through the arch showing Geraldine the giraffe on the right and Babar the elephant on the left. Designed by Jackie and brought to life by us both |
