ROGER'S WEB SITE | NARROWBOAT BLOG | SUMMER 2021

August 8th.

After 6 aborted attempts to leave the US, beginning May 21st, we finally scored a flight via Dallas on June 27th. The previous flights, direct from Phoenix to London, were cancelled one after another. We tested for Covid before leaving (free in the US) and then quarantined for ten days on arrival and took two further tests each (360 GBP for four) before release. Had we known the full saga in advance we would have abandoned the whole trip, it caused so much stress and anxiety. We just took in each disappointment and proceeded on to the next step.

The flights over took sixteen hours, as opposed to a direct flight time of 9.5. We took an American domestic flight to Dallas (2 hrs) then a 2 hour layover before boarding a BA 777 for London. The aircraft had the old reviled Club class layout of one seat facing forward, one aft. With six across a 777, it seemed very claustrophobic compared with the old 747's which used to ply the Phoenix route. They are now sadly retired. One lady across the aisle from me asked to be moved. I hope it wasn't personal, just that we were only 3 feet apart, an offense in the age of Covid 19.

Honeysuckle Lodge CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE

Upon arrival, our luck seemed to change. We stayed in the Premier Inn, Bath Road near Heathrow, on the first night by invoking the 'long journey stopover rule'. At the hotel we were received with the usual friendly greeting, no questions asked about vaccination status (we both are) or anything else. The hotel was quite empty. There were distancing and one-way rules in place but the restaurant was open as usual. Breakfast, usually a buffet, was served to order at the table. We began to decompress. I had the usual argument about buying extra insurance while hiring a car at Europcar and collected a dent (later fixed) in a motorway services area while reversing to a parking slot. Other than that, the trip up to Willington was uneventful and we settled into our quarantine abode - Honeysuckle Lodge at Mercia Marina. We are still there - but went boating for two weeks and are going to Kent on August 12th for 8 days. More details will follow, plus as many photos as I can. I forgot to install the photo editor on my new laptop, so most photos may have to wait until we get home. Quarantine was actually very relaxing. Friends and delivery services brought us food. A government Covid inspector came to check on Barbara (but not me) and we watched a lot of TV. The whole marina was our backyard, so we could walk around outside but not inside anywhere except the lodge.

Lodge Interior Lodge View

Dec 18th, at home.

On July 17th we made a surprise visit to my niece Alison's birthday bash in Walmer, Kent.	On July 21st we set off along the Trent & Mersey canal. Seen here approaching bridge 25 just outside Willington.	Crossing the River Dane on an aqueduct over the river. The weather was cloudy but pleasant with little rain. It continued like that for the rest of the trip.	First overnight mooring at Burton-upon-Trent at Shobnall Fields, a shady park north of the town center. CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE
We entered the National Forest and passed through Branston Lock. Sinai Park is in the Needwood Forest in the background.	Narrowboat Towcester. A fine example of a   GUCC 1937 Town Class 70' working boat.	Barb working Wychnor Lock, where the canal enters a short section of the River Trent.	Barb steering Basil through the Alrewas river section.
About to navigate the notoriously narrow foot- bridge over the Alrewas river section.	Alrewas lock entrance at the end of the section. CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE	Alrewas is a fine village with three pubs, nice walks, shops and some pretty cottages. We stopped overnight here on the way out and back.	On the way back Robert and severely disabled Ken met us for drinks in the William IV pub. Miraculously, Ken recovered after a Coke. Afterwards, Barb and I ate good old pub grub.
There are pretty walks along the Trent and the canal in either direction.	Next stop, Fradley Junction, bustling with boats and gongoozlers (spectators).	Horses at Fradley. There is also a small water park, two cafes and good boater facilities here but the village is a mile or so distant.	Entering Shadehouse Lock. Most of the Fradley locks have these quaint bridges at the lock tail. CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE
Tug No.2, built in 1935 as Algol by Harland & Wolff for the GUCC (Grand Union Canal Carrying Company).	It was shortened in 1947 for new owners, Stewarts and Lloyds, and renamed Tug No. 2. It is now in private ownership.	Beautifully preserved National DM2 Engine.	Artist at work on a craft boat at Fradley. We bought a small Buckby can (water can) replica from her.
Woodend Lock CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE Willow Tree 'Tunnel' The decaying town of Rugeley follows the rural delights of the Woodend area - no photos! Scene near Cannock Chase, the bow-hunting grounds of Norman Kings. Now a nature preserve it still echos with the modern sound of rifle fire.	Ravenshaw Wood This is one of the prettiest and most isolated reaches of the canal. It was slated for an HS2 (high speed rail) overpass but has been saved from that dreadful fate thanks to the IWA (Inland Waterways Association) and others. There's something strange about Rugeley people! Moored two berths from Basil is Baltic, a modern replica of an old-style tug. It was built at Steve Hudson's yard by the present owner.	Fisherman After Rugeley, the canal enters a scenic open area, hovering above the Trent Valley. We continued on as far as Great Haywood, a sleepy village built for the workers at the nearby Shugborough Hall (see 2010 Journal). There we turned around at the junction and meandered back to Mercia Marina, arriving August 3rd. Last visit to our favourite Indian restaurant. CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE	Dusk falls in Ravenshaw Wood.

All in all, it was a great trip. We were forced into taking it easy because of our various infirmities and occasional rain. So we meandered from place to place with no particular destination in mind and moored up wherever we fancied for as long as we liked.

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We had a week on the marina, fixing up Basil for the winter and hanging out before we drove down to Kent on August 12th to stay with my brother Michael and his wife Angela in Woodchurch, Kent for 8 days. We got to see all my family, visited the coast three times, went to Sissinghurst Castle and ate and drank in some fine pubs and restaurants.

A rainy day in Nottingham, and we went with Robert and Ken to Wollaton Hall, a 16th C manor house. It houses several local museums.		The Hall is surrounded by 500 acres of deer park	Mr. Man's Chinese restaurant, where Sir Ken was greeted like royalty by the staff
Mr Man's red hot chili stir fry	Down to Kent, where we visited Sissinghurst Castle, home of the late Vita Sackville-West who created a famous garden here. These are oast houses, used to dry hops. Kent was rich in such oasts when I was growing up here, but most have been converted into cosy homes	Sissinghurst trio	The view from a castle gate Swamp Man emerges from the swamp
Tigger and Patch, Mick & Ange's cats	They are proud owners of a new Weber grill. Mick seems to be getting the hang of it at a family party they arranged at their house. My sister's Grandkid. Tigs, surprises Barb with her Tigs-in-the-Box appearance  >		Fine Fish & Chips with mushy peas at the Pig & Sty in Bethersden

The Firehills at Fairlight, a place I loved as a kid. In the distance - Rye Bay, Camber Sands and a new wind farm.

HMS Vigilant, a Border Force (Coastguard) cutter moored briefly at Folkestone Harbour, taking a break from rescuing immigrants. CLICK on any IMAGE to ENLARGE	We stayed in Kent with Michael and Angela for 8 days of fun, food and fresh sea air. Sisters at Folkestone Antony Gormley's 'Another Time XVIII' under the Harbour Dock at Folkestone. One of a hundred solid sculptures dotted along the coast, it is half submerged at high tide.	Brothers at Bethersden We spent 2 days in London because of a return flight cancellation. Here is a Great Western Railway train in Paddington station.	Paddington Basin, looking quite different from when we visited by boat in 2008 Our friend Liza met us at Paddington.
Smith's Bar, by the canal, where we met Liza Farewell, my Green and Pleasant Land!	After a couple more days in London, it was sadly time to return home. The return flight was incomparably better than the outward journey. We rode the first direct flight in 18 months. The BA crew were as happy as we were and excited to be going to Phoenix. The 777 was equipped with BA's new Club Class 'suites' which, apart from the grandiose title, are actually a huge improvement. An enclosed pod with a sliding door is fitted with a full 6' 6" bed, a HD TV and good storage. The food and service was excellent. We all wore masks, of course, but we removed them to eat and sleep. The crew dropped their masks in the galley but quickly raised them when we appeared. Cathay Pacific used to be my favourite biz class and BA the least favourite, but they have leaped the competition with this upgrade. We were met on arrival by a bored immigration officer who checked our credentials but not our expensive Covid test or anything else.		McGregor & O'Malley A Porky Pair Annette's card (left) was spot-on. Our dear boys had put on weight! They are now on a strict diet! One final wrinkle on return. Our excellent house and cat sitter Linnea had left the chain on the front door and locked the side gate, to which we had no key! We could not get in! I had to knock on the neighbour's door, borrow a ladder , and climb over the wall.

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