August was a boat bust

We had big plans for August on the boat but other commitments and lack of water and other  restrictions put us off cruising the boat  - again. So the synopsis was family, bikes and a bit of boat and lots of lovely weather..... here we go for August then. 

On the 1st Rachel was staying over at a friends house as it was her friends retirement party from the NHS  - another dedicated nurse. I took the opportunity to explore some Green lanes on my Himalayan - these green lanes are part of the TET Trans European Trail an off road trail that is 100,000 km long and extends from the edge of Africa to the Arctic circle. It was a lovely evening in my back yard exploring a part of motorcycling I rarely do  - even though I have a bike many times more capable than me !

A favourite place looking at Chrome and Parkhouse hill near Longnor a favourite place 

Up off the A53 Leek - Buxton Road 

The green lane rejoined the Cat and Fiddle, Buxton to Macclesfield road  - the pub with the same name up in the distance 

The next day I was taking the front end off the bike to grease and adjust the head stock bearings and give the bike a big service for the winter ! 

We were back in Buxton on the 3rd with little George 

5th August I had been to see my old mum and was up over Matlock and back via lanes towards Alsop en Le Dale on the way back 

On the 7th we were Whitchurch way - not for the canal but for Bewilderwood a great outdoor place for the grandkids 

Might have covered this elsewhere but we did get to the boat on the 10th as the chimney cowel needed resealing - I didn't seal the pipe back in as I knew we needed a new stove £££££. The grass got cut again as did the bank as the flowers were all well past and I'm advised its good to give it a trim or two a year. It was an overnight stop this time. 

I was still doing the blood bike shifts  - not as many as I'd like to do. This was an evening and overnighter as I was able to get a sunrise shot of the BMW on its return to the bike garage in Stoke 

We were back to the boat to put the cowel back on it was too hot to stay aboard 

More evening trips out on the classic  - my summer lazy days bike  - I do miss riding it but it would not fair well in the winter weather. This was a local run via the Churnet valley Railway and up overlooking the sunset onto the Cheshire plain by the Roaches  

By the 13/14th August we were over on the east coast staying at a nice pub accommodation near Boston as Rachel had found a bargain mesh jacket for the hot summer months on the bike. We called on a friend while over there who has a nice caravan on a park with fishing lakes. 

On my birthday I was on the blood bikes 

More riding on the bikes enjoying the good weather as the boat was not an option due to water restrictions on routes we were planning. But before riding valves and fluids were being checked  and adjusted 

19th August at another favourite spot at Calton  - near Alton towers overlooking the widening Churnet valley at this point 

21st August I was making DIY use of the dry weather by removing and reseating the ridge tiles on the garage that were a bit loose.

The next few days saw us off on the bike to Screwfix in Stafford for more DIY bits. ( Bathroom vent cover had lost a vane ) We called into Great Haywood farm shop cafe for lunch and a view of what we were missing.  - there was little moving at this peak time sadly. Rachel getting use of her lovely mesh jacket  

This is part of an option we have  - a small bike on the stern of Percy.....

We welcomed our nephews for an evening whisky tasting ride on the Churnet valley railway. A nice meal before. Then they went off for a couple of hours to learn about the finer aspects of Whisky

The end of the month saw us harvesting an early crop of Elderberries. We collect them and make a vitamin C rich tonic for the winter months. We have just started eating the blackberries we also collected over the late summer and froze - again good Vitamin c winter tonic. The much used and abuse hedge trimmers needed some TLC - sadly I think this may have been their last service.  

We took little George out for the afternoon so his mum and dad could get on with some jobs  - this was the 25th August  - lovely summer for a lot of things other than boating. 

A rare one of me posing with the bike again up overlooking the Roaches 

Another option for the future - this one was a bit expensive but very tidy. 

The little princess granddaughter, she does well holding her own with her two older brothers. 

Another evening ride this time at the C&RT's Rudyard lake  - a feeder for the Caldon Canal I think. Like all the lakes and reservoirs around us it was about 50% capacity.  

More TLC on the bikes - this time a rev counter for the classic on the 28th August 

I visited the Trent and Mersey on the bike on the way back from seeing my mum on the 30th. This is Stenson Lock. Only ever been this way once on the boat - Waterlily it was 

We finished the month on the 31st with a family get together at the play centre at Peak village near Rowsley followed by a lovely meal at the connected pub.

So August was nothing like the month we planned as we'd set it for a month on the boat but other issues and weather put paid to that. Those that own boats will know how uncomfortable they can be when the temps are high  - out cottage holds a much steadier temperature. 

Almost caught up now .....