December will tell the tale of the gap in my updates...
September and we were visiting down south. I went scrumping in our neighbours old house as sadly she's now in a care home. We used to help her each year bring her apple harvest in from he extensive orchard. (Her house is for sale so my scrumping wasn't so bad !) We also visited the first cottage Rachel lived in when working at Portsmouth, 1 Post Office Row and met up with our ex next door neighbours, had a pint of home brew with Paul and then we had lunch in the Star and Garter across the road from the cottage - lovely day and lovely memories.
Rachels cottage was No1 Cottage by the Mill - with the yellow door.
A favourite place I used to walk to a lot to St Mary's Church Funtington - across the fields from the cottage. Missing from this photo is Leia who used to love the walk and would sit with me while I reflected on life in a beautifully peaceful place.
Rachel, Faith, Philippa and Paul in their garden in East Dean, lovely to catch up with them after a long while, we were so warmly welcomed.
Rachel outside her first cottage
Sad times as I visited a good friend Tezza on the way home, who I saw in March riding his bike in Rowlands Castle. I visited him in Basingstoke hospital and it was to be our final meeting, he knew it and so did I, my only regret is I didn't give him a man hug as I left him. The exchange of looks haunts me a little if I'm honest.... so so sad.
I think it was that final meeting of a good motorcycling friend that sent me on a reflective ride on my bike the day after we got home. A ride to Screwfix in Leek if I recall correctly with a stop off at the Boat at Densford for a drink on the way home...
Beautiful moorlands lanes in late summer.
That evening I was in Derby catching up with three good fellas who are ex colleagues. We've stayed in touch and meet a couple of times a year to check we are all still progressing.
The fruits of my Screwfix labours... jerry rigged until I could get the sparky in later in the year to sign off my rewire. The yard is a spring project .....
Next day was visiting the grandkids and my biking influence was rubbing off on both grandsons
Back home more make do and mend this time the long service Dyson was getting second hand of Ebay parts to keep it going
6th September the Elderberry harvest off the tree in our garden was brought in. Fork the berried off and heat them with some water then squash the for their vit c rich juice that gets frozen into ice cube trays for a tonic into winter.
On the 7th September we were in Buxton at the opera house to see Elkie Brookes final tour. A present to Rachel from Callum. Rachel got her autograph in the 70's when Rachel was a St Johns first aider. She's met a lot of international stars when they were on the way up, Dire Straights Black Sabbath Hot Chocolate Elkie Phil Collins. I've a few autographs in my memory box in the loft !
Elkie was brilliant and despite her age banged out the vocals not so quick across the stage !!
On the 8th we were off to Alnwick in Northumberland to start our deferred castles and coastlines cycle ride up the coast to Berwick. We called in to see George Emma and Callum on the way up
It was a great four days of testing riding for Rachel as she was still in recovery mode and we had a constant north easterly to northerly wind to add to the challenge. Some stunning scenery, lovely lanes and great accommodation
We stayed in an old rectory one night
Bamborough castle on the way to Holy island to get across before the tide.
Fuel !
Getting ready to cross the causeway after a decent days ride
We upgraded out room on the Island to have a sea view and a view of the castle on the Island
Rachel grew up on Anglesey so the sea has a calling for her.
Approaching Berwick on our last day. We extended the trip so we could have a day in Berwick as we've not been there before. We took in a LSLowry seascape exhibition which was a bonus.
14th I was enjoying the sun... this is a lane that is eventually as the back of Alton Towers. its populated by soe magnificent homes and ther eis this public footpath in one of the walls ... it needs exploring at some point
15th another blood bike shift on the RS1250 BMW
16th Visiting my mum with my sister Pam
18th I was in the Peak District, this is Monsel head by the hotel
I came back via the road overlooking the roaches and got a lovely sun set over Tittersworth reservoir
More bread making on the 19th - all organic as we spend our money on good healthy food where we can.
21st back Heanor way helping out and seeing the grandkids
Workshop DIY got a look in on the 22nd and a reward was this monstrosity poured by Rachel as a reward!
Then for the rest of the month from the 23rd and into October we were on the boat for three weeks. The forst night was prepping including finally putting on the new button fender from Geoff.
24th we were off - Destination Buxworth basin and a return via the clockwise four counties...
Heading through Woodseaves cutting and we met a couple of boats, one experienced the other not so !
Terrible state C&RT have allowed the cutting to get into . As I type this its closed with no opening date t=due to further land slips. These assets need some priority especially such critical pinch points.
The Tyrley flight on the 25th
We had a day of rain on the 26th so stayed put in Market Drayton. I suspect this is the Phyllis May that went from Stone to the south of France ?
As we were on a extended - for us, cruise the little twin tub came out on Cox Bank. It worked well after a bit of repair earlier in the year.
Is this Toms old boat?
By the 30th were were in Wheelock before Wardle lock. Another day of rain so we hunkered down, explored Wheelock and took a nice meal in the big lock pub.... It gave us some rest before the poorly maintained locks of heartbreak hill
So September was a good month of three trips away and the start of extended boat time - all detailed in October's decision making cruise
