Bartimaeus

Staff accommodation at work is being refurbished, and as a result we have the week off. I used that holiday to pay a visit to Bartimaeus, arriving on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Shane picked me up on the tandem and I contemplated putting on waterproof trousers, but chose not to since the rain was still light, deciding I'd get them out if I needed them.

By the time I decided I needed them, my legs were wet enough that it was too late to bother. Luckily though, my trousers were quick drying and I had a spare set packed.

Sunday brought some sun, contrary to the usual trend of the temperature dropping when I visit. I was especially glad of the time of year, as the canal was frequented by ducklings ranging from teeny-tiny to teenaged (cute regardless).  In addition to the wildlife, the scenery was gorgeous. We drifted through a steep-sided valley with ivy draping the walls and trees clinging to the steep banks.

At the end of the day, we took a stroll up the canal, briefly bumping into another boat crew locking. Shane took a moment to help lower the paddles before we walked on toward Wolverhampton, an area of canal dominated by some iconic and very tall bridges. We reminisced about the last time we were there and briefly discussed whether to head into town and get a takeaway, but ultimately decided against it since it would add quite a bit more walk there and make it a longer walk back.

Monday was another day of cruising, slightly cooler than Sunday. Wildlife sightings continued alongside quirky canalside decorations as we pushed on toward Autherley Junction. At one point, I was startled by a yell and a loud splash. A girl riding her bike on the towpath had fallen into the canal, bike and all. Thankfully her parents quickly pulled her, and her bike, out of the water. We stopped the boat to ask if we could offer help - or a towel - but her parents assured us everything was fine.

We moored beside a pub, and I proposed going inside. However a quick online search showed a more appealing one a short walk down the towpath, and so we set off there and had a nice pub dinner. On the way out, a pub patron struck up conversation and we paused to chat and shared our superstition about me bringing cold whenever I visit, to which he said that in that case he hopes my visit doesn't last long.

On Tuesday it rained heavily so we decided not to move. Most of my canal boating experience has been on rented boats with a large crew and limited time frame to go out as far as we can and get back, which meant that stopping the boat was avoided, driving in all weathers and swapping drivers to keep the boat moving as much as possible. Just not moving because we didn't want to drive in bad weather felt like a novelty to me, though it's the norm for Clare and Shane. When we had gaps in the rain we left the boat for shopping and to post a parcel home to Nye.

The rain had cleared on Wednesday, and so we moved onwards. Fluff from cattails drifted across the canal, and our wildlife sightings continued. We glimpsed a bird of prey (unsure what kind) soaring above and lots of geese on the canal.

After mooring we took a moment to get some ice cream at a nearby shop. On returning we paused to enjoy some Pimms, I tried my hand at a veggie bolognaise for dinner, and we took a moment to listen to the chorus of evening birdsong.