Bartimaeus

We set off from Fradley Junction in bright sunshine.  There was a sudden rush of boats for the lock, so we had to join a queue, but once we were through the lock things got a little quieter.

The batteries were nearly full from sitting in the summer sunshine for the previous days, so I drove slowly on electric for the first section.  Just as we were approaching a bit of canal alongside the noisy road (other noisy roads are available) I noticed another boat catching us up.  I started the diesel engine so that we could accelerate a little and put some charge in to the batteries.

By the time we had gone the mile or so to Streethay Wharf, the batteries were almost full again. At the wharf there was a boat moored on both sides of the canal and another coming towards us, all on a sharp corner.  I switched to electric to give me more delicate control and weaved through.

Before the next bridge, I had to wait for an oncoming boat, and then met another after we were through.  After all the excitement, I was pleased to see a sunny quiet stretch of bank which I had targeted as our mooring spot for the day.

It was getting towards lunch time, and I had a plan for a bike ride, but it wasn't clear if we could get lunch there.  We were weighing up taking a picnic with us when more boats started passing.  We recognised one as Perserverance - another Ortomarine boat. As it passed, I spotted two distinct features - the generator humming quietly in the bow, and Percy the duck on the side.

Dave and Roma moored up right behind us for a chat.  It started with a bit of comedy as Dave dropped a mooring chain in to the canal.  He poked around with his boat hook for a bit, making it tinkle, but not lifting it. I got our special chain hooking tool from Bartimaeus.  Confusingly, this was labelled in the DIY shop as a long handled mini paint roller, but when deployed correctly it makes hooking a mooring chain easy. I was pleased to be able to rescue the chain, and also show Dave something new - he is very knowledgeable on narrowboats.

We had an enjoyable chat, and a look around each other's boats. They were obviously from the same stable, but there were significant differences. Not all of the changes would have suited us, but never having to stand on a running diesel engine while driving was the main thing I'd like to change.

They had an appointment to keep, so drove quietly on after an hour or so. By now, it was an easy decision to have lunch before doing anything else. Then we got the tandem out and set off for Elford Hall Garden.

It was less than ten miles each way, on mainly quiet roads. We found a quiet spot to park the tandem and went to explore.  We found a wheelbarrow dressed as a gardener first, and were then welcomed by a volunteer gardener, who told us folk were often very impressed.  We stepped through the gate in to the garden - and were very impressed!

The rose garden was the first thing we found. I often avoid sniffing flowers for fear of getting a nose full of pollen, but there was no need to go close to the plants to smell these roses.

I failed to get any photographs that did justice to the plants, and the quiet atmosphere. It was slightly easier to catch the quiet sense of humour on display throughout the garden, such as the Flowerpot Men installation.

There was a boat house on the bank of the River Tame behind the garden. This was restored by volunteers recently. There doesn't seem to be a boat in residence, but it can be used as a hide. We saw rabbits and squirrels.

We picked up milk in the shop at Whittington on the way back. The next few days have been largely warm and sunny, but with occasional heavy showers.  We have moved along the canal at a very gentle pace, trying to use electric only most days.

While we were out for a walk nearby we saw a horse-drawn caravan go by. The caravan is pretty quiet, but you can hear the horse coming from some distance. I heard it again a few days later and managed to get a picture as it went past.

Just before we arrived at Hopwas yesterday we saw an incongruous pairing.  Behind the sign saying to keep out of the military firing range was a rope swing. That part of the firing range was pretty quiet, but perhaps a quiet swing just isn't enough of an adrenaline rush these days.