Easter in the north west

I wrote this blog at the beginning of the week, however, where we were moored at Long Itchington there was very little signal, using the internet reminded us of dial up days!!! So as we’re now in Leaminton Spa the reception’s just fine.

Rainbow Long Itchington

 

Magnus the mud monster

On Hesketh Bank

We hired a car and went to Heather & Jason’s for the long Easter weekend. The journey there was VERY slow as we set off so late Thursday afternoon, the M6 was solid just about the whole way and we did an average speed of 25mph!!! Enterprise the car hire people offer a pick up service, which we’ve not used it before as we’ve been within walking distance of them, however, they were 2 ½ hours late picking us up, they didn’t charge for the second driver as a good will gesture.

 Ada & Dale arrived at Heathers early Good Friday morning. We walked on Hesketh Marsh that runs along the banks of the River Douglas, we didn’t see any narrow boats going along it on their way to the Lancaster Canal though. Nikita was very upset at the amount of rubbish that had been washed onto the marsh, so we filled my collapsible shopping bag and she carried as many plastic bottles as she could. Magnus as usual picked up as much drift wood as he could for us to burn. Saturday we went to Chorley as Ada & Dale think they’d like to move there and the kids did an Easter Egg hunt at Botany Bay’s outlet shop. Plus, we just had to have a pint at one of our favourite pubs The Bob Inn, in Chorley market. The tide was in at Southport when we went there on Sunday and the kids picked up shells. We had a lovely warm sunny weekend, apart from Monday when we had snow and rain for the drive home, but the roads were clear & we made good time. I think the Midlands must have had a lot of rain while we were away as the tow path appeared as deep as the canal and the River Itchen had burst it’s banks.

Hesketh Marsh by River Douglas

Driftwood fire

Nikita's marsh rubbish

The chaps from Colecraft have been and fully assessed our side hatches and front door and will do the work at the end of May. So we’re off for a bit of spring time cruising.

It was lovely to have a brief chat about boating and more importantly spinning, this afternoon with Billy & Jane on Betaine Spirit, 168 as they cruised by.