Simply the best!

Just a quick blog entry to keep you all up to date.

Saturday's wedding was just the most incredible experience; it was even better than we could've wished for.  The sun shone, the sky was blue, there was not a whisper of wind and no boat traffic on the canal during the ceremony.

I arrived early as we were told it took at least 30 minutes to get here from where we were all staying; when in fact we arrived at 1545 - surely a bride should be late not early!  We had to hide in the car park so as not to be seen!  Barry apparently had only got in the shower at 1525, around the time we were getting into the taxi at Penns Hall!

The ceremony was perfect, though for some reason I'm still not entirely sure of the bridesmaids all got onto the roof of Northern Pride along with Barry, the celebrant, Jamie and I - three of us were dressed accordingly in trousers (as we were the only ones who we'd planned to have there) as the others had been led to believe they wouldn't be risking life and limb and were adorned in pretty dresses and heels!  It was very lucky that no other boats used the locks or came past during the service, as if they had we would all have had to crouch down to prevent any mishaps!

Barry had grinded and painted below the rim of one side of the boat, and had to turn it around before mooring at the Dog and Dublet around 2pm bless him.  It certainly looked very shiny!  He'd also had a trip to the barber's since I'd left last Monday, and had a hair and beard trim and was wearing a white short sleeved shirt - he looked very handsome on the roof as I walked along the red carpet - in fact I thought it must be another man as I couldn't focus without my glasses on!

The ceremony was magical; Kim was rather overwhelmed having to vocalise her reading to not only the 70 or so guests, but members of the public as well, having a quiet drink, who gathered around to discover what the occasion was - bless her!  Barry managed to say his bits and read out his vows with just the occasional impromptu joke, and I almost managed to get through mine without shedding a tear or two.

There were many people taking photos, and Barry did a fantastic job getting a group shot which we'll get onto the blog over the next day or two (yes he photographed his own wedding group shot; that will surprise no-one who knows him!); just bear with us as we've only just got back on board late this afternoon (and it's been my 50th birthday today!). 

More to follow soon ...

One, Two miss a few = Thursday

Having had three full days 'on land', I'm beginning to feel like I can go out in 'normal' society once more without looking like a mad boat-woman!  It's not a problem when you're only socialising with fellow boaters (because we all have similar challenges!), but on my wedding day I'd like to feel like a queen not a wicked step-mother!  I shall become one to Barry's children Jamie and Tom, hopefully there'll be no wickedness ...

Don & Irene, Sandra's mum & dad at lunch at The Dog & Doublet

     

A few pictures of the Dog & Doublet

  and the hay field - 'cause I like it...

The next lock up from the pub

Barry has been working hard getting jobs done on the boat bless him - fancy leaving him on the boat alone, what a dreadful first mate I am!  My mate Dave came gave him a helping hand yesterday on the end of a paint brush, and I'm informed they got lots done in between a few beers!

Barry took the boat back to Tamworth to do the painting etc. It's closer to amenities and hardware shops there, and will be able to pick up Jamie from the station tomorrow. He stopped on a quiet section of the canal on the way back to do some grinding work, very thoughtful.

  One of the pretty little gardens beside the locks on the way back to Tamworth

Fazeley Mill 

The familiar Fazeley Junction

Dave starting a bit of painting - Thanks for your help Dave

   Nice chilly start to the day with quite a heavy dew

A couple of old working boats heading through Glascote Locks

The autumn colours getting richer every day

Our English wedding day is likely to be an surreal experience; we're having a Humanist ceremony (http://www.humanism.org.uk/ceremonies/humanist-weddings) which will be unique and personal to us as well as humorous (how could it be anything but with Barry partaking?!), and the sun's showing promises of shining down on us as we stand on the roof of Northern Pride for the ceremony.  Our guests will be an array of family and friends from across the country; we're so looking forward to the madness and merriment that we'll all be experiencing together.

We'll be back on the boat together on Monday, my 50th birthday, for our final few days and to safely moor up, before returning 'home' to Gisborne, New Zealand.

A visit to Birmingham and Tamworth

An early start this morning as Gary very kindly came and collected Barry and Jamie to take them to Tamworth station.  They caught the 1015 train into Birmingham to have a look around and buy something for Barry to wear to our wedding next week.

 

The amazing Selfridges building near the Bull Ring - a little overcast today!

This shot I took in April 2007, a much brighter day

 Beauty & the Beast - Ole!

Jamie with 'The Floozy in the Jacuzzi' fountain in central Birmingham, luckily not working today

 

WE are NOT amuzed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The eloquent Greek style town hall

Luxury restaurant narrowboats moored at The Mailbox

A reflection shot I took last time we were here, which we have as a large canvas print on the wall at our home in New Zealand

  Not such a good one today, but that is what photography is all about - recognising the opportunities when they do arrive

Modern buildings just don't seem to look the same!

The bustling Brindley Place - well not so bustling on a Sunday morning

We had a friend's wedding to go to this afternoon and Dave and Kim came and picked me up so I didn't have to walk the towpath in my little heels!  It's good to know people in the area, it can be a challenge getting to places when you're moored in the middle of the countryside!

Barry managed to get to the wedding reception in time for the Sunday Roast - yum!  We had a lovely afternoon and evening, thanks Kerry and Gary!  Our turn next week ...

Garry & Kerry and Karen, Sandra & Kerry at the wedding

Sandra with Karen & Rob and Karen's parents

Tomorrow I go to my mum and dad's for a few days and will be having a bit of a girlie night on Thursday before our wedding on Saturday.  Jamie is taking Barry on a 'bucks night' on Friday, and it's her responsibility to make sure the boat and Barry are ready when I get there!  I'm sure all will be absolutely fabulous on the day.

I'm off for a bath, hair straighteners, a washing machine and such home comforts but will miss Barry and the boat :-(

Power restored once more and the perfect venue

We started out later than planned this morning, and had a call from Charlie about 1130hrs as he'd arrived at the Dog and Doublet.  Unfortunately we were still about an hours journey away, so he found another place to meet at Curdworth Top Lock.  A lovely lady in a cottage there made him a cup of tea while he waited for us.

 

Jamie checking the map to see just where we are in the country

 

First locks of the day at Glascote - in her pyjamas - you're not in Gisborne now!

Across the Tame Aquaduct again! then left at Fazeley Junction

Sometimes you can't find a sign for love nor money, but not here!!

The entrance to the picturesque Fazeley Mill Marina where we had to stop for a gas bottle 

Drayton Manor foot bridge near Drayton Manor Theme Park

There are some long straight stretches through Kingsbury Water Park created from some of the old mining pits of the area

A new alternator was fitted by mid-afternoon so our power is restored once again and hopefully that's it for the drama's in that department!

Jamie and I had a walk along the towpath after lunch, to met up with Maggie, Gary, Mikey and Sophie.  We arrived at The Dog and Doublet in blazing sunshine - it's suddenly the most amazing weather!  What's the chance of it being like this next Saturday?  Slim I'd say, but you never know ...

The pub is right on the canal and we made arrangements to ensure we'd have a mooring on the day.  There's a marquee where the food will be served and we can stay undercover should the British weather not be kind to us!

Mikey & Sophie helping with the locks 

 

 Mikey & Sophie and Mikey's granddad Michael in the background

 Great pub setup at the 'Dog & Doublet' - apparently it used to be called the 'Dog & Jacket' as a doublet is an old fashion jacket

  Gary, Jamie, Mikey, Sophie, Sandra and Maggie enjoying a wee drink

Maggie and co stayed for tea on the boat, and Barry gave Sophie some photography tips as she's hoping to study it at University next year. They wandered over the canal into a hayfield for a quick photo shoot.

The field opposite the pub which is full of fresh hay bales

All sorts of possibilities!

Mikey took this one from lying on his stomach - very clever!

 Sophie got to pose before she could say no!

More hay bales - The Belfry Golf Club is behind the trees in the distance

In the evening we noticed gaggles of geese flying overhead and landing in the hayfield not far away, so Barry and Gary went to investigate.  As they walked closer to them they suddenly all flew away all at once.  The funny thing was that the best photos would have been taken from the boat where they were all flying overhead and making a tremendous noise!  Obviously it's getting time for them to fly south for the winter - now that sounds like a good idea to me ...

  There were literally hundreds of them gathered in the field

After about half an hour they all started to come back again

They've apparently been doing this for the last few days and have left each morning at the same time - 8:30am

Sandra on the front of the boat trying to get a good internet connection