Twiddling our thumbs in Penkridge

Tuesday 1^st September; stuck in Penkridge

There are worse places to be held up.   We are in a sunny spot for the solar, it’s fairly quiet, CRT facilities are just above the lock, and the shops aren’t far - not a lot to grumble about!  Except maybe the yappy dog in one of the mobile homes opposite, which barks at everything it sees when it is out.  First thing this morning I took the recycling to the bins and bought a paper from the little shop just over the bridge. 

Extras from Indiana Jones having a natter

After breakfast we strolled down to the village hoping to get cake, but Jasper’s the bakery is closed today.  So we made do with some wine from the Co-op and gluten-free dog treats from the Agricultural Merchants nearby, now we know that wheat upsets Jess’s tummy. 

Unfortunately she found some spilt animal feed so no treats until we know whether whatever she scavenged has upset her or not!  We sat around reading and drinking coffee till lunchtime, and afterwards thought we’d better get on with some jobs.  I washed some smalls, not very exciting, but now there is wet washing in the well deck it would be foolish to clean the flue, so that will have to wait.  Am I sorry? Not really.

By mid-afternoon there was still no update from CRT on the broken balance beam at Boggs Lock.  There was a photo of it on the Staffs and Worcester Canal Society Facebook page, showing the end of the beam resting on the ground.   It appears to have broken where it joins the rest of the gate.  Hmm, what to do now?  Dave was busy varnishing the frame of the stern doors.  I know, some cleaning!  Or maybe walk the dog?  Guess what won.

Footpath leading from Lineham bridge

We walked a mile or so along the canal to Lineham bridge, where we took an enticing footpath through some trees which came out on a residential road, so we turned back.

Lineham bridge

We were in two minds about where to eat tonight, on the boat or in The Boat?  I had made a chicken curry earlier so we had something to come back to if we didn’t fancy anything in the pub.  We did, and had a very nice meal chatting to the couple on the next table whose motorhome was inn the car park.  Curry tomorrow!