Church Lawton

We travelled up from Cornwall - Mike had a meeting this morning so it was just before midday that we set off. Traffic was OK and there were no delays. Apart from one comfort break at Strensham Services, we did not stop once we were onto the A30 outside Bodmin. We arrived shortly before five o'clock - just as we expected.

We parked in the church car park and spent the next hour carrying out luggage and stores across one field to the boat.

We did not say in the last posting exactly where we moored - a little shy of security issues. In fact, we used the official 14 day moorings just below the church at Church Lawton. Our visit at the end of the last trip left us a bit intrigued about the housing development. An internet search revealed the history of how Lawton Hall has fared since the start of the twentieth century. Initially it was used as hotel but was requisitioned in the second world war. Later it became a school which closed in the 1980's.It took the best part of a decade for a developer to gain planning permission - the usual local objections prevented earlier attempts - and the hall was converted into several dwellings and the grounds used for more houses which now comprise a gated community.

We opted not to move the boat this evening - we were on a good mooring and a number of locks lay immediately ahead.

Perhaps we also need to say that only last night were we able to decide our route to Manchester. During our last trip we booked out start date for the Rochdale Canal in June and we only have just over a day to reach Ducie Street on our main trip. We had hoped to travel up the Macclesfield and leave the boat at Marple. In the end we failed to find somewhere suitable but do have the promise of space at Anderton. So, although it is the less interesting route (the Bridgewater Canal from Preston Brook is not the most stimulating transit - although it has to be said that four years ago we travelled it both directions in the rain!

So, tonight we remain at Church Lawton - despite the forecast of rain, it was a delightful evening and the stir fry, using Sunday's roast beef was very tasty. Time then passed watching two episodes of The Apprentice - not exactly intellectual!