Car Shuffle and Cleaning

Car shuffle day. So today's story is in two parts. Mike set off early to catch the 8:33 from New Street to Banbury where, after a short interval, he caught the local train to Heyford, arriving there just before 10.

A quick chat with David - no invoice yet! - who was rather pleased with the warm weekend which had meant that the bistro cafe had done exceptionally well.

The car was retrieved from the compound, the sat nav on the phone set for Overwater Marina and off on the next leg of the journey. The motorway was busy but not crowded so, apart from the 50mph section through Birmingham where new so-called Managed Motorway facilities are being installed (what this means is speed restriction signs!) it was just a continuous drive, trying to spot the occasional crossing of a canal.

Once off the motorway the next few miles were a little frustrating as Mike had to follow an old car that only managed over 30 on a downhill with a following wind! Nevertheless, it was just after 12:15 when he pulled into the marina where he was introduced by a very pleasant lady who indicated where we will moor when we arrive next weekend with the boat. she also acted as a local tourist information centre, waxing lyrical about the shops and tea rooms in the village of Audlem.

River Weaver

Mike had to walk all the way around the marina to the nearest canal bridge, eventually returning along the towpath just a few metres from where he started - but the other side of the water! All together it took about 35 minutes to walk into the village, including crossing over the River Weaver Aqueduct.

The Market, Audlem

With about an hour and a half to wait for the next bus to Nantwich sandwiches sitting under the shade of the old Butter Market was next on the itinerary.

Audlem Parish Church

The large church stands prominent looking over the heart of the village - which has a number of shops including a Co-op and Boots - as well as a cycle specialist! One of the tea rooms beckoned where Mike succumbed to the temptation of a brownie with a pot of tea.

The bus duly arrived on schedule - with just one other passenger - taking Mike to Nantwich railway station. The train to Shrewsbury was just a single coach but was fairly busy,including picking up some school pupils from Wem School.

The final train journey was back to Birmingham New Street. The train would normally have been four coaches but was shortened to two on this occasion which meant that it was well-crowded, although not quite as bad as the train manager feared when she asked everyone to make sure that they put their bags on the racks so that every seat could be sat in!

All in all, a complicated journey that went very much according to plan, even if it did take all day, with Mike arriving back at the boat around a quarter to six.

One building reflected in another

Meanwhile, Christine had taken the opportunity in the morning for some in-depth cleaning including shampooing the carpets.

New Library (detail)

After lunch she walked into the New Street shops, finding a slightly different route around the new library building which passed a small garden area with tulips very much in bloom.

Although she failed in her quest for clothes shopping she did successfully visit Waterstones. This branch is in a converted bank building and most impressive.

She wandered down as far as the Bullring - hence a photo of the Bull - before returning to the boat for a well-deserved cup of tea (and also dealing with a phone call from a magazine about the recent local election and disability issues). Finally, she managed a trip to a local Sainsbury before Mike arrived back - and another cup of tea!

The Bull

0 miles - 0 locks (!)