Mike was up and away rather early - he caught the 7:13 train from Nantwich to Crewe and from there down to London, arriving early into Euston at 9:38. He had a meeting near Waterloo before returning to Euston to meet up with Adrian and the two girls, Alice and Jess.
Eventually the departure platform was announced and Mike and the girls made their way to the train. With reserved seat at least they did not have to worry about too much of a mad dash - the train (as was t he one this morning) was pretty full.
Alas, having left one minute late at the start of the journey, it was six minutes late and Milton Keynes, the only intermediate stop for us. This seems to have put the scheduling awry as we stood still somewhere near Rugeley and the Live Trains website suggested that we would not arrive at Crewe until 16:06. As our second train, the short hop from Crewe to Nantwich was due out at 16:08 we were rather uncertain about making the connection.
Fortunately we not only were able to find out which platform it departed from but also that there were no stairs between the two. We found the correct place and almost within a minute the train was seen making its way into the station. Phew!
Christine had spent the day rigorously cleaning on the boat and then cam into town to do a little more shopping before meeting us at the station. She had booked a taxi as it is a bit far to walk with luggage. The taxi did arrive but it was a nervous ten minutes scanning every larger car for signs that it might be the right one!
We were dropped off just below the embankment where the boat was moored and Jess charged up the slope to find the boat and climb aboard. She still had to wait for the rest of us to catch up with the key!
They quickly settled in and before long we were all sitting down to dinner.
Afterwards, Jess and Alice took Mike for a walk along the towpath. The initial aim was to walk back to the wooden horse - which Alice very much enjoyed climbing. She certainly has a good eye and the flexibility to make good use over even the slightest foothold. It was only later that she spotted, with some amusement, the sign alongside. However, when we passed this way yesterday it was adults as well as children that enjoyed the experience!
Meanwhile Jess explored the nearby field and took in the special atmosphere that the light from a very low sun created on the trees and houses in the distance.
Alongside the horse there is an explanation of a series of wooden sculptures that were placed along the embankment to highlight aspects of canal life in the past, when horses were the only motive power for canal boats.
Alice and Jess were keen to try and find the others and we set off back towards the boat and then beyond, over the aqueduct and right to the end of the visitor moorings. We found all but one, although since we could not remember the rhyme or the order, there was quite a bit of discussion about what some were meant to represent!
By now the sun had set and there was a beautiful red sky so we are hopeful for good weather tomorrow. However, Alice thinks that as we are not shepherds the rhyme does not apply to us!
As you can see, we are now able to upload blogs once more and hopefully the missing story will be filled in very soon.
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