The summer arrives

We can't wait for next week and setting of on Magpie II again. It's been forever since we last untied.

I did get to drive Blackpool 166 at the weekend.





Which is always fun. Several other trams in service too.

Sea Cadets

Today we took Gracie down to Birmingham Sea Cadets to see if she could attend there whilst visiting us as she misses the one in Blackburn when away.

Wow. Not only can she go there on an ad hoc basis but they made her superbly welcome. And then she was off sailing having never been on the water other than narrowboating.





And quite literally sailing off into the sunset.



However could it get any better than this?





But look who's steering.









They were amazing and Gracie cannot wait for next time.

Let the water in.

Yesterday we were invited to see the first filling of our new marina.

It was very muddy and looks a long way from finished.





This is the gateway between the two pools we will have to negotiate every trip.





And head to our berth at the top left of this next picture.



The foundations for the new entrance bridge are in situ.







The canal remains beyond this boundary.



Then the digger moved in





And soon the pool began to fill.





To round off our day we walked the Watford locks.



There is a sign at the top telling you to turn round and go back down them.



We know that's not really what the sign is for but it made us giggle.

We look forward to tackling this staircase one day.

Proud to be literate

We have discovered a pub that will now accept the old £5 whereas previously they didn't.

The Walton Summit Branch

Today we explored the Walton Summit Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

It is only in water for about a quarter of a mile but still looks like a canal.



We weren't the only visitors enjoying the canal.



However they don't really encourage visitors here.



Not very helpful.

We then followed the dry bed for a bit and then a streamside path to Johnson's Hillock top lock to find a disappointment as the pub there is currently closed.

Pendle Hill

Today was a bank holiday trip North.
We arrived about 5.30 so decided to have a quick walk up Pendle as Alison had never climbed it.



She has now. As you can see it was very windy at the top.



We could see the sea and Blackpool Tower 35 miles away but the sun was in that direction so it wouldn't photograph.

I'm not sure when I first climbed Pendle. Probably around 1975. I wonder if I'll do it later than 2017?

Crich again.

Today I got my favourite tram. Blackpool 236.



Others in service included Sheffield 510 which I am being trained on later this year.



Glasgow 22 was also used today.