Nice and Easy.

This morning we went for a walk to find a shop for some milk. We looked on the internet and found there was a garage and a larger store not very far away from bridge 7. It was a lovely walk in the sunshine. The local school was being used as a polling station. I was struck with the thought that parents are being fined for taking children out of school for holidays etc, yet many schools are closed for a day for elections. Do the parents get a lump sum for this? You would have thought that other buildings could be found to prevent this, and indeed where I live they have done this and the schools are now not used where ever possible. The One Stop Shop we went to was well stocked and indeed we managed to find some cat food at good reduced prices so Macy will eat well for another couple of weeks or so.

We were soon back at the boat and after a few chores were underway. I had been reading about the lift bridge, bridge 2 that was the target of the IWA as the Great Western Railway who owned the canal had welded it closed after it had been damaged. The IWA demanded that there was a right of navigation still on the canal. The Railway company said there was no problem as they would jack it up when required. Straight away the IWA arranged for boats aplenty to pass through until the Rail company gave in and repaired the bridge. When we passed yesterday the bridge had been removed. I'm not sure if this is a permanent arrangement.

This morning we arrived at Bridge 8 which is another lift bridge. Helen only managed to hold four cars but as the first bridge of the season it is to be hoped that they all work as efficiently.

I think that this is also our first photograph of a heron.

We only traveled about an hour this morning and found a spot just opposite the line of moorings of the Lady Lane Wharf and Earlswood Motor club. We benefited from all round sun and as we wanted to walk round the reservoirs it was a good spot. The three reservoirs were built in the 1820's to supply the Stratford upon Avon Canal. There are three of them grouped together, Engine, Terry's and Windmill pools. There is a sailing club on Windmill Pool and there are fishing matches just about every weekend. There are good footpaths round the edge of all of them.

Fishing peg on Windmill Pool.

The sun shines on the birch tree by Windmill Pool.

Helen enjoying the sunshine.

Terry's Pool.

House with a nice view of Windmill Pool.

I'm not sure how far it is round the lakes but there were plenty of people out and about. Nobody at the sailing club though.

St. Patrick's Church wasn't open but it looks as though it would be high church for Cof E. The door and statuary was quite ornate.

We seems to have passed several pubs and a shop with the possibility of an ice cream. The Lady Lane Club House was very busy and does food and with a bar and live music. The Red Lion up the road was also busy. I didn't even get a cup of tea when we got back and set to sorting out the solar fan on our loo that makes so much noise before it gets up to speed. I stripped it back and cleaned everything and think that the bushes are worn as it is mounted at a slight angle on the slope of the roof. I have sent for a replacement at negligible cost to be waiting for me when I get home next.