today is our return to Bucket Lock Cottage and after our usual morning routine we set off up the London Orbital at about 2pm. Traffic of course is awesome, though not nearly as bad as it is for those going the other way, so the going is slow for a while but once we get to the M40 things improve and we make good time, arriving well before dark after a supermarket stop for some dinner supplies.
April is thrilled to see us and we are amazed at how quickly the new extension has been transformed into a beautiful living space.
Wednesday 28th - Saturday 31st December
Warwick has turned on the sunshine for us and the canal and countryside is beautiful in the winter light. Everything looks so different with the leaves and hedgerows bare and it is like visiting a completely different place, though equally as beautiful as it was in the summer.
On Thursday Aaron takes the car across to the mechanic in Hinckley to fix up the warning light that came on during our journey here and I spend a good part of Friday at the supermarket stocking up.
Other than that, the kids spend most of the days outdoors exploring wider part of the garden and building a camp on the 'island'. Everything is a bit too damp for lighting a fire but they take their meals across the creek and return periodically with tales of deer and hiding from natives.
The canal is well frozen over in parts, as is the tow path for the first couple of days, but by Friday after some overnight drizzle the ground defrosts and the mud becomes rather treacherous along the tow path. When we go for our walk on Saturday, gumboots are the order of the day.
I am busy seeking out new house sits for the coming weeks and Aaron gets on with some study
Saturday afternoon after our muddy walk we head down to the Fleur De Lys for a new years eve drink by the cosy fireplace.
Sunday 1st January 2017
It is a rainy start to the year, but makes for a peaceful day, with a pancake breakfast for the kids and eggs benedict for the grown-ups. The rest of the day fritters away with jigsaw puzzles and books.
Monday 2nd January
walked from Mary Arden's farm back to Bucket Lock along the canal.
Tuesday 3rd January
we all went for a long walk through the muddy fields
Wednesday 4th January
Shopping day
Thursday 5th January
Temperature struggled to top 4 degrees today. After a frosty start at home with pheasants and deer roaming the garden, we went to Stratford for a wander around, lunch at a very nice cafe (Boston Tea Party). Sadly the awesome Blue Cow milkshake shop has closed its doors since our last visit which was a great disappointment to the kids.
The river had a good enough layer of ice for the ducks to skate on, though not enough to support the swans who were acting as ice breakers.
After lunch we walked along the river past the Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried and down to the locks, enjoying the variety of birdlife along the way. By 4pm the temeprature is back down to below 0 and we are keen to get back to the car and home again.
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| Shakespeares house with out the hordes of passers by we had to contend with last time. |
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| Holy Trinity |
Friday 6th January
planned a walk this morning but the weather kept threatening rain and I spent some time sorting out our failed tablet purchase with Argos. In the end April and I set off after lunch, not intending to go too far, but ending up walking past Lowsonford almost to the junction then returning across the fields to the pub and back along the canal racking up another 10km and only getting slightly damp in the process.
Saturday 7th January
Rugby today is scheduled at Rugby so we all decide to tag along. Drop Aaron at the ground and then we go back into town for an explore. Rubgy is not the prettiest of small towns, but there is a market finishing off in the square and the kids enjoy a freshly made bacon bap and a nice chat with the vendor. We go back to the ground to catch the end of the game but it turns out Aaron's match was called off due to nunbers so he is just running the line for another game. Instread we walk up the hill to St Botolphs and a short walk through the fields before heading back to the club house where the players are all chowing down on yummy looking plates of curry.
We set off for home, feed April and then go out again for a pub meal. Despite being determined to try out the Crabmill to reminisce for Allister & Linda, but the prices are rather out of our league so settle on The Hatton Arms however to our dismay it is fully booked. They recommend The Falcon down the road who are able to fit us in and we enjoy an extremely nice meal for our last night in Warwickshire.
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