Rob, June, Graham, Carolann, Cassie (dog), Leigh & Paul
After lunch we decided to walk across to the GU and the Tom of the Wood for a coffee. On route we passed the Finwood Hill Farm shop just a short walk up the hill from the canal at bridge 40. It is well known for its Dexter Beef and Gloucester Old Spot Pork. It also sell bread and fruit and veg. Although it is only officially open on Tuesday and Saturday, it the owners are there they will serve you.
We decided to leave the road and take a bridleway over to the GU at Rowington Embankment but the path had been diverted to the other side of the M40 to avoid them having to build another bridge, we walked along the edge of a field of maize and then across the canal where there is an excellent view of the embankment where we had moored last week.
We came out opposite St Laurence Church in Rowington village which dates back the 12th century and where Graham is a member of the Bell Ringing Band. Unusually the 1st World War Memorial Stone has an old Sword attached to the back of it.
We walked through the southern part of the village passing some magnificent old houses and cottages.
This one had a very ornate Letter Box cast in W.C. Day’s Foundry in Birmingham.
We made our way back to the canal and the Tom of the Wood pub where we stopped for refreshments and a peek at the menu as it looked a nice place to return for a meal.
Whilst at the pub we came across these 6 dogs kitted out in their life jackets and who were travelling on a boat with their owners. They were not related and had the names Oggy, Lump, Roxy, Sexy, Tia, and Lou.
As we crossed the canal bridge we spotted Nb. Ta-Jo waiting at the water point. They had left Lowsonford this morning and had taken several hours to get to the spot which had taken us about 40 minutes to reach.
At the side of the bridge is this lovely cottage with what looks like an original well in its front garden.
June spotted lots of different plants on our walk and I took photos of these Lords and Ladies, as well as these wild Cyclemen.
We took a right turn over the bridge and made our way back to the Stratford canal at lock 25 and walked back to Lowsonford passing this stall with plants, jams, and eggs for sale at lock 28
A little further on the Bywater Hotel Boats had to take some deft navigating to avoid a hire boat which had tried to stop on seeing them come around a corner and had ended up across the canal almost splitting the motor and butty.
Back at the boat we spent a nice evening playing cards, Newmarket, and Carolann took all the money on the last hand.
No comments:
Post a Comment