Stafford

From outside The Navigation, just a short walk from our Gnosall Heath moorings, busses leave for Stafford every half hour. We visited a couple of times as there is a good fishing shop and an Argos where we were able to pick up an Ebay order.

The journey took us close to Derrington, where we'd stayed in the motorhome for a few months during lockdown. A wonderful person called Helen Brown and her husband at the time had taken half a dozen motorhomes in at their smallholding, given us free use of their games room, washing machine and regular Sunday roasts. We always smile when we think back on it.

Crossing the roundabouts coned off for roadworks, the bus dropped us outside the Guildhall Centre; a permanently closed shopping mall. Our eyes lit up when we saw signs for an indoor market but this too was closed; only operating a few days a week.

Walking up a side street, it seemed every other shop was boarded up. Businesses on the main street fared better, but there were few shoppers. Despite its history, beautiful tudor buildings and park, Stafford is a town in trouble.

We decided on another trip down memory lane and headed to the Verso Lounge; the cafe we'd picked Leo up from nearly two years ago! Boycie's Bridge rescue operates from people's homes so they frequently use this dog friendly café as a place to meet potential adopters.

We went on to buy a few of the items we needed, but mostly from chain stores. Will was happy to visit a good fishing shop on the edge of town. While he was browsing Vicky walked round the corner to find a cluster of antique shops, but these too were closed.Leia mais