Stourton Junction, Stewpony

We generally don't cruise on consecutive days but wall to wall heavy rain forecast for Wednesday meant we wanted to make the most of the good weather today.

Having been preoccupied with friends visiting we realised we'd forgotten to pick up prescriptions ordered to Wombourne Pharmacy. Will thought his calf could do with a bit of gentle movement, so he cycled back along the towpath to collect them. Luckily everything was in stock and it was a quick trip which helped his leg.

The Navigation at Greensforge Lock was another favourite pub of ours when we lived in Netherton, so we couldn't pass by without stopping for a drink. Leo was on top form and soon became the centre of attention for the couples at the three tables close to us. We really enjoyed chatting with them about the dogs and boat life and left with wide smiles.

The familiar Ashwood Nurseries was just 10 minutes walk along the country lanes so Vicky nipped along and came back with a tiny succulent for indoors and a small rosemary for our rooftop herb garden.

It really was a cruise down memory lane as we passed Ashwood Marina. About 5 years ago we'd met with a broker here to discuss buying a narrowboat at some future point. It feels so strange boating and staying overnight in places we are familiar with walking, cycling and canoeing. We used to inspect moored boats, picking out details we liked and didn't like. Forming an idea of what our perfect boat would be.

It was 17:30 when we eventually arrived near Stourton Junction, ready for a day of relaxing and listening to rain pattering on the roof.

In the evenings the air was busy with bats zipping over the canal and the adjacent River Stour. A few caves have formed in the red sandstone through which the canal runs. These may well be home to one or more colonies. As the darkness deepened the bats were joined by several Tawny Owls. We didn't see them but the Merlin App identified their calls and we could hear their approximate whereabouts in a line of tall Lombardy Poplars.

On Friday we visited our good friends Cath and Paul who have recently moved to a house just a few minutes drive away. Paul was good enough to pick us up so Vicky could save her energy. We were given a grand tour and as expected Cath and Paul had already done a lot to make this beautiful home their own. They layed on a delicious lunch and the time whizzed by as we caught up. Before we knew it it was time to get back to the dogs, but we are looking forward to seeing them again when we return to the West Midlands in the winter.Read more