Art and eating out at Stone

The land around the canal is flat and the large houses have sprawling gardens. We're still enjoying glorious Spring sunshine, making views of young lambs and nesting birds picture perfect.

Stone is very popular with boaters and there wasn't much room to moor. A kind person saw us looking for a space and moved their boat back so we could squeeze in front of them. They were on a hire boat with their grown kids and grandkids. This time of year there is often a lot of grumbling from some livaboards about the canals being too busy and the behaviour of hire boaters who speed or crash in to things. It is less peaceful than winter and a few hire boaters aren't considerate or careful but overall, seeing the joy that boating brings to so many people only enhances life on the canals for us.

These warmer months also see boat traders proffering their wares. Will found The Oatcake Boat cooking Staffordshire oatcakes. He had one filled with cheese and brought back one with vegan cheese for Vicky. It was good to try but she wasn't too impressed. Something we were both impressed by were the paintings and drawings for sale from Arts Aboard Aloysius. Sue paints canal scenes, pet portraits and wildlife among other things on slate, and mirrors. She also creates watercolour, pastel and pencil art on paper. We really enjoyed chatting to her about her work and came away with a slate depicting the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and a stag on a mirror.

The following day Vicky's Dad and stepmum arrived in their new motorhome. Parking was very difficult for them so Dad took the van out of town while Will ate at The Star and Sarah took Vicky for a pre birthday lunch at Bear on Stone highstreet. There were lots of interesting dishes and drinks to try and it was great to be treated and spend time with Sarah.

Will brought the dogs to meet Sarah and Vicky on the towpath on their way back and lots of furry cuddles ensued. Sarah, who is used to her two working breed Labradors had forgotten how teeny our two terrors are. After swinging by Rainboat to say hello to Abby, Sarah was picked by Dad and they went to find their campsite. Czytaj więcej