Wednesday 30 May 2012

Monday 28 May 2012

nb President at Fradley

We moored at the junction and walked up towards The Swan just as President arrived.
One of the last steam powered narrowboats.
 
Here's President.
 
And another steam powered friend as well.
 
"Morning Star"
 
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Friday 25 May 2012

Stella Spring Cruise 3

Moored at Valley Cruises marina at Hartshill.
 
Experimenting with a new 'pencil sketch' facility on Google's "Picasa".
 
We've put our name down for this one!
 
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Wednesday 23 May 2012

Stella Spring Cruise 2 - Atherstone

We 'did' the town trail in Atherstone which was very interesting. It's on the A5 and has the same sort of industries as Dunstable - including hat making.
Market Square and St.Mary's Church.
 
The excellent Market Tavern where there was a vast array of real ales.
 
The old station building which is now a vets.
 
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Monday 21 May 2012

Stella Spring Cruise 2 - Polesworth

Here are a few more views of the really quite pleasant village of Polesworth.
We wouldn't recommend any of the pubs though!
Chinese takeaway in the High Street is very good as is the Fish and Chip shop.
What more do you need to know?
 
 
 
 
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Saturday 19 May 2012

Stella Spring Cruise

Off we went again aboard "Stella".
One of the first (but not the first!) place we stopped was Polesworth.
This is Polesworth Abbey.
Most of the photos from this trip are not too great as it rained nearly all fortnight!
 
 
 
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Tuesday 15 May 2012

End to the Bargain Break in Hitchin!

Unfortunately...our Bargain Break came to an abrupt and expensive end when SWMBO happened to come across Richard Reason Pianos.
I have to admit that this is an excellent 'shop' and they were only too happy to take our money in a friendly an efficient manner!
The customer service was first class with delivery arranged for the following week and our old piano taken away at no charge - highly recommended (if you want to buy a piano).
 
This is the expensive item in question. It's a Kemble and was one of the last manufactured in Bletchley before production moved to China.
Actually, by coincidence it had its first tuning this morning which was carried out as part of the purchase package.
 
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Saturday 12 May 2012

British Schools Museum - Hitchin

This is the British Schools Museum in Hitchin. It's well worth a visit and the volunteers are very enthusiastic.
 
Three of the "preserved" classrooms.
 
Here the children moved back in the room as their education progressed.
The front row practised their letters in a sand tray (click to enlarge the photo), then moved on to a slate and finally to pen and paper.
 
 
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Thursday 10 May 2012

Hitchin 2

Hitchin Market Square.
 
I had to be quick to get this photo of a Hitchin black squirrel.
 
Out of focus - but it's a black squirrel!
 
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Monday 7 May 2012

Hitchin

A few weekends ago we spent the night in Hitchin.
Yes, I know it's only a little way away but we had never been there and we had an offer of B&B at The Sun Hotel for £19 - for the two of us! Couldn't refuse.
It was really excellent and we would certainly go again.
 
 
This is St.Mary's Church.
 
 
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Friday 4 May 2012

Rochester Museum

The museum is housed in the Guildhall.
 
 
Spectacular room within the Guildhall used for functions including weddings.
 
 
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Tuesday 1 May 2012

Rochester 2

Last year we visited Rochester with our museum group.
Although we spent a whole day there we felt therewas so much more to do, so along with a couple of good friends and museum supporters - we went back!
We started with lunch in this Italian resaurant - excellent.
 
Then, on a beautiful early April day, we had a wander...
 
 
This post box was outside the museum.
 
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