2015 - We're off again

After spending many weeks in March and April with routine maintenance and spring cleaning, it's time to leave the marina and set off again. Funny how quickly one can get institutionalised; even though a new adventure beckons, a part of us is almost reluctant to leave the safe haven of the marina.

We had recently returned from spending the worst of the winter months in sunny Spain, just in time to watch the spring creep in.

 

 

We were amused and delighted by the antics of nature as the wildlife aggressively found and defended it's territory.

A pair  of moorhens squabbled for a prime nesting position

The young swan trying to make itself look larger as it saw off the opposition 

 

Heron being mobbed by a pair of seagulls

 

So he found another spot to fish peacefully!

 

Even this tenacious pansy celebrated the spring by  blooming on the shingle edge of the car park.

 

Winedown had been berthed at Overwater Marina near Audlem for the winter of 2014/2015 and I must say that it is certainly one of the nicest marinas we have visited. 

Beside the normal ablution facilities, chandlery and office, this family-run marina has a workshop, to assist with engine servicing, hull blacking, repairs, boat safety examination to name but a few services; a handy laundry, very important when staying for an extended period of time; a coffee lounge, encourages boaters to meet and linger over coffee and an excellent selection of Debbie's home cooked cakes (and more); not to mention the lovely surrounding countryside for walks, and of course the friendly faces of other boaters. It is certainly worthy of a visit if you are in the area.

 

Knit & Natter group meets on a Thursday afternoon at the Coffee Lounge. I must admit that from my point of view, I did more nattering than knitting

 

 

Bistro night is the first Friday of each month was always very popular.














Debbie and Vernon are the friendly faces behind the Coffee Lounge and either one of them was always on hand to make one feel welcome.
 

The pretty village of Audlem has a wide range of shops serving most needs. A regular bus service runs into the nearby towns of Nantwich, Whitchurch and Market Drayton. We were first drawn to the vibrant village when we passed through in the summer of 2014 and were made to feel very welcome when we moored at Overwater Marina for the winter, later that year. Sporting three fine pubs, two cafes and a deli café, as well as an excellent fish & chip shop not to mention the kebab shop, we found plenty of variety to tickle our pallet.

With Spring well established and summer on its way, the days are lengthening and sunsets over the marina can be quite spectacular, especially when the setting sun is reflected in the coffee lounge windows and the calm marina waters.

Just in time for the Easter Weekend, the Audlem Lass took to the waters. This little water taxi is crewed by a dedicated team of volunteers who take donations in support the RNLI. Operating every Saturday and  Sunday (as well as bank holiday Monday) between April and October, the boat ferries passengers between the marina and the bottom of the Audlem flight of locks.

At the end of the bank holiday weekend in early May2015 we said a fond farewell to all our new friends and the marina staff and set off along the Shropshire Union towards Autherley Junction.

Although this is backtracking a little, there are parts of the Four Counties ring that we havn't visited so we will go back to complete the ring before heading off to the Peak District.