Number 101

Well it has been a long time since I last blogged-mid August I think and nothing that will interest you has happened.

A list might help.

The Cow Roast Inn had a Dog Show
 Joe turned 14.
I went to the Shackerstone Festival
Pam and I went to Hardwick Hall
Aylesbury Canal Society had an anniversary
Pumpkin competition final is getting closer
Cowroast Moorers Bill and Sue sold their boat (I've dedicated a separate posting (no. 100) to their Farewell Party) so there's changes afoot.


Anyway- to begin at the beginning;
The new(ish) owners at the Cowroast Inn held a dog show. Normally this would be of no interest to me being a non-dog person. I'd rather be a nondom person but the taxman has always known where I live and collected every last penny. I got involved vicariously in that the Landlord George asked me if I would do a quiz without telling me what it was for and I agreed. When he told me it was a dog quiz I couldn't say no despite wishing every foul-bowelled, barking, biting canine should be quarantined to somewhere far away from me.
The quiz can be found here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t0rXsZ5zIZAjj_Bnm2QXwcSmkT7qffE6-HVScEbWNDw/edit


If you want the answers pop a quid in the nearest Hospice box and email me.

Discussions are under way for a quiz supper in December at the Cowroast in aid of the British Heart Foundation-probably on 11th December so why not make a note in your diary and come along or send me a raffle prize-or both. No dog questions this time.........but maybe a few Carols.......

George at the Cowroast is also trying to raise a Christmas Choir so if you fancy a chortle give him your support.

They are both certified.

Joseph is 14. As part of his birthday celebrations Ollie and he went off to Go Ape in Wendover woods and spent a very exciting few hours swinging through the tree followed by a barbecue with Pam and I. The weather was as good as was the grub. Happy Birthday Joe

 Their video is here:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7oEsXh6BZ8

My first rather unsuccessful attempt with my selfie stick

Cake!

Shackerstone Festival time. I went last year by boat but this year couldn't raise any crew so Ady and I booked into an hotel 5 mile away and cabbed it. Mac and Carrie had taken the Griffin and had been joined by John and Georgie on Brentford. Lots of pictures to bore you.
The festival was as good as ever, as was the weather and whilst I would have preferred to go by boat it was a good weekend all round.

Mac looking serious and half an Ady on the Griffin front deck

This time with a complete Ady

We had a train ride by steam from Shackerstone to Shenton via Market Bosworth

The fascinating museum at Shackerstone

Ady being fascinated

All aboard

Ho Ho Ho

Fred Dibnah lives!

Mac and Jane-who camped overnight!

Billy NoMates watching the Brass Band

A Spitfire!

These blokes obviously got on the wrong side of the Spitfire pilot.

To Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire where we had a tour of the house and gardens, the latter in the company of Mac, Pam's brother who is a volunteer  there. We also had a very pleasant lunch in the nearby Hardwick Inn

Pam and Mac outside the Hardwick Inn

Sprout Diabalo-the Devils' Sprouts! AAAgh!

I think the gardener got bored.

Pam's garden continues to impress-particluarly in the cane fruit department AND the PUMPKIN!!!!

She is hosting the Berko Pumpkin Challenge on Halloween and as head honcho cannot enter for fear she becomes the Seb Blatter of the Gourd world.  It's all getting very exciting as Judgement day approaches though like Pam I am not able to participate for two reasons-firstly I am one of the judges and secondly I couldn't grow any ****ing pumpkins! I had the seeds and Pam gave me a couple of plants. I was told that they needed fertilising once the flowers arrived and had even gone to the trouble of fixing a nail in the shed door so I had some where to hang my trousers but to no avail.

At Cowroast our resident heron is spreading his favours around whilst searching for fish

On Albion Mills

An early exit from the Rugby World Cup courtesy of not being up to scratch against both the Welsh and somewhere called Australia-part of the colonies I recall- means the publicans are in mourning and we have only the cricket team to cheer on whilst they tour Pakistan. All very depressing. 

Where Has everybody gone?
I found myself all alone on the mooring during September with people away on holidays or down in Aylesbury for the Aylesbury Canal Society's Celebration weekend to mark 200 years since the Aylesbury Arm opened

Roy and Annie set off for Aylesbury

Roy has forgotten where he stands to steer

Ah. That's better

Coming a bit close

Looks like I'm babysitting the duck while they're away

still it'll be company for Norman

The very able auctioneer, John Pattle-he could sell pork to a vegan

The ACS held an auction on the Sunday morning and I popped down to pick up a bargain.
I bought a few bits including a copper kettle and a wind turbine-deep joy.

Annie and Carrie sun themselves on the verandah of the ACS clubhouse. If it wasn't for the narrowboats you'd think you were on the Canal du Midi

Meanwhile back at Cowroast a couple of illegals are filling the vacancy left by Bill and Sue. A vacancy is now up for auction so we wait for new neighbours

Pam and I went to London to see The Importance of Being Earnest starring David Suchet as Lady Bracknell at the Vaudeville Theatre in the Strand. Preceded by a walk from Euston in beautiful London sunshine, a drink and a snack in Covent Garden, a wander round the South Bank and an excellent Tapas in the Port House http://porthouse.ie/ a couple of doors from the theatre.

The play was excellent even if the American gent next to me thought Suchet was best known for playing Inspector Clousseau!

Ollie's got a new job in London! Well done Ol.

This is a picture of The Griffin with Mac and Carrie exiting Braunston Tunnel. Mac had a bit of a health scare after the Aylesbury weekend but is now fine and in very rude health. I gave them the picture as a get well soon pressie. They are now cruising back to Cowroast via every pub on the way.

The day I got bored in Matalan

The next few weeks will, DV, include another theatre trip, the 
Pumpkin/Halloween Evening, finalising arrangements for the Cowroast Boaters' Christmas Bash, the Quiz and a Flu Jab! I know how to live.

Until the next time ......be lucky