Oven bottoms

It's always nice waking up to sun streaming through the portholes. All week the weather forecast has threatened rain for this weekend, indeed whilst typing the clouds are gathering, but most of today has been sunny and warm. We had very fresh, local farm eggs for breakfast and enjoyed a relaxed saturday morning coffee from our trusty stove-top espresso maker.

This is the view down into the valley from the towpath - there is a smallholding selling eggs, bacon etc.

Ali took a walk down to Tesco (about a mile from our mooring) En route these houses with their pretty terraced gardens tumble down to the canal's edge. 

When you reach Whaley Bridge along the towpath there is a choice - left leads to Bugsworth Basin and right to Whaley Bridge moorings. 

This tunnel leads through to Tesco - years ago horses would be led through in order to get to the other side of the canal. 

Of course Tesco's are pretty much the same whichever part of the country you are in but they sometimes stock regional specialities, one of today's purchases G.H. Sheldon's 'oven bottom muffins' are very nice with a bit of Lancashire cheese. Other local favourite's we have seen/sampled since being on the boat include: Staffordshire Oatcakes, Pikelets, Custard Tarts and the pies....ooh.....the pies and not forgetting Baz's favourites - meat puddings! 

There's been a fair bit of boating activity today, most of it heading towards Whaley Bridge - Bugsworth Basin must be a favourite spot for weekenders. We are fascinated by some of the boat names, nb Impala has just cruised by and nb Cleddaugh  (spelling may not be correct!) was moored behind us overnight. I have seen my namesake 'Alison' on the move today, when I pointed it out Baz remarked ' Yes - looks a bit of an old wreck' I'm sure he didn't mean it.........................

Hopefully monday will see us either at Bugsworth Basin or Marple ( 3rd time lucky?) we haven't decided yet, that's something we are learning - take each day as it comes.

Bye for now

Ali and Baz