Wednesday 16 May
Hayton to West Stockwith.
Today’s journey was fairly short and sweet. Heading off around ten-thirty we were familiar with the journey, as we were simply cruising the return journey of about a week ago.
This stretch is narrow and shallow so Tom needed to steer down the middle of the canal; luckily, being a notsowelltravelledcanal.
Acting as look-out, I was very pleased that we only met one boat, and even that was on a slightly wider stretch of water.
Over the last week we have seen plenty of baby ducklings – one mother had a brood of eleven out on an adventure, a couple of pea-hen chicks and several goslings, but no cygnets as yet. Apparently they usually hatch around the end of May so we are hoping to see some before our adventure is over!
Stopping for a quick lunch and stocking up on essentials at Misterton, I spotted an interesting building inscribed, ‘Board Schools 1872’. After doing a little research I found out this old school-house was one of the earliest schools set up after the 1870 Education Act. Until then, places at schools (mostly set by Churches) were inadequate number-wise, so the state set up Primary Schools which were funded by household rates. There is always a story behind a building, and I do like a story…however small!
My humans left me home-alone during the evening, while they went to a local pub for dinner; amazingly, their excellent meals (game pie – him, steak and horseradish pie – her) were priced at just £6.50 each, which included either a glass of wine or pint of beer. Value for money AND excellent home-cooked food. Can’t be bad.
They certainly recommend The White Hart in West Stockwith, Nottinghamshire, if you are ever in the area!
Woofs, Martha xx