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Explorer 2 |
First of all I must apologies for the lack of tales from the cut over the last month.
This is because we spent 2 weeks cruising the Med on a big ship, and then recovering from the experience.
We left the Ashby after calling in at Stoke Golding and the very good George and Dragon pub, it belongs to Church End brewery, so always has a great selection of real ales on, and always a dark for the Captain. On our return to Swan Lane we prepared for the cruise, shopping for the last bits, and ensuring we had everything we needed.
The day arrived and it was an early flight, 6am but it did mean we had a full day on the ship to get our bearings. Marella Explorer 2 holds about 1800 holiday makers, and over 700 crew from over 40 different nations, and they were all amazing for the whole 2 weeks.
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A doggie towel by the cabin staff |
The itinerary for the 2 weeks covered 6 different countries, 11 ports and 3 seas. Starting in Dubrovnik in Croatia, we travelled to Slovenia, Italy, Montenegro, Malta and Greece. We visited the islands of Sicily, Corfu and Kefalonia. The weather was wonderful, a bit to hot at times, but we got off at every port, and looked around the historic cities taking in the amazing architecture and beautiful churches.
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St Jovan Vladimir Church in Bar |
We met a lovely couple Jen and Darren from Cumbria on the first day, they were on their first cruise celebrating Darren’s birthday, it was nice to have a drink and chat with them. They were only on board for the first week, and then spent 3 days in a hotel in Dubrovnik (well Cavtat).
Life on the ship is made easy by the staff, everyone from those who looked after your cabin, and those who served you at dinner, to the bartenders and the entertainment hosts, did a wonderful job of making our holiday special, I can’t praise them enough.
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Leo and his crew our dinner waiting staff |
The 2 weeks flew by, and it was soon time to say good by to the big ship and return home to our little narrowboat.
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Mobile Air Conditioning in Split |
It took us a few days to catch our breath and start preparing for our next cruise on the cut.
Our plans, at the moment are to head north on the Coventry canal, along the Trent and Mersey and onto the River Trent, then onto Lincoln and eventually Boston, before retracing our steps back to Swan Lane in time for Col and Mags wedding on the 4th October.
We left on Wednesday and headed for Hawkesbury junction, it was late as we had to wait for a prescription to be ready. We didn’t head down to the basin as our favourite pub, the Hops was closed, as Greg and Vic took a well earned holiday. Of course we went to the Greyhound instead.
Next night and another pub, The Anchor at Hartshill, not a bad pint but no darks for the Captain.
Then on to Atherstone and 2 pubs, The Angel Ale House and the Market Tavern, both had a couple of choices for the Captain, so one very happy bunny.
The first locks of the cruise, the 11 at Atherstone, and we were going down, as was every man and his dog or so it would seem. Some of the pounds were extremely low. The Captain stuck to the middle of the channel, whilst I stayed off the boat and walk the 1 ½ miles. I feared if I got on, we would not be able to get to the side to let me off to operate the locks. This year has been very dry, and so many of the canals and locks are closing, or being put on restricted opening hours, our plan had been to return using the river Soar and the Leicester arm of the GU, but this is already closed in a number of places, so it is not to be.
It did mean however that our friends from last year, Nick and Alison on NB Panacea, were catching us up quickly. They made the decision to do long days, and get out of the affected areas as they needed to get back to their home base at Lyme to be blacked.
I enjoyed doing the locks after a few weeks of relaxation, and we made it to Polesworth for the night. Of course we went to the pub, the Spread Eagle first, a nice little locals pub, then the Polesworth Sports and Social Club next door, where we had a lovely chat with the stewardess and a few of the locals. We were going to try The Yard, but as we walked in the loud music just hit us, so we decided it give it a miss, we like a quiet pint.
Only 2 locks at Glascote next day as we headed to Fazeley, Nick and Alison were now right behind us, and we agreed to meet up and go and watch the footy together, and then head to the Fazeley fish bar for our tea.
For those of you may have been living in a cave for the last week, the Lionesses reached the final of the European Football Cup and were playing Spain, the reigning world champions. And we won, well done ladies, it was a tough match that ended with penalties, but at the end of the day we were the better team and came through victorious.
We went to the Three Tuns and got a seat easily, and we were soon catching up with each others adventures. They had spent the first half of the summer on the Middle Levels and river Nene, which is part of the Norfolk broads. Somewhere we have not been, but maybe next year as they had a great time exploring this part of the system.
After the match off to the chippy, and we were not disappointed once again, one of the best chippies on the system.
We stayed at Fazeley next day as the Captain had a parcel being delivered to the local post office.
Nick and Alison stayed as well, we agreed to travel together to Fradley Junction for a pint in the Mucky Duck. It’s here where we will say our farewells, as they will turn left and we will turn right on to the Trent and Mersey. But that’s for next time.
25 miles, 13 locks and 1 canal.