Uncategorized – Page 3 – Shardlows Highs

Quintessentially English

What can be more English than a cricket match by the canal?

I have been thinking about doing a blog closer to home, but never got round to it, until we decided to take a good walk along a local canal, nothing unusual, and found a section nearby we had missed before, and couldn’t stop taking photos.

We often take the dogs along the network of local canals and have been to Fradley Junction many times, and normally turn towards Rugeley, but decided to head the opposite direction this day. As we had already had a good walk that morning, we left Tez dog at home, as her old legs cannot take 2 walks a day now.

We parked up near a bridge over the Coventry Canal and walked the short distance to the Junction where it meets the Trent and Mersey Canal. There is a wonderful signpost just for us there, but we forgot to take a new shot of the the sign, so here is one I took about 10 years ago.

We were greeted by the beautiful Cherry blossom cascading over the tow path. We crossed over the canal and turned right towards Alrewas.

The sun came out for us, and we started enjoying the views of fields and countryside.

After a couple of miles we reached Alrewas, and were enchanted. This village sits mainly alongside the A38 road, and so we only see that side which isn’t the prettiest, but it was saving its best for canal visitors.

First a wonderful graffiti to welcome us as we passed under the road.

Ian spotted the reflections on the roof.

Reggie says hurry up!

There are several pretty locks along this stretch

and what can be more English than a cricket match by the canal?

We then discovered the pretty thatched cottages and gorgeous gardens

I love this old shed in an overgrown garden

The village church was visible over the hedgerows and old oaks tree

We carried on walking past the village to where the River Trent flows across the canal – you don’t see signs like this very often on a canal (photobombed by Reggie)

This bridge is the canal tow-path crossing the river

Mummy duck posing for a family photo shoot

As we had been walking for well over an hour, it was time to retrace our steps, but we still found new views to share

Reggie wasn’t too happy going onto this bridge, but got there with some encouragement

Couldn’t resist this groundsel clinging between the bricks of a bridge

And finally we returned to Fradley Junction for a well deserved and delicious ice cream.

We will remember to walk this section again!

Mountain, coast and wildlife

I’ll pick up our travels, and fill in the gaps to Kelseys last post as we continue on our trip through New Zealand North Island.

You left us as we arrived in New Plymouth. We stayed in an apartment with a view of the sea to one side, and Mount Taranaki the other. We took a gentle stroll into town along the coast walkway.

A selfie in one of the sculptures.

New Plymouth likes reflections, seen here in the Len Lye Centre/Govett-Brewster Art Gallery

The contrast between old and new architecture was striking, but charming.

I loved the low sunlight through the clock tower

If you ever in New Plymouth, and want to eat try PaNKaWaLLa for an incredible Indian meal. We shared the buffet and couldn’t finish it, despite our best efforts

We decided to take the Surf Route the next day, with lovely clear views of the mountain we were driving around.

No mistaking Taranaki for the active volcano it is.

The road doesn’t actually follow the coast, but has lots of side roads to surf beaches. We ventured down a couple, trying to find Cape Egmont Lighthouse, but chose the wrong road and found the new lighthouse instead, still beautiful against the blue sky.

The wild coast from Opunake View point.

Carrying on down the coast, we just had to visit Bulls, after Kelsey had blogged about it.

I’ll resist the puns, but we loved this shop

Eventually we reached Wellington and met up with Andy and Kelsey again, and met my other grand-doggy Higgs.

The following day Andy and Kelsey went to work for the morning, so we walked round to Zealandia, a fully fenced urban ecosanctuary. We had already met some of the birds flying around the area, but got a chance for more up close sightings here, despite the wet weather.

Later that day we ventured off to Martinborough, and enjoyed great food and wine and company for Christmas.

This window was above our bed.

Higgs enjoyed his presents, while we enjoyed the spread at Poppies Vineyard

Kelsey’s blog has covered the visit to the Pinnacles and Cape Palliser – we were getting our step count in every day.

We returned to Wellington after a super break, and decided to visit Wellington Zoo for a morning.

A lovely zoo set on the hills over Wellington, we got to see most of the animals relaxing

As the holiday neared its end we still found time for some walks around upper Wellington, with the awesome panoramas.

And I shall leave you with views of this land, and our transport home, but New Zealand gave us a true goodbye – the earth moved for us as we felt a 5.5 earthquake while in Wellington Airport. And true to Kiwi form, no-one batted an eyelid.

Goodbye New Zealand, Kia Ora, we will be back.

Coromandel, Lakes and Forgotten World Highway

The Highway hugs the contours of the native forests like a roller coaster

If you’ve missed the adventure in New Zealand so far, visit https://flyallover.net/, thanks to Kelsey.

After we parted company with Andy and Kelsey, we picked up our rental car for the next adventures. Andy had suggested we visit the Coromandel Peninsula, so we made our way down and around the Firth of Thames, and then up the wonderful coastal road up the Coromandel, stopping here and there to enjoy the views.

Our stop for the night was a cabin at Long Bay Motor Camp, at the end of the road to the Long Bay Reserve.

Our cabin at first appeared to be a garage, but once inside, all we could say was WOW.

This is the view from the bed, bliss.

We were treated to the view of the sun sinking into the sea, and some sea-glass collecting on the beach.

Of course, we had to have wine..

The next morning, after a visit to town, we drove over the peninsula and down the East Coast road, again with superb views.

Next stop was Rotirua, for a second fix at the Luge. We arrived too late for the planned 5 runs, so made do with 3, and once again had huge fun.

Do I need to tell you the views were incredible?We spent the night at Taupo. Who can fail to be impressed by the snow-topped volcano Tongariro behind a lake with black swans.

Next adventure was the Forgotten World Highway, a twisty road through native forests, a real feel of the wild. A sign at the start of the highways tells you there is no fuel for 155km.

First stop was Nevins Lookout, up a steep hill (close the gate), but with 360 degree views forever.

While waiting for me to catch up, Ian spotted this wasp making her nest on an old fence post.

From here, the road leaves grassy hills behind and hugs the contours of the native forests like a roller coaster. We stopped at Josh Morgan’s Grave, the surveyor who created this road.

We ended the Highway at Stratford, names after Stratford-on-Avon, with its glockenspiel clock tower.

and on to New Plymouth for the night, were my next blog will pick up the story