Down memory lane

That sounds a pleasant day out - especially when it leads to the promise of another one

I have a cousin who lives on a canal boat and one day we went to meet them on the Norbury canal - can't remember exactly where but it must have been near there. We lived in Stafford at the time so it wasn't far.
There are so many garden centres in Staffordshire they will keep you going for a long time! Fletchers in Eccleshall has a birds of prey collection as well as the plants

What a lovely story. To find that house after so many years, incredible! If I want to go to a plant nursery I have to either bribe my sons with promise of food or call a fellow gardening friend and make a day of it.

Hahaha they have a knack don't they. Days you don't have any real plans they're happy to stay in. The second you want to go work in the garden "lets go out". My OH is exactly the same.

Still sounds like you had a lovely day out and how wonderful finding the house.

Thanks Sue, will have to look that up. Think we will be going back there soon to Norbury Junction, saw that they do what they call "Fish and Chips" 3 hr evening cruises. You have to book, but we thought it sounded pleasant.

Thanks Amsterdam, my daughter was the same, needing bribery to go to garden Centres lol. It was Barlow nurseries near Newport. Don't know if you have been? From what I saw just walking to find the owner to ask about the dogs, the plants looked nice.

Sam, you are so right, he does it every time I want to get in front garden, thats why it is taking me so long to sort it!!!! Lol. How is your front garden going?

What a lovely story especially as it had a happy ending, my oh loves canals so this sounds a good place for a visit.

Thanks Stroller, what was nice was that Hubby was enchanted with it there as well. It was nice sitting outside the cafe watching to world go by.Sundays and Bank holidays they do 1hr cruises as well, and while we were sitting there they called people who had booked for a cream tea cruise. I would recommend a visit.

Thanks Jen, the cream tea cruise sounds just up our street.

now that is what I would call a great day out, cruising down the canal and cream teas, then a visit to a g.c. wow what more can a girl wish for. lol (I know, a large diamond ring) maybe! lol.

it looks lovely and how lovely to find your old house.

Thats what we thought Stroller but where so close thinking of fish and chip one as well

lol, Oliveoil, I'm cheap, just give me the cream tea and g n and think of all those plants can buy for cost of diamond lol :-).

Its not that often an OH makes your dreams come true so I hope you made it up to him with your thoughts him playing dirty a trat for him may be . It looks a lovely place and a lovely suprise from your OH.

Thanks Lijemc. Funny thing is I hadn't thought about that holiday in years, till we moved up from Kent 2 years ago and realised that it must have been in the area somewhere as I remembered also taking the girls to Blists hill, Telford which is a victorian village and Telford very near me now. My ex in laws had done all the organising of the holiday. When my daughter came into work this morning, we sat there talking about that holiday and it's surprising how much she remembers as she was only 7 at the time. Talked about the gentleman who took her under his wing, sat for hours next to her on the canal bank and taught her fishing. :-).

I did tell him he had made my day lol Dawn. What was nice is he liked it as much as I did and where so close said we would go back over the summer.

Well I am so glad to hear that Jen you told him he made your day it will show him you apprciated his thought for you.
Nothing better when the OH shares your love for something I hope you both have a wonderful time on your next visit back there the canal tow path is the most relaxing place to be even better than a sea side or out deep in the country side.

What a lovely day out,thats the kind I enjoy.

Another nice outing if its not too far away is the Dorothy Clive garden. Its on a steep hillside. It has a pond, a waterfall and stream,an Indian Bean Tree (Catalpa bignonioides) a dell full of rhodos and azaleas, with bluebells in season, and a good tea room. I saw my first Himalayan blue poppies there.
David Austin Roses is a possible for a day trip too, and there is the lovely little Allbrighton Pottery nearby so you can make a day of it. You will be spoilt for choice!

My favourite garden centre is 'Oakgate' on the A53 from Shawbury to Market Drayton, in Shropshire. It is small, has a good selection of plants and has a rather sweet coffee shop. Also it is not part of a chain! It is tucked away and not that easy to find which I like, like a hidden gem.

Thanks Dawn, maybe next time I will be able to take better photos, had both dogs on leads and trying to take photo on my phone at same time lol.

Sue, thanks for ideas of places to go, keep seeing the signposts for Dorothy Clive gardens and its not very far from me at all.

Thanks Callie1914, hubby still saying what a lovely trip out it was.

Amsterdam, I've been to Oakgate a few time and it is very nice, bought a few things there, the one I mentioned is also a independent nursery rather then a chain garden centre. Its near Cheswardine, down some country lanes. Next time I go to look will have to take some pics if it turn out to be ok.

I have been to Dorothy Clive gardens also Jen,It is beautiful,but it is so big,you will need to go a few times to see it all which I have,but each season is different and ever changing,going again this year can not wait.

Thanks Callie1914, for the advice. Have to plan a visit this summer, or a few lol.

What a lovely blog, it sounded idyllic from your memories of all those years ago, I'm so pleased you weren't disappointed, sometimes when revisiting after many years everything has changed, then you wish you had not bothered, the photo's are lovely as well Jen....

Lol Lincslass, you are so right, the pub across the way didn't look as smart as it did 20 years ago but when I got home, looked up the holiday home on net and it looks better then did when we rented it :-). Glad you have managed to sort out getting to GOY, you have been missed.

Oh thankyou Jen, I have a lot of catching up to do, so far so good, I felt lost without it, found some old friends on other pages but its not the same....

Lol Jen they do have a knack don't they.

Front garden is going slowly. Got someone lined up to do the heavy lifting, just waiting for a start date. Hopefully be beginning of Juneut not sure yet.

Jen spring's probably the best time for the quarry garden at Dorothy Clive - the rest is good any time but do go when the bluebells azaleas etc are out.

Thanks Sue, I will have to try harder with hubby. Talked to him last night about going but he is worry if he could manage walking around, over the last couple of years he has developed arthritis in balls of his feet which at times make it painful to walk too far. Might end up going on my own.

Glad it will soon get underway Sam, must be a bit frustrating waiting for start date but as you say, hopefully soon :-).

Jen he might like to know that as the garden is on a steep hillside there is a car park at the top of the drive for anyone who can't manage the hill. Just a short step to the cafe...

Thanks Sue, I will tell him that

It is getting a bit frustrating. had a nice surprise Friday when the tree surgeon appeared and took the tree down. Shame to see it go but it was too big for the space, too close to the path, overhanging next doors roof and causing damage to the path and walls. They're coming back next week to grind the stump out. Fingers crossed it won't be long now!

Dorothy Clive gardens are beautiful. We went in summer a few years back. Been meaning to go back in spring to see all the rhododendrons in flower - they are huge plants. They've got it on the 2 for 1 entry book from Gardeners World this year I think. If you want someone to go with I'd be happy to meet you there. Always happy to wonder round a nice garden.

Know how you feel, we had 2 trees chopped down, real mixed feeling. That sounds a nice idea, only trouble is I don't know if can make it in time this year for Rhododendrons as they are all out now. I will PM you later and see what we can sort out :-).

There's suddenly a lot of sky out there lol. Still be better when it's done.

No trouble. Happy to go even if it's after the Rhodeies have flowered.

How lovely for you :)

I just recently read a book with the author had been paddling around the canals in Birmingham and a bit in London too, in an inflatable dinghy, and noticing the different architecture, plants, wildlife that you couldn't see from anywhere else. Can't remember the book or author name now but a really enjoyable read. And then was able to answer a quiz question from looking at a photo of the canal under spaghetti junction :D

Sounds an interesting book. I enjoy walking along the canals. Didn't have them back in Kent. But there tends to be a lot of fisher men, so they then have to move to let me pass with the dogs, then move again when I walk back but they are very good about it :-).

Sounds like a dog-friendly dinghy would be nice :)

Lol. Sounds a plan Pamela, but not sure what Shadow would make of that. :-).