I Found A Treasure

We went into Whitchurch today and, as you probably expected, I had to scope out the charity shops.

And I found a treasure:  a Singer hand crank sewing machine with case, bobbins, needles and oil can.  All for $60.

I am so excited because now I will be able to sew again and do some upcycling projects I have been dreaming about.

We also found eggs and wonderful breads.

But the highlight of my day was the non electric sewing machine.

Whitchurch

Yesterday we did four lift bridges and ten locks.

We are now moored at Whitchurch where we will spend the day exploring the town.

I'm hoping to buy some of the Blue Cheshire cheese Whitchurch is famous for.

  We will also be on the lookout for interesting shops as we enjoy this little village that time seems to have left unchanged.

And the weather is even cooperating with lovely sunshine so what more could we ask for.

We Are At Wrenbury

Located amidst peaceful countryside dotted with lots of tranquil sheep and cows is the picturesque village of Wrenbury.

The village charms you with thatched cottages and a church whose bells still ring every fifteen minutes.

St. Margaret's church dates from the fourteenth century and overlooks the village green.

It was caught up in a dispute between two families that lasted 400 years and that is not a typo.

The dispute was between two prominent families:   the Cottons of Combermere Abbey and the Starkeys of Wrenbury Hall.

At question was the ownership of land and, believe it or not, church pews.

Their disagreement reached such a level that in 1748 the south side of the church officially became Cotton territory and the north side was allocated to the Starkeys.

Now that is a feud.

We Are On The Llangollen

The Llangollen Canal in Wales is a narrowboats's dream canal.

It is a scenic canal in all the aspects of the word.

There are no urban sections.

There are no industrial sections.

There is only beauty.

This is where canal holiday makers go to cruise.

Running in a north-south direction from England into Wales, it boasts lots of paths into local attractions.  For example, where we are moored tonight has a footpath to Snugbury's Jersey Ice Cream.

We might just have to sample that.

Comfort Food and Update

Today I have six locks ahead of me.

Yesterday I did five, one in a hail storm.

It was then that I decided on today's menu:  homemade chicken pot pie and homemade ricotta cheesecake.

I had made broth with the carcass of the roast chicken so I am using part of it for the pot pie along with some leftover roasted vegetables and chicken.

Yesterday I made ricotta with some RTC milk. Half of it will be used in the cheesecake.

I also have laundry to do today and I want to get some crocheting done so it should be a fairly productive day.

Update:  Our engine belt had to be replaced but Mike did it and we still did our six locks before 6:00p.m.

Cruising Update

We are currently retracing our steps on the Trent and Mersey Canal.

We are currently moored at Middlewitch where we did some more grocery shopping, including restocking some shelf stable meats.

Today we will head for the Middlewitch Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal.

  It means five locks to negotiate so pray the rain holds off because I become cranky when soaked to the skin.

Our goal is to end up at the Llangollen Canal where we have a couple of weeks of peaceful and scenic cruising planned.

Yesterday, besides shopping, I made another loaf of bread and some Scottish shortbread, did some laundry which I had to hang inside due to rain and hail, worked a lock, crocheted, and made spaghetti for dinner. It was a productive day.

I must admit, however, that I am more than ready for warmer and sunnier weather.

It is May after all. It seems strange to still be building fires in the stove because you can see your breath inside the boat if you don't.

April's Simple Savings

$1243.00 for April (and no, I didn't round, it came out an even number)

This month's savings came from:

Shipboard credits during our cruise
Not preselecting our airplane seats on the flight to Berlin
Hotel savings due to a military discount
A free coffee earned at Starbucks (one of my addictions)
Lots of free e-book downloads
Using a coupon, buying only items on sale, buying through Ebates, and taking advantage of free shipping to the store when I purchased ladies' unmentionables
Doing DIY port tours rather than booking through the ship
RTC food at the grocery store and a store voucher

Over the last four months we have averaged$1184.52 per month in simple to do savings without a negative effect on our lifestyle.

I call that a win.