Cromford Canal
5th October 2018
Today was the first Friday of the month and therefore the start of a new movement. The babes, keen to try out new ideas, have decided to pilot meetings on the first Friday of each month. First Fridays are, therefore, not days to forget; planning should be easier. So with date set and after quite a lot of tweaking, the venue and timings were finalised.
Those who could, met at Cromford Canal Car Park. After a bit of a battle with the car park ticket button, an understanding sorted out amongst the dogs, we finally were able to greet each other with hugs and laughter.
Marvellous behaviour.
Someone had the bright idea of asking a passing gentleman to take a photo of all of us together.
Hmm.. something is amiss here.
Helen J has either been cropped out or the gentleman needs a lesson in button pushing! Button pushing is clearly a learned skill in the Cromford car park.
Heading up towards the canal, we were met with a rather splendid display, staffed by a volunteer who seemed less than enthusiastic to inspire us. Although he was 'badgered' later on with a caterpillar query; it appears he has perhaps volunteered for the wrong post.
.
Basil, escaping a brush with the dogs.
Distracted by red caped children in a canoe, the pecking order of the dogs decided the walking order of the babes too. Betty occasionally allowed Bob to walk alongside her, a sneaky kiss too quick for the camera! Clapton, meanwhile, sporting his freshly-clipped-coat, wasn't sure whether he was supposed to get on a boat in Cromford and travel up to the Caledonian canal on a barge, or wait until he got there. Best do as Charlotte says, Clapton.
An eerie silence crept amongst the group as we watched a local peaky blinder at work
Very focussed....
Clearly, a dab-hand at his work.
We tootled along until we came to a natural stopping point. Well, we hadn't started with a cuppa, and talking is thirsty work.
It turns out that Charlotte really is Barbara Woodhouse in disguise. With a nudge, a prod and a marvellous trick of landing a dog biscuit on his forehead, somehow Bob realises that this is the cue to sit down! Whilst Charlotte offers lots of other advice, Bob has other ideas..
Mrs Woodhouse can't see me from here!
We really hadn't given ourselves enough time for chatting or extending the walk over the bridge as we needed to find Lynn
Maggie would have led us on a good walk from here!
So, we tootled back admiring the signs of autumn
And, as the weather was still holding up (obviously ordered in advance by yours truly), we found Lynn sitting outside the café ready and waiting for a good old catch up.
Press the button for the baby photo, Lynn.
Ahhh... wonderful news. Jo is a grandmother. Lots of excitement but there were times on our walk when we weren't quite sure which of her baby boys Jo was talking about; let's hope the pooping competition doesn't last for too long!
Lynn had lots of exciting news about her new house, her old house, her woods and storage issues. Charlotte gave a lot of good advice. Somehow we ended up talking about funerals again and how to avoid the high costs. Donate to medical science, of course! Less sure about the storage system here though as none of us wishes to lose a body part even it if is post departure.
Dog blood donating is apparently a thing for some dogs, especially Clapton, but Betty was pleased to learn that she was not the requisite size, phew. However, she made a very good attempt at giving Helen J a Brazilian butt lift. Not a nip'n' tuck you understand; a new idea: twisted lead wrap around.
We then waved an early cheerio to Jo as she was off for her first grandchild hug... ahh... cute!
At which point, Clapton went for the cute dog award for the day
There was paltry attempt at bird-watching today, but probably, despite a valiant effort from a kestrel, the orphaned little grebe did win our affections for the day.
It's a bit confusing having two bird names!
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