Ironbridge and Blists Hill

Ever since we knew that we were coming to this area we were looking forward to today.  Mike has always wanted to visit Ironbridge and I loved the programme Victorian Farm which came to Blists Hill for some filming and so I wanted to see where it all happened.  We chose the best day of the week for weather as it was glorious.  We approached the bridge and it looked stunning …

I had seen a programme on tv when it was mentioned that the builder had made sure that his silhouette was included on the bridge and I think that this was it …

You can just about make out the features of a face!  We walked underneath it …

and back up to the statue …

We then crossed the bridge looking down to the river far below …

At the other side there was the Toll House …

It was now time for coffee and there just happened to be a Scottie at the table next to ours so Hamish and Fred made friends …

We then went back to the car and it was a short drive to the Victorian town – Blists Hill.

We entered here and I took so many photos that it was very difficult to pick out a few for my blog. 

We had a fabulous day and if anyone is in this area then do please visit because it is worth every penny.

Lichfield Cathedral

Yesterday was due to be a family day at the campsite but the heavens opened and so we took our food to Paul’s mum’s home and the six of us enjoyed a feast that was bought to feed twelve!  So when we woke to sunshine this morning it was suggested that we go to Lichfield which was somewhere we’d never been before.   We parked the car and walked to the Cathedral after spying it in the distance … 

As we turned up a side road it was there in front of us in all its glory …

The dogs weren’t allowed inside so the chaps stayed outside while Jo and I went in.  We bought a photography permit and Jo took the photos.  Here are a selection of the fantastic shots that she took …

Today the Press were in evidence as it was the first time that the Lichfield Angel had been displayed in a glass cabinet …

When we left the Cathedral Mike went in for a quick look and then we went in search of somewhere for lunch.  We found a lovely little place with tables outside and they even supplied water for the dogs …

There were some beautiful old buildings in Lichfield …

Back at the campsite we gathered in the caravan awning for our evening meal.  There had been plenty of food left over from the weekend and we’d bought some strawberries for dessert … 

Jo doesn’t like fruit but she does like cake and squirty cream!!

After dinner we took the dogs for a walk to the Birmingham and Fazeley canal …

going further than we did last time, reaching lock 9 and the Dog & Doublet …

The sun was going down over the water …

Dog-Sitting Day!

It is the day of the wedding and Jo is up early to get ready …

After a small panic when her hair refused to behave they were both dressed and ready for the off …

They looked so smart and were attracting comments from fellow campers about being slightly over-dressed for a campsite!

Fred seemed to be oblivious of the fact that his parents had left him …

The sun was shining so we got the awning out – a very rare occurrence!

In the afternoon we took both dogs for a walk to find the canal as we knew it was pretty close to the site.  We walked along the towpath to lock 10 …

It was then a short walk to Bodymoor Heath bridge which we went under for a look but went no further …

We then went up onto the road which leads back to the site passing this lovely old Chapel which has been converted to a dwelling on the way …

I was getting regular updates on how the wedding was progressing and this is a photo of the newlyweds …

They were so lucky with the weather as it rained during the ceremony in Tamworth Castle but the sun shone for the photographs.

In the evening we took the dogs for their final walk and it looked fabulous as the sun set over the water and swans glided by for me …