Back in the City.

Tuesday 31st August.

We left the Bournville mooring at 0950 and set off to Birmingham. It was fairly quiet and we encountered no problems; even the Selly Oak diversion seemed easier to navigate- but maybe that's because we're getting used to it after having passed through several times! The construction work is coming on and we could see quite a difference since we were there in June. We arrived in Birmingham about 11 o'clock and were very pleased to see a mooring space in Oozell's Loop so were all tied up by 1110.
After lunch we went to the shops and decided to have a meal at the Yo! Sushi bar in Selfridges. We love Japanese food and have been to this bar before. Tonight's meal was equally superb as the previous one we enjoyed there. Brindley Place looked as pretty as ever as we walked back to TQ and I must say that it was really lovely to see all the beautiful flowers and plants everywhere we walked, on this last day of August.

Family time!

Monday 30th August

It was a great day! Stephanie, Chris, Tamsin and Sasha arrived at 10:45 and we had such fun. It was their first visit to TQ and we enjoyed a leisurely cruise to Bournville. The weather was fine- quite a miracle for Bank Holiday Monday- and all went well. The girls thought it was very exciting. We moored the boat at the BW site opposite Bournville station and left TQ late afternoon to walk with them to the station so they could get the train back to Alvechurch to get their car. Sorry to see them go...
Afterwards we walked into the town and it all seemed rather quiet. However, we found Selly Manor to be open on BH Mondays (until 5pm) and were delighted as last time we were here we arrived too late to visit. Well worth visiting. We walked round the village a bit more before returning to the boat and having a meal on board and a quiet night.

Last Trip on Tranquility This Year.

Sunday 29th August.

We arrived back at Alvechurch this afternoon, on a sunny Bank Holiday weekend, for a week's holiday. It was good to see Tranquility again. We've decided to take it easy this week as we've had a very busy year and could do with a rest! After unloading the car, we went down to the local supermarket but were thwarted when there was a power cut and the alarm went off just before we finished our shopping- everyone had to leave the shop at that time. We waited a few minutes for the All Clear and went back in to continue where we'd left off. However, shortly afterwards the same thing happened, just as we were making our way to the cash till. Having been turfed out again, we decided to hedge our bets and go on to Sainsbury's instead. Just made it before closing time.
Staying in the marina tonight as our daughter, son-in-law and two gorgeous granddaughters, aged five and three, are coming tomorrow to have a little trip on the boat with us! It will be a new experience for them so hope they'll like it.