Getting Wet Or Drinking Coffee?

More time away, in the caravan this time, but still near the canal for a meeting tomorrow. Because I've had a few bad nights I was late up and we didn't set off until nearly 11am. With the M6 as full as it is we were warned of long delays. In this situation, the best option is to phone a friend! The Mate went to his computer, looked up the problem, told is it was just the bulk of traffic, told us it would be about 20 mins and also warned us that a route to avoid this would be tedious! Thank you, That Mate!

We expected to call at Charnock Richard Services for lunch but they hadn't space for a caravan amongst the lorries. Now why doesn't that surprise me? Fortunately, The Man knows this area well and knew we could pull off at the next junction into a nice handy garden centre with toilets, cafe, and a large car park. Yes, we do have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the country's garden centres!

Anyhow, we got safely to the caravan site by late afternoon, still in daylight, expecting a quiet stay so late in the season. Wrong! The neighbouring field was being used for a South Staffs Caravan Club rally, then through the weekend our own 5-van area filled up.

Never mind, off out for some quick shots of the canal before dark! As soon as we got out of the car the rain started. Hmmm? Interesting wet landscape or something taken whilst drinking coffee in the Canalside Cafe? Tough choice but someone had to make it!