108_A Walk in the Park

1st July 2020- 12th July 2020

We moored at Radford Semele for 2 weeks, while here I explore the local nature reserve and found the local Asda, where we topped up our groceries,   this was 15 minute cycle ride, all on cycle paths.  The earlier days of our visit here was marred with lots of rain and high winds so we didn't explore the area as much as we would have liked.  We ordered and picked up some prescription medicines here as the pharmacy was only a 10 minute walk away.
We hired a car from Enterprise ( 15 mins walk) and return to Kent for four days for  a family visit, we haven't seen our daughter and grandchildren since Christmas and its was so lovely to catch up with them once again.  We felt there was never going to be a good time to go so just bit the bullet and went.  It would have been lovely to be able to catch up with friends as well but due to Covid 19 it really wasn't practical to do so. We tried to book the boat into Saltisford Canal Centre for the few days we were going to be away but they were closed to visitors, so for only the second time we left Dunworkin on the tow path.  We really don't feel comfortable doing this, but Pat set up the CCTV cameras so we were able to monitor the boat while we were away, which gave us a little peace of mind.

13th July 2020
On our return we take a short 45 min cruise into Royal Leamington Spa where we stay for a few days.  We moor next to the student accommodation block which we were assured was a good place to moor and on further investigation found that it has a CCTV monitoring system as well as a water tap which isn't in the Nicholsons guide.  
We were really quite surprised at how nice Royal Leamington Spa was.  There is some lovely architecture in the Town Hall and Pump Rooms which now houses a museum.  The old town next to the canal was a bit run down and shabby looking but once we passed through this area and into the main shopping area the buildings were quite attractive. Just before the main town there are several nice park areas (Victoria Park and the Pump Room Gardens)  but we had a lovely walk round Jephson Gardens. This beautiful formal Victorian garden, complete with lake and water fountain and once the place 'to be seen' are listed as Grade II on the English Heritage register of historic parks and gardens and is  named after Dr Jepherson (1798-1878) the local practitioner who was largely responsible for the spa's high medical reputation. There is a cafe here which sadly was closed at the time but the small out door cafe was open and selling lovely ice cream, beverages and hot and cold snacks. 

15th July 2020
Before going onto Warwick, we take a short cruise up to Lidl and moor for a couple of days as Pat had a couple of parcels to pick up from the Amazon Locker in the Morrisons about 10 mins walk away. (not recorded in this vlog)

17th July 2020
  We move 2 miles today and negotiate 2 locks before mooring above the Cape Locks ready to ascend the Stairway to Heaven (Hatton flight of 21 locks). We had a lovely cruise, the weather wasn't too hot and we stopped for water at the bottom of the locks. The Cape of Good Hope at the top of the locks was quite busy with all of the outside tables full.  We did consider having a meal here but we really don't feel ready to visit pubs yet.