Week 32- We Have a Secret!

The first half of the week displayed sunny warmer weather. In fact the end of February was the hottest on record. We hopped in the car & took off to Quarry Bank Mill at Styal. A former cotton mill at the cutting edge of the industrial revolution. What a time traveller to see all those machines lined up. To have one going was noisy enough, but there were rows & rows of them. Cotton would be flying, noise rising. You could be apprenticed as early as 9 years old for 10 years & kept in the Apprentice cottage. You didn't get paid, & didn't gain a trade at the end. Just another form of slavery.
We had the luxury of a bath as we stayed overnight in what used to

be a stately home at Cranage. It's the little things you crave when you can't have them.
Off again the following Saturday to Worcester to pick up our mail & boat parts from Rob & Caroline at Ortomarine. Also happened to be Caroline's birhday which we were happy to celebrate with dinner. We managed to have a look at Tewkesbury, another scene of battle during the Wars of the Roses. A win to the Yorkists this time. The battle is re-enacted every year. Another tradition still active today is the "Mop Fair". Dating back to the 14th century it was essentially a hiring fair where you came displaying your tool of trade hoping to gain employment. If you didn't have a trade you carried a mop.
Due to the events that took place this week, our crusing plans have changed again. We are going to do most of the Cheshire Ring then head south to a destination yet to be announced. It's our secret 'til everything is in place, but we are very excited about our target destination. Stay tuned!

Sights/Activites
Quarry Bank Mill (NT)
Tewkesbury Abbey

Pubs
Old Beams - Stourport-On-Severn