For many years Scraggy Crows have “camped” at Kinver Scout Campsite, beneath Kinver Edge in Staffordshire, staying in a log cabin at the top of the site nestled in a shallow valley with Kinver Edge rising up at the top of the valley. Chantal does not do “camping”, even in a log cabin, what with the communal sleeping and snoring, but this year she joined us, at least during the day, because she was offered alternative sleeping accommodation.
Traditionally after arriving on Friday night we have a pub meal, but two or three years ago we noticed that the standard of catering at the local hostelries had plummeted. We considered Italian and Indian Restaurants, or even fish and chips, and then not only did we discover Kinver Constitutional Club, we also discovered that anyone staying at the Scout camp site is an honorary member. With a varied menu and about 20 different beers on offer it is hardly surprising that we settle there on the Friday evening.
One of the Scraggies has recently purchased a narrow boat, berthed not far From Kinver, and so we spent the day on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, some walking and some cruising, travelling 2 or 3 miles up the canal before turning around and heading back, via a pub of course. It’s a leisurely and slow paced world on the canals.
On Saturday evening we had for a barbeque around a campfire.
After which Richard and I smoked our traditional pipes-of-peace – something we do from time to time, just to remind ourselves why we don’t smoke regularly
The following morning, after a hearty full English breakfast and reading the Sunday papers, we held both our monthly meeting and our Annual General Meeting on the veranda in front of the log cabin.
On our way home Chantal and I visited the Kinver rock houses, deep caves scraped out of the soft sandstone, bricked in, and occupied as dwellings on three levels, the last one being vacated as late as 1964.
Oh yes, Chantal’s alternative accommodation? She avoided the snorers by returning to the boat and spending each night on the canal. I avoided the snorers by sleeping outside under the shelter of the first floor balcony of the log cabin.
Technically we live in Oaktree House, but sadly the tree had to go.
We now have a thriving Oakstump at the front of the house.
