Signal boxes are my one weakness

... along with chocolate, spending money, reading, wine, and ... how long have you got?

Had a glorious bank holiday blipmeet with Leah/Cowgirl, who drove up from Westbury to be with us today. We started with coffee and authentic Portuguese custard tarts that I'd managed to get at Westonbirt yesterday, then headed off to Stroud for what Cowgirl called "A typical woodie walk".

Being a kind woodie, I didn't make her run, as is my usual method of getting around because I am often late! Stroud was quiet because of the bank holiday but we found several shops open, including a Sue Ryder charity shop that was celebrating the organisation's 60th anniversary by having Christmas in August! We didn't partake of any mince pies or Slade singles, but I did manage to buy a posh outfit at a knockdown price. The skirt was by Kew: Leah thought it was "cute" and I thought "Ken". So no prizes for knowledge of labels, then!

After checking out the art college and explaining how Stroud was nearly knocked down by road builders and property developers in the 70s/80s, but saved by fervent protestors, we stopped at the Lock Keepers cafe for coffee and cake. Chocolate and beetroot. There we met J, a poet friend. After a lengthy catch up, we explored the new canal developments, and then wandered home via a field route that resulted in nettle stings in unexpected places!

Lunch having been consumed, CleanSteve drove us on the kind of guided tour he excels at. Starting at the Slad Valley and going up towards Bisley and Waterlane, we arrived at Sapperton, where we went on a walking detour to admire the grandiose gateway of the yet-to-be-restored canal. It is known as the Daneway portal. We mused at how wonderful it would be to play there as a child, imagining castles, villains, and storming the battlements. Back at the pub, the Daneway, we sunk a quick half (Thatcher's gold cider) and then drove some miles down the Chalford valley to an old mill. Scary moment when CS realised he'd left his camera at the pub! He drove back and we wandered around Belvedere Mill until his return, when we continued to St Mary's Mill and the manned level crossing known officially at St Mary's, Brimscombe. An extensive section of the train line is controlled by one man in the signal box. He drives up from Wales on a regular basis to carry out his shifts. The Welsh diaspora is noted here in Gloucestershire.

After yet more milling around old mills and canalside architecture, we reached home about 7pm, tired but happy. The sun had shone, the cakes did not disappoint, and as CS remarked, it is lovely to be with a friend and not have to keep asking if it's ok to stop and take photos. We wish Leah and Sav well on their quest to find a house in the Mildands, though obviously that means we won't be seeing so much of them!

I know it is not a great shot but I do love signal boxes. I also love punkish moorhen chicks but they hide behind reeds.