Janet's Blog – Summer 2025

Well, I certainly won't be complaining about the weather this spring and summer (so far!) It's been blooming lovely and my hay fever is definitely telling me about it! Graham and his gardening club have done an amazing job of keeping the plants and flowers around reception watered and they are looking truly gorgeous. Unfortunately the lack of rain has definitely had an impact on the network with water shortages and restricted use in some parts.

 On the farm the lack of rain can actually cause quite a problem – no rain means not much grass growth which can be tricky this time of year with so many young stock out. We also have an extra mouth to feed as our beautiful mare Ellie has produced a stunning long-legged filly called Skye. I'd like to say she is such a cute little thing, but with legs that long she's definitely going to give most supermodels a run for their money. I was away at a dressage camp when she went into labour – after an excited phone call from Daughter No 1 to say the waters had broken, I was left watching the entire birth on my phone on CCTV. To say that a large glass of wine was necessary to calm my nerves (and excitement) after is an understatement. 

 In the marina office we are busy planning our 15th Birthday bash and also our big weekend in August – if you don't already have a ticket for the birthday do, contact the office to get your name down for one – they're free to our moorers, lodges and seasonal caravanners. Local musician and Audlem Music Festival organiser Jodie Jennings is bringing his band Hipster, and take it from me – they will be brilliant! I'm also looking forward to our Charity Quiz night, Music at the Marina and Comedy night – it's great to have events on site and even better to be able to help the Overwater Wheelyboat charity, the RNLI and the Audlem Music Festival. Oh, and if all that isn't enough – at the birthday bash there will be a cake!