Today’s target was the National Arboretum but before that we had to pay homage to the bacon bap at a canal side cafe called the Laughing Duck. Those of you who have known us for more than 30 years will remember the Anchor pub, our local, which was a religious establishment amongst canal enthusiasts. The Laughing Duck in Fradley has a similar reputation, it does tea, coffee, and bacon/sausage/egg baps. Today it was full, mostly people who had walked or cycled from the nearby towns and villages.
Once replenished we tackled a two mile walk from the canal to the National Arboretum crossing the A38 which was a little scary as it is a very busy dual carriageway.
The Arboretum is a bit strange, it has a monument on a slight hill which is quite atmospheric, surrounding that are lots of small gardens and monuments to each worthy group, every regiment has its own patch, the Polish monument, another for those who were shot for cowardice in WW1 plus specific monuments to recent engagements such as Iraq and Afghanistan. I suppose if you know someone who is commemorated there you will seek out their name and, from my own experience finding a friend commemorated at the Twin Towers, it would be very moving but somehow you don’t get the scale of the loss of life. It does not have same impact as the poppies at the Tower of London.
Tomorrow we are off to Burton on Trent for lunch which I hope will feature the two products the town is famous for, beer and Branston Pickle.