Meeting up with old friends

Yesterday we arrived at Middlewich, mooring just outside the town but close enough to a footpath that led us straight to Tesco. A good opportunity to stock up again. 

In the afternoon, Matthew and Gail, formerly at Othona, came to visit for tea. I say tea but on arrival they produced a bottle of Cava which went down a treat! 

Today, Sunday, they returned in time to take us to 9am church in Elworth. After, we had a good walk around Sandbach. 

In the cobbled market place stand two Saxon crosses thought to date from the 7C. 

The Saxon crosses in the market square are a connection with St Cedd. Around 650 king Pendant wanted to unite his kingdom of Mercia with Northumbria. In order to marry King Oswi's daughter he had to agree to convert to Christianity. Cedd was one of those sent to help. He was so successful at this that when Sigburt asked Oswi to send someone to the East Saxons Cedd was chosen.

After working up an appetite we then went to The Old Hall for lunch. 

And, for those of you who have missed my pictures of food -  

A lovely roast beef - 

And Matthew's ploughmans. 

Everyone enjoying themselves. 

The girls then tried to make us envious of the ladies loo! 

This is the ante-room! I must confess that the gents was not so grand - nearly, just not as large! 

After that, back to the boat to recover and charge the batteries. 

Thanks Matthew and Gail for a wonderful day of worship and sharing together.