Saturday 20 November 2010

Market Drayton to Shebdon Embankment (but not kingfisher today unfortunately)

The photo below was taken on the 27th April this year - the water diviner is employed by BW to find a leak in the embankment (can't think how with all that water around)
the above picture was taken today at the same place - we could see a pile of clay puddled against the edge of the canal beneath the water line and these two BW boats protecting the area - it looks and sounds to me like the famous boy who put his finger in the dam to stop the flood!
waiting in the bottom lock at Tyrley watching the force of the water coming from the pounds above and calculating how I will enter lock 4 without mishap - I shouldn't have worried, the Axiom propeller did its job once again.
we wondered what this crop is - although it's a lovely golden colour it seems to be dying - perhaps it should have been harvested some time ago
there is a huge field of it here at the locks - anyone know what it could be - George thought maybe sugar beet - I've no idea at all.
approaching bridge 60 and the top lock Tyrley
entering Woodseaves Cutting ...
... and passing under these iconic arches
the arch from a slightly different perspective 
the sides of the embankment are magical
the trees form their own arches
what a view
Approaching Newport Road Bridge (45) with the ex-Cadbury's Bournville factory wharf in the distance - the smell was lovely as we passed - according to the Nicholson's Guide the factory now only produces dried milk, but we're positive we could smell chocolate!
We reached our mooring for the night at about 2:45 where we found Sue and Vic on No Problem.  I'd seen from their blog yesterday that they were moored here so we took this opportunity to say hello properly and have a chat.  We're meeting up with them again this evening to share a bottle of wine (or two) - looking forward to that.

7 comments:

  1. That field is bamboo I think, I walked through it last time I was here.. you know the sticks they use to keep runnerbeans up!

    Looking forward to seeing you later.. a bottle or two eh?.. OK then!

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  2. Jaqueline AlmdaleSunday, 21 November, 2010

    Hello Carol,
    I am writing a blog with a main theme of narrow boats and English canals. Your pictures are stunning and I am writing to ask permission to include several of your pictures in my blog. If you will consent I promise to credit you and link to your blog.
    Warm regards,
    Jaqueline USA

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  3. Sue, thanks for solving that mystery for us. We had a great evening with you both - I haven't laughed so much in a good while - we shall have to repeat it again in the hopefully not too distant future. Thanks also for the jam and your help this morning - very much appreciated.

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  4. Hi Jaqueline, thank you for your interest in my blog. I'm flattered that you think my photos are good enough to use in your own blog. We are currently moored next to Sue and Vic on NB No Problem and Sue assures me that it's ok for me to agree to you using the pictures from my blog - although I would ask that you do not use any with my grandchildren in them. Sue has asked me to let you know that she agrees that you can also use pictures from her blog; she also apologises for not getting back to you sooner, she hopes to catch up with her e-mails today.
    kind regards
    Carol

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  5. Hello again Jaqueline, forgot to ask - please can you send me a link or URL for your blog? Many thanks
    Carol

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  6. Many thanks Carol for your generosity and I promise only to use your pics of the cut or narrow boats sans grandkids. My blog is http://truelovefloats.blogspot.com. My best to Sue and Vic if they are still about!
    :) Jaqueline

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  7. The crop is probably Miscanthus (commonly called Elephant Grass), it is now being grown as a biomass crop for renewable energy. It grows through the Summer but isn't harvested until the following early Spring, then the next year's crop starts to grow.

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