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Join us on our journey of the canals and rivers of Britain's inland waterways.
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Somethings change and some don't ...
Sunrise at 08:30 on Tuesday 20th ...
... and a bit brighter at 10:10 as we were ready to up-sticks and cruise on!
I walked a couple of miles with panoramic views ...
... of the Staffordshire countryside
The Wrekin ... 15 miles away
Apart from startling hundreds of Fieldfare who were feasting on the remaining hawthorn and rose hip berries along the towpath and surprising a Pheasant to flight behind the hedge, this was the first sign of life that I'd seen since setting off - New Brighton Bridge (51)
The Swan family also enjoying the sunshine
The village of Goldstone in the distance ...
... as I arrive at Fox Bridge where George will pick me up
Snug as a bug in a rug!
Approaching Woodseaves Cutting where the canal is dug deep into the rock formation ...
... and where I spy Chas and Ann on Moore 2 Life catching up with us
?? fantastic!
- a click of the camera that was not intended! (we really weren't traveling that fast!)
You can see clearly now by the height of the bridge how deep the cutting becomes ...
... dwarfing Moore 2 Life
Tyrley Locks - and we all stop for water - the tap has been out of action for a couple of years!
Spot the difference ...
... the NO sign has gone (something to do with joining the European Common Market I think - ironic that it's disappeared at this time when the Euro is in such difficulties) (picture taken April 2010)
The water tap is so slow Geoff Seyella starts a game of fetch ...
... and all three dogs join in ...
Meg always brings it back for another throw ...
Big Molly in front and little Molly in the rear ...
... whoops, little Molly has it - typical terror though ... she will not let go!
... and now big Molly has it ...
... and she won't drop it either! Meg just wants to know what's going on, they keep pinching the ball
Our water tank eventually fills and we move off down the Tyrley locks, here looking back at lock number 2. no-one in sight yet ...
... and forward to the next one
The same crop was growing in this field the last time we passed this way ...
... on the 20th November 2010 - and asked if anyone knew what it was ...
Sue said...That field is bamboo I think, I walked through it last time I was here.. you know the sticks they use to keep runner beans up
James said...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.
In lock 4 looking down onto the last lock of the day ...
... who's that helping
Moore 2 Life down behind us?
It's a chap with his own windlass and a liking for working locks for the boaters - good of him.
We arrived at our destination just after 2pm and have settled in well hopefully for the duration of the festivities.
Monday, 19 December 2011
This little yellow wagtail's territory was opposite our mooring at Norbury Junction; he was busy there almost constantly. He looks as if he's standing on the water but in fact he's on the edge of the canal overflow under the bridge from the residential moorings to the wharf.
An early start yesterday morning saw us up at the water point by 09:30 whilst the temperature was still just below freezing ...
... the grass leaves looked very odd!
Water tank full, we wait for Mr Tesco to bring our groceries ... he's late and we're starting to become anxious ...
I love winter sunshine, it can be so dramatic ... the sun is still shining on the wharf but the sky is full ... a few moments later the sleet came - just briefly.
Mr Tesco arrived about 20 minutes late .. but better late than never .. been there .. done that .. and hopefully .. never again!
Whilst George set us off I started to put away the shopping; trying to find space for it all was not easy!
I eventually came back on the deck (I don't like being inside when we're on the move - I feel that I'm missing something!)
It's slowly, slowly past this long line of long term moorers as long as the eye can see ...
... we've rounded that top corner and looking back ... boat, boats and more boats ...
... and the same view as we continue ...
Christmas deco's in the trees ??
No, a wonderful display of lovely ripe red crab apples in the sunshine ...
... marvellous!
Looking back at the long straight that is Shebdon Embankment
Knighton Wharf once owned by Cadbury and although no longer deals with chocolate crumb, I swear that I can smell chocolate whenever we approach.
Geoff on NB Seyella has included
more info of this area on his blog - see link below.
Looking back towards bridge 44 ... a typical canal scene ... one that I personally can't get enough of!
George is happy in his role as helmsman ... but that guy we've just passed looks to have a slight problem getting through the bridge 'ole!
As the satnav used to say (when we had one) ... 'You have arrived at your destination'...
... Black Flat Bridge number 47 and there already moored up are narrowboats Seyella and Moore 2 Life.
Once tied up it was off to say hello to Mags where we enjoyed homemade mince pies (Ann M2L) and chocolate cake (Mags) ... both absolutely delicious!
A busy but enjoyable day.
Promises, Promises ...
Our daughter Sharon had promised the family on Saturday gone, that once the house was tidy and cleaned the Christmas decorations could be put up.
The whole family started the day by having a lie-in, i.e. they all got up late!
Then Sharon decided to ring me ... and we chatted for over an hour!
In the meantime 11 year old Alice was getting impatient ... so took things into her own hands ...
she would clean up herself!
So, off she went to prepare for the onslaught ....
Ready for work ... get a move on ... quick!
Friday, 16 December 2011
Good Friends ...
... came to lunch today, soup, rolls, mince pies and lots of laughter! Can't beat it!
L to R Mags (Seyella) Ann (Moore2Life) Geoff (Seyella) George (Rock n Roll) and Chas (M2L)
plus 3 K9's my Molly's ears, Meg (Seyella) and M2L's Molly's back leg between George and Chas's chairs!
just in case you don't recognise this - it's a christmas tree on top of a boat moored close by!
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