Hiding the battle scars

The Thames.....now what can I say about that river. Just fabulous having cruised the tidal section from Limehouse to Teddington and then the non-tidal as far up as Lechlade. (furthest point for larger craft).  But there is a downside to cruising this wonderful river. The lock landing pontoons are more for a cruiser height than us lower narrow boats and consequently, our cabin sides were in danger of being scratched. Balloon fenders stopped this from happening but the metal work on those pontoons played havoc with the gunwales, gouging out deep scars especially along the bow.  For this reason, Ian decided we would stay here on the Ashby and hide the battle scars. The weather forecast was for dry conditions so while he set about filling the scratches, I went for a walk to see if I could spot a Water Vole.

I had been told of Water Voles being spotted at the start of the Ashby so, of course, I had to head back to the junction and go see for myself.

From the junction bridge looking toward the start of the Ashby.

Coventry canal left and right.

 Walking back and something small swimming across the canal caught my eye. I was quite a long way away and even with my telephoto lens only just managed to get a picture

This at full zoom 300mm

And cropped.

 Also managed to get this Hairy Hawker Dragonfly, Thanks to Paul I now know this is a Southern Hawker.

And a small beetle type bug on a nettle leaf (notice those stinging hairs)

 Fishing this afternoon was abysmal. So very windy I couldn't use the pole. Out came the swim feeder to fish the far bank and within minutes the rod had a decent bend to it and, after a considerable fight, pulled out this Perch. So one very happy girl.