Wow a couple of days later and we would have been stuck!.

 It was strange, not a single boat had passed us apart from a plastic cruiser heading toward Alrewas. This was a topic of conversation during our lunchtime meal at the Bridge Inn. And very nice it was too although both of us felt utterly stuffed and uncomfortably full at the end of it. Calzone for Ian, Lasagna for me and a huge cheesy garlic pizza to share. Think our eyes were bigger than our stomachs but oh it was all so very delicious.  We were going to head off for Willington after the meal but we felt a snooze was more on the cards, less energetic. During the walk back to FS another observation noted. No other boat had arrived to take up the moorings. Then at about 4.30pm, an email appeared in Ian's inbox. C&RT had issued a stoppage at Common Lock near Fradley

The top end gate has come out of it's cup, it will need a gantry to reposition.
We will provide an update by lunch time tomorrow.

Phew, thank goodness we had come through when we did. The last thing we need is a hold up in getting back to Langley Mill. Anyway, this cleared up the mystery. I expect a boat had either hit the gate hard or lifted it by getting the bow fender stuck under it on the way up.

 I did take myself off for a walk later, felt it was the right thing to do after all that food. As for tea tonight, I don't think either of us will bother. So all I've got to show of today is Branston Water Park and the wildlife seen within.

Female Yellow Tip Butterfly

Female and below is the male Orange Tip

Speckled Wood

Grebe

Greylag Geese

Long-tailed Tit

Song Thrush

Shell Duck

Oyster Catchers

Newt