Surprisingly we had a very quite night. Was a bit worried about the mooring, what with the towpath on both sides and on the Tame Valley canal to boot, but apart from some yowling around 10ish (which we assumed was either foxes or cats) not a sound was heard. So this morning it was an early start. I do like traveling first thing before anyone is out and about, one gets to see more wildlife and a good chance to be first to the locks.
This canal didn't get any better as we travelled further along. Really knew we were back on the Tame Valley when the rubbish started building up the nearer the last 2 locks of the Perry Bar flight we got. In fact by lock 12, so much detritus had accumulated that Ian had to use our rake to remove as much as he could. Broke our rake in the process! Even so I decided to coast in, didn't want more rubbish round the prop again especially as Ian's fisherman's glove was still drying after yesterdays episode.
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| Rake intact then.... |
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| Broken!!!! |
Then as the water was dropping a little fish got itself stuck on the
gate. It was flapping away and making every effort to get back into the
water. I shouted for Ian to grab the rake and save it's little life. Muttering away to himself he duly obliged 'cause he said he would never had heard the end of it if he hadn't!
Then under Spaghetti Junction we cruised at a steady 3.5mph, watching the speeding traffic overhead. I wonder how many vehicle owners knew they were passing over a canal where the pace was slow and sedate, but there again how many care!
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| Salford Junction |
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| A splash of colour along a dismal canal |
Straight on at the junction and onto the Birmingham and Fazeley and what a difference. Rubbish was all gone and replaced by neat towpaths and lovely back gardens. Only had Minworth and Curdworth locks to do, 3 at Minworth and 11 at Curdworth, before stopping by the gravel pits. Having cruised for 11 miles and tackled 16 locks, that was more then enough for one day. Left Ian to potter round the boat while I went for a walk around the lakes, now a fabulous nature reserve and wetlands hosting all sorts of migratory birds. Tomorrow the Atherstone flight to do and a trip through Nuneaton. Oh joy of joys!!!!
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| This at lock 8 Curdsworth flight. |
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| First this Heron was mobbed by the gulls |
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| Then it was the turn of the Avocet |
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| Pheasants in abundance |
Plenty of bugs about but very little in the way of butterflies.
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