Is this really all from boaters?

Tuesday 28th

Why on earth did we need to get up early. The sun was streaming through the curtains, it was 6am so why get up and leave now? Yesterdays weather forecast that's why, but the forecasters usually get it  wrong, don't they?  We were not prepared to find out 'cos torrential downpours with thunder in the mix was on the cards for after lunch. So we crept past those still sleeping on their boats, pulled onto the facilities, connected the hose and started filling with water all before we had our first cup of tea.

Lovely morning so surely no rain today!

Then it was empty loo and dispose of rubbish. The door to the bins storage was locked and needed a BW key, once unlocked we couldn't believe the sight that greeted us. Back on the 4th of June    contractors for C&RT were busy getting rid of the rubbish piled high from inside and today the rubbish was very nearly but not quite as bad. Is this all from boaters? Some strange items disposed of it it was. Cant quite make my mind up!

We managed to have breakfast whilst filling and once the tanks were full, set off for Crooke.

The morning became overcast but no rain fell, so reaching the two old Appley Locks (Deep Lock replaced them) we went for a walk. Trekked through high grass, nettles, briar and Japanese Knot Weed and felt at times that we needed a machete in some parts to hack our way through, but we managed and took these photos.

Just some of what we went through

Appley bottom lock

Top gates of the bottom lock

More trekking to lock 2

Appley top lock

FS almost hidden

Would have loved to stay over night. Such a secure and peaceful mooring (apart from the occasional train) Instead we set of for Deep lock. This lock took forever to fill especially as only the offside ground paddle worked. Then it was onto our last lock for today, Dean Lock. Here too was a disused lock alongside (no name) so was Dean lock built to replace it? And if so why? Any ideas? 

Not sure why this wasn't used any more. Seemed okay other then a bit neglected. Dean lock to the upper right

Boy were we lucky. Having had a few spots of rain travelling the last mile to Crooke, going alongside Ambush for Derek to fill our diesel tank with 106 ltr (now 66p ltr) and then also purchasing a 13kg color gas cylinder for £26 we pulled back to the pub moorings. A clap of thunder and then the rain....well it was like a waterfall! All afternoon it fell, so very glad not to be on any rivers.

Emerging from a hole in a barn this morning,  Sparrow fledgling?

Song Thrush

White throat