And in front of the children too!

 Walked a fair way this morning...hadn't planned to, thought the bridge at Marston Junction (Ashby canal) would be the ideal place for Toffee and me to get back on board. Sods law said there would be another boat coming to stop my plan, and yep, there was!

 Signalling to Ian I would continue the walk, it suddenly dawned that no more bridges to be had for nearly a mile. Oh well, walked past Charity Dock instead of cruising past.

At Sutton Stop, I had to give way to a boat that was about to make the turn at the junction.

Then my turn to get round. Ian videoed it, probably thinking I would fail to get round in one, well sorry to disappoint, my dear! 

I did pat myself on the back 'cos the next boat through failed the attempt.

It was that blue boat that didn't quite make it in one.

At Stretton, there was a small and very rickety pedestrian swing bridge. Usually closed, it is a very easy task to drop off crew to open it. Today we were following a boat and very unsure whether they would leave it open or close it behind them.  They did leave it open, even though we were still a distance away. Ian did the honours to close it once I took FS through.  Right by that bridge, a pair of swans had decided to nest. Pretty dumb considering the amount of boat traffic, as well as pedestrian footfall that use it. To protect them (and the public) a barrier was put in place.

Lady getting back after leaving the bridge open for us

 At All Oaks Wood we stopped. It's a favourite of ours, even though pins have to be used. Ian always double pins, makes for a securer mooring.

A bizarre occurrence this afternoon. 4 boats in a line, all travelling too close. First boater pulled in trying to moor, got the stern in but bow swung out. The boat behind didn't reverse,,,or even turn the tiller. Hit that first boat side on. Then the third boat tried to reverse and only just missed the second boat, and what happened to the fourth? We were hit by his stern as he tried to reverse. Eventually they got themselves sorted but oh, as I said before, the Easter madness has begun!

It was the blue boat that was hit in the side.

And this made us chuckle
 

A Braunston Union Canal carrier hire boat came tearing past blasting his horn. What on earth was his problem, we thought. Both shot out the back, only to hear one of his family members at the bow berating him for deafening her. "Why did you sound the horn" she shouted angrily to which he replied," Oh do we have a horn"? 

And wildlife, cute little ducklings huddled together. Where was mum? Check out the photos.