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In 1977 we hired our first narrowboat from Anglo Welsh at Market Harborough.From that moment our destiny was set. In 2006 we finally purchased our own brand new 57' narrowboat which we named 'Free Spirit'. Our aim is to travel the length and breadth of all the navigable rivers and canals of the UK. This will be our story as it unfolds.

Wednesday, 24 July 2024

Ear-splitting.

 More bites to contend with! How do those midges get in? And unfortunately the loo light came on first thing this morning. Ian had to brave the onslaught to go and change it. He brought a load in with him as the door was opened. That trusty can of fly spray was generously used again.

Before we left, a logging lorry arrived. To turn into the road opposite, he had to use the turning circle in the car park. Gosh, he came close to MB, if we had parked any further over I expect we would have been told to shift! 

We did leave fairly quickly after that, and then had to run the gauntlet of logging lorries along the lanes!

Today we made for Corrieshalloch Gorge. Just a short hop of 115 miles! Two routes were found, the coastal route or the scenic route. Half an hour difference in time, coastal was 2.5 hours or scenic 3 hours. It had to be the scenic route.

Two stops were made, one for coffee and later for lunch. It all added to the travel time. There was also 4 more hold-ups on the lanes which hadn't been factored into the equation.

Boat delivery, road sweeper, grass cutter and road works.
 

  At the lunch stop, an orange butterfly was seen. Camera in hand, I went searching and was rewarded in capturing one butterfly I never thought to photograph, the Fritillary Butterfly.

Could possibly be the Dark Green Fritillary

After nearly 4 hours, we finally reached the Gorge and were promptly dismayed that not a parking space to be found anywhere. We changed plans slightly and found a lookout lay-by nearby to stop for the night. Tomorrow early we will park by the Gorge, we should be able to get parked by 8.30am!.  In the meantime, I heard a shout from Ian to look up to the skies. A noise was heard in the distance and crikey...my eardrums nearly exploded! 4 jets flew over, very low, with an incredibly ear-splitting roar. The nearest RAF base is at Lossiemouth. They must have come from there.

And wildlife





6 comments:

Jo said...

Hello Irene,
If you have a smartphone, and don't already have it, you might find it useful to install the free Obsidentify app.to help with the ID of your wildlife. I use it when I'm unsure of my nature shots and 9/10 it's correct.
Jo ex n/b Sarahkate

Dave Ward said...

The jet appears to be a McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, which are operated by the
USAF based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, so probably won't have come from Lossiemouth, unless they are visiting.

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Thanks, Jo. Ian has the smartphone, so will get him to install it.

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

As I have no idea of aircraft I will bow down to your knowledge, thanks Dave

Anonymous said...

Hi Irene and Ian, it was lovely meeting you today and I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog. Your photography is wonderful and the scenery gorgeous. Hopefully you’ll enjoy some midge free travels as you venture around the Moray coast, so far I haven’t experienced any in the last 2weeks.
Happy travels, all the best, Susie Scott the tall Kiwi 😂

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

Hi Susie, Strange how a chance meeting starts new acquaintances. Hopefully one day, your travels will take you near enough to us so you can visit and experience our life afloat. Xx



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