Corrrr....... What an eyeful!!

Wow! I was pleasantly surprised, today, when the sun brought out more then I bargained for. 2 day boats came towards us at speed with both boats having an all male party on board. As the first boat drew level I noticed 5 young men sitting on the roof, all but 1 semi naked. The one starkers guy stood up revealing a very well endowed meat and two veg. I pretended to take a photo and some good nature banter passed between us. It really made my day!! Even Ian had to chuckle reminding him of days gone by when he did a similar thing on a Thames sailing barge.

Probably a good job this photo is blurred!!!!

Those in the second boat seemed older and more sedate. Only the two men at the back of the first boat was decent.


On a more serious note I came across this when I walked Jade after leaving our mooring at Cosgrove. Moored nearby were two small cruisers and I can only assume this came from one of them, if not both.

We made it to Stoke Bruerne bottom lock with 2 boats already  waiting to ascend. While waiting our turn thankfully 5 minutes later another boat turned up. Its always easier to lock up with another boat and it helps to pass the time having a good natter while waiting in the locks. Every lock had to be turned round but we still made the long pound in just over an hour. ( having to wait for the first pair to exit the locks seemed to take ages ). We had decided to wash the port side of the boat and stopping after lock 5 gave us that opportunity as the towpath was on that side. No shade to make life easier  because all the good spots were already taken, so while I washed, Ian quickly took the leather to dry the side before it all dried streaky. After a quick lunch we set off again but this time on our own. There were only two more locks to do but being Sunday all the gongoozalers were out watching our every move. Thankfully we had no mistakes or mishaps because' sods law' says when your watched all that could go wrong usually does. Blisworth tunnel was the wettest I have known for a long time and yet no rain has fallen for 2 weeks!!! We left the tunnel with our clothes wet through,  we might just as well have been under a shower.

 

Dazzled by Ian's white legs. First viewing this year.

 

Gongoozalers at Stoke Bruerne top lock

A few more wildlife pictures on our journey today.

 A resourceful pigeon

 

Even the swans found the heat to much. I've never seen a swan pant!

Even the goose on her eggs found the heat oppressive.

Our moorings tonight are at Bugbrook. First thing I did was get my rod out. I seem to have got the fishing bug again but all I have is bread as bait.  I caught no end of bream  but maggot produces a better variety. I'll just have to find a tackle shop.

 

On our way at last!

What a glorious day to start cruising again. It felt good to be alive. So different from when we arrived at Milton Keynes a month ago. Then it was cold, wet and dismal but now that the trees are in full leave, blossom is out on the hawthorn and the sun is shinning, it feels like summer has arrived at last

We had a slow amble to Cosgrove. Crossing the Iron aqueduct and noticing a very hot woofit suffering in the heat, ( she wont leave us now that Judy has gone and lies on the engine cover instead of going inside where it is cooler) made us decide to moor up and take Jade to the river.  The water looked so inviting I almost wished I could join Jade swimming and splashing around. After a rejuvenated Jade but two very hot owners we made our way back to the boat for a spot of lunch. Sitting outside enjoying cold drinks and sandwiches we attracted the boaters either side of us and a very pleasant hour was spent chatting about this, that and the other( well not really the other) but the world was put to rights many times.

We are now moored above Gosgrove lock. It's a still scorching outside but we have managed to moor by the shade of a huge tree so the heat is bearable. Jade is fast asleep outside after her meal and Ian and I are already on the beer and wine. So all I can say is 'This is the life'!

Iron Bridge Aqueduct.

View going across.

New paint job

The site of the original canal

Jade loving her dip

This, would you believe, is a chub. The river was full of them.

Drying off before we had lunch

Tunnel under the aqueduct leading  from one side of the river to the other.

I said sit Jade. Your mum wants to take your photo

Okay if I must!

Common Blue Damselfly

New family of ducklings finding refuge on some floating foliage

Update on the kestrels

First of the chicks to show an appearance. I have been desperately trying to get a picture of the kestrel bringing in food and today the hours of waiting have paid off. Its a shame the photos are not as sharp as I wanted but I got all excited when the Kestrels arrived and I must have been to quick with taking the picture without focusing first.

First glimpse of the chick

Looks like a mouse being passed from one to another.

One of the pair on it's way out to another foraging trip

 I took Jade out early this morning in the hope that I might get a few more pictures. I was rewarded by these.

Waiting patiently for its mate.

Its mate arrives with anther tasty morsel

Again the focus is all wrong but at least the vole can be seen

You can just see the tip of the birds tail

 
I wont see the baby's f ledge, more the pity, but according to Jill on Nb Windrifter they use the same nest sight every year. Maybe one year I will be around to see the chicks leave the nest.

A ferret pays a visit.

I definitely did a double take when I noticed this coming toward me. He is owned by Wendy, a lovely lady who is into witchcraft and will sell spells for a modest fee. Not sure I believe in that kind of thing but you know, if it rocks your boat.....Anyway the ferret lives inside a converted dolls house in Wendy's boat and regularly takes a wander along the towpath.

Today Ian has left for Nottingham. The car can be a blessing at times but also a hindrance. Bruce from Nb Sanity again told me ages ago that getting rid of the car was the best thing he did. I do agree but while we are tied to the hospital it is a luxury ( or money pit ) we must hang on to.

Now I'm going to see if anyone can help identify these birds.

. First I thought it was a garden warbler but reading my bird book I'm aiming more for a Whitethroat. Watching this bird do a peculiar flight dance seems to tie in with what my book describes. Has anyone else any idea's?
Then there is this sorry looking specimen.

I'm not sure if it is one of this years chicks but from which bird?

Ian has returned and we are once again supping beer in this lovely evening sunshine. So excited that we will be finally on the move again tomorrow. Where we will moor is dependent on how we feel. It's so nice to please our selves for the time being. How long that will last is in the lap of the Gods Hospital.

Back from seeing the consultant

I'm not sure what we had expected from the consultant, but certainly not what we were told. After the usual long wait in the waiting room at Nottingham City Hospital we were finally called in to see the plastic surgeons  registrar. From now on Ian has a different team of doctors to see so the whole rigmarole of past history had to be gone through all over again. She confirmed that the tumor had grown and said an operation would be performed sooner rather then later. Thank goodness, we thought, a result at last. Then she called in her boss to arrange when the op could be done. After another long wait in she came with Mr Robertson the Consultant surgeon. He took another look at the scan, turned to us with a grave face, and said he was very reluctant to go ahead with surgery at this present time without yet another MRI and CT scan, the last one having been done in February. He said this type if tumor was notorious in not behaving as it should so before any other course was taken he would need to re-asses the situation. If further growth had occurred then he would discuss Ian's case with three other plastic surgeons and decide on what action to take. So guess what. We wait once again. The MRI will most probably be booked in a couple of weeks time, so we have said 'sod it' and decided to go cruising again!! Where ever we end up a car can be hired from Enterprise and Ian can get back to Nottingham for the MRI, so we are going to enjoy what time we have before being tied to the Hospital

Baby sitting duties are finished as Iwona come back from Poland today. Our grandchildren are a delight but very tiring especially running round after a toddler trying out his first steps! Its lovely to get back to the boat and relax again. Tomorrow Ian will take the car back to Sandiacre and hopefully we will pull pins Saturday morning.

Enjoying late afternoon enjoying sunshine and our freedom for the next few weeks.

More idiots blocking the towpath

Arrived back at the boat this morning to find our way blocked by fishermen. To get round we had to walk back toward the bridge and across the main path and bridal way. I know we should have said something but today is the day we see the consultant and I really wasn't in the mood to mess with the lads. 

close encounter with swarming bees

Sometimes it doesn't pay to be clever with a camera. I had noticed bee activity around one of the lower wood pecker holes and thought I would be clever and try to get a close up. I found to my cost this was a big mistake. Before I knew it hundreds of angry bees were leaving the hole and buzzing madly around my head. I didn't think I could run that fast and even the dog seemed a bit panicky. Thankfully I wasn't stung but I had to warn a cyclist coming toward me of the danger. I did manage this picture before it all kicked off. I think Ive learnt t my lesson. Never mess with bees!!!

A procession of Willow Wren boats

I was very surprised to see boat after boat of Willow Wren cruisers come by this morning. All displayed symbols of Rugby Teams. Those on the boats, as well as loads of walkers, were collecting for the Matt Hampson Foundation  to raise funds for disabled sportsmen and women across the UK. In all 12 boats took part, the majority being that from Willow Wren, but a few stragglers on the end came from different hire companies. I took loads of pictures but for some reason my memory card in my camara developed an error and insisted that I format the card. Off course I had no option but to comply and so lost all the photo's taken of the procession as it passed. All I managed was these at the end.



I was amazed to find they had walked a fair few miles, all at their own pace, the others having long gone. Good on them!