Opps nearly lost a solar panel and a bit of an embarrassing moment.

The wind did blow, the branches came down and the solar panel nearly blew off the roof! This time the gales arrived as predicted but because of the 'storm that never was' a few days ago we didn't bother about lashing everything down. So it was while we were watching Strictly Halloween special that a spooky moment occurred when our fire companion set suddenly fell over! We felt no rocking of the boat and didn't even hear any bangs. There was an almighty gust at that particular time but not enough in our opinion to topple the fire set. Both Ian and I looked at each other burst into laughter and said we must have a ghost! Then for some reason Ian remembered that our solar panels were only held on by a  chain. Deciding to go out and have a look to see if all was well, he discovered one of the panels had all but fallen over the side. It was teetering precariously on the hand rail and we can only assume that the gust of wind plus the solar panel movement was enough to rock the boat without us feeling it and cause the companion set to fall! He did discover this morning that the frame was dented. Keeping fingers crossed that it still works okay.

Woke up early this morning to the sound of geese flying overhead. The sun rise was giving out a slight red glow and the geese were arriving back to the lake from there over night roost. Without thinking I grabbed the camera opened up the back doors and wearing no more then a short nighty proceeded to take several photos. Then as I was about to go inside I became aware of a fisherman staring opened mouth at this apparition no more then 6 feet away!!! Talk about making a hasty retreat. Most embarrassing!!!

 Instead of going back to bed I went for a walk and first thing to see was rabbit posing for me at exactly the same place as yesterdays rabbit and this Robin was singing his heart out greeting the dawn.

The early morning is great for seeing the wildlife, before the walkers and cyclist appear.

Great vantage point for these Comorants. Tree is on an island in the middle of the lake.

Wish Comerants could read signs!

Message for our Polish friends.

Sorry about the poor photo but just look at the size of that fish!

Could be a Dab Chick

Looks bad but an RSPB Inspector came to have a look this morning and confirmed she wasn't in and pain. She also has 5 cygnets with her. He said it was possibly a condition called Angel Wing

Phallic symbol perhaps?

Pochard

Cadwall ducks

Wigeon

Grebe and chick

While I was out Ian discovered our water pump was leaking. Thankfully he thinks it has only just started as we only had a small amount of water under our drawers!

This afternoon has been a mixture of sunshine, wind and squally showers. I pity Nev having to travel in this. Nb Percy came past early afternoon just before the showers hit us.

It's all gone very quiet

So very quiet here. Hardly any boats have gone past and only a couple have moored up nearby. Now that half term is over and loads of the summer boaters are back in their marinas, us continual cruisers have the canals to ourselves once again. We had a sort of surprise visit from our daughter Christine, Son in Law Kev and Grandson Josh It was one of those spur of the moment visits which gets one racing around to bake a cake and then discovers there is no bread! Quick phone call to Christine and a loaf was purchased. Kev spent the whole afternoon fishing with my pole even though he swears blind that rod is best and caught loads of chub and roach. Typical when I tried to fish this morning before they arrived and the only thing I caught was one small Perch.

Out for a walk round the lake. Josh chasing Echo

Christine explaining about the wildlife to Josh. Echo is hiding behind her and Jade is in the front.

Josh says he's to big to be carried on board and can do it himself.

 The park is full of wildfowl, some that I have never seen here before. Most of the pictures today and tomorrow will be of the wildlife in and around the lake. We probably don't expect to make a move until Monday but it all depends on the weather as gales are forecast for tonight. Will this be another storm that never was!

Blackbird greeting the dawn

Definitely male and female as they never left each others sides but possible hybrids

Muskovy duck

and female perhaps

Female Gadwell

Landed on the galley window.

Universal sign language needed for the cut!

I was gutted yesterday. There I was fishing and catching loads of tiddlers when a Kingfisher put in an appearance on the tree opposite. I had my camera and started to focus and was just about to click the button when it flew off! The shot wold have been brilliant as it's perch was directly in the sunlight and showed off the Kingfishers vibrant colours beautifully. I hoped it would come back early this morning but it wasn't to be and with the weatherman saying it would be dry all day, I reluctantly agreed with Ian to move and head off for Branston Water Park.

Shadehouse lock

Now the reason for my heading is the confusion that happens when two boats meet at bridge 'oles or  when they are between locks. Firstly the bridge 'ole dilemma. Two boats traveling the same speed reach the bridge 'ole at the same time. Both boats go into reverse and both boaters signal to each other to go through. Who goes first? If we could have a hand signal to indicate that one is coming through, wouldn't it be easier? Much better then both boats either sitting waiting for the other or both setting off. Then there are the locks. Fradley in particular but any distant lock in long pounds would do. This is what we had the dilemma about. Descending at Middle lock we spied another boat in the distance on its way up Junction lock. This lock is just before the left turn onto the Coventry canal. So do we   move on and leave the gates open just in case they don't turn into the junction or would closing them against the boat that may be coming up be a better idea?  Another scenario is seeing a boat exiting a far lock with a long pound in between. Both leave the gates open for each other and then one moors up! Do you go back to close the gates or leave them open? To me if we could somehow have an universal hand signal stating our purpose it would loose all the confusion. What do you think?

Our dilemma was saved by a family prepared to close Middle lock gates if the Shakespeare boat had tuned onto the Coventry. You can see the little girl waiting in pink.

Rower being flushed away by us opening a paddle at Hunts lock. It's okay though, as Ian did say he would wait but the gentleman said to continue as it may get him back to his boat Huff an Puff quicker!

New art work at the approach to Bagnall lock Alrewas

Thankfully the river section was open. We did wonder if all that rain a couple of days ago would scupper our getting to Branston Water park. Alrewas was deserted! I have never seen it this empty in all the years we have traveled through the village.

Looking toward Alrewas lock and the river section

And looking back. Usually there are at least 3 or 4 boats moored

Strange that the advisory boards said to be cautious. River levels still in the green.

Passing the weir we had a slight pull to the right

T'was flowing a tad faster then normal

This gives one the impression that Barton Turn lock was closed.

The Aware tape was on because the stepping board had been removed.

Someone must have hit Barton Turn bottom lock gate pretty hard!

We didn't quite make the water park in the dry, the rain having started about a mile from our destination and, apart from a brief lull when I went for a walk, it's began tipping it down again and if the news forecaster was correct, will be throughout the night!

And finally:-