The odd bunch

The ducks are:- Pekin, Aylesbury, Topknot and Drake. The two Coots in the last picture all make up the 'odd bunch'. Since August last year when we arrived at Langley Mill, I have never seen them apart.

 

Long tailed tits pay a visit

Is this all I get from you on Valentines Day!

Lets hope this is the last of the snow.

The day started dismal and grey without any hint of what was to come. We had a slight frost first thing which rapidly disappeared by 10am and we made the decision to take a trip to Leicester to see our good friends Pat and Keith. The snow started as we left, just a few flurries, but driving past junction 23, the Loughborough turn on the M1, it started to develop into something more substantial.  By the time we arrived at Wigston it had all but stopped and we had high hopes that that would be the end of it. It was not to be as no sooner had we sat down for lunch, then back it came again but this time a tad more then just a few flakes. Another decision was made to leave while the going was good and thank goodness we did as, although the M1 had been gritted, none of the A roads had been touched. What would normally have taken only ten minutes from Junction 26 back to Langley Mill, took nearly 45 minutes. The roads were treacherous and by the time we got back to the boat 2" had already fallen. We couldn't wait to get inside and get warm, so first thing Ian did was to stoke up the fire. Thats when Ian noticed that the glass in the fire door had a huge crack running down one side. I couldn't believe this was happening again as those that read my blog would have read about our fire door shattering back in October 2012( See post ). At the moment we are keeping our fingers crossed that it doesn't break because the temperature tonight is already down to -1 and we don't relish the thought of sitting here freezing our socks off! Another trip to Midland Chandlers at Mercia is now on the cards for tomorrow.

Ariel Overload

My first sighting of a Goldcrest

High flyers

I'm sure I can hear something

Maybe not!

And not only the Nuthatch pinching the bread!

 

Is it a masked raider?? No it's the Nuthatch pinching the bread.

Never knew the Nuthatch had white feathers on its bum

Do you think, dear, we should make a move?

Still in winters grip

Seems were not done yet!

Yet from the extremes of winter new life emerges,

First daisy appeared at the steps by our boat

First snowdrops

 Today we had a visit from the community pay back team. Apparently Simon??? ( Never heard of him and we belong to the society! ) from ECP&DA had complained about the state of rubbish lying around the basin here above the lock. I was dumbfounded as not a bit of rubbish was to be seen  anywhere. I did mention the atrocious amount of litter lying outside KFC's gate leading onto the towpath, most of it consisting of  bottles, plastic cups, empty KFC cartoons and wastepaper. He appeared completely unconcerned about that, stating that it was the basin that needed litter picking so with that he gathered his men together and went armed with black plastic bags and grabbers and walked aimlessly round the basin looking for something to pick up. Eventually they returned to the van with empty sacks, had tea break and then headed off in the direction of KFC. I'm pleased to say that, walking past the gate this morning, not a bit of litter was to be seen anywhere I do think that  KFC should be the ones to clear up, though, and not the council.

A farewell to Dai

I'm not going to say to much about the funeral as it is a very personal affair between Janice and his family, but what I will say is that Janice ( Jandai ) gave Dai a wonderful sendoff playing his favourite music during the funeral and celebrating with all his family and friends the wonderful life Dai had led. It was a very moving and fitting tribute to Dai. He will be missed.

Dai and Janice in Birmingham in June last year.

Dunnock

A chilly Heron

Reed Buntings

Wont someone please come and talk to me.