Sunday, 7 April 2013

Spring Cruise 2013 (11)

West Stockwith Basin to Thorne Moorend Moorings.


Weather: A nice warm start to the day - well there was no frost!. Overcast with the sun breaking through from time to time. The wind was little more than a gentle breeze.


Our little flotilla were penned out in two groups onto the River Trent by 07:30 A neap tide so there was only a gentle ebb to assist our passage. An early problem free passage saw us into Keadby Lock by 09:30. Top up with water and off along the South Yorkshire Navigation. Vason sliding railway bridge which often causes delays for boats waiting for a break in the railway traffic. Due to the recent landslip - the line will not reopen until September!!


The pub (Canal Tavern) next door to the visitor moorings in Thorne provided lunch in the way of a Sunday carvery. Which comes highly recommended and portion control is not apparent.


Wildlife: Spotted a terrapin hauled out on the bank quite close to the junction with the River Idle which was enjoying the sun that had broken through. A couple of groups of Swan flying overhead. Good numbers of Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch and many many Robins.  First butterfly of the year was a Meadow Brown. Pipistrelle bats spotted in the early evening. Our second  sighting of the year. When the warmer spring weather eventually arrives, it will be a good time to head out at dusk to insect-rich habitats, such as canals, rivers, woodland or parks to look for bats hungrily chasing insects after spending the long winter in hibernation. Those of you with access to a bat detector will know that this makes the experience even more rewarding as it enables you to listen in on bat echolocation, a fascinating world of sound that is normally beyond our hearing range.


Day Totals
Miles: 23.2
Locks: 2
Swing/Lift Bridges: 9
Tunnels: 0
Pump outs: 0
Engine Hours: 8.5

Running Totals
Miles: 1408.9
Locks: 928
Swing / Lift Bridges: 186
Tunnels. 24
Pump Outs: 14
Engine Hours: 2539.5

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