Monday, 31 July 2017

Summer Cruise 2017❶❶

Summer Cruise 2017 (11)

Subtitled: "The Magnificent Five go to Liverpool" As Nb Kalkara, Nb Alchemy, Nb My little Nightmare, Nb SWJKSDL and Nb Rose of Arden team up to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.
 
Crabtree Swing Bridge to Holmes Swing Bridge


Date:  31/07/2017

Overnight the weather was cold and quite windy. One very heavy and prolonged shower!


Morning:  An uneventful morning and underway by 9:00. The wind had an hard edge to it and was causing occasional steering problems. Late morning and we come across a CaRT butty that had been moored up using the usual frayed blue string. one boater had to donate rope to moor it back up. Another boater donated a mooring pin to secure it to the bank. The butty must have been there for some time as it was full of bags of boaters rubbish.


Afternoon:  The afternoon warmed up a bit and the highlight was to come across a couple who were doing a charity walk along the canal from Leeds to Liverpool. All 127 miles of it! They posed for a couple of pictures. 

They are raising funds for Ronald McDonald House in Liverpool, which provides accommodation for the families of children who are in-patient's at Alder Hey Hospital. 

We are both doing this in memory of Kaden Lee Hadfield, who passed away on November 28th, 2016 in Alder Hey Hospital, after complications with his arthritis treatment.  

Michael Isherwood and I will be walking 127 miles along the Leeds to Liverpool Canal in 5 days - all sponsorship or donations will be greatly appreciated. 

 


Evening:  Moored up for the night at Holmes Swing Bridge and then came the joy of removing plastic bags wrapped round plastic bin liners encased in fishing line and camouflaged with weeds.

Wildlife: Water Vole and a few rabbits.

Birds:House Sparrow, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Grey Lag Goose, Canada Geese, Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Common Tern, Sedge Warbler, Swallow, House Martin, Egyptian Goose and Swift.

Butterflies: Meadow Brown, Common White, Small White, Sulphur Yellow Tortoiseshell and Peacock.

Bats: Pipistrelle and Daubentons.

Damselfly: Banded Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly.

Dragonflies: Ruddy Darter.

Today's Total:
Miles: 12.8
Locks: 0
Swing / Lift Bridges: 8
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 7.1


Accumulated Total:  
Miles: 2883.3
Locks: 1813
Swing / Lift Bridges: 379
Tunnels: 71
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3880.0

Sunday, 30 July 2017

Summer Cruise 2017 ❶⓿

Summer Cruise 2017 (10)

Subtitled: "The Magnificent Five go to Liverpool" As Nb Kalkara, Nb Alchemy, Nb My little Nightmare, Nb SWJKSDL (MIA) and Nb Rose of Arden team up to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.
 
Dover Lock Inn to Crabtree Swing Bridge


Date:  30/07/2017

Overnight the weather was cold and provided the odd shower of rain. 


Morning: 9:15 start from Dover Lock and a steady plod along the Bridgewater Canal. The sky was overcast and as wel left a rainbow arched over the canal. However, it was a good omen and we had little in the way of rain.We soon passed the bottom of the Wigan Flight and Turned onto the Leeds Liverpool. Soon we were into Wigan and passing the Wigan Pier which is a well known book title, for fans of George Orwell.

Afternoon:  Stopped for lunch at Appley Lock. Late in the afternoon we passed the Rufford Branch Canal which leads to the Lancaster Canal. Might explore the Rufford branch on the way back. Mid afternoon we passed through Dean Lock our last lock of the day. Late afternoon the rain arrived in occasional sharp downpours.

Evening: Moored up for the night just after Crabtree Swing Bridge

Wildlife:  Huge Mirror Carp and a very large Pike.

Birds:House Sparrow, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Grey Lag Goose, Canada Goose, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Common Tern, Arctic Tern,  Swallow, House Martin and Swift. Pick of the day was a Kingfisher which landed on the top of the front cratch while we were moving. It had a tiny fish that it gave a few sideways whacks before flying off.

Butterflies:Meadow Brown, Small White and Peacock.

Bats: Pipistrelle, Daubentons,

Damselfly: Common Blue Damselfly.

Today's Total:
Miles: 15.8
Locks: 8
Swing / Lift Bridges: 5
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours:10.8


Accumulated Total:  
Miles: 2870.5
Locks: 1813
Swing / Lift Bridges: 371
Tunnels: 71
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3872.9

Saturday, 29 July 2017

Summer Cruise 2017 ❾

Summer Cruise 2017 (9)

Subtitled: "The Magnificent Five go to Liverpool" As Nb Kalkara, Nb Alchemy, Nb My little Nightmare, Nb SWJKSDL and Nb Rose of Arden team up to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.
 
Worsley Road Bridge (44) to Dover Lock Inn
 
Date:  29/07/2017

Overnight the weather was cold with occasional showers of rain.
 
Morning:  09:15 start heading along the Bridgewater Canal. For what proved to an uneventful leg of our trip. We had found a paddle in the canal yesterday. Today we came across a kids group out for a paddle along the canal. So we donated our find to them.

Afternoon:  Stopped in Leigh to restock the vessels consumables at the boaters friend Aldi and Tesco.  Just after we set off A sudden gust of wind removed my hat into the canal. At the same moment a couple of people in short kayaks managed to recover it for me. So once again karma provides a Result!

Evening: Moored up at Dover Lock Inn for the night.

Birds:House Sparrow, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Grey Lag Goose, Canadian Goose, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Black Headed Gull, Common Tern, Swallow, House Martin and Swift.

Butterflies: Tortoiseshell.

Damselfly: Common Blue Damselfly.

Today's Total:
Miles: 13.9
Locks: 0
Swing / Lift Bridges: 1
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 7.5


Accumulated Total:  
Miles: 2854.7
Locks: 1805
Swing / Lift Bridges: 363
Tunnels: 71
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3862.1

Friday, 28 July 2017

Summer Cruise 2017 ❽

Summer Cruise 2017 (8)

Subtitled: "The Magnificent Five go to Liverpool" As Nb Kalkara, Nb Alchemy, Nb My little Nightmare, Nb SWJKSDL, Nb Indulgence and Nb Rose of Arden team up to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.
 
Pickerings Bridge to Mosley Road Bridge (44)


Date:  28/07/2017

Overnight the weather was cold and punctuated with occasional showers. The morning brought a dry start, but it soon went down hill.


Morning:  Off at 8:30 and we struck out along the Bridgewater Canal heading for or muster point at Waters Meeting on the Stretford and Leigh Branch. It was quite a cold start and the clouds continued to build throughout the morning.

Afternoon:  We had a sort break to take on more fresh water and paused for lunch at Broadheath Bridge (30).  It was here that we parted company with
Nb SWJKSDL for a few days. But met up with Nb Indulgence. Rescued an almost brand new football and a kayak paddle floating in the cut.  (How can you lose a kayak paddle and not notice?)

Evening:  Moored for the night at Waters Meeting. The rain was torrential and everyone was glad to have an early finish.

Birds: House Sparrow, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Grey Lag Goose, Canadian Goose, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Kestrel, Buzzard, Black Headed Gull, Common Tern, Swallow, House Martin and Swift.

Today's Total:
Miles: 13.5
Locks: 0
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours:6.4


Accumulated Total:  
Miles: 2841.8
Locks: 1805
Swing / Lift Bridges: 362
Tunnels: 71
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3856.6



Thursday, 27 July 2017

Summer Cruise 2017 ❼

Summer Cruise 2017 (7)

Subtitled: "The Magnificent Five go to Liverpool" As Nb Kalkara, Nb Alchemy, Nb My little Nightmare, Nb SWJKSDL and Nb Rose of Arden team up to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.

Mort's Bridge (182) on the Trent and Mersey to Pickering's Bridge Thelwall.

Date: 27/07/2017

Overnight the weather was cold and punctuated by occasional showers of heavy rain. The morning dawned under a leaden sky. The omens for the rest of the day did not look good.


Morning: Its was raining as we set off and progressively got heaver throughout the morning. Soon I had to put on the heavy weather gear. Aided by a largish golfing umbrella.

Afternoon: The weather improved after lunch. There were frequent breaks in the showers. Just as we were passing the Anderton Boat Lift, we had a strange encounter with a Cormorant. Now these are normally shy birds because they are hated and shot by game keepers and fishermen and so they tend to give people a wide berth. The Cormorant was sat on the side of the towpath and slipped into the water when we were almost past. It disappeared and surfaced a short distance behind the boat with a tiny fish. 

Then it quickly swam back into the propeller wake and when about six feet behind the boat it went below the surface again. This time surfacing about halfway along the boat side. It waited until we had passed and went swimming  back into the propeller wake again, before diving under the surface again. A few moments later it came to the surface with another small fish. The Cormorant continued to do this performance of catching small fish in our wake for about a quarter of an hour before finally flying back up onto the towpath before assuming that curious crucifix stance when they dry their wings.


By late afternoon we had refuelled the boat and navigated the major three tunnels on today's journey. Starting with  Barnton Tunnel  where a boat with a bright white light on its stern created the impression that a boat at the far end was coming towards us. Well only until it exited the far end of the tunnel. Then it was onto Preston Brook Tunnel which is timed against the clock. The next point being Dutton Stop Lock which is almost at the entrance of Saltersford  Tunnel which as before is also timed against the clock. 

Evening: The weather was much improved though the wind still had a sharp biting edge to it. We moored up at XX for the night.
 Wildlife:

Birds: House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Chaffinch, Robin, Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Grey Lag Goose, Canadian Goose, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Buzzard, Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Swallow, House Martin, Swift, Pheasant, Green Woodpecker the highlight being the Cormorant above.

Butterflies: Common White and Small White.

Today's Total:
Miles: 19.9
Locks: 1
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 3
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 8.1


Accumulated Total:  
Miles: 2828.3
Locks: 1805
Swing / Lift Bridges: 362
Tunnels: 71
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3850.2

Wednesday, 26 July 2017

Summer Cruise 2017 ❻

Summer Cruise 2017 (6)

Subtitled: "The Magnificent Five go to Liverpool" As Nb Kalkara, Nb Alchemy, Nb My little Nightmare, Nb SWJKSDL and Nb Rose of Arden team up to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.
 
Stanthorne Bridge to Morts Bridge (182)

Date:  26/07/2017

Overnight the weather was light rain. By morning the showers were getting to be much heavier and so we delayed our departure until 11am.

 
Morning:  Late start waiting for the rain to stop. Soon into the first lock of the day at Wardle Lock The Wardle canal is the shortest canal in the UK at 154 feet or 47 mtrs.

Many boaters will remember Maureen Shaw, a boat woman who was well known to passing boaters as well as the local and canal community Maureen lived in the Lock Cottage at Wardle lock for many years, with the result that it was often referred to as ‘Maureen’s Lock’. Following her death in 2012, a memorial panel was placed at the lock in her honour.

Afternoon:  We then turned onto the Trent and Mersey canal. Just in time to watch a boat clip the next bridge with the Pram Cover (expensive!) The usual queue formed at the Middlewich Three. Then onto the Middlewich big lock where the boats locked down in pairs.

Evening:  Moored up for the night at Bridge 182 on the Trent and Mersey canal. Where we celebrated the birthday of one of the crew (Gill Reynolds)

Birds: House Sparrow, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Grey Lag Goose, Canadian Goose, Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Herring Gull, Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Swallow, House Martin and Pheasant.


Butterflies: Meadow Brown, Common White and Small White.

Bats: Pipistrelle, Daubentons,

Damselfly: Common Blue Damselfly,

Dragonflies: Ruddy Darter, Emperor.


Today's Total:

Miles: 6.4
Locks: 5
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 6.3

Accumulated Total:
 
Miles: 2808.4
Locks: 1804
Swing / Lift Bridges: 362
Tunnels: 68
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3842.1

Tuesday, 25 July 2017

Summer Cruise 2017 ❺

Summer Cruise 2017 (5)

Subtitled: "The Magnificent Five go to Liverpool" As Nb Kalkara, Nb Alchemy, Nb My little Nightmare, Nb Letters and Nb Rose of Arden team up to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.
 
Bennett's Bridge (80) to Stanthorne Bridge (27)

Date:  25/07/2017

Overnight the weather was clear and cool with stars putting on a fine display as we were well away from any major conurbations. By morning it was grey and overcast again.

Morning:  8:30 start saw us all off in a group. Not much in the way of any other boats on the move. We started to spread out as we descended down the Hack green locks.

Afternoon:  Early afternoon we stopped to take on water and have a shower at the Nantwich Facilities. 
Then we turned right onto the Middlewich Branch. Soon we were at the Cholmondeston Lock. Where we also loaded up on a free supply of cooking apples and plums. Now we need to find some ripe blackberries.
 
Evening: 


Wildlife:  One very fleeting glimpse and the 'plop' of a water vole.

Birds: House Sparrow, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Grey Lag Goose, Canadian Goose, Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Buzzard, Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull,  Swallow, House Martin and Pheasant the highlight being a pair of buzzards performing Aariel acrobatics.  .

Butterflies: Meadow Brown, Common White, Small White Skipper, Comma and Tortoiseshell.

Bats: Pipistrelle, Daubentons,

Dragonflies: Four Spot Chaser.

Today's Total:

Miles: 17.4
Locks: 4
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 8.9

Accumulated Total:
 
Miles: 2802.0
Locks: 1799
Swing / Lift Bridges: 362
Tunnels: 68
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3835.6

Monday, 24 July 2017

Summer Cruise 2017 ❹

Summer Cruise 2017 (4)

Subtitled: "The Magnificent Five go to Liverpool" As Nb Kalkara, Nb Alchemy, Nb My little Nightmare, Nb SWJKSDL and Nb Rose of Arden team up to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.
 
Tyrley Top Lock to Bennetts bridge (80)

Date:  24/07/2017

Overnight the weather was cold and with a few light showers. The morning broke with a leaded overcast sky. The wind was quite brisk and

Morning: 
By 8:00 we were on our way down the five Tyreley locks. Followed an early start boat down, so all the locks were set against us. The last lock was set for us as we passed a boat in the pound.
 
Afternoon:  Then it was the five Adderley Locks. Soon reached the bottom as in almost every lock there was a boat coming the other way.  So the locks were in our favour.  Mid afternoon it was the fifteen Audlem Locks. Had to set the top lock and then I met a steady stream of boats coming up and in some cases there were two lock in front set waiting for us.  Stopped at the Shroppie Fly for a beer and a lasagne for lunch. This just left the last three locks which we did at a steady speed. Meeting up with the rest of the team who had gone on ahead.

Evening:  Pins knocked in just before Bennetts Bridge and a short siesta until Nb My Little Nightmare and  Nb SWJKSDL arrived to join the flotilla. Now the magnificent three become the even more magnificent five.

Wildlife:  Rabbit.

Birds: House Sparrow,  Wren, Magpie, Lapwing, Carrion Crow, Rook, Mallard, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch, Coot, Moorhen, Canadian Goose, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Buzzard, Black Headed Gull, Swallow and
House Martin. The highlight being a pair of Curlew.

Butterflies: Meadow Brown, Common White and Small White.

Today's Total:

Miles: 9.2
Locks: 25
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 6.9

Accumulated Total:
 
Miles: 2784.6
Locks: 1795
Swing / Lift Bridges: 362
Tunnels: 68
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3827.7

Sunday, 23 July 2017

Summer Cruise 2017 ❸

Summer Cruise 2017 (3)

Subtitled: "The Magnificent Three go to Liverpool" As Nb Kalkara, Nb Alchemy and Nb Rose of Arden team up to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.

Park Bridge (8) to Tyrley Top Lock

Date:  23/07/2017

The Weather overnight was occasional showers and quite windy. The morning broke to a heavy overcast sky and more persistent showers.


Morning:  Departure at 8:30 in steady rain as we started to make our way up the Shropshire Union Canal. The rain stopped just before we arrived at the Wheaton Aston lock. Not too busy with just one boat going our way. However, it was a hire boat and this was their first lock. The Memsahib had to have a word and give them some advice about how to work the lock. But then we have all been first timers at some point.

Afternoon:  Lunch time coincided just before arriving at Norbury Junction.  We came across a small group of sheep that had absconded from some farm or other on Shelmore Embankment. They appeared to be totally unconcerned about passing cyclist and boats. Then it was onwards through the narrow cuttings where we had to find suitable passing points. As we met a succession of boats coming the other way. It was the usual, Shropshire Union slow crawling pace as we passed long lines of moored boats.

Evening:  Found some empty moorings at
Tyrley Top Lock.  Settled in for the night after a 9 hour day!

Wildlife:  Grey Squirrel.

Birds: House Sparrow, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coot, Moorhen, Grey Lag Goose, Canadian Goose, Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon,  Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Swallow, House Martin, Swift. The highlight being a Long Eared Owl.


 Butterflies: Meadow Brown, Common White, Small White, Peacock Red Admiral and Painted Lady.

Bats: Pipistrelle, Daubentons,

Damselfly: Banded Damselfly, Beautiful Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly,

Dragonflies:  Four Spot Chaser.


Today's Total:

Miles: 21.8
Locks: 1
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 1
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 8.0

Accumulated Total:
 
Miles: 2775.4
Locks: 1770
Swing / Lift Bridges: 362
Tunnels: 68
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3820.8

Saturday, 22 July 2017

Summer Cruise 2017 ❷

Tipton Green to Park Bridge (8)
Subtitled: "The Magnificent Three go to Liverpool" As Nb Kalkara, Nb Alchemy and Nb Rose of Arden team up to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.

Date:  22/07/2017

Overnight the weather consisted of frequent heavy showers. However, the strong gusts of wind and rain had petered out by morning.

Morning:  07:45 Mags takes dog for a walk - she gets attacked by a dog running free on the towpath.  She is bitten on the hand - I went after the owner and met up with him as he was going indoors. He was quite apologetic. But it was still a shock for the dog to lunge at her and bite her without provocation or warning. 

It was still overcast at our 8:30 start as we headed for the Wolverhampton 21 flight of locks.  Few boats moving at all. Halfway between Tipton Green and the top lock, we spotted a fox sitting on the towpath who watched us until our Wire Haired Fox Terrier came into view and he then he legged it into the undergrowth. Just before the Wolverhampton Top Lock the memsahib says. "Look at this bloke walking along the towpath. He could be Graham Hattons brother." Needless to say it was Graham who had come to lend a hand as we descended the 21.

Afternoon:  Early afternoon we arrived at the top lock and started to descend down the flight. We were the first boat going down and all the locks were set against us! We were at lock 10 before we met a boat coming the other way. We all stopped at Atherley Junction for a meal before continuing on our way up the
Shropshire Union.
 
Evening:  Shropshire Union Park Bridge (8) Moored up for the night with a bit of socialising until the rain started.

Wildlife:  Dog Fox.

Birds: House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Starling, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Coot, Moorhen, Canadian Goose, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Buzzard, Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Swallow, House Martin and Swift.

Butterflies: Meadow Brown, Common White, Small White, Peacock, Red Admiral and Painted Lady.

Dragonflies: Banded Demoiselle.

Today's Total:
Miles: 11.8
Locks: 22
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 2
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 8.1

Accumulated Total:
 
Miles: 2753.6
Locks: 1769
Swing / Lift Bridges: 362
Tunnels: 67
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3812.8

Friday, 21 July 2017

Summer Cruise 2017 ❶

Summer Cruise 2017 (1)

Halesowen to Tipton Green

Subtitled: "The Magnificent Three go to Liverpool" As Nb Kalkara, Nb Alchemy and Nb Rose of Arden team up to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.

Date:  21/07/2017

The overnight weather:
The wind gradually grew stronger and the boat was rocking in the stronger gusts with occasional heavy showers. Which continued on and off throughout the rest of the day.

Morning:  Mostly preparing for departure with a pump-out, gas and diesel fuel. Plus dodging the frequent showers. We departed the marina at 12:30 and headed along the Dudley number two canal towards Windmill End. It was a slow passage through Gosty tunnel because the water level was low. At Windmill End we turned right and headed into a very heavy downpour and then into Netherton Tunnel

Afternoon:  After a 40 minutes passage through Netherton Tunnel we exited into the same heavy downpour. On reaching the Birmingham Main Line where we intended turning to the left - we were alerted by a boater that there was a stoppage at Factory Locks. 

[The lock gates at Factory lock number 2 and 3 are being replaced. This is part of The Canal and River Trust planned summer stoppage programme! I checked on the CaRT web page which said the stoppage should be finished by the 18th May 2017 at 11:00 ]

So we turned right and took a more circuitous route via the Gower branch and the Brades Hall Locks  before going out onto the Wolverhampton level.  Brades hall locks consist of a single and a two rise set of locks. The pound between locks was low and the two top locks had been drained down. The walls were bone dry so it had been that way for some time.

Evening: Late in the afternoon we arrived at Tipton Green and moored up for the night. Our evening meal was Fish and Chips with a pot of chip shop curry. Checked the CaRT website for any stoppages on our route. I'm glad we set off a day earlier as Netherton tunnel is closed tomorrow!

Birds: House Sparrow, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Blackbird, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Canadian Goose, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon,  Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Swallow, Swift and House Martin.

Butterflies: Common White and Small White.

Today's Total:
Miles: 8.6
Locks: 3
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 2
Pump Outs: 1
Engine Hours: 6.0

Accumulated Total:
 
Miles: 2741.8
Locks: 1747
Swing / Lift Bridges: 362
Tunnels: 65
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3804.7