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

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