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In 1977 we hired our first narrowboat from Anglo Welsh at Market Harborough.From that moment our destiny was set. In 2006 we finally purchased our own brand new 57' narrowboat which we named 'Free Spirit'. Our aim is to travel the length and breadth of all the navigable rivers and canals of the UK. This will be our story as it unfolds.

Friday 22 April 2016

Raptors and one mixed up Butterfly

Now free from the NHS , we said goodbye to Bunbury and to the Anglo Welsh staff (especially Steve) who let us stay.  Steve was on his way to collect the day boat and moor it above the lock. At Bunbury staircase locks it is possible for two boats to pass one another in the middle chamber so it semed logical for us to start our descent and Steve to start his ascent.

Passing each other


This part of the Shroppie is very rural and there is a good view of Beeston Castle after Beeston Stone lock. Back in 2009 Ian and I managed to walk up to the ruin without any trouble. Coming down was a different matter and we sure did suffer with our knees.  I cried off doing the walk again after Ian suggested it, didn't fancy another week of struggling to walk. We did spy through the trees a herd of deer but the camera refused to focus. To many branches in the way, mores the pity.





Reaching Beeston Iron lock a notice on the lock side advised boaters to go in singly.


There is a bit of distortion as can be seen on the left wall.



 
Beeston Castle ruins
Didn't travel very far today, did a couple of hours cruising, 5 locks and 2.6 miles. Isn't it lovely when one can take ones time. We stopped on a 48 hour mooring above Whartons lock, lovely and rural and  the only boat moored until fuel boat Halsall arrived. Wish we had known he was on this part of the Shroppie. Would have got our coal from him as we much prefer to support the working boats. He did leave us his card and a Facebook address so we can follow his route. Doing the Four Counties this time so if anyone needs diesel or coal and are doing the same route, check out Facebook Fuel boat Halsall


Cant get much more rural.


And this part of the Shroppie are full of Raptors. Have put some more photos on my Wildlife Blog. 






 I also went bug and Butterfly hunting.

Cricket



Small Tortoiseshell

Peacock

This Small Tortoiseshell was trying to get it together with this Peacock. Hmm, bit mixed up me thinks.




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