A week of first's

Hi again 

Well with this next post, I run the risk of coming over as having lead a sheltered life or being just downright sad at a couple of firsts for me this week. But in coming to that decision, for those of course that don’t know me yet and no doubt have their views, please remember that we are relative Narrowboat and liveaboard virgins and are therefore seeing and doing things outside of our normal rut of life.

 

My first is a picture of a Kingfisher. Yes I know, pretty sad, but back home in Jersey you don’t see many (actually take out the M of many) any Kingfishers over there. I’ve spotted one or two on boating holidays over the years, but never really been close enough to snap a picture. My excuse for the poor quality of the photo is that we were travelling at the time and every time we got fairly close to it the little bugger decided to fly further forward. So in the end, it was maximum zoom on a moving boat when camera shake is normally enough with the hands alone and that’s my excuse over. 

 

 

Second photo and whilst I was on dry land this time it was a long way up and circling with his buddy. Chap went past on his boat and said I’ve been waiting all morning, just set off and I’ve seen two red kites. Nothing special I thought gazing across the meadow looking for a couple of kids with kites, but nothing doing so wondered if I was on the wrong track. Then saw two birds, two being the operative word, put two and two together and now assume that this is a Red Kite although I don’t even know if it is, but maybe someone could let me know.

Now for the benefit of those who know me becoming worried about my change in bird watching direction, don’t worry, haven’t lost my Mojo so here's a photo to help alleviate any concerns that you may have.

 

 

Next first is logs, yes logs, not the ones you buy in bag though, but proper logs that you make yourself. Well, I suppose you don’t actually make them, but you have a hand in shaping their final days. Confused, you will be after this weeks episode of Soap. (Bit of a random comment I know that comes from an American program called Soap, showing my age now). To clarify, I found myself a fallen tree and set about chopping it up into moveable sizes to get them up the embankment and onto the boat. Manual labour! I know why I’ve always worked in an office now. Need to get myself a better saw though as it took me ages with the poxy little blunt one I’ve got and then I’ll get them down to stove size pieces.

Not a true first this next one I suppose, but trying to play with my camera more than:

1. Turn it on
2. Point
3. Click
4. Turn it off

And to again just prove that this is a ‘Boating’ blog and we are aboard and not just arm chair continuous cruisers, here’s a ‘thought about’ photo taken of the Lock Keepers house and lock at Minshull Lock on the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal.

 

 

Had another sort of Boys on Tour this weekend when I went on my annual pilgramage to the Theatre of Dreams, yes Man Uniteds home ground Old Trafford, with may mates Steve and Alan from Jersey. Plenty of beer as usual and a 4-2 win to round it off. No photo's though as I'd have probably left my camera in some pub.

 

Just at the top of the Llangollen Canal as I write this and if it's as good as it sounds, hopefully there'll be some good pictures to be had over the next three weeks we're planning to be on it.

That's all for this post and so to sign off . .

Day 20 in the Badger Sett Narrowboat - 51.5 miles and 19 locks further on from when we started.