Monday, September 26, 2005

stepping after prey


stepping after prey
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.
Moored at Barlaston (site of Wedgewood factory) I watched a heron for a long time sitting preening its feathers. It was joined by a Magpie - but totally ignored it.
Here he is stepping gently after his prey - I wonder what they really eat - I have never seen them catch anything!

great haywood bridge


great haywood bridge
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.
We spent a happy couple of days here and then moved on up the Trent and Mersey canal towards Stone (and Stoke on Trent).

Friday, September 23, 2005

sun over Tixall Wide


sun over Tixall Wide
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.
We sat here for a day of unbelievable sunshine (Thursday). Friday it rained however and so we delayed the start of the next leg of the journey.
Good news of the day is that we may have a house at last!

lost my boat


lost my boat
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.
I'm sure there was a boat here just now!
Charlie examines the lock at Great Haywood.

the coalman


the coalman
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.

Friday, September 16, 2005

preparing for a cold night

Some people must have listened to the weather forecast!
We are settled in for the night at Ansty - off tomorrow to Hawkesbury Junction and up the Coventry Canal

beyond rose narrowboats


beyond rose narrowboats
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.
We pass through the swing bridge at Rose Narrowboats and carry on up the beautiful wooded canal. The sun is shining but this can be deceptive - in the trees and when it is hidden by a cloud it is quite cold and we are wearing at least two (if not three) layers of clothes.

Horsley Iron Works cast iron bridge

Day three sees us shopping in Tescos and then on up the North Oxford Canal. This is one of many iron bridges over the tow path leading to now disused pieces of canal

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Enigma at Crick


Enigma at Crick
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.
The voyage begins.
Wednesday 14th September 2005. off at last to places unknown.