Cruising familiar water



Giant Hogweed

We started out the same time as everyone else, five narrow boats heading for the 1^st lock with us in the middle. We soon passed black spot piglets playing in the sun, squealing and jumping over each other. It’s good to see an old breed thriving.
Minutes later a farmer drove some lively calves along the tow path as we queued for Colwich lock. He explained they had slipped out of their field some 2 miles away and had led him a lively dance. 1 was still missing. Lottie took exception to calves on the towpath and barked at them rudely to inform them they should stay in their field. It was just like a scene from my book the intrepid pony escapes.

Cygnets calling for dinner

Soon we passed a magnificent giant hogweed plant which was as tall as a tree. Swifts skimmed the canal for flies and a kestrel hunted in a nearby field diving from high the find its prey. Damselflies, mostly neon blue but some bright red visited our boat hoping it was a giant flower. They were disappointed. Swans and cygnets came calling for dinner when we were moored up at Stone. They knocked at the window with their beaks as if to say come out and feed us. I fed them swan feed as too much bread isn't good for them.