Hello heifers

Lottie's audience

It was a bright morning but rain was forecast for mid day so the Captain got moving at 7.30 before breakfast. Others had the same idea as a boat passed us as we cast off. The Captain went up to help at the lock but the crew abandoned the lock after opening the gates and left him to close up alone. We never caught up with them.

At Rodbaston Lock there were a herd of young heifers. They saw Lottie and came to the gate. She barked. They skipped away but returned to find the Captain had put Lottie on the lead. She barked again but they watched without flinching as if aware she couldn’t reach them.

We cleared the fourth lock before rain fell but it was threatening as we moored at the visitor moorings at Penkridge.

Lottie crossing the gates

While we had a cooked breakfast, the Captain’s treat for his early start, it rained heavily. However the squall soon passed over and we set off again hoping to clear the next locks without getting wet. The Captain filled with water at Penkridge lock while I checked if any boats were coming before filling the lock. By the time the gate was open the water tank was full. Perfect timing.

unusual wooden boat

However it started to rain as we headed out of Penkridge so the Captain moored up before Longford lock which was another of Lottie’s favourite moorings. At first it was just drizzle but it became heavy and prolonged so we had a prolonged stop.

We moved off for the third time we cruised for three miles and tackled the three next locks without it raining. We passed through Acton Trussell and the rain began again so we moored. It is a lovely spot but no other boat joined us though several passed in both sunshine and another rainy period. It is nice to be alone.

bullrushes

After dinner Lottie got up and popped out of the boat without us following her as there are no other boaters or cyclists around here. After a few minutes she returned without being called and flopped onto the sofa for her after dinner nap.