Pictures at last

Today, at last, the pictures of Sanity Again on the dock. The main thing to mention from our boating today was the start, which was just a tad delayed by our fascination with the lapwings in the field opposite, one of which had taken exception to a very smart red pheasant sitting in the middle of the field.

The lapwing was buzzing it again and again. Maybe the pheasant was sitting right where the lapwing wanted to nest...

We've made it to Tixall without much drama, taking our usual couple of hours or so.The canal was very shallow past Milford Wharf, where there's a line of offside moorings. We know that some of these boats charge their batteries by running their engines in gear, and reckon that this has blown silt right across the cut.

Anyway, the photos:

Settled on the dock with gangplank rigged

One year's accumulation of muck

The sluice that drains the last of the water from the dock

Remains of the lock tail out the back

Starting to refill by lifting the top plank

Nice shiny bow

...and a shiny side.

The dock is constructed on what was the first of 17 locks leading down the hill at the start of the Newport Branch. If ever they are restored, there'll be a need for an alternative dock, unless the plan for a new inclined plane comes off despite local opposition.