Author: sueyf

Guest post by Susan

It was a largely unplanned day. We expected to be exploring in and around Coventry with Miles and Mallory. However, we were all disappointed when their flight was cancelled because Heathrow shut down due to a nearby fire.

Jeff and I set out later than normal and initially left the boat for a walk in Hartshill. However the area near our mooring was unappealing so we quickly returned to the boat to continue our journey north on the Coventry canal.

We ended up spending most of the day in Atherstone, where we had lunch at a local pub, walked around town, and we (JEFF) went through a flight of 11 locks. Fortunately a man in the boat immediately aft helped Jeff through the last couple of locks. It was quite a sight see him sprint, with his English sheepdog in tow, down to open the gates ahead, then sprint back to his boat to open the gates for his partner skippering their boat.

We also had lots of fun conversations mostly with locals and other canalers. Although it was overcast much of the day, the air was warm, and the showers held off until we had stopped for the night. We’re in a very quiet spot where there are lots of birds, opposite the Pooley country park.

Guest post by Susan

It was another great day, albeit still somewhat chilly. The day began for me with a brief early morning walk along the canal. TBH I missed most of the sunrise but it was worth it as I got an extra hour or so sleep. The sun was glorious and the canal alive with birds, ducks and swans. Once we headed north out of Fenny Compton, the trees lining the canal disappeared and we had views of large fields, hills, occasional manor houses, and sheep for most of the day. After descending a series of locks into Napton, we continued on, entering that the wider portion of the canal where the Oxford and Grand Union combine briefly.

Here are some favourite pictures from Tuesday.

Guest post by Susan

The narrowboat, our home away from home for the next few weeks, was chilly on Saturday night. At least, I was cold in my bunk. I think that’s why I awakened before dawn, though I had slept little the preceding night on the overnight flight to London.

I knew that the forecast was a low of zero and that frost was likely. Despite this, when I woke shortly before 05:30, I quickly went outside to experience, and photograph, the sunrise in Aynho.

I have had frustrating sleep issues for the past several years, but one of the few benefits is that I have seen many a glorious sunrise. It is a promise of the new day. Sunday morning was no exception – the bird song and beautiful vistas surrounded me. I was delighted when I realized that I could see sheep and lambs through the barbed fence near our boat. Even though I stayed too long in the freezing cold, I managed to snap what I think are beautiful pictures of frost and the sheep.

The last few shots I took were of a lone sheep who looked me in the eye, and then appeared to regally sit down. It was almost as if she was the queen of the sheep, and she was giving me permission to photograph her flock.

I hope readers enjoy these early morning pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them.