Not A Happy Bunny.

Morning All.
I wish I could say I had a great nights sleep, but I cannot. Yesterday was a lovely day, we had a walk over to Berkhamsted Castle, which is is a ruined Norman motte-and-bailey castle. In the 12th century, the castle was home to Thomas Becket, Chancellor of England. In the 14th century, it became the residence of Edward, the Black Prince, and Geoffrey Chaucer was appointed Clerk to the Works. Afterwards we found a lovely little Antiques Centre, called Heritage Antiques. They had a Measham Teapot, but it had a nasty crack in it and the lid did not match the teapot, so we left it well alone. I had Coffee out with a friend and the better half then went out with her husband to the pub, it was the perfect Friday in many days, which got spoilt last night by some mindless idiots.

It all began at 10pm when a plastic cruiser arrived in the dark and moored in front of us, which is not a problem normally. They chose to cruise in the dark with no headlamp, that is up to them. As we watched the TV before heading to bed, there was noise in the park, but that we expected for a Friday night. No sooner the rain came down the noise stopped, I guess they did not like getting wet. Hubby had gone to bed at 10pm, as he is still suffering from his cold. I decided to stay up and watched Dawn French in 'Roger and Val just got in' on BBC2. I am still deciding whether I like the program or not. Program over, so at 10.30pm I headed to bed and hoped that I would not have to listen to anymore racket going on outside. My hope was in vain however, because all's I could hear was screaming, shouting and bad language. I eventually nodded off, only to be woken at 1.30am to the sound of Bob the Builder being sung and someone calling Antony. The F Word was used an awful lot in the shouting. Now I am not sure whether it was coming from the cruiser in front of us, or just on the towpath, but it was flippin annoying. We both try and be respectful to others and I am not one for using bad language. Anyone who knows me, knows I hate the F or C word. Infact bad language is not really needed as far as I am concerned. At about 3am it began to rain heavily and the rumpus finally stopped and all's I could hear was the rain thumping on the roof and the ting, ting of the rain drops hitting the mushroom vent above me. This sound was much more acceptable to my ears and I must have gone back to sleep, because when I woke again it was 7.30am when I looked at the clock again. It is very sad that some people have very little respect for others and their peace and quiet. I dare say the behaviour of these people was fuelled by drink or even worse drugs, but it is not what is needed anywhere in our society. I just know I am gonna suffer all day now because of lack of sleep. Normally we would not moor near a town on a Friday, because of this sort of problem, but because the weather was not nice yesterday and our friends were here, we thought we would stay. I am seriously hoping tonight is not the same.

The weather today has not improved and although it was dry when I took Paddy out for his walk, it is now raining again. Before this rain started, we took a walk into the town to have a nose around the Charity shops. No matter what town we visit, we always go into the Charity shops, to see if there is anything of interest. We are however finding that Charity shops are getting more and more expensive, so it is very difficult to find a bargain anymore. I guess this is due to all the disasters they are try to help out these days or is it they are just being to greedy?
We are now back on the boat and it is almost lunch time, so I am going to think of something for lunch. It may just have to be Hot Dogs, with onions. Have a lovely Saturday.

Black over Bill's Mother's

Hi Camper's.

It is a little Black this morning. The sky that is.

Having been here overnight, it is not to bad. There was a lot of noise until around 11.30pm, with kids or teenagers in the park making a lot of racket. Goodness knows why they wanted to be sat in the park that late at night. The mind boggles as to why anyone would want to sit in a park in the dark. I can only think they were either up to no good or drinking or even worse. When I was a teenager, I would never have been allowed to be out that late in a park. My parents would have gone mental. But it seems these days, no one really cares. So there was I laying in bed listening to this racket, thinking "Please don't come over this side of the canal and tamper with the boat". It is always a worry when mooring near a town, especially as the darlings are on their school holiday's at the moment. Thankfully the noise disappeared as did those people who were making it and I slipped into a deep sleep.

I woke up to sunshine pouring through the pigeon box port holes and thought fantastic, we can make a move today for somewhere nice and quiet for the weekend. But it became apparent that when I took Pad for his walk, the dark clouds were gathering from the direction we would be travelling in, so the decision has been taken not to move.

I was just sitting down to start my blog and there was a knock on the boat. It was David from NB Sweet Dreams, he and Jenny are moored further up the towpath from us. He and their lovely little dog Daisy came to say good morning. Daisy is a Chihuahua cross and was a freebie at Little Venice last year. One thing is certain Daisy has found herself a loving home. No sooner we started chatting the dark clouds got darker, so we said we would meet up later for a possible coffee. It is now raining, so I am so pleased we have decided not to move.

On the radio they are talking about sightings of the Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). It can can be an enormous plant, growing to heights of up to six metres. The plant was introduced into this country in the 19th Century as an ornamental plant. It seems it is out there and nothing is being done to get rid of it. It has been found on the Grand Union Canal at Linslade and Foxton according to Narrowboat World. The radio is saying that it is in Stevenage and is causing allsorts of problems. The Giant Hogweed can be very dangerous and should not be picked. Giant Hogweed is a member of the parsley or carrot family, but it can cause burns and blisters if touched. Giant Hogweed can cause serious skin burns - AVOID CONTACT. If you do come into contact with it, seek medical attention. It is the white sap in the plant which causes the burns. This story got me thinking about the things that have come into this country and are now causing major issues.

There is a Top Ten of most unwanted things in this country in the flora and fauna catagory.

1. The Japanese Knot Weed.

2. American signal crayfish.

3. American mink.

4. Giant hogweed.

5. Floating pennywort.

6. Himalayan balsam.

7. Australian swamp stonecrop.

8. Chinese mitten crab.

9. Parrot feather.

10. Topmouth gudgeon.

Some of the things on this list affect us on the Waterway's and we see a lot of them. The problem now is how do we get rid of them if they are causing problems?

We know the Mink are killing a lot of our wildlife, which is very sad.

So here I am with an update after this mornings posting.

This afternoon, has been spent in Costa Coffee with Jenny from NB Sweet Dreams. It was an absolute blast. We had 2 hours and 30 minutes of chatter. Yep it is official women can chatter for England and yet me never mentioned boat loo's once. Hubby has now gone off to the pub with David to the pub for a pint before dinner, which includes a Cheese and Potato Layer and not sure what to do with it yet. The generator is running topping up the batteries and I am drinking Cider, so all is good with my world.

Get well soon to Heather, who had a fall in the night xxx

Berko or Bust.

Hello Friends.

After a lovely time in Hemel Hempstead yesterday, we left our overnight mooring opposite B&Q, which used to be the Wharf for the Rose's Lime Juice Factory and set off for Berko. Which is 3.85 miles, and 12 locks. So I was going to need to be fit and raring to go. I was actually pretty fortunate with the locks today, because most of them were fore us, or boats were coming out of the locks ready for us to go in to, so it made my life so much easier. Many of the boats were probably off to the National Festival at Beale Park at the end of the month. As we came up through Winkwell Lock, I walked up to operate the Swing Bridge and there was another boat coming in the opposite direction. It turned out to be Bob and Nicola on NB Vagabond. It worked out ideal, that we could both use the Swing Bridge at the same time, which gave us great power over the waiting traffic. I had all that power in my one finger and there was nothing the traffic could do until we had both cleared the bridge. Just up from the Winkwell Locks a British Waterway's man was painting the bridge. Nothing odd about that your thinking. Well that is true, but it was by now raining. I said to the man "Not a day for painting", he replied "It was sunny when I started". It was an enjoyable cruise pretty much, although we did have a problem with Sewer Lock, because we could not get the bottom gates to close properly, there was something on the cill. Another boater arrived and after a lot of pushing and shoving of the gates, we both managed to get them closed, so we could open the paddles and fill the lock. I had visions of us having to call BW out. Thankfully that did not have to happen.

As we arrived in Berkhamsted at the Rising Sun Lock.

I was sorely tempted to get my tankard and pop into the pub for a Cider. The Rising Sun is the Cider Pub for 2010. But these days your not supposed to drink and operate a boat, and although I am not actually steering the boat, I am working the locks, which can be as dangerous. So I had to pass the pub by. But one of these days, I am going to have a tankard of Cider from there.
As we came up in the Rising Sun Lock, a wonderful floral sight was ahead of us. The Boat Inn was putting on a fantastic floral display with their hanging baskets. I wonder if they have won anything for all those wonderful blooms?
As we cruise the Waterway's of the UK, we see many old boats, but this one always makes me smile. It is called Jester and I have absolutely no idea how old it is. I call it a shed on the water, but in a nice way. We do see many sheds on water, but many of them have no character at all. This does at least have some character.

We arrived at Berkhamsted and the first thing we noticed was the lack of moorings, so I had to walk ahead and see if there was any space for us to get into, baring in mind we need over 70ft. Wooo hooo luck was shining on us, as there was one space near the footbridge which we could get into and it turned out to be a deep water mooring.

All moored up, I did us some much needed lunch and then we donned our rucksacks and headed off to Tesco to do a bit of shopping. I will do a proper shop when we get to Leighton Buzzard, but we did need Bread, Cheese and some Salad stuff. Shopping put away, I then needed to post some Birthday cards, but the heavens had opened and it was chucking it down. But hey it is only water, so with my hat and coat on, I went in search of the Post Box. On the way back I called in on our friends David and Jenny on NB Sweet Dreams. Jenny was out shopping, but I got to chat to David in the rain. No he was not getting wet, he did have a large Umbrella to stand under.

So another day of cruising is done and enjoyable it was too.

Dinner tonight is going to be Faggots, with Mash and Veg I think and we may even have a pudding, which will include Ice Cream mmmmm.

Lunch and Retail Therapy.

Hi Friends.

What a day yesterday was. We had rain, rain and yet more rain, but it was very much needed. As the evening wore on the rain went on its way and left us with a nice evening. We did very little yesterday due to the weather. This is when having a TV is really useful. As I closed the boat up at 10.30pm a sight warmed the cockles of my heart. I just wish it had been light enough to take a photograph. I took the perspex out of the galley doors and was just going to close them up, when the pair of Swan's here came to say goodnight. The sight that gladdened my heart was the Pen carrying her Cygnet on her back, between her wings. All's I could see was this little head poking out and the little darling squeaking as if to say goodnight. I hand fed them each a slice of bread and wished them a goodnight. This pair of Swan's nly have the one tiny Cygnet, so they either lost their last brood, so they began again, or they started late and only had the one. I do hope this little bundle of fluff makes it to adulthood.

This morning I noticed a real change in temperature as I walked Pad across the park. The rain had certainly freshened the air, which was very much needed as was the rain. We set off 8.50am from Kings Langley, with a view to getting to Hemel Hempstead for the day. So we set off and did 2.85 miles, 5 locks in 2 hours. We arrived at the first pair of locks and as we went into the first lock, a boat was heading into the second lock coming down, so I though excellent, they can leave the lock ready for us, and I will do the same for them. Yeah right, well I left the lock ready for them, but they chose to close the gates after they left their lock, which meant by the time we reached it, the lock was a quarter full of water again. Thanks a lot folks. If your ever doing a pair of locks and you can see another boat will be coming into your lock. Please leave it ready for the boat coming. it is not flippin rocket science. Opps sorry I am on my soap box. It is just frustrating. Because I always try to help other boaters out.

Having done the five locks, we were then looking for a mooring, but because it was to shallow, we ended up mooring opposite the old Rose's Lime Juice Factory, which is now a B&Q. Thankfully it appears to be a deep water mooring. The only draw back is the main road we are near to. But you cannot have everything. We moored up at 10.50am, we shut the boat up and walked into Hemel Hempstead for a spot of lunch and some retail therapy. The Main shopping centre is pretty much like any other chopping centre in the country. We actually prefer the old part of the town, which has Jordan's Antique centre in it, which we like to visit when we are here.

If you ever get the chance to visit the Jordan's Antique Centre, please do as it has some wonderful things in it. Having spent a fair amount of time chatting with the owner, we walked back down to the new part of the town and had lunch at the Dragon Garden Chinese Buffet. Lunch was really lovely. The food was very well cooked and there was plenty of choice for your £6.80. We were very pleased with our meal. One of the reasons for going into Hemel, was because I wanted to go to Primark. I needed some t-shirts for working the boat in, because I am wrecking my better ones, which is not good. We also took the opportunity to buy new walking shoes, as we both needed some. having bought a Blu-Ray player a few weeks ago, we went into Blockbuster and got a couple of DVD's. I am looking forward to seeing if there is actually any difference, because people keep on raving about Blu-ray. I will let you know what I think. With aching feet and a feeling of tiredness, we decided it was time to get back to the boat. So another wonderful day was had by us both. I wonder if we will be able to sleep tonight with the road noise. Time will tell.

Sitting in the rain.

Goooood Morningggg Friends.

Sorry just had to do that in a Robin Williams voice from 'Good Morning Vietnam'. I loved that film. Got to sound cheerful, because looking out of the galley window, it is anything but nice this morning.

I have no idea why but I always start my postings with me in bed. Maybe it is because I like my bed. So why change the habit. There was I lying in bed, and I looked at the clock, which read 1 o'clock. Which was a little odd, because it was light outside. So I had either slept in till past lunch time or the clock had stopped. Phewwwwwww the clock had indeed stopped. The re-chargeable batteries had died a death and needed to be revived back to life. That had to wait because having got up to check the galley clock, which read 7.40am, I needed a cup of tea, which was duly enjoyed back under the covers. Marmite came and joined us, with her usual meow and purring. Creeping up the boat was Pad, who though he should be allowed to join in, so he sat near the bed with his head resting on my leg. "Bed" said the grumpy old man next to me ;0). So Pad trundled off back to his bed. You could tell by the way he was plodding back across the wooden floor, he was not a happy boy. No sooner he had plonked his behind back in his bed, the grumpy old man, called him back, where upon Pad leapt with great excitement on to the bed and made himself at home. Now Pad is not one for lying still, he is such a dreadful fidget. In the end after drinking our tea, there was nothing for it, but to get up, because there is nothing worse than being in bed with a fidget.

As we are moored near a park, I donned my jacket and hat and took Pad for a run across the park. He was off the boat and down the towpath to the park, like a demented rabbit. Boy he can run when he wants to, not that is very often with his breathing issue. This morning he was obviously up for a good run and sped off across the park. With no one else around on this rather damp morning, I did not have to worry about other dogs running at him in attack mode. having enjoyed a good old run, that is Pad not me, we headed back to the boat where breakfast was waiting. Breakfast this morning was just good old cereal. Nothing terribly exciting I know, but we do not have a cooked breakfast every morning. Blimey if we did we would be the size of a house.

It is still raining, so there is nothing for it but to stay put today. It is not as if we are in any kind of hurry.

I am already trying to decide what to cook for dinner tonight. Looking in the freezer, it may well be meatballs in pasta sauce with Spagetti. I fancy meatballs after having a salad last night. The one thing about hot weather is you end up eating lots of salads on a boat, because it is to hot to cook, which is fine and dandy, but they can get a little boring. I try to make each salad a little different, but even I get bored with them. So yep meatballs sounds good to me. Roll on the cold weather, so I can start cooking stews and curries again in the back cabin stove. I know I should not be wishing my life away, but I love using my back cabin stove. Right I have to go and empty my clothes cupboard in the back cabin and tidy it up, as I am beginning to find it difficult to find anything. Have a good day everyone.

I would like to wish J and her husband a Happy Silver Wedding Anniversary for today. Here's to another 25 years.

Congratulations to Rod Stewart and his wife Penny Lancaster who are expecting another baby. Penny is Three Months pregnant.

A Lovely weekend.

Hi Friends old and new.

I had a very enjoyable weekend, despite having to move and being on the tilt for part of Sunday. Hen i say on the tilt. I mean the boat was listing, due to low water level.

As you may remember from Saturday, we moved the boat after a boater told us we were on a winding 'ole. I have yet to find out for definite that it is still a winding 'ole, I will confirm it with our British Waterways friend, when we next see him. I have a feeling it used to be a winding 'ole, but is not now used.

Anyway now to Sunday. After a very nice nights kip. I was up and out with the hound, who seemed to have springs in his paws. Maybe the sunshine had something to do it with. I had a quick chat with the gentleman who lives in the Lock Cottage next to one of the Cassiobury pair and then it was back to the boat to get some boat work done. Sunday's has become boat cleaning day. So the generator went on and the hoover came out. Because Pad moults all year round, using the hoover once a week, is an excellent way of getting up all his hair. I do use a dustpan and brush in the week, but the hoover does a much better job. The floors got a wash and the surfaces cleaned down, this proved to be a wise move as you will discover late. I then bailed out the front locker, which had an inch and half of water in it. One of our outlet bungs is leaking, so I have to keep a check on how much water is getting in. It will not be a problem once we have sold some coal, because the outlets will then be above the water, at the moment they are below water and we choose to put wooden wedges in to keep the water out or not as in this case. With all that done it was then time for lunch, so I made us some salad and chicken wraps, which were nice on a very warm day.

Over the last couple of day's, I have heard a chick calling its parents and was pretty sure it was a Buzzard chick, but could not see it. So after lunch, I took my camera and tripod into the woods and went on the hunt of the call. I felt like an intrepid adventurer in the woods, but it was a little disconcerting listening to all the creaking and crackling going on. I finally found the source of the calling and it was indeed a Buzzard chick calling, but I could not get a decent photograph of it, because it was to high up in the tree's. I followed the call through the woods for over half an hour and never once got a decent photograph opportunity, which was a real shame. I felt deflated that I did not get a photo, but at least I knew for definite what was making all the noise. I was a woman on a mission, who was now satisfied.

As I got back to the boat, I was informed by my much better half that we were going to have visitors in a few minutes. His sister and her husband were coming along the towpath to come and say hello. We have not seen V & T for a couple of years, so it was lovely to welcome them onboard. I made us all a coffee and got the biscuits out. We only really have biscuits when visitors comes a calling, so it was an honour. Before we knew it three hours had flown past and they had to leave and Pad needed his walk. So we said our goodbyes and they headed back down the towpath to their car and hubby took Pad for his evening walk. I had to start the generator up and then decide on something for dinner. We ended up having Sardines on toast with a beer. I know not a normal sort of combination, but the beer washed the toast down nicely.

Because there had been a lot of boats moving, we were on the tilt, which was not great, because I would be sleeping with my head lying downwards, so we untied the boat, started the engine and moved the boat away from the edge and got us back on an even keel. This meant we were now a foot away from the bank, but there was nothing we could do about it. So Sunday was all done and dusted. It was a really great weekend.

This morning (Monday) was yet another beautiful morning. We set off at 9.30am to head for Kings Langley and encountered our first issue at the Cassiobury pair of locks. One of the bottom gates on the second lock would not close properly despite me opening and shutting it a few times. K even tried to close it with the boat. In the end we flushed the entrance and after some pushing, it finally closed. At this point a boat was coming down the canal to use the lock after us, so I let the lady know that it was better not to use that side of the lock, and I would report the problem to British Waterways, which is what I did when we got to Grove Mill. Two BW guys were on a work boat, so I let them know the problem and at which lock. I hope they sorted it out, because it was going to be a problem for any of the widebeams.

It was not long before we were at North Grove Lock, which as this devine lock cottage. Each time we come this way, I keep meaning to take a photograph, and never get the chance, so today I made sure I got the photograph below.

Having enjoyed a lovely cruise we arrived at King's Langley lock and I made a new friend. She was a little Black and White cat, who was in a very cuddly mood. I reckoned she came off of one of the boats, because she was soon on our bow and walking up the gunwale. As we left the lock, I lifted her back onto the towpath and said cheerio to her, as I do not think that Marmite will be to impressed that i have been playing with another moggy. We are now moored in a deep water mooring opposite Toovey's Mill Race, Kings Langley, having cruised for 3.45 miles, I did 8 locks, in 3hrs.

As we settled down for some lunch, I noticed this young Heron opposite the boat. It looks like it is walking the high wire. I wonder what it is thinking?

After lunch, we walked up into Kings Langley. It is somewhere between a large village and a small town. There are a few shops, which includes a Butchers, Spar shop, Pet shop, Hairdressers, Laundrette and other little shops. There is a pretty little church, a couple of pubs and a Fish and Chip shop, so really everything you need.

We plan to stay here overnight and then hopefully move on tomorrow. At the moment, we have the doors and side windows open as it is rather warm out at the moment. I now have to decide that to have for dinner, so goodbye for now.

P.S Happy birthday to N, he is 27 years young today. Love and hugssssss xxxxx

Early Rain

Hello Readers.

We have an invader. Nuts whole Hazel Nuts comes to mind, the only difference is these are Beech Nuts and the invader is a bushy tailed Squirrel, who I think sits up in the tree, giggling as it drops the nuts on to the roof of our boat. This was just the start of the bombardment. We are now gathering up a nice little pile of disgarded food. Listening inside the boat to these light weight missiles dropping on us, it sounds like huge great stones are being thrown. I sat outside yesterday afternoon and watched as the bandit went about attacking the roof of our boat, it was really quite funny. The other half said "Shall we move", but it really does not bother me. I am more interested in watching the Squirrels antics.

Saturday is here and the Squirrel was after more nuts early on this morning, but it got put off when the rain came. We had a lovely downpour, which really freshened the air. Our next door neighbour, who is moored in front of us, tried to start up their gas generator, but after Five attempts gave up and started their boats engine instead. I wonder if the rain got into the generator, because it is out in the elements.
Awake early, so we enjoyed a cup of tea in bed, before I got up. The better half stayed in bed as he is still feeling the affects from an earlier cold.
Why is it, that women, just carry on as normal when they have a cold and yet men cannot cope?
I gathered up the mutts lead and poo bags and took Pad for his morning walk. We walked down the towpath and then came back through the woods, which was beautiful. It made me want to lay on the floor and look up at the canopy, which is a vibrant Green at the moment. Knowing my luck if I had done that, a bird would have deposited something in my eye ha ha ha.
Breakfast for us this morning was Mushroom's on toast. I love the huge breakfast Mushroom's, which I do under the grill and then have on buttered toast with some Brown sauce mmmmm a good way to begin my day.
Boat jobs have to be done today. I need to clean and tidy as it is beginning to look a bit of a mess. Because we only have a small area to live in, I tend to only clean and tidy at weekends. There is also a smell which needs sorting, no sooner I get off of this laptop. The smell is coming from Marmite's litter tray. Marmite is a boat cat and as such she does not go off outside and do her business, so she has a litter tray, which today needs sorting out. Marmite does get off of the boat, but she has a harness and a lead on when the boat is open.
Why your asking, I know?
When we got Marmite at 12 weeks old, we took the decision to use a harness and lead on her when the boat is open. At 12 weeks old she was extremely tiny. So tiny that she fitted in the palm of my hand. She was a poorly kitten and we almost lost her. Many people on boats have cats and they let them wander etc. But then spend hours waiting for their cat to come back, so they can move their boat. We also see many posters on poles, telling the stories of lost cats. The saddest thing though is the cats we see that have drowned in the canal. They drown because they cannot get out of the water, due to the piling and concrete banks. So it is our choice to keep Marmite safe and sound. She is very happy on her lead and still manages to wander when she has her flexible lead on. This is only used when we are in an area where there are not many dogs, cyclists or walkers. In the old day's boaters used to have cats on their boats. But because they had to move everyday, if the cat did not come home for when they had to leave, they would leave the cat behind and just get another one. They would do this until they found a cat that would actually stay with the boat. This would not be allowed today, the RSPCA would be straight round if boaters did this today. But that is how things were in the old days.

There was I about to do some chores, when a change of mind had us out for a walk, through the Nature Reserve. We dodged the rain and landed up near the sports ground and Cassiobury Pair (Locks). These are also known as Albert's Pair. He used to or still does live in the lock cottage and the locks were named after him, so I am told. Having walked back down the towpath to the boat, a gentleman coming up through the lock informed us that we were moored on the winding point, which was news to us, as there are no tell tale signs. But as not to upset the natives, we let him wind his boat and then we moved to below the Cassiobury Pair out of the way of any other miserable person who should just come a long and feel they can have a moan. It is actually lovely here and very quiet, apart from the moving boats, walker's, jogger's and cyclist's ha ha ha. Right I am going now to make us some lunch and then I may just have to go out with my camera. Have a good Sunday afternoon.

Owls and Woodland Walks.

Weir in Cassiobury Park.

Hi Friends.

Before I write about today and how much fun we have had. I need to write about a program I watched on TV last night. On ITV 1, the Tonight program talked to PC David Rathband and his family in a program named In The Line Of Fire. In case you have already forgotten who PC Rathband is. He is the very brave Police Officer who was shot by Raoul Moat. I sat and watched the Tonight program in complete awe for the bravery of this man and his family. Julie Etchingham interviewed David Rathband and it was clear she was struggling with her own emotions as they sat and talked about the day he was shot in the face, which has meant he has lost his sight in both eyes. They chatted about what his plans are for the future. It moved me to tears by David’s courage and the courage of his family. I wish this family all the very best for the future and hope that David achieves his goal of walking back into the Police Station in uniform very soon.

Last night whilst we were sat watching TV. A Tawny Owl was sat in the tree by our boat calling out to anyone who was listening. It has been a while since I have heard a Tawny, so was fascinated to listen to him calling. August and September can be very active times vocally for adults as they set about reaffirming their territories in preparation for the next breeding season. However all the autumn and winter months can be good for hearing adults. They hunt and call between about 9-10 pm and dawn. The calling went on until we went to be at 11.30pm, he then seemed to go silent, or he just moved.

The morning was absolutely beautiful, with the early sunshine, so I was out with my camera whilst walking Pad. K and I then put on our walking shoes, so that we could go and explore Whippendell Woods.

The wood once formed part of the Cassiobury estate. There is an avenue of Lime trees which runs from the south east to north west was planted in 1672. They look stunning as they stand proudly, like soldiers to attention.

Through out the wood, there are fallen trees which have been left to rot, this helps to feed the bird population and also allows the fungi to form. Whippendell has a large diversity of habitats which supports a variety of birds. All three species of British woodpecker breed there, sadly we did not see any of them. There is also the tawny owl and sparrow hawk. Noctule bats can be spotted during the evenings. We did see one of the many Badger setts. We did not see the Roe or Muntjac deer though, although with people walking dogs and cycling, it was not really ideal. I think if I was to sit in the wood at dusk, I would see no end of wildlife.

On our walk back we saw this treasure hunt trail set up for a birthday party. I hope they enjoyed their day. It is a bit of shame they did not collect their rubbish and put it in one of the many bins provided in the park. The Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust are in the park today, doing things with the kids. They are dipping in the river to see what can be found. They are also weaving with Willow and there is also a puppet show all about wildlife. When I went and had a nose, there were lots of kids and their parents there having fun.

That was our morning done and dusted. We are now back onboard relaxing, having had lunch. Not sure what I am going to do this afternoon, as rain is forecast, so no point in cleaning the brass.