Meet Cedric

One of the joys, and one of the worries about being in one place too long, is that you become attached to some of the local wildlife, we have been adopted by a lone male Mallard, he sits on the bank all day watching for movement at our windows, and has been known to sit outside an open side hatch for hours, it's got to the point that Ali checks he's there in the morning,and worries if he has had enough to eat  if he is still outside the side hatch at night, needless to say, he is on to a good thing with us pair of softies, now we are worried that he will suffer once we move on, I think he is a crafty little beggar, I am sure he was trying to swim with a limp to get the Ali sympathy vote, and he will move in on who ever moors here next, well lets hope.

Cedric watches and waits, alert, and patient.

Sat outside the side hatch, patience has paid off,.......again!

The canals, although man made, are a preserve for wild flowers, as little changes and they are allowed to grow wild along the tow paths and often even less is done on the far bank, plants and animals are left to get on with things without the selfish interference of man, even on a short walk it is easy to find flowers that are grubbed out as weeds elsewhere.

Snakes Head Fritillary - lovely to see growing in the wild,this one was all alone, let's hope it gets left to 

multiply

Violets are a lovely sign of spring - so small they are easy to miss 

Ali has forgotten the name of this woodland favourite - any ideas folks? 

Things have gone nice and quiet since the cruising club moved off from the other side of the cut.

On a lighter note.

Geoff & Mags and Chas & Ann, have spent the day going down the flight of 16 locks at Marple, Geoff will be cross when he realises he will have to come back up again, as we have not yet given him back a book he lent Ali!!! Hope there are no over due fines Geoff?! 

Carol and George are currently on the Huddersfield Narrow canal, Ali has been following their blog closely as the Huddersfield has a reputation for being difficult and Carol and George have got stuck several times already. It makes great reading and there are some lovely photos too - can't wait for the next instalment.

Solar panel day tomorrow, we have spoken to Tim, he will be here at around 9.30, lets hope the rain doesn't  join him here.

Bye for now, 

Baz and Ali.