Bartimaeus

We set off with the hope of bird sightings, as recommended by our neighbours, and immediately I saw a heron perched on the pilings at the side and unafraid of our passing. The heron gets less disturbance on the non towpath side. It had a good hunting spot.

We reached the locks and a man approached and asked me if I had done these locks before. I said we had but three years ago. He advised that we should wait in the lock, while he got the one ahead ready for us. It was a generous offer from him as he wasn't travelling himself, but just carried his windlass with him in the off chance of being able to help others. He knew many boats got stuck in the pound ahead and was saving us the nuisance or indignity. He helped me with the lock, as Shane waited outside it. He had mentioned that he was walking a dog but I couldn't see one. When the lock was ready for Shane I saw a dog slowly coming along the path and asked if that was his dog. He said people often asked that, but it wasn't so much that way round and more that he was her human! 

He said he'd leave me to finish up at that lock while he got the next one ready. I noticed that the lock had a sign to help those who didn't have him offering help. They might not follow the advice all the same.

At the next lock I had little work to do as he had got it ready and another helper arrived at the same time as I did. He wondered why the boat from the lock above was coming out when it was easier to pass in the pound.  Now he was having to struggle to pull the boat out of the turbulence of the flow as our lock filled. Another volunteer arrived and made a similar remark. "I try to tell them but they don't listen," she said.

"Some people don't like being told what to do," I acknowledged. It depends what the advice is and how it's given whether I take it well myself. These folk were all familiar with the vagaries of these locks, so their cautions are particularly valuable. The dog with his man went away home and Shane and I worked the next lock alone. We had completed the cycle before the other boater had managed to get in the lock set for him and I wondered if they were managing to help him without saying "told you so". The rest of the flight went without incident and we were pleased to get rid of recycling and glass while operating the last lock. The brief chat I had with the boater at the top was interrupted by urgent cries from his friends or family. He went to help hold his epileptic dog securely to stop it, hurting itself during a seizure. I had guessed that was happening as I saw it was having spasms lying down. I don't know much about dogs but I have had a little experience of humans with epilepsy. It was nice that the people there thought to reassure us all was well.

As the day went on we saw a great many ducklings of varying ages and stages. Some were learning to preen themselves even though they had no adult feathers yet but if mum's doing it then that's what they do too. Many were older and getting more adventurous and spread out rather than clustering towards mum when feeling threatened. Some tried to outswim us. 

A family of swans coming towards us were led by Dad and he was squaring up to Bartimaeus looking like he expected us to back off. We didn't have room to turn round if we had wanted. He hissed and grunted at us before giving way to swim past and lead his brood round the side. 

There was no contact and the young cygnets all went by together on one side. They all passed without further posturing.

A heron repeatedly flew away as we approached, but often circled back and flew ahead. We saw it many times.

At one point two herons flew forward and settled ahead. There might be safety in numbers but these still flew off as we got near too.

There were several deep cuttings with high narrow bridges and some landslides visible. It wasn't just earth but occasional trees or massive blocks of rock. You wouldn't want to be on the towpath or driving by as they slid down.

In our pleasant weather it made for an attractive view and a dramatic approach to bridges. We only met one boat and it waited in a wider spot for us to come past. There was always the possibility of submerged rocks at the side. Even at the wide passing space I heard some scraping beneath us as we passed over some stone.

We moored overnight at Norbury junction where we enjoyed more herons and ducklings in the evening after our meal out. As we set off in the morning I saw the herons were quite at home on the boats here and they had no intention of fleeing as we approached. They have learnt to ignore boats in a busy place or they would be exhausted.

The morning weather was windy and it had rained at night. The boat was covered in petals from the hawthorn blossom. We moved on to Gnossal. It seems perfectly friendly here despite the scary water dweller. Someone has a sense of humour.

We have stocked up on Bryn's cereal of choice, biscuits and strawberries. His bed is made. It started to rain steadily just after Shane got the tandem ready for his ride to the station. The tradition continues of Bryn bringing a drop in temperature, when he comes to join us. It is as well he is accustomed to working in all weathers. He has packed his waterproofs and we are looking forward to welcoming him aboard. I hope he gets to see as many birds as we have lately. He might be amused by the little ducklings on the boat behind.