We Trickle a mile towards Weeden

12th Nov - Whilton to close to Brockhall Park, Grand Union Canal, 1 mile 0 locks

Out into the countryside, but not out of the drone of the M1, although tonight it is a little quieter, the southbound carriageway has been almost at a standstill now since about 5pm when we heard a lot of sirens going, so thats over 5 hours ago.  A long journey home for a lot of people, maybe the canal on this occasion would have been quicker! :)  I do hope that nobody has been killed or badly injured in an accident somewhere, no doubt we will hear some news tomorrow.

Some news I saw on the newsgroup tonight though, is that our friend Mr Finch, the guy who loves to break into narrowboats and help himself to food and drink, has been sighted near Weeden.  Apparently BW have put some posters up in the area with warnings.  We shall be on the lookout for him this week, he seems to enjoy either spending time on someones narrowboat or at her majesty's pleasure for doing so!

A most amazing sight as I walked late this evening, pheasants.  Not unusual you may think, but they were all sitting high up in trees, and they all took off to 'roost' somewhere or other.  Normally birds roost high in trees!  I have never seen so many in trees, a most amazing sight as they all ungainly left their high perches catching branches as they flew out.  I am looking forward to walking tomorrow in better light, it is really nice here and apart from the 'hum' there are wooded areas as well as open farmland.  Vic has already spied a weeks worth of logs, so part of my day will be playing lumberjack no doubt.

Waterways News Snippits

• Award for best canal pub

It's not that often we visit pubs these days, and in the last year we have not been to any of the pubs mentioned in the snippet.  We have had one or two really nice meals out this year, in fact the last meal out was the very best and that was Sunday lunch at Lock Stop Bistro (sorry Lock Stock can't find a decent link for you) at Hillmorton, and after long discussion tonight, we have decided to give that the award of 'Our Best Meal Out Of The Year'.  The award for 'Our Best Pub Of The Year' must go to The Barge Inn at Honeystreet on the Kennet and Avon Canal.