Deer oh dear.

1 lock, 9 miles 2 swing bridges. Now moored at Bradford Wharf
443 locks, 574½ miles, 17 Tunnels, 20 swing bridges and 9 lift bridges since Nov 2006

This morning was still heavily overcast but dry as we set off. Our first stop was for water at Dundas wharf because the crew on both boats had done lots of washing along the way. We had just started to water up when the skies opened up and gave us a good soaking. By the time we had filled both boats the rain stopped but we still had to keep our waterproofs on due to water coming off the overhanging trees.
Not long after casting off we found a drowned deer floating in the canal which couldn’t have been there long as there was no carcasses floating around when we passed through the same area last week. It was not long after, that I spotted something moving on the offside bank which turned out to be a live deer having a drink. He slowly turned around and melted away into the under growth. All I saw was its black ears, little antlers and fawn rump.
After doing a swing bridge, Derek on Kalimera was the lead boat and he came up against a boat that had broken its moorings and had drifted right across the canal. Derek pushed it back against the towpath, and then secured it best he could but it appears that the mooring pins had not been put in very deep and with the strong wind had pulled out.
Our misfortune came when 2 hire boats approached from the opposite direction close to a moored wide beam (Ex Thames wide beam cruiser). The cruiser was very loosely moored and swinging out quite a way from the bank. Being a fiberglass hull I did not want to get too close to it. There was no way that 2 boats could pass alongside this boat with out hitting something so we were forced into the trees and had to stop until the other 2 boats had passed.

We found 2 suitable moorings upon arrival at Bradford wharf and then paid Sainsbury’s a visit.
While closing the boat up for the night I was approached by what seemed to be a stranger; however it turned out to be Adrian Hanham who has contacted us by email on several occasions with useful info about the area. Thanks again Adrian, it’s nice to put a face to a name. Have a good holiday.