Lazy day.

Still moored Hawkesbury Junction; Coventry canal.
597 locks, 782 miles, 21 Tunnels, 37 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Today we had another taste of summer with clear blue sky and lots of sunshine. With temperatures up around the mid 20’s and a light breeze it has been a good day to laze around. Well isn’t that what hot sunny days are for?

Being a long week-end there has been a lot of boats on the move enjoying the fine weather. Another good reason for us to stay put.

Since we have been up this far North we have seen families of ducks which I think are Pochards (Aythya ferina). Unfortunately we have not seen a male but from their habit of all simultaneously diving and the adult female swimming with her tail low in the water this all fits the description in my bird ID book.

Pochard - please let me know if I am wrong

While on the bird trail we have also seen 2 families of moorhens that have raised 2 clutches of young this year. While this may not be unusual what we found fascinating was that the first clutch of chicks which are nearly full grown are helping the parent birds feed and look after the second clutch of chicks. Who says birds and animals are dumb.

The other night while quietly fishing off the back of the boat, I got a brief glimpse of a wily old fox out looking for dinner. His big bushy tail was a beauty. He spotted a rabbit and the chase was on but they disappeared over a stop bank never to be seen again.

We can't seem to be away from our fellow countrymen for long. Tonight we were passed by Warren and Wynne on Kiwi Cruiser II with Robin and Wendy Croot from Gypsy Caravans in Levin. Its a small small world.