Rode Heath and ducks.

 

The race was on.

David up early as usual and had moved our car down the canal to Rode Heath, he returned in a rush getting the bike inside then oh his face, a single hander had moved his boat around to the lock.

Snookered.

No great shakes really as some of these locks are doubles or rather pairs of locks so we might even get past him...

We brought WaL around to the lock only to see this thoughtful  and considerate boater had moved his boat away from the line of moored boats as he was running his washing machine and didn't want to disturb others!  Wow.

He waved us through and away we went.

First two singles close together so as David left the second I popped back and raised one paddle halfway for him.  Going on we were lucky to have the pairs of locks both in our favour so while David descended I opened the other gate for him.

Nice man.

We didn't meet any boats coming up not really surprising as it was still early.

A lovely day for doing a few locks

Behind WaL is the considerate boater who didn't allow his washing machine to disturb his neighbours  and waved us through too. 

So the gorgeous countryside all around this area of Church Lawton, Hall Green and Rode Heath.  Not much distance between these villages but lots of beautiful countryside.

So farming news;  Here are the fields of sown maize.  Some fields were showing but others not.  Lots and lots of maize sown around here but the dairy farm had no cows here now sad to say.

Pretty leaky.

Looking back towards Church Lawton

Pair of locks behind WaL.

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A sample of the trees planted all along this area.  Yep I know trees are good but so is food production, my husband tells me that according to the Lib Dems England and Wales (Possibly Scotland) are the only countries who get subsidies for environmental schemes and not food production.  Worth thinking about... 

We arrived at Rode Heath and moored easily, David had reported that only two boats were here. 

I walked over to the post office and posted a card to my mum then on my return the single hander went past, he was carrying on. 

My favourite Aylesbury ducks.  Make very pretty pets.

Funnily enough I went through a long period of not eating duck...