Branston again

A misty morning in Swarkestone

Yet again the weather alternated. After appalling weather for much of yesterday, today has been glorious after the morning mist cleared.

We left Swarkestone at 9:20, passed through the deep Stenson Lock where we paired up with another boat and stopped at Willington to fill up with water and post a card. After lunch moored in the outskirts of Burton on Trent we moved on to Morrisons for a bit of shopping for what will probably be our last day on the boat this year. We are now moored back at Branston (where the pickle was invented allegedly) just before the waterpark.

A comma butterfly feeding on ivy

This very enjoyable day was enhanced by the wildlife. We saw 2 kingfishers and whilst moored at Willington took a photo of a comma butterfly feeding on the ivy flowers which are prolific at the moment - note that its ragged appearance is normal for the species and an unambiguous identification characteristic. Then whilst motoring through Burton we were surprised to see a bat which flew around the boat and off down the canal.

We are a bit concerned at the moment about the section of the Trent & Mersey we will be travelling tomorrow which shares a short stretch with the Trent. We have heard that the river is currently on Amber but if it rises much more the canal may be closed. Hopefully the absence of rain today will reduce the chances of this happening.