Clan of the Burger Burners picnic

[Al21]

Hi folks,

Just like to tell you about our day out last Saturday. We were supposed to be heading for the woods for a night out but due to one thing and another this wasn't going to happen, so not wanting to waste our passouts from the ladies completely we headed down to our nearest canal for a paddle in the canoes.

Turned out to be a really pleasant day with little wind and bright sunshine. We saw a good deal of wildlife as we mooched along. The whole of the canal is a SSSI so always has plenty to see.

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z354/YBCP/Pock%20paddle%20Feb%202013/IMAG0012.jpg


For ages now it seems, I've only paddled short trips here, either due to time or small children. So we took advantage and paddled all the way to the lock which connects canal to river and had our picnic lunch there. As it turned out it was one of the only reasoable spots anyway due to the flooding

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z354/YBCP/IMG_1064.jpg

Bannock and burger a filling lunch. Kept me going and staved off the grumbly tummy!!

We saw kingfisher and barn owl, a nice large flock of lapwings, the usual swan and plenty of geese. While at times it was hard to know where the canal was in the flood waters.

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z354/YBCP/P2093510.jpg

The still air was unusual for the area, we often taken advantage of makeshift sails while on this canal, but for this paddle the calmness offered some good reflections.

http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z354/YBCP/P2093514.jpg

All in all, a great day! So good that I received a text message from Rich earlier this week to say that he now had to explain to his wife that he'd just ordered a canoe! I understand the negotiations went well and he's not sleeping in the shed, but really looking forward to the new arrival!

Thanks for looking, full story available on my blog.

Al

[jacko1066]

Great looking trip mate!!

Cheers
Steve

[BJ]

great photo's T^

[Silverback]

excelent thanks for sharing

[Ehecatl]

Great post - thanks,

M@

[butchthedog]

Jealous don't even cut it lol. Excellent pics and did you find the Gruffalo Al.

[Sar-ian]

You lucky BLEEDERS, can't belive you got pass-outs without it involving new shoes or aleast a new pair of jeans (LOL) great pics...

[jacko1066]

Sorry, not sure how my post ended up on this thread lol

[Olly]

Looks like a great day out!

[Al21]

Thanks for all the comments folks, it was a crackin' day for sure. I can't claim to be responsible for all the photos as both Rich and Joel took plenty too, some of which I've used. It shows just how the technology on mobile phones has come on as that's what they both used for most of the pics they took.

Butchthedog: I'm still searching thanks, though to be fair it was a bit too bright and with too few trees for your average gruffalo. A few years ago I thought we'd come within a few hours of one among the yew trees at Kingley Vale in Hampshire. Out with the family we came across a really slimey fungus which I told my kids was possibly the result of a gruffalo having eaten some dodgy scrambled snake! I got some withering looks from the missis for that believe me. :)

Sar-ian: I was definitely lucky on the passout front which is why I was so intent on making the most of it. Not sure when the next will come and we've Rich's new boat to christen yet so I must start clocking up the browny points!

Al

[bigzee]

Fantastic photos, and what a great way to spend your time! Looking at the canal and flood waters merging pic. has just made me realize: The way the climate's going - we all ought to be acquiring or working towards having a canoe or something similar for the "waterworld" of the future. I'm damned if I'm getting a mullet like Kev Costner though!

[Tigger004]

makes me want to buy a canoe, thanks for sharing (I Think....) (this post could cost people a small fortune)