Coole Pilate, odd name isn't it.

Late last night there were three pigeons wooing on the ridge tiles of the house opposite, two males and a female. (No surprises there). Two of them were walking along the ridge, the male struttin' his stuff behind the female. When they came to the end of the gable, Mrs. P turned around to Mr. P and gave him a right ear-bending, threatening him with her beak. He promptly flew off to see his buddy on the other part of the roof and gave him a proper head banging as if it were his fault. Very funny to watch, you couldn't make it up.

Anyway...

Unbelievably, we left Market Drayton at 06:30 this morning, just as it started to rain.

Made our way slowly through Betton Wood, but there was no sign of the Shrieking Spectre that is alleged haunt these parts.

Adderley locks, five in all, a piece of cake as they're well maintained but the rain, heavy at times, made the going soggy.

Then there's the Audlem fifteen, some being tricky with their fast by-washes, especially if you're coming up the flight. We stopped briefly to take on fresh water outside the Fly, then finished off the final three before proceeding on to Coole Pilate.

The rain has stopped now!

Lucy had fish for breakfast...

She's well away with the fairiezzzzzzzz!

Tonight's sunset.