Ragged Robin and the Stinging Nettles!

Thursday 14th June, 2012.
The main railway line down to Bristol passed less than 100yds from MM, running parallel with the canal. Surprisingly, it didn't disturb us at all. It's such a busy line that the road barriers on the level crossing went up and down like the proverbial fiddler's elbow, with very little interval in between. We pitied the poor level-crossing keeper in the days when it was manned - he certainly wouldn't have needed to go to the gym to keep fit!!
It was a bright morning, although showers were forecast for later in the afternoon and it gradually clouded over through the day.

The second lock we came to is called Monkey Marsh Lock and it is a listed "Ancient Monument" as it one of very few "turf-sided" locks still working. The sides are made of turf sloping up at 45 degrees. Many of the original locks on the K&A were turf-sided but at most of them walls have been built and the sides filled in. Unfortunately at Monkey Marsh, the sides are now lined with rather ugly steel poles to define the centre usable section and to protect the turf but it must have been beautiful in its heyday before the concrete and steel brigade got to it.
We moored up about lunchtime near Widmead Lock and walked along the footpath to visit the Nature Discovery Centre.

It was a lovely walk beside the lakes and reed beds, home to dozens of resident and visiting bird species. Of particular interest to us was the Greater Crested Walnut Cake and the Capuccino Major not to mention the very rare Green Pea Soup (minted variety), often to be found in the tea room.
M took pains to point out to R a species of wild flower by the name of "Ragged Robin." Well, we have often said that narrowboaters wear scruffy clothes!

Ragged Robin.

We have constantly marvelled at the density of the vegetation stretching into the distance on either side of this canal. The cow parsley reaches a towering 6 to 8 ft and some of the stinging nettles are taller than us.

Another Ragged Robin trying to out-stare stingers bigger than him!

Finally we went through Bulls Lock, which was leaking so much through the bottom gates that we had trouble opening the top gates when it was full, and then moored up for the night. Just after we stopped, the heavens opened right on schedule!  The weather forecast today was surprisingly accurate.
Today: 2 miles, 3 locks and 2.1 hours - also 2 swing bridges.
Trip:  107 miles, 54 locks and 62.7 hours (206.0 total).