Of course it was too cold to work in the garden but I did tidy up the potting area in the garage so everything is ready for the beginning of the gardening season. I have also ordered my vegetable seeds so am feeling on top of things garden wise. This feeling never lasts once the season starts but I am savouring it for now.

Potting area

Later on, as the sun was shining, we went for a walk. We have some small lakes nearby that attract a great many birds.

Winter walk

Winter walk

The birds all appeared to be sprucing themselves up reading for the mating season. The birds in the far distance were actually standing on ice as part of the lake was frozen.

Canada Geese

Looking good! Canada Geese and two Swans

Looking at the birds in the freezing water I was glad I was wearing warm boots.

Local Nature Reserve

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Narcissus

I have done with winter now and am longing for some signs of life in the garden.

Narcissus

I am not the only one wishing the weather would warm up. While out walking last Sunday I saw these grumpy Swans on a frozen lake .

Hey guys - I think I see water over there!

That bird is an idiot!

Thanks to Katarina at Roses and Stuff for hosting Blooming Friday.

Visit her to see more Blooming Friday contributions.

Can you see the newish building on the right? From 1830-1980 this was  the site of a large Paper Manufacturing Mill. The canal was used to transport materials and finished products too and from the Mill. When the Mill closed in 1980 a housing estate was built.

Canal walk, Lock 1

The Grand Union canal is 137 miles long, connecting the River Thames in London to the Midlands (the middle of England). There are a number of branches  going out to major towns along the way. On most canals a path runs along one side only but it can switch to the other side where a bridge crosses the canal. Boats without engines were pulled by a horse walking along the tow path and tethered to the boat by a rope. It towed (pulled) the boat, hence the name.

Canal with towpath on the left

The canal was heavily used by boats servicing various manufacturing industries. Nowadays the boats are used for leisure though some people live on house boats at permanent moorings.

Narrow Boat passing by

We live near the end of one of the more far reaching branches of the London Underground train service. Here a bridge carries the trains over the canal.

Bridge for London Underground trains on the Metropolitan Line

As you can see ice has formed on the surface of the water though passing boats have shattered it into large pieces.

Ice

We are now approaching a Lock. This consists of 2 pairs of gates which allow the boats to navigate a drop in the height of the water. Unlike rivers canal waters are held in a series of steps or stairs and boats have to navigate up or down the difference in the height of the water surface. Here it is a step of about 6 feet (2 metres).

Canal walk, Lock 2

The boat enters the lock through the open gates. The gates are then closed.

Lock entrance

Sluices in the exit gates are opened and the water drains out of the lock. The boat sinks down to the level of the lower canal. The exit gates are opened (by hand) and the boat continues its journey.

Exit gates

At this point we leave the tow path and turn back towards home.

Leaving the canal

Farm track

Back through the woods

In the woods the only sign of greenery is on the tree trunks.

Ivy and Moss

Almost home….And look….I now have some waterproof boots . No more wet, soggy shoes. Wooo hooo!

New waterproof boots