Lockdown Day 55 - More Cygnets

We drove out, for only the second time since lockdown for a walk along canals and disused railway lines that provided a looped route between Pelsall and Brownhills.  Along the way L was able to see the new cygnets for the same time.  They really were quite bold, swimming up to us on the towpath with their parents keeping a close eye on us.  It was somewhat disconcerting to have the large cob literally eyeball to eyeball as I lay on the path to get my low angle shots (see extra).

We stopped for a short picnic on a bench at the start of the feeder canal at Chasewater before heading back along an old mineral railway track.  Chasewater was heaving, with not a space in the car park.  I really hope this relaxation doesn't lead to more infections.  You can't help but compare the situation in the first few weeks with the situation now.  Time will tell.

One thing we were conscious of was the number of people on bikes riding along the railway track and canal towpath.  There is a bit of a rant coming on because many of these people considered that ringing their bell was a sign for us to jump out of the way at short notice and so allow them to carry on at the same speed, without any consideration for whether we had the space to do so.  On one occasion two riders came around a blind bend at speed on a narrow track (without ringing their bells) and had we not had our wits about us we could easily have been crashed into by the bikes.  If this happens again on a towpath I am minded to stand my ground and give them the option to stop or bail out into the canal - I know it is only likely to be their pride that takes a fall!

Day Miles: 7.6 miles Total miles: 633.7  miles