Canal Walk and Rescue

We stayed over in Bristol last night after the gig. After a good breakfast, we headed to Caen Hill locks near Devizes on the Kennet and Avon canal. Here we met up with a group of Annie's work colleagues and families and we set off for a walk along the canal tow path towards Bath. We walked to The Barge Inn at Seend Cleeve, around 4 miles where we stopped for a good lunch before starting our return. 

Shortly after setting off, I spotted a gosling in a storm drain on the canal side. It seemed to be somewhat distressed and was clearly unable to get out. Having checked with a couple of Canal and River Trust volunteers that they agreed it couldn’t get out itself, Annie went in the drain (see first extra). The gosling was not unhappy to be rescued and Annie put it straight into the canal. We then worried about where the rest of the family might be. Annie coaxed it away from the lock entrance and up the canal with some floating duck food from the volunteers. As we walked , the gosling then seemed to follow us (in the canal) for about 20 minutes. There were no other geese in sight for some time but suddenly a family appeared and our gosling took up a more purposeful swimming stance. It was mum, dad and fifteen other siblings, happy to re-acquaint themselves with the lost child. Job done. 

Another extra from one of the canal bridges, a lovely day.