Hello and welcome back to my blog 😊.

My solo walk today was 12 miles along the Grantham Canal (currently being restored by The Grantham Canal Society). I parked my car near the canal at Dove Cottage and planned to walk towards Hickling. As you will see, things didn’t go as planned.

It was a fine June morning, but on the chilly side, as I set off along the canal just after 08:00.

Last week I had walked east from Dove Cottage so today I was walking west. This section of the canal is full of weeds and reeds. So much so, that you cannot see the water.

There was a breeze and, as I was walking, I could hear the reeds moving with the wind – this, I find quite relaxing. The wildfowl living in the reeds were quite vocal as I passed – no doubt signalling to others that there is an intruder in their area.

I saw a field where the grass had been cut and bailed up already. That’s early I thought to myself.

I passed a quaint little pedestrian bridge spanning the banks across the canal. I do like a nice bridge! There are 69 bridges along the length of the 33-mile Grantham to Nottingham canal.

The grass on the towpath was definitely in need of a trim – hopefully soon!

Continuing along the towpath I passed old Harby Mill warehouse- still standing proudly beside the canal.

Just pass the old warehouse I spotted Azolla on the surface of the canal. Azolla is a rapid growing water fern that can reduce light and oxygen levels in the canal harming fish and other wildlife.

Canal and River Trust can combat the Azolla by adding weevils to the canal. The weevils breed to produce large populations which feed on the Azolla https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/weevils-help-in-battle-against-water-weed

I continued along the towpath and saw a pair of swans, complete with their large new family, directly in my path.

I slowed down admiring the little cygnets. The male Swan started to hiss at me and fluff up his wings. Naturally he was protecting his family. I had a decision to make – do I press on and upset the Swans or about turn and finish my walk going in the opposite direction?

I decided to leave the Swans in peace and turned around 😊. I wondered whether they were on the towpath because the surface of the canal was coated with Azolla.

Metal mile markers on the towpath marked the distance from the river Trent.

I passed under an old disused railway bridge that is being reclaimed by nature.

The bridge was from the former Bingham to Melton Mowbray line as this writing on the bridge testified.

I enjoyed the remainder of my walk. I hardly met a soul along the way today.

The 29th June, when I am taking part in a 26-mile sponsored walk along the canal, is zooming up quickly. I have my fingers crossed that it will not be raining on the day. It should be a memorable walk. Hopefully it will be the subject of a future blog.

Happy Walking! 😊🚶‍♂️