Thursday 9th April 2020



Another gorgeous moon rise last night. When the moon first rose it was a dusky orange colour which quickly faded as the moon became higher in the sky.

The Moon orbits around the Earth on almost the exact same plane as the Earth orbits around the Sun. This means that when the Sun appears at its highest in the sky, close to the summer solstice in June, the full Moon opposite, is generally at its lowest in the sky.

This means, from our latitude, that the full Moon shines through more atmosphere than at other times of the year, which can sometimes give it a reddish tint or, as it appeared this evening, with a dusky orange hue.









More was planed off the bedroom door, followed by another walk to Syke’s Hollow. There were lots of Greater Stitchwort come into flower and these had attracted lots of the small Orange Tip butterlies, dozens of them, a lovely sight.




Male Orange Tip Butterfly



The centre rope fairleads on each side have always been in the wrong place. The fairleads as fitted, do not have a side lip and so should be positioned right on the edge of the handrail. If not, the rope can rub against the outer edge of the hand rail and wear the paint away. Which has happened. Also the fairlead is too far forward so, when pulling the boat alongside, the front always comes against the bank long before the back end, which is really annoying.

Months ago, I bought new fairleads with side lips on them but have never got around to fitting them. So this afternoon, with all good intentions, I set too, to fit the new ones. However, I saw Jackie sitting on the bank so took her up some bird identification books. Lol then appeared and that was the day gone, chatting away.

Such a lovely warm day gave us the first opportunity of the year to bring our outdoor chairs out and sit on the bank. It was only when it started to turn chilly that we bid farewell and each retired to our own boats. By then it was well after 7pm.

We are so lucky. We are moored on a very quiet stretch and the Corona lockdown is largely passing us by. While it is frustrating not being able to cruise and explore, at least are can enjoy being outdoors in the countryside, enjoying the fresh air and this lovely weather.



Weather: a lovely warm day that turned chilly in the evening.




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