19th July 2013 Hatton Locks Loop

Easy day today. Over the footpaths from home to Hatton Locks cafe and then back along the canal to Warwick. Very hot day today so taking it easy.

My favourite field!

Taken this shot several times now, each at different times of the year. This is a cultivated field of oilseed rape, now turned to seed, and with this hot weather it will not be long before the harvester will be into it. Funny name for a plant but the name comes from the latin for turnip, rapa or rapum. Cultivated in this country since the 13th century, it is used in the production of animal feed, vegetable oil for human consumption and bio diesel.  Worldwide production has increased sixfold over the last 30 years. 

Hay Bales

A bit further along, the farmer has been busy baling his hay for animal feed in the winter. These bales have increased in size since I worked on a farm, there is no way you could pick these up with a pitchfork and stack them in a barn by hand.

Hatton Locks cafe

Had to call in here for tea and cake. Everyone was sat outside in the glorious sunshine. I had the usual homemade tea bread, delicious, before zooming off down the flight of 21 locks.

An easy day in the sun. It was 90 degrees when I left home, so nothing too strenuous today, just over 10 miles.