Yesterday saw us embarking on the third stage of our Nev Cole Way walk, today's stage taking us from the Sloop in Barton to New Holland 4.5 miles along the Humber. This turned out to be another excellent with good views and plenty of interest. Sadly, although very warm at 24C, it was overcast and views were not crisp. It was relatively quiet on the bird front, although I did get good views of a cuckoo fly past and reed warblers were active, churning out their rattling songs and little grebes were call on the lakes. Buterflies were very active with very large numbers of small tortoiseshell along with occasional red admirals and whites of varying species. Although not the best time of year for birds now this walk would be an excellent birding walk from Autumn through Winter and into Spring. I hadn't realised how many lakes there were inland of the river, all presumably old brick pits. I was amazed as we approached Barrow Haven to see the superstructure of a ship loom above the trees, discovering a few minutes later that it was berthed/grounded in the haven by the timeber yard. A short while later we arrived at New Holland and I enjoyed conjecturing where the paddle steamers over to Hull had berthed and how people got to them from the station. I only used it once or twice many years ago so had no recollection. Back at the car it was time to repair to the excellent Sloop for well-deserved pint of Bateman's Gold and our evening meal.
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