Reservoir Bears

I had hoped to have new boating adventures to write about, but we have been stranded at home most of the spring and summer because Polar has had work to do and hospital appointments to go to.  She is better now, so we were expecting to go on a nice long journey when she has her holidays next month.  Unfortunately, because it has been such a dry summer, there are water shortages and some of the canals are closed.

Last weekend, we went to see why.  One of the places were are sometimes taken to play is the Greenway Country Park.  There are woods and little streams here, all around two big lakes - which are actually the Knypersley Reservoir for the Caldon Canal.  Usually, there is lots of water in the reservoir and a big waterfall where it feeds into the feeder stream for the canal.  Hanley Bear took us there last autumn when we were doing our #BearsBackingTheBid campaign for Stoke-on-Trent to be City of Culture 2021.

But when we went to visit this time, there was no waterfall because the main reservoir was so low.  We were very shocked small bears to see it.  Grizzly estimated that it must have been more than two metres below it's usual level - meaning no water for the canal.

We still had fun climbing on the old pumping gear and playing in the woods.  Endon, who hadn't been here before, enjoyed exploring around the old trees and doing lots of climbing.  We saw grebes on the top lake, which still had lots of water in it because it is used for fishing.  The young ones are very noisy!

Usually, we have to be careful not to get muddy paws but it was too dry for that and we didn't see or hear as many birds as usual, which was sad.  There wasn't even enough water flowing under the little bear-sized bridge for a proper game of Pooh Sticks.

However, the saddest thing was seeing how low the water level was and realising that we wouldn't be boat bears again for some time, unless there was lots and lots of rain.

'Cheer up, little bears,' said Polar.  'There is lots of rain forecast in the next few weeks, so I'm sure we will be able to do some autumn journeys in Uppie.  And we've got another adventure for you to enjoy this afternoon.'

It was a very good adventure too, and I will tell you all about it in my next blog.