March has arrived and nature thinks that spring is in the air!

The hedgerows and gardens are showing signs of new life emerging, birds are collecting bedding for their nests, lambs are appearing in the feilds.Flowers are bursting into existence and ready for mothering sunday the primroses are basking in the spring sunshine.

We as boaters are busy preparing for a season of cruising, the drought conditions are a concern and the news that we are to have some rain is for once, welcome. Several areas are already having restrictions placed on lock opening times and we all hope that the rain comes to replenish the depleted stocks of water.

This is a wonderful time of year to cruise and see the daily changes in our environment, the leaves, flowers and wildlife starting to wake up after the winter rest. Look out for early insects as the temperature rises and this is followed by the returning of the spring migrant birds.

Happy cruising.