Wednesday 11 August 2010

Swans and the rubbing strake

What is it about the rubbing strake which attracts swans? When we paused on the Shroppie recently we suddenly heard a tapping and scrabbling noise on the side of the boat. A pair of swans had come to try to eat the rubbing strake. Well, that's what it looked like. Perhaps they were sharpening their beaks.


Shortly after this there was an "Oh!" from Jan. One of the swans was reaching in through the side hatch. We had some floppadoms (stale poppadoms), so we broke a few pieces off and fed the swans.


Are you meant to feed swans? Probably not. But they didn't seem to mind.

2 comments:

Vallypee said...

Lovely photos Halfie. I'm a bit scared of swans as they can be very agressive at times, but yours look quite friendly here. I find ducks and swans like to eat the algae and other growth on the water line of my barge. It sounds like someone rattling at the door when they do it.Maybe that's what these swans were doing too, or at least trying to. I'm sure you don't hve stuff growing on the rubbing strake though!

Halfie said...

Thank you for your comments, VallyP.