Friday 28 August 2015

This morning had a real autumnal feel to it first thing.  Pretty but chilly and damp.  We didn’t travel very far in miles but we did negotiate 22 locks known as the Lapworth Locks.  We started with all the locks being against our favour and they are still single locks so there is no sharing with other boats which means we had to do it all ourselves.  I started but they were tough going so I got Steve to swap just at the point of the first flight (several locks very close together).  So back onboard I had a quick read of the book that told me the flight locks have double doors making it much easier going....!

A few locks into the flight a Canal and River Trust volunteer offered to help us – that was a welcome hand – all that hard work for a cup of tea!  It made sense as he and Steve were both tall enough to jump across the double doors – I did have a look when I was on duty but decided that my little legs were too short to stretch that far!  He also told us that there was a nice quiet spot to moor just after lock 6 so we took his advice and spent the night there.

No spectacular crashes today – just one hiccup when we offered the volunteer a cup of tea we were in a lock with me on the helm so I popped down to put the kettle on then they opened the paddles at the other end sending the boat surging backwards towards the doors so I had a mad dash up the stairs and wacked the throttle in forward just saving the rear bumper from getting trapped between the doors and managed to give the deck a wash with the wave that was created!

So here we are north of Stratford upon Avon and just south of Solihull – we will chug on a little distance tomorrow to Hockley Heath where there are some shops as we are in need of a restock.

Misty morning!

But at least the sun is shining.

Another lovely barrel cottage.

Hi mum - this weathervane reminded me of you - no you horrible lot not because of that - when I was little mum used to collect pigs - china pigs, glass pigs, pictures of pigs, tea towels with pigs - you name it, if it had a pig on it mum had it until one year she announced she didn't want anymore pig presents!!

That's the M42 that we are about to go under!

A very extended barrel cottage!

The bridges used to open - the narrowboats must have been loaded high for these to have to have been opened!

They don't look big enough for cars!

Well done Steve, we're getting the hang of these narrow locks aren't we!

Pulling with all my might!

A plastic boat - in disguise - they are not usually painted black!

Guess what that is?

Can you see how small it is?

Of course, the entrance to the Grand Union!!

Double doors, and yes that's rain again!

A bit blurred but at the bottom of one of the flights.  Also the run off from the pounds that you can see on the left make it difficult to go straight in as the force of the water pushes the boat over! 

Our handy volunteer!

and looking back down.

It's a bit of a tight squeeze when a boat comes the other way.

and a nice quiet spot to stop!