Seyella's Journey

With the weather being wet and windy yesterday we decided not to move. So it was at 09:45 this morning that we started off, planning on doing the 8 locks to the foot of the Hatton Flight.

Leaving Welsh Road Lock
It has been a fine bright day, but the wind, although lighter, has made it feel very cold.
We made a quick stop at Fosse Road Wharf for loo emptying and water, and cruised into Royal Leamington Spa.
We thought this town would have made more of the waterway running through it, but were disappointed by it appearing dab and run down. A short rural interlude, with the aqueduct over the River Avon, and we passed from RLS to Warwick.

From Leamington Spa to Warwick, the Avon Aqueduct.
I’m pleased to say that this section was a lot more pleasant, with active interest in promoting the canal, rather than seeming indifference. There are a couple of busy boatyards on this stretch.

Delta Marine Services
Through Warwick, and we arrived at Cape Locks. These 2 start the climb up towards Kingswood Junction. The total rise is 170 feet, achieved in 23 locks. We’d come down about 140 feet since Braunston Turn.

Above Cape Locks there is the Saltisford Arm coming in on the left. Here there are visitor moorings handy for the city and facilities. But, having carefully threaded our way through the moored boats to the end, we found no space and had to reverse a way back to the winding hole and then return to the main line.

Saltisford Canal Centre, all full.
Carol had stayed on the canal, waiting to see if we could stop, but then moved on and set up the next lock, the bottom one of the Hatton Flight. Not wanting to commit ourselves too far, we went up this and the next one, and then moored in a likely spot below Lock 28. When we set off we’ll be straight into the 19 remaining locks.

Oh, and it snowed for a short while after we’d moored..
Locks 10, miles 8½