tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301168202024-03-14T02:55:54.983+00:00Seyella's JourneyThe travels (and tribulations) of NB SEYELLA on the canals and rivers of England and WalesGeoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.comBlogger2506125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-87447120187184426442023-01-13T21:40:00.001+00:002023-01-13T21:43:09.237+00:00<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">An interesting 6 months...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Well, it's been a while since I last put electronic pen to paper, and a lot has happened.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I last posted as we arrived at Pillings Lock Marina, we stayed there a few days then set off downstream, back out onto the Trent to meet friends Caroline and Ian (NB <i>Calan Lan)</i> and headed off down the Trent towards Nottingham</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Following <i>Calan Lan </i>down the Trent on August 6th</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnz7RijiNURO1Y_GXaSTaj-3DHF5r-QAO-9d4QkUVgAm70QzQMgGXLlNC7YQsjUJ8CRaZ73tBrWxiaOByTpL-sJHHCMcybLynkYNU-Z2HjWzpM2GlriTcmC_MFR4ZwrqGBDIIzM8VvKeZb4yLi8Lyoa2XfHMPU8hN0uj5d9DPxNP7_F8A/s4608/DSCF2657.JPG" style="clear: left; display: inline; font-family: Calibri; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnz7RijiNURO1Y_GXaSTaj-3DHF5r-QAO-9d4QkUVgAm70QzQMgGXLlNC7YQsjUJ8CRaZ73tBrWxiaOByTpL-sJHHCMcybLynkYNU-Z2HjWzpM2GlriTcmC_MFR4ZwrqGBDIIzM8VvKeZb4yLi8Lyoa2XfHMPU8hN0uj5d9DPxNP7_F8A/w640-h480/DSCF2657.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We moored in Nottingham near Sainsbury's for a couple of days, intending to head on to Newark.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But it was then that the plans all fell apart. Ian had had a problem with an eye and had to head back home to Scotland to deal with it, and Mags hadn't been her usual self for a few days. So we decided to head back to Pillings while they stayed in Nottingham.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Mags was due her bi-annual ERCP and stent replacement in September, and I thought it likely that she could have have an infection in her bile duct due to a blockage, it's happened before. So I got in touch with the team at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and arranged an appointment to get the procedure done. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But we didn't get that far. Mag's health deteriorated rapidly to the extent that I had to call an ambulance to get her to A&E in Leicester, where it was touch and go for a couple of days. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They got the infection under control though, and she was transferred to a medical ward in Leicester General Hospital to recover. It took a long time though, and she spent 6</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">½ weeks in total away from the boat. Final rehab was at Loughborough Hospital, so at least she was local for the last couple of weeks. They were reluctant to discharge her to the boat, concerned about whether it would be a safe environment for her, but we managed to convince them and she returned home on October 12th.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Homecoming, with three Occupational Health people and the two ambulance crew in attendance!</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AQ2s9FEZDiQoLNi_oLMuXoLMoLu07Wl0bLd4U2-FJ4NrTB43iVUsgQBZi-1a04OgUEycssU6-sXGvDz1Y-JerMsfYu-d0gkjrgE18LtV2kVWPj5j8oz8ipvA_6uKPaA0G7oFdrwu1D8akrN_pjcWp6aDblXwTkILdWxoWG77HjiY4P6R/s4032/20221012_141858%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AQ2s9FEZDiQoLNi_oLMuXoLMoLu07Wl0bLd4U2-FJ4NrTB43iVUsgQBZi-1a04OgUEycssU6-sXGvDz1Y-JerMsfYu-d0gkjrgE18LtV2kVWPj5j8oz8ipvA_6uKPaA0G7oFdrwu1D8akrN_pjcWp6aDblXwTkILdWxoWG77HjiY4P6R/s320/20221012_141858%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, while Mags was away, I'd invested in a project. I'd always hankered after a proper Dutch barge, a Tjalk to be specific. Beautiful lines on these traditionally built vessels. Anyway, opposite our mooring and for sale was <i>Hendrika, </i>a 46 x 10 foot barge, launched in 1904 near Amsterdam.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0hcQDnrFhHxPCQlfaSyJxXZhDZnDM0wlNcUr37oUG7djUio4K5zVg93SPKxQohQAjuO0m6S58zjjZ3JyE29QlfvibEp8PemBZgijjap1evRHf7X-IkqgeRGKsnWDXnKjx0twhV5cvsCZrUFkgzhgASDqtzCCtbUaBZPJMKj0weSdbV7d/s2670/20220729_155421.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1543" data-original-width="2670" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0hcQDnrFhHxPCQlfaSyJxXZhDZnDM0wlNcUr37oUG7djUio4K5zVg93SPKxQohQAjuO0m6S58zjjZ3JyE29QlfvibEp8PemBZgijjap1evRHf7X-IkqgeRGKsnWDXnKjx0twhV5cvsCZrUFkgzhgASDqtzCCtbUaBZPJMKj0weSdbV7d/w400-h231/20220729_155421.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had a chat with the owner, we negotiated a price and I arranged a survey at Redhill Marina.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Out of the water for a look-see...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfuJUQlP2-j0bS5meg75Rut3CUU723tuVBNFpGrf4CPgS5L3OvKv0fNsUa-QRuIrGSc8eah6NRPvl7qSjaNwBR4mgveL4MCWXKniwemTsUFQA2-x1dRTvxqsbBin3ZAtGM3tPV-ZYhjp982gVZne4-7b3mpm1hZXvrjZ7mbyym7L--X4d/s4032/20220830_135030%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfuJUQlP2-j0bS5meg75Rut3CUU723tuVBNFpGrf4CPgS5L3OvKv0fNsUa-QRuIrGSc8eah6NRPvl7qSjaNwBR4mgveL4MCWXKniwemTsUFQA2-x1dRTvxqsbBin3ZAtGM3tPV-ZYhjp982gVZne4-7b3mpm1hZXvrjZ7mbyym7L--X4d/w640-h480/20220830_135030%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tp8TD3ZFyaxpvM08PZf6Ocx5Mf0lMnO8ZAWuzvuna_T1YglHSB8Qb2KMED0MVTSWHnrVcxtBRy8nVhEymznp4YiLkaFk7VzzJSNQRp3EVfSPixU8G-qQ1PTRB3dMoGA76TtWAbYLyqPSKxC9Mle9BbK1uHM5BITzmpIsgXu7CwT2A5BK/s4032/20220831_100641%5B1%5D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tp8TD3ZFyaxpvM08PZf6Ocx5Mf0lMnO8ZAWuzvuna_T1YglHSB8Qb2KMED0MVTSWHnrVcxtBRy8nVhEymznp4YiLkaFk7VzzJSNQRp3EVfSPixU8G-qQ1PTRB3dMoGA76TtWAbYLyqPSKxC9Mle9BbK1uHM5BITzmpIsgXu7CwT2A5BK/w400-h300/20220831_100641%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A<span style="font-size: large;">s you can see, she's been over-plated but the surveyor reckons it is well done. In fact there was very little he had concerns about, the hull and running gear are sound but some of the services didn't work so he couldn't check everything.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Anyway, the long and the short of it is that we now have <i>two </i>boats. I've spent the last three months gutting the dated and quirky Dutch fit-out, and installing a new interior more suitable for living aboard. Of course, there was quite a bit of remedial work to do that only became apparent when she was empty... but that's another story.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I'm nearly there now, but, as you know, boats are never totally finished, there's always some little job that needs doing or something that can be improved. But I expect that she'll be ready to move onto in the next week or two. I'll be waiting till the Spring to tackle the tired paintwork, haul her out again for shot-blasting the hull and applying 2-pack epoxy, and then getting a folding wheelhouse constructed. Meanwhile we'll probably stay here in the marina, maybe toddling off for a few days if the weather is clement.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">So... it's impractical for us to keep two boats, so <i>Seyella </i>will be going on the market. We'll be sad to see her go, she's served us well these last 16 years, but it's time for a change.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7RSKS1Qoi17Jl5MlsxgiHhXzA-E9FiUNPVE55n6_AFbSZlXevM66n4zV3P_H-eUnLz-fmUvKLnm-4pe6yTwpZkc4jOfx_Otk7YqUspVG4pVJcV2DxMaFVgbRoHbroy70nbUF0NvPgPFPmzPofFYMxr6CsxN9tcUpnnLgJvRhEU64ozJ4/s4032/20220808_105445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7RSKS1Qoi17Jl5MlsxgiHhXzA-E9FiUNPVE55n6_AFbSZlXevM66n4zV3P_H-eUnLz-fmUvKLnm-4pe6yTwpZkc4jOfx_Otk7YqUspVG4pVJcV2DxMaFVgbRoHbroy70nbUF0NvPgPFPmzPofFYMxr6CsxN9tcUpnnLgJvRhEU64ozJ4/w640-h480/20220808_105445.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I'll be looking for around £56,000. So if you know of anyone looking for a well equipped live-aboard 57 foot narrowboat point them this way...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">More updates will be forthcoming, including pics of <i>Hendrika. </i>Until then, TTFN.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-44453775097181817032022-07-25T20:16:00.000+01:002022-07-25T20:16:50.123+01:00A day in LuffBruff then into the marina.<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">On Saturday we moved on from Kegworth to Loughborough, leaving before 10:00.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We'd moored on the lock cut, at the end of it the navigation rejoins the river, on a fine broad reach heading towards Zouch.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip52E1KdI3m8Z0epfjeQq7UQf1D6Y60KOvOABOqWZJty3_dZqIyP6y3G19L5x2KVOLpEMPnyokq-rmcTYWMyJHpFOG4HVFLVRGnehlDgQDgLZpU3hKYErRiRzFnFcaCzJyQbk13CLllaItERBabA0TYs4PqgNfyxyo_5wn1aHymKJGCMjI/s3666/DSCF2591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2438" data-original-width="3666" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip52E1KdI3m8Z0epfjeQq7UQf1D6Y60KOvOABOqWZJty3_dZqIyP6y3G19L5x2KVOLpEMPnyokq-rmcTYWMyJHpFOG4HVFLVRGnehlDgQDgLZpU3hKYErRiRzFnFcaCzJyQbk13CLllaItERBabA0TYs4PqgNfyxyo_5wn1aHymKJGCMjI/w508-h338/DSCF2591.JPG" width="508" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Arriving at Zouch Lock we had a pair of boats coming down, so that saved me a job.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_EhkxM2IEYo2ToFt37_2WKX-iNtozF1RGDnbl1xOqJtW5lPM1lz75lK_rI90arAEI97HZtqivPLU4OJFWlZCOzFmLu9AOxn5Wc1dPcrwqe4kYrHBGoNcJr2IEl4quopvcGozmk3HPdbb11xT2joEVI-8xG4-HhXWmYlughFeukg50DFq/s3590/DSCF2593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2343" data-original-width="3590" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_EhkxM2IEYo2ToFt37_2WKX-iNtozF1RGDnbl1xOqJtW5lPM1lz75lK_rI90arAEI97HZtqivPLU4OJFWlZCOzFmLu9AOxn5Wc1dPcrwqe4kYrHBGoNcJr2IEl4quopvcGozmk3HPdbb11xT2joEVI-8xG4-HhXWmYlughFeukg50DFq/w400-h261/DSCF2593.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">At the end of Zouch Cut there's a series of weirs to control the river levels, two conventional, fixed ones followed by a rotary flood control sluice.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitj39gixcdqhSn463p07oZ9e_AHBA61c0DXVSU_1EG2OEsRRjghFDdozkc1B9UgSEc9i8_bprd0y4ja3cIN120TkuR2sf0a80ZEV5WxkKZjbScCyUg2vdzFxXmKBvZ-WElez7rC_iIeVh49odsU13hjWyWzwZOpvZJpm8OdFxC84YDZG0J/s3965/DSCF2594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2630" data-original-width="3965" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitj39gixcdqhSn463p07oZ9e_AHBA61c0DXVSU_1EG2OEsRRjghFDdozkc1B9UgSEc9i8_bprd0y4ja3cIN120TkuR2sf0a80ZEV5WxkKZjbScCyUg2vdzFxXmKBvZ-WElez7rC_iIeVh49odsU13hjWyWzwZOpvZJpm8OdFxC84YDZG0J/w594-h393/DSCF2594.JPG" width="594" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8hb2ejK-fB0nl5tBx8fWZ8ZeOQDHA39ugQIK7RO8_ILYwePjiMVv5zzLGbKVj3gBBdZnhZGz8IqYhBMlRzHkkPWBJw4U7h9-227MC9bJSuxxYJIPQ-rtbIB4ah9A8p8vtQW5g6VmCHPsXE7hyfhsoYw7RHQCJGfs_2-7ayDKMXo0ijN1/s3927/DSCF2596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2574" data-original-width="3927" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8hb2ejK-fB0nl5tBx8fWZ8ZeOQDHA39ugQIK7RO8_ILYwePjiMVv5zzLGbKVj3gBBdZnhZGz8IqYhBMlRzHkkPWBJw4U7h9-227MC9bJSuxxYJIPQ-rtbIB4ah9A8p8vtQW5g6VmCHPsXE7hyfhsoYw7RHQCJGfs_2-7ayDKMXo0ijN1/w400-h263/DSCF2596.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Heading past Normanton on Soar, the steeple of St. James rising above the trees.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAQvSUDDg6Qc9Gq8msBrRCfOrgz-oa2Rf4OGxMMYGRQ432TcwkdQcf8AP-jRSP81FuYF9QB2rwZ6WHWuILeg70yEtPma21me9ZQvpTDxO2GObTBP4eKXQWyhEsfa26tkRgK8Pa5c4-9enslZGUJ78bJKJl9ThWNwZBJBT6SCCFcjdkJYg/s3619/DSCF2597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2424" data-original-width="3619" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAQvSUDDg6Qc9Gq8msBrRCfOrgz-oa2Rf4OGxMMYGRQ432TcwkdQcf8AP-jRSP81FuYF9QB2rwZ6WHWuILeg70yEtPma21me9ZQvpTDxO2GObTBP4eKXQWyhEsfa26tkRgK8Pa5c4-9enslZGUJ78bJKJl9ThWNwZBJBT6SCCFcjdkJYg/w500-h335/DSCF2597.JPG" width="500" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The canal and river separate again outside Loughborough, the river runs around the town to the east, while the canal heads through. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Bishops Meadow Lock.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxucTcx3vxkLyNbFZB7UJWfL1iIKZEiqzSRJP77gvpggud67uS8InZmmwD6jQbH8nVS0ss4FUDMZxOyqVLbnTDjSxyUcIGLLuR7Vm_ld7-ANAXMHhM0y35V6wDULO6vqn0oujdjr_Ol67IBjwfnJaYk6CtK0SbKXyqnirycVRRD7z8VU8/s3350/DSCF2602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="3350" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxucTcx3vxkLyNbFZB7UJWfL1iIKZEiqzSRJP77gvpggud67uS8InZmmwD6jQbH8nVS0ss4FUDMZxOyqVLbnTDjSxyUcIGLLuR7Vm_ld7-ANAXMHhM0y35V6wDULO6vqn0oujdjr_Ol67IBjwfnJaYk6CtK0SbKXyqnirycVRRD7z8VU8/w479-h322/DSCF2602.JPG" width="479" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I'd just missed out on sharing the lock with a boat ahead, but a chap filling up on the water point gave me a hand with the paddles and gates.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Bookends!<br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgypEB3Q-idNh5ztvwDNY3Ur5mvTKZ2hEToMSd0hSyRH7rTkrAQJQj84ZdNIAcgVOKgrL9P1oP3z8GbHsVu-fdOnEsTGG1YiJA9er8LuaEjgXeZWi0jN9NgIUF1XEwk2Jqeo_tMCEhuZyZZmEooCq0StaM3TyxQ1bGsUd8shVj7PeqkkT/s3786/DSCF2603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2416" data-original-width="3786" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgypEB3Q-idNh5ztvwDNY3Ur5mvTKZ2hEToMSd0hSyRH7rTkrAQJQj84ZdNIAcgVOKgrL9P1oP3z8GbHsVu-fdOnEsTGG1YiJA9er8LuaEjgXeZWi0jN9NgIUF1XEwk2Jqeo_tMCEhuZyZZmEooCq0StaM3TyxQ1bGsUd8shVj7PeqkkT/w535-h341/DSCF2603.JPG" width="535" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> One more lock to do, Loughborough Lock, and I was surprised to see one gate open invitingly.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_sqgagBptRBCSlLL3C8KOkqukIDWshfs3BBsHJx4rNW3krKdF49QBsRgGlq_BEa2NSunGhPEzxPSMWjVa-EvEIP8B87CECk-l14R8YKIdrUl0o_BC52g1YdYSGe7-NJrYpYuFYKyibF3dTYFF4Jq5rIJ630gIR11hz2ipSet6tW2y6RT/s3794/DSCF2604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2543" data-original-width="3794" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_sqgagBptRBCSlLL3C8KOkqukIDWshfs3BBsHJx4rNW3krKdF49QBsRgGlq_BEa2NSunGhPEzxPSMWjVa-EvEIP8B87CECk-l14R8YKIdrUl0o_BC52g1YdYSGe7-NJrYpYuFYKyibF3dTYFF4Jq5rIJ630gIR11hz2ipSet6tW2y6RT/w510-h342/DSCF2604.JPG" width="510" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The couple ahead had kindly chosen to wait for me to join them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We moored near each other near Chain Bridge and had a chat. They actually live in Australia, although he's from Cornwall. But they're taking a couple of years out to continuous cruise over here before going back to normal life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Taking a day off yesterday allowed me to get a bit of shopping in and do an engine and gearbox oil change. I do the engine every 250 hours, but the time interval has got longer now I'm not running the engine when we take a day off.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We had a few spots of rain overnight but it had faired up this morning. It was gone 10 by the time we got going, but we were in no rush.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Leaving the very quiet Belton Road moorings.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZzYjfLh_GMZhJAwJu5Acsjsk7nvnrNR5GqdYXO9rs55GBHfdG53ArXzLGCSDNzwnCNczjnDhYCsOkOrKdlBTXKvaCbpb1lwiO75SP5Kbn6YjdGr8Kog4AjiLARDMBkWkAUpZTopEJQskkCMNJwrAzqMoye16QYsGFVpK6hfYaOg3A3fR/s3867/DSCF2608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2454" data-original-width="3867" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZzYjfLh_GMZhJAwJu5Acsjsk7nvnrNR5GqdYXO9rs55GBHfdG53ArXzLGCSDNzwnCNczjnDhYCsOkOrKdlBTXKvaCbpb1lwiO75SP5Kbn6YjdGr8Kog4AjiLARDMBkWkAUpZTopEJQskkCMNJwrAzqMoye16QYsGFVpK6hfYaOg3A3fR/w486-h308/DSCF2608.JPG" width="486" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I'd planned to get into Pillings Lock Marina around 11:00, giving me time to get set up before I went to get a hire car. But I thought we were going to be delayed a bit...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdzuuP-BiiBs1rl4kuHll4DWtHkONi5fLxapnTU1D8EXqusMUQa_51WwB0E6qoZ2e0_ksFG5Gxe027kOcQ2QCDVUBOV9ikAN9fg8WrwfVSmeDaGEASltm-9BLKbzsFx0jM5Q7sRsOcpAG0eMKVadvVromugqKG1Z1c1Sh5MT8iEjJMLoS/s2403/DSCF2610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1678" data-original-width="2403" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdzuuP-BiiBs1rl4kuHll4DWtHkONi5fLxapnTU1D8EXqusMUQa_51WwB0E6qoZ2e0_ksFG5Gxe027kOcQ2QCDVUBOV9ikAN9fg8WrwfVSmeDaGEASltm-9BLKbzsFx0jM5Q7sRsOcpAG0eMKVadvVromugqKG1Z1c1Sh5MT8iEjJMLoS/w579-h403/DSCF2610.JPG" width="579" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Just room to squeeze through...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyqzx8eOCxu1j0F_ZmfnsoLMdovuctrY7L7-78Xp10D--dVZNINZXbcUb3pYPjQDwFRb5i71n525JKuPHulOAldKVcWJuxDj2Vq3R2oH3Rpug7VxIGzksgt33CCp_OCDv-iCcB4HiIRyf9s-nT8ySMeUaiv-F80Ixq9ESxZ2CklWUhha9/s3602/DSCF2611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2557" data-original-width="3602" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyqzx8eOCxu1j0F_ZmfnsoLMdovuctrY7L7-78Xp10D--dVZNINZXbcUb3pYPjQDwFRb5i71n525JKuPHulOAldKVcWJuxDj2Vq3R2oH3Rpug7VxIGzksgt33CCp_OCDv-iCcB4HiIRyf9s-nT8ySMeUaiv-F80Ixq9ESxZ2CklWUhha9/w400-h284/DSCF2611.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Arriving at the marina it was a little challenging getting tied up, with the blustery wind and the short pontoons, but I've done it before (it's often windy here) so know the moves.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VXTMzbQpd1RcHkP_dVfprL5OZiAlrbigvJR1GYv1YTSfNv3QSPIBaUedREjycuBNzdid8PcgfClCC9Y3AkrcU0_7MfZ7OSp0AIxQUSnDlyglL0ZcQfNhwmleOc3E2a3wAxPzbIwAzk5z7-kik6azh9jUz7SfD7fhzu4k9fSfljF4Z_Rb/s3747/DSCF2613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2399" data-original-width="3747" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VXTMzbQpd1RcHkP_dVfprL5OZiAlrbigvJR1GYv1YTSfNv3QSPIBaUedREjycuBNzdid8PcgfClCC9Y3AkrcU0_7MfZ7OSp0AIxQUSnDlyglL0ZcQfNhwmleOc3E2a3wAxPzbIwAzk5z7-kik6azh9jUz7SfD7fhzu4k9fSfljF4Z_Rb/s320/DSCF2613.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We'll be here for a few days now. Family visiting.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Locks 3, miles 8</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">½</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-42375618785489092482022-07-21T20:42:00.001+01:002022-07-21T20:42:27.019+01:00Through Shardlow and the Trent and the Soar<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I was on the move at 07:00 on Tuesday, knowing it was going to be another hot one. And it was.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I hadn't noticed before, but the fields approaching Willington show traces of medieval ridge-and-furrow farming.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgpzdzrPiIvOYbQxW3GT5hzQ6uBoXBqaqw9vJEQnWuclCX3FxTPAGZv_X7bZXgtY-KQjEPmeWHhRGReSVkMAvKz390SiMWybbAGj_iD9kDMvX76b2-t84UfUn0gg865dq-mS5UjC5QeaSwG8J_b4uBJ7go5xQurXGUvzgSELKCAeqar18/s3086/DSCF2539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2058" data-original-width="3086" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgpzdzrPiIvOYbQxW3GT5hzQ6uBoXBqaqw9vJEQnWuclCX3FxTPAGZv_X7bZXgtY-KQjEPmeWHhRGReSVkMAvKz390SiMWybbAGj_iD9kDMvX76b2-t84UfUn0gg865dq-mS5UjC5QeaSwG8J_b4uBJ7go5xQurXGUvzgSELKCAeqar18/w499-h332/DSCF2539.JPG" width="499" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's probably the parched grass showing the ridges more clearly than normal.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The moorings through Willington were surprisingly quiet.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKxB8MKuoRI6_amVAKQIdYD11TpMxFu_NjuIJf7n8Ee1a2da4Z4bTW_zXNiXwky_nb_LXxsobU76b4tYTLI6DjwJ8ptWqKreKK52V3yt_EEar3_T59cvbRQMA0MRh76JBgoO0tBzzfphtW7WkAANBFQcNbHFeLWO0Yfys6SMkslUHjqxw/s3854/DSCF2540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2502" data-original-width="3854" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKxB8MKuoRI6_amVAKQIdYD11TpMxFu_NjuIJf7n8Ee1a2da4Z4bTW_zXNiXwky_nb_LXxsobU76b4tYTLI6DjwJ8ptWqKreKK52V3yt_EEar3_T59cvbRQMA0MRh76JBgoO0tBzzfphtW7WkAANBFQcNbHFeLWO0Yfys6SMkslUHjqxw/w400-h260/DSCF2540.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Fire damaged, I hope nobody got hurt...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaLdhybh19jgNlLzgjkODnHejkTtbFzJy8GYslSsfOKE6tjZyqdVJh2OpLirWaX1AMgvYoUl15mm8UkW6PNBeMpfZdWwKCmPjNK-LJwiKMATeeYMBXaQ5JFqB0XXSRUzDT-FSOGaV4qJVfS2PnJH5WcQeAZTNfL296tdXS1Kdy_FBFtk4/s3380/DSCF2543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2258" data-original-width="3380" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaLdhybh19jgNlLzgjkODnHejkTtbFzJy8GYslSsfOKE6tjZyqdVJh2OpLirWaX1AMgvYoUl15mm8UkW6PNBeMpfZdWwKCmPjNK-LJwiKMATeeYMBXaQ5JFqB0XXSRUzDT-FSOGaV4qJVfS2PnJH5WcQeAZTNfL296tdXS1Kdy_FBFtk4/w506-h339/DSCF2543.JPG" width="506" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Not far from Willington is Stenson Lock, the first of the broad locks heading downhill, and the deepest at 12'6". With no-one else about I took it slowly, leaving after taking a half hour to fill it end empty it again.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDrQosTbI9_LpoFXp1UV8OMaivSaZ9HQBtsDNpfrly0s0AEgaWLa0cmM84IQGd0N2clFZeudVFYXiYSgIhnnCn0zP7TZGsuE0TdP-mN4dv6dpfGNLk48yNIkP6NAeGDHSVxGfjtAA55MQ-hx737ZrSjcXyUSyx5d_pMnj9mfBYXvm9GYL/s3833/DSCF2548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2851" data-original-width="3833" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDrQosTbI9_LpoFXp1UV8OMaivSaZ9HQBtsDNpfrly0s0AEgaWLa0cmM84IQGd0N2clFZeudVFYXiYSgIhnnCn0zP7TZGsuE0TdP-mN4dv6dpfGNLk48yNIkP6NAeGDHSVxGfjtAA55MQ-hx737ZrSjcXyUSyx5d_pMnj9mfBYXvm9GYL/w514-h382/DSCF2548.JPG" width="514" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It's about an hour to the next, Swarkestone, and I passed my first boat of the day, after 2</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;">½ </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">hours, on the way.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Swarkestone Junction is just above the lock, where the Derby Canal branched off up to - yes, Derby of course! It joined the Erewash Canal at Sandiacre, and if restored, would make a pleasant, short circular route.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Swarkestone Junction and Lock.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsa_BeYLUXK7o6DEAir6GJiZP42dR_dmtEKZSGladx09sX6Y5Vqht4hc0chC_pUAk8k611A2lGMkdtBsc-cgO1i4xzAu8Yl-WhhX5_erzJuc0_C5luSvXk8UzPFAVmj0iPbZaTIwUpbpqWHQjqrERFPhLy1_AMQXCdVVnxG8pKR4nBzBA/s3785/DSCF2550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2509" data-original-width="3785" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsa_BeYLUXK7o6DEAir6GJiZP42dR_dmtEKZSGladx09sX6Y5Vqht4hc0chC_pUAk8k611A2lGMkdtBsc-cgO1i4xzAu8Yl-WhhX5_erzJuc0_C5luSvXk8UzPFAVmj0iPbZaTIwUpbpqWHQjqrERFPhLy1_AMQXCdVVnxG8pKR4nBzBA/w598-h396/DSCF2550.JPG" width="598" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Trent valley is wide and flat along here, with fine grazing and arable land on the flood plain.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPhwD7_SAYBoCUXjd3kq2KsrZWMZNDenGX_-3GPuOYIjfebUn_9XPSYemwA2O-28oJbdF--lOPfpGfzv3z6tzG0GVg8RxoZQiVQ6Lj8apsSBAkjRnL1q8D5Y3J9mrKuS05Q2qRl8NvM_34qGCv_TOEdOrSiC8d6STyy2IkUmH5PUnPn1n/s3854/DSCF2554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2659" data-original-width="3854" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPhwD7_SAYBoCUXjd3kq2KsrZWMZNDenGX_-3GPuOYIjfebUn_9XPSYemwA2O-28oJbdF--lOPfpGfzv3z6tzG0GVg8RxoZQiVQ6Lj8apsSBAkjRnL1q8D5Y3J9mrKuS05Q2qRl8NvM_34qGCv_TOEdOrSiC8d6STyy2IkUmH5PUnPn1n/w400-h276/DSCF2554.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I called it a day after 4 hours, pulling in a mile above Weston Lock in the shade of trees. Even in the boat under the trees it was very hot, Amber had a poor night, not able to get cool. I took her out three or four times through the night, it was marginally fresher outside.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">With the hot weather finally breaking I had a bit of a lie in yesterday, before getting going a bit after nine.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was 20 minutes to W</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">eston Lock, and on the way I had to keep clear of a couple of wide beams heading the other way. At one time you'd never see them further up than Shardlow, but since Mercia starting berthing them you see them as far up as Willington.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">WB <i>New Dawn</i> heading my way...</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTz4SLW6nLD4zYO24uGmWDqr-RiS6k2bEoVGAD5NlxmHfQTUJdw0-ehD4QzqKiVVgKBLIMcwjo_SMpp7D6MykrplKKihPZxzdilDILLFPVESVwlqFA9iipd26QxyeME-MDcNPDvXsMzC5uvjdHEXDA0eHlAOv85KyvrOPjc3cs8ZogOkj/s2134/DSCF2559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1405" data-original-width="2134" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTz4SLW6nLD4zYO24uGmWDqr-RiS6k2bEoVGAD5NlxmHfQTUJdw0-ehD4QzqKiVVgKBLIMcwjo_SMpp7D6MykrplKKihPZxzdilDILLFPVESVwlqFA9iipd26QxyeME-MDcNPDvXsMzC5uvjdHEXDA0eHlAOv85KyvrOPjc3cs8ZogOkj/w517-h341/DSCF2559.JPG" width="517" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Approaching Weston Lock</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jn-AqhJZRSnd2rKHqHmomibzvdEprhpeM-ODS0eAPquErAcdxVz05bJK7njFfWRTghrUdvXd7Pjrlv24Vi0fwp0ViKr9abfeW4EVRFlA4_3l7aE6PTMbN1S_syanXKqt09sbavPbZmyPnyPhcra0yuS73Qf7YKIngVxlI4Hy6EuJ9zmc/s3287/DSCF2560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2096" data-original-width="3287" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jn-AqhJZRSnd2rKHqHmomibzvdEprhpeM-ODS0eAPquErAcdxVz05bJK7njFfWRTghrUdvXd7Pjrlv24Vi0fwp0ViKr9abfeW4EVRFlA4_3l7aE6PTMbN1S_syanXKqt09sbavPbZmyPnyPhcra0yuS73Qf7YKIngVxlI4Hy6EuJ9zmc/w400-h255/DSCF2560.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'd just got the lock set up when another boat arrived, so I was able to share the three locks down to Shardlow with Graham and Sue on </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">Endeavour</i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There were more boats about than the previous two days, folk making the sensible decision to stay put while it was so hot. So we met boats at all the locks which made passage a little easier.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">That's a big field!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oS0NKZUHc6Vc3Tj0PbSVGLuXvcuBXPVzQwXeRWWSJvkaWfQLbLVoI_gDhUxiPkfAEMtOUPe18oKVhzas36Zu5VdCytxAIorXGbvHH6qXYMoRoat2XiK7Eo0wbXvbYdUagfF1zImMw4H38nHrI3vFE_W7EvMA41mfkjCa2l9lFXMDC3ym/s4003/DSCF2564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="4003" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oS0NKZUHc6Vc3Tj0PbSVGLuXvcuBXPVzQwXeRWWSJvkaWfQLbLVoI_gDhUxiPkfAEMtOUPe18oKVhzas36Zu5VdCytxAIorXGbvHH6qXYMoRoat2XiK7Eo0wbXvbYdUagfF1zImMw4H38nHrI3vFE_W7EvMA41mfkjCa2l9lFXMDC3ym/w508-h315/DSCF2564.JPG" width="508" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In Aston Lock</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82i9Dp_KSPO-1NnlTiEktEwgj8p1pa_jcUgcRmsPbdqXpJXc2ebhtNY-ZxK7BTM-lMkbO8H46jYZsd4_SlBH1QL-U_U0q-yZArQQV65Voc39JYLlUTIHClWr1WMTYGSY7QDyB5cll7_J1TLRu38TOc4um4BJvrWPi0FlBh7BeGcDpdkrz/s3769/DSCF2565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2326" data-original-width="3769" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82i9Dp_KSPO-1NnlTiEktEwgj8p1pa_jcUgcRmsPbdqXpJXc2ebhtNY-ZxK7BTM-lMkbO8H46jYZsd4_SlBH1QL-U_U0q-yZArQQV65Voc39JYLlUTIHClWr1WMTYGSY7QDyB5cll7_J1TLRu38TOc4um4BJvrWPi0FlBh7BeGcDpdkrz/w400-h246/DSCF2565.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We parted company at Shardlow Lock, I closed up while Graham and Sue toddled on to moor, looking forward to a pub lunch. I pushed on, mooring up above Derwent Mouth Lock for the rest of the day.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Shardlow Lock and the Clock Warehouse.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o8Z-pRXWXADpv2CnTrHJfqFd_DJyvyiCerGPeFpvb_Be5QE2yxZVmN3EAEPHxtW8CuzJ1E37X_yB43o4IPuqSUKl1K0HfqBxdCz8EeI_u60nU0imHKkwATiVpPPf4VvfDRFhABqZ4hTMAWMbso0a1gBlP_8FdguqN85wY3RRAIsSUaW2/s4608/DSCF2567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o8Z-pRXWXADpv2CnTrHJfqFd_DJyvyiCerGPeFpvb_Be5QE2yxZVmN3EAEPHxtW8CuzJ1E37X_yB43o4IPuqSUKl1K0HfqBxdCz8EeI_u60nU0imHKkwATiVpPPf4VvfDRFhABqZ4hTMAWMbso0a1gBlP_8FdguqN85wY3RRAIsSUaW2/w566-h424/DSCF2567.JPG" width="566" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In the evening our long-time friend Carol walked around from Shardlow Marina to spend an hour with us, catching up. She bought a sail-away wide-beam 5 years ago and has almost finished fitting it out. To a very high standard, too. A very handsome boat.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So, back to today. We woke to a grey, cool morning, with a hint of dampness in the air which turned to full-blown drizzle but the time I moved out at nine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Leaving Derwent Mouth Lock and the Trent and Mersey Canal behind for the time being.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GVL3jEZledTbebykY5xj7yj6OnW7k74KGe2N-KtkjwyO_7jQmcka531TaMFzaj91USVs4l1pGdWOKaMp5god4NsBCFZkTGwfCRDWphQEPBDacBbg0EFwpzhGKR06SrR57haWcCu2-MhJWiZRd-FiJzlhOYdVSELoLjfYWCeqHDcpbHEl/s3466/DSCF2571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2237" data-original-width="3466" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GVL3jEZledTbebykY5xj7yj6OnW7k74KGe2N-KtkjwyO_7jQmcka531TaMFzaj91USVs4l1pGdWOKaMp5god4NsBCFZkTGwfCRDWphQEPBDacBbg0EFwpzhGKR06SrR57haWcCu2-MhJWiZRd-FiJzlhOYdVSELoLjfYWCeqHDcpbHEl/w487-h315/DSCF2571.JPG" width="487" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Out on the wide waters of the Trent just downstream from the confluence of the Derwent...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWktZPKjeJ8aLcSCuZ4jfJJYzMq5TX21VUnj7guy_fk46CM1TPvjPuowJ7LgG7R-dhmktammPaRA_W4zHQP9TZWzhhkbfQLF0XIzCwY2CAkxh3_XvtSGqx03P5j6x2tTQ0lT715ki8scokpSUU940ubS2CYa-TnsXtxSjXEdtxag3yExxc/s3811/DSCF2572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2463" data-original-width="3811" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWktZPKjeJ8aLcSCuZ4jfJJYzMq5TX21VUnj7guy_fk46CM1TPvjPuowJ7LgG7R-dhmktammPaRA_W4zHQP9TZWzhhkbfQLF0XIzCwY2CAkxh3_XvtSGqx03P5j6x2tTQ0lT715ki8scokpSUU940ubS2CYa-TnsXtxSjXEdtxag3yExxc/w566-h366/DSCF2572.JPG" width="566" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">...then back into the confines of Sawley Cut.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHlZazgBN4TUsWGPEHvBWTr_PO32J3ug6qhwoat_DhwUiM_zjiQUjRpjHoYWNc664A8-qemG2ZcvVCNi5CRLaflNjENHxMRys8qVbXef160YnQBRs168sZnAOI4zLBuSf6pFMkU2NCDMb8912M08ULk7dl0zGiBib_nxXe2uLsj0WbrrO/s3231/DSCF2574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="3231" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHlZazgBN4TUsWGPEHvBWTr_PO32J3ug6qhwoat_DhwUiM_zjiQUjRpjHoYWNc664A8-qemG2ZcvVCNi5CRLaflNjENHxMRys8qVbXef160YnQBRs168sZnAOI4zLBuSf6pFMkU2NCDMb8912M08ULk7dl0zGiBib_nxXe2uLsj0WbrrO/w383-h238/DSCF2574.JPG" width="383" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Not really that confined though.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxg0SaOGKFniMfmuwW0FPW9jG5zAVfkW8yXMDee6Idn0Dy4aYy0-SiP7Yk07oqTBZPrp8PpTz0-fNPciuQIBmdH0_AeyVRazO2SV-hAyyUb88RDwdjBLusDOI-e6cEvL47j2HfiNGZRhLrUaSztxzcGJJ-72HXaRCmASMhfR2CW8kMKZJ/s3619/DSCF2575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2228" data-original-width="3619" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxg0SaOGKFniMfmuwW0FPW9jG5zAVfkW8yXMDee6Idn0Dy4aYy0-SiP7Yk07oqTBZPrp8PpTz0-fNPciuQIBmdH0_AeyVRazO2SV-hAyyUb88RDwdjBLusDOI-e6cEvL47j2HfiNGZRhLrUaSztxzcGJJ-72HXaRCmASMhfR2CW8kMKZJ/s320/DSCF2575.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">CRT lockie on Sawley Locks</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXF9v6bkocu3Ny_OgV994dJGCZ1oR2r4w1amYdkKxkq0QmWxap6An4wYuXETQehWyNWLr_FqaHZxFh6l1Ohqdke39T0EqVlFu37vCz2UIxtyUBme4AxDhuZ6Oetb9QOqIigWw5KcrdqkhSKFPVgSc1EekJ6syAnLeCWTdhKQpSIkPUEiFB/s3508/DSCF2577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2425" data-original-width="3508" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXF9v6bkocu3Ny_OgV994dJGCZ1oR2r4w1amYdkKxkq0QmWxap6An4wYuXETQehWyNWLr_FqaHZxFh6l1Ohqdke39T0EqVlFu37vCz2UIxtyUBme4AxDhuZ6Oetb9QOqIigWw5KcrdqkhSKFPVgSc1EekJ6syAnLeCWTdhKQpSIkPUEiFB/w400-h276/DSCF2577.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I turned onto the backwater to use the services, then headed back out towards Soar Junction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ratcliffe Power Station framed under the railway bridge.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7mPXH3Bc9001G7O1nLUy2PC6SBPjMGpue3BTiIvl2gJS_2arlX2ZDbhysvFNnyCqb0NGR-1ExgC0lw2bGJAhCvGbs-fJuvTtH4DzxU4tzSvlT-jLECl3VIYF41ktuLTWv_JuuNTvxzizeFiNVZDG_O2m-eg7Kxo-0fgkFB7qA-NZID1R/s4088/DSCF2578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2809" data-original-width="4088" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7mPXH3Bc9001G7O1nLUy2PC6SBPjMGpue3BTiIvl2gJS_2arlX2ZDbhysvFNnyCqb0NGR-1ExgC0lw2bGJAhCvGbs-fJuvTtH4DzxU4tzSvlT-jLECl3VIYF41ktuLTWv_JuuNTvxzizeFiNVZDG_O2m-eg7Kxo-0fgkFB7qA-NZID1R/w400-h275/DSCF2578.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Soar/Trent Junction</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsJsyrNzOHaC1ppV7yv9cXpUqC_4XTaMdtWrhGptqVzP4syrMl9WYduXs4pbcudWESwZXkVF8NiIwlx87-g9avYTk820ad0q14fO-UfUcSs5gxzFjQKC2KejaHNNdbiqCiMzNp9jjvqaKwHLOuzBL__KFPAz8yyw48XOY4oB9SwY718s2/s4088/DSCF2579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2442" data-original-width="4088" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsJsyrNzOHaC1ppV7yv9cXpUqC_4XTaMdtWrhGptqVzP4syrMl9WYduXs4pbcudWESwZXkVF8NiIwlx87-g9avYTk820ad0q14fO-UfUcSs5gxzFjQKC2KejaHNNdbiqCiMzNp9jjvqaKwHLOuzBL__KFPAz8yyw48XOY4oB9SwY718s2/w593-h354/DSCF2579.JPG" width="593" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Erewash Canal heads off under the bridge to the left, Cranfleet Cut takes the Trent Navigation north just left of centre, and the Soar joins from the right, in front of the power station chimney.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Through Redhill Flood Lock (open) and past Redhill Marina the river curves past lines of moorings and arrives at Ratcliffe Lock.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A couple of boats were dropping down so I had a pause before I could go up, helped by another chap waiting to go down.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Then it was out onto the wide reach to Kegworth.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUjxUx_TMmcazoVh9ue4rWX08vanHwveqv-1XzgEZxrDWlxRFFRpP6R6CWjpCHXO5lYTJpPPnm7l-Z1zPFKmZKw5zdUcAq4qX00qmTy2aBNexMR-15TShJNQ-bXjWwPk4aF8EalAUb7zzb1q9a-smfvIV9BlrMCDF7UoWHYtCpDqdUEPN/s3922/DSCF2582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2561" data-original-width="3922" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUjxUx_TMmcazoVh9ue4rWX08vanHwveqv-1XzgEZxrDWlxRFFRpP6R6CWjpCHXO5lYTJpPPnm7l-Z1zPFKmZKw5zdUcAq4qX00qmTy2aBNexMR-15TShJNQ-bXjWwPk4aF8EalAUb7zzb1q9a-smfvIV9BlrMCDF7UoWHYtCpDqdUEPN/w400-h261/DSCF2582.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Kegworth Flood Lock</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YcXnanh2DM-o5_mEW_TWDcN5zbPhRSLmhUkFzBCTHR3-j-Lz4c7o2seuPDDnAGfdqLiAizcba8LL-Qtj1WZSqOqP1ibJcQLGgKKcaNbxj1C4CGAAc7K1podCRMVKkVwz-O6LYuLxODysAFJN10zluKpN5H7C2CZmWEtYQgPKTJioY_-W/s3418/DSCF2584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2079" data-original-width="3418" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YcXnanh2DM-o5_mEW_TWDcN5zbPhRSLmhUkFzBCTHR3-j-Lz4c7o2seuPDDnAGfdqLiAizcba8LL-Qtj1WZSqOqP1ibJcQLGgKKcaNbxj1C4CGAAc7K1podCRMVKkVwz-O6LYuLxODysAFJN10zluKpN5H7C2CZmWEtYQgPKTJioY_-W/s320/DSCF2584.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I dislike Kegworth New Lock, it's deep and slow to fill, but I was lucky to be helped up by the crews of boats waiting above.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWml75-uPQC97I9LNv42cGaVrYQIwOABxrkFR5LP0b-JLP3Un73r6SFWZgCEPvLrO-Ww1IExOFQDvTjRDYqk-s2CV1qY9QJKApxcugrPlCdbI_ahTU_WbDBt_mtGD5tM-cvDpf2Y265wggNjr-G_qe3dx_sKPCXF1i9dO-76SvTNhP60U/s4259/DSCF2586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2761" data-original-width="4259" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWml75-uPQC97I9LNv42cGaVrYQIwOABxrkFR5LP0b-JLP3Un73r6SFWZgCEPvLrO-Ww1IExOFQDvTjRDYqk-s2CV1qY9QJKApxcugrPlCdbI_ahTU_WbDBt_mtGD5tM-cvDpf2Y265wggNjr-G_qe3dx_sKPCXF1i9dO-76SvTNhP60U/w511-h331/DSCF2586.JPG" width="511" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I called it a day on the lock cut only two or three hundred yards above the lock.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVKFlI8bDEj_-d2swXKlGnFnqGGSoouB2NYZ7y35tr_ZuIgFAk8NDgrCvHqBRUSxRx7xqQG7yA9DKENjP57pxzOmbaVZrwU1jDFgPIY-ft1oGUoUBo2wxNQ9ENTZ6ih5-py5PGEVfQhTmd9Ywc8d_xLPm9LDYcAKyE3M-tJjheyITXPuS/s4063/DSCF2587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2723" data-original-width="4063" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVKFlI8bDEj_-d2swXKlGnFnqGGSoouB2NYZ7y35tr_ZuIgFAk8NDgrCvHqBRUSxRx7xqQG7yA9DKENjP57pxzOmbaVZrwU1jDFgPIY-ft1oGUoUBo2wxNQ9ENTZ6ih5-py5PGEVfQhTmd9Ywc8d_xLPm9LDYcAKyE3M-tJjheyITXPuS/s320/DSCF2587.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It's supposed to be showery tomorrow so we'll probably stay put. I've got an engine service to do anyway.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Locks 9, miles 19½</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-31063801258678843912022-07-18T18:35:00.003+01:002022-07-18T18:35:55.416+01:00Pressing on.<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Having caught up with the shopping and enjoyed a take-away on Saturday evening there was nothing keeping us in busy Alrewas, so I pulled pins and set off through then village to drop down Alrewas Lock onto the short river section.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIimZAuX6dv86HuQR-Iz5ojlv5u-Coxy6EWQxjbhw2wTgjOc4xytPiJgdyo4KZQRse0AWtEnhBwWxLhpD7L78896uSQL9B2--9B9UA4iTJZBMn6ZcsNsLvC6b-D3UDsrowYJ-CfbN7XKzlEQwj1xe8eSppVmqp2pStfzyn9ackbBAi-nOz/s3781/DSCF2506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2245" data-original-width="3781" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIimZAuX6dv86HuQR-Iz5ojlv5u-Coxy6EWQxjbhw2wTgjOc4xytPiJgdyo4KZQRse0AWtEnhBwWxLhpD7L78896uSQL9B2--9B9UA4iTJZBMn6ZcsNsLvC6b-D3UDsrowYJ-CfbN7XKzlEQwj1xe8eSppVmqp2pStfzyn9ackbBAi-nOz/w517-h308/DSCF2506.JPG" width="517" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A quarter to eight on a Sunday morning. A glorious way to start the day, but others had the same idea and at least three boats were on the move before us!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The red sandstone of Wychnor St. Leonards glows in the morning sun.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-jREWWghPlxt-Zs8adFlXszHKEtLJ8qDYIMeUJph9DLck2nrWtO8hVGgstdK1iQzQliZ2gYsFVfYIYPG2mAM79BKW2g86lA1D1hBMAMyv4c1Co84nKprZ-lkslLfOTR2THId7gDWtzhmKvv3IH0doRVVOe0nYz751djJ_KJ3D_LczK0u/s3129/DSCF2510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2126" data-original-width="3129" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-jREWWghPlxt-Zs8adFlXszHKEtLJ8qDYIMeUJph9DLck2nrWtO8hVGgstdK1iQzQliZ2gYsFVfYIYPG2mAM79BKW2g86lA1D1hBMAMyv4c1Co84nKprZ-lkslLfOTR2THId7gDWtzhmKvv3IH0doRVVOe0nYz751djJ_KJ3D_LczK0u/w553-h375/DSCF2510.JPG" width="553" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The hamlet is listed in the Domesday Book, and the earliest portions of the church date back to the 12th century.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful clear water.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSme1yVxAJmGA_ltBKCOmT084yE46Qtgj-hzfv-8Rh2xm3A1LZuzvVd5kAdOQ9JTIiOk4qMVNYwbr8UMfmTNkOcUDh1AdNTA4myK3UX8zWvFdI7vDoERWBlpq20Ga8cMFg9uZEb7-ZSuMKQli5M9XrV7nKIjrrGLsAvgSi6Rt1dPnmT3E/s3811/DSCF2513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2335" data-original-width="3811" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSme1yVxAJmGA_ltBKCOmT084yE46Qtgj-hzfv-8Rh2xm3A1LZuzvVd5kAdOQ9JTIiOk4qMVNYwbr8UMfmTNkOcUDh1AdNTA4myK3UX8zWvFdI7vDoERWBlpq20Ga8cMFg9uZEb7-ZSuMKQli5M9XrV7nKIjrrGLsAvgSi6Rt1dPnmT3E/w400-h245/DSCF2513.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">We pulled in just past the small footbridge above Wychnor Lock. That'll do for the day!</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXx7dBw3ELc/YtWS3qzyAaI/AAAAAAABMeo/1qm8ZxsPpaQyWH99klqvBe74TmWr1o26ACNcBGAsYHQ/s3461/DSCF2514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2309" data-original-width="3461" height="350" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gXx7dBw3ELc/YtWS3qzyAaI/AAAAAAABMeo/1qm8ZxsPpaQyWH99klqvBe74TmWr1o26ACNcBGAsYHQ/w527-h350/DSCF2514.JPG" width="527" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">After a lazy day yesterday I wanted to push on, but with the temperature expected to climb into the high 30s it meant an early start. So we were in and through Wychnor Lock by 07:45.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqo0Khc38EM8245joDV88Uz3fLTZ5wnSPcMN3BvTkPFhMKqS7OxujVJKPc-AvwbASdubE1gT-5rsw68SgSATFWmcjjU2psQhqHSPULT-diWo8v5AkR5_MJ41laRm_buSvzVIzZ7ElgvNc-33hQ4T6KzymE_CTrlgRSvfK3cIoHmKwxaCzx/s3615/DSCF2517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2438" data-original-width="3615" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqo0Khc38EM8245joDV88Uz3fLTZ5wnSPcMN3BvTkPFhMKqS7OxujVJKPc-AvwbASdubE1gT-5rsw68SgSATFWmcjjU2psQhqHSPULT-diWo8v5AkR5_MJ41laRm_buSvzVIzZ7ElgvNc-33hQ4T6KzymE_CTrlgRSvfK3cIoHmKwxaCzx/w400-h270/DSCF2517.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">A boat was coming up as I arrived and another was waiting to go down behind me.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">This set the pace for the rest of the 5 locks passed today, apart from the last. I didn't have to fill them or close the bottom gates until I got through Burton on Trent.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Barton Marina.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_DSfF0QSi7KPpXHKJKS_zDOfWFyjrLeGAdTLkfYZ832R8geEmUJdBXLBJaQ93VTaEIxvZu6ErESKPJXMhLG-XBSwiks5dVm-3O8DN0TLKg_g03iF8BFgIzQfqOBQzr_8P4I9prP8Hy1bG-vUmso-8IjmiR2wGMGwYiIZdC2xQgEpVi1Q/s3201/DSCF2518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2071" data-original-width="3201" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_DSfF0QSi7KPpXHKJKS_zDOfWFyjrLeGAdTLkfYZ832R8geEmUJdBXLBJaQ93VTaEIxvZu6ErESKPJXMhLG-XBSwiks5dVm-3O8DN0TLKg_g03iF8BFgIzQfqOBQzr_8P4I9prP8Hy1bG-vUmso-8IjmiR2wGMGwYiIZdC2xQgEpVi1Q/s320/DSCF2518.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Below Barton Lock I filled the water tank, made a brew and we toddled off, past Branston Water Park and in to Burton.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">It looks very peaceful but what you don't see (and hear!) is the busy A38 on the right and the gravel quarry wagons on the left!</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LUABKhVxpf-aRDDzEEI58AVbDOuIcfQjkRZSRWYJx3YSv-9U77xl1inHQHIvzaKzROSN5KuB_kEBnkQbXhBu0XmMHyOoqETgWiU5gzoU-uLPCgupyVMyjCnFUAUXR5V7nKVICVA2Og1W1nnV3e6KvfPFQr4Kee1cIZOgnoZgYGoOq7k-/s3743/DSCF2520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2322" data-original-width="3743" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LUABKhVxpf-aRDDzEEI58AVbDOuIcfQjkRZSRWYJx3YSv-9U77xl1inHQHIvzaKzROSN5KuB_kEBnkQbXhBu0XmMHyOoqETgWiU5gzoU-uLPCgupyVMyjCnFUAUXR5V7nKVICVA2Og1W1nnV3e6KvfPFQr4Kee1cIZOgnoZgYGoOq7k-/w520-h324/DSCF2520.JPG" width="520" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful Tattenhill Lock near Branston Water Park.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8q5sEI4STTUe9zvaA6cKUsRNbpKz_3j3-TlikbX7KjNNKVp2-jg3B0-gvd4uASC8b06rxdzxLSA1L4V0PZM8JKgiwUY7u6YfhV0oEPbFzDk-30XRXnrJ_txmnQkU9uCRpfxu_owykL5wDV_LUpZS3ND4pN5FzDhR87hxBsOSK-AMojmj/s3845/DSCF2523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2634" data-original-width="3845" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8q5sEI4STTUe9zvaA6cKUsRNbpKz_3j3-TlikbX7KjNNKVp2-jg3B0-gvd4uASC8b06rxdzxLSA1L4V0PZM8JKgiwUY7u6YfhV0oEPbFzDk-30XRXnrJ_txmnQkU9uCRpfxu_owykL5wDV_LUpZS3ND4pN5FzDhR87hxBsOSK-AMojmj/w493-h338/DSCF2523.JPG" width="493" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Heading into town there's an awful lot of commercial building going on. New warehouses popping up like mushrooms after rain!</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6FEpsq4a2SMD6rXeJO-CVhICqZdpALk0aD45Fz4YO4FVFWU-n7oNpdJCp7qZ2hIb7LSvLsYO6UL1LytkX58mbQONYgB1jYhLmgpVcvQJjLodJQRr_EmuhEHxwJJPGmdXR7AQ76iHMbmJLRFCV7K9g2gtu-aD_2rfdEfpEQ9ebAGWcujD/s4608/DSCF2526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6FEpsq4a2SMD6rXeJO-CVhICqZdpALk0aD45Fz4YO4FVFWU-n7oNpdJCp7qZ2hIb7LSvLsYO6UL1LytkX58mbQONYgB1jYhLmgpVcvQJjLodJQRr_EmuhEHxwJJPGmdXR7AQ76iHMbmJLRFCV7K9g2gtu-aD_2rfdEfpEQ9ebAGWcujD/s320/DSCF2526.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFH26DJpEzsX_ogQY_6hNrj5tgXgaeDuzJr0VKPJGZNEb8IA7R6PxeIGqOnnNfywcb7aP5u5y7IAXDO_WZEhQojNs8vy8uxcRQaAhg6rrBAMzaAN7ZhigJmUMQyXVUvBdAu6uGLvKjhW7h_YPKd_GJrmgDh2MRkjnrg5aTZYkQpt82kgk/s3380/DSCF2527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2283" data-original-width="3380" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFH26DJpEzsX_ogQY_6hNrj5tgXgaeDuzJr0VKPJGZNEb8IA7R6PxeIGqOnnNfywcb7aP5u5y7IAXDO_WZEhQojNs8vy8uxcRQaAhg6rrBAMzaAN7ZhigJmUMQyXVUvBdAu6uGLvKjhW7h_YPKd_GJrmgDh2MRkjnrg5aTZYkQpt82kgk/w400-h270/DSCF2527.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shobnall Basin, at the top of the Bond End Canal.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SReZkZxqvzM/YtWTzOG1FZI/AAAAAAABMfY/cSji_wRtuVs11Ccn3CZDWwU9C8sY6L1YgCNcBGAsYHQ/s3551/DSCF2528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2399" data-original-width="3551" height="365" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SReZkZxqvzM/YtWTzOG1FZI/AAAAAAABMfY/cSji_wRtuVs11Ccn3CZDWwU9C8sY6L1YgCNcBGAsYHQ/w540-h365/DSCF2528.JPG" width="540" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The top hundred yards or so of the canal is Shobnall Marina, the remainder down to the River Trent has been built over.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last of the narrow locks, Dallow Lock, and I had to do this all on my own!</span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByQpjSfuTlxUdfKMZ3Wj0uH7lN9SRPfCN5lU1gpXwyAo6y80aY6f9PUReR8hVKDrkKO4p37vYgq9ELAn45i-wBPlBlcZd6A9gH6j7AnlabiPKoSbmhenEn8V0mspAV3TVJ6ky7tMnVbCinFV2iBDPQmvGkiRsyYX-H3XkHTkyJiqKE_rK/s4054/DSCF2531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3125" data-original-width="4054" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByQpjSfuTlxUdfKMZ3Wj0uH7lN9SRPfCN5lU1gpXwyAo6y80aY6f9PUReR8hVKDrkKO4p37vYgq9ELAn45i-wBPlBlcZd6A9gH6j7AnlabiPKoSbmhenEn8V0mspAV3TVJ6ky7tMnVbCinFV2iBDPQmvGkiRsyYX-H3XkHTkyJiqKE_rK/w400-h309/DSCF2531.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not exactly "proper", you might say, but there's no denying that steel lock gates last longer.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LAU6LtEDnA/YtWUMw2khXI/AAAAAAABMfo/mJonRRHa36MxtHSZQqn9dt1cutbgdBFXQCNcBGAsYHQ/s4097/DSCF2530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2369" data-original-width="4097" height="185" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LAU6LtEDnA/YtWUMw2khXI/AAAAAAABMfo/mJonRRHa36MxtHSZQqn9dt1cutbgdBFXQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCF2530.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wooden ones have a life expectancy of around 25 years...</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Below the lock is Horninglow Basin, the limit of navigation for broad-beamed craft when the canal was built. Below here we've 6 wide locks to the Trent. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpz3bisySOZME_6C-2b5wcdDwZ64Vb-tiXuGIeMTNZsImfh6RqTTav0bz3auKrdEOTOLzdnbMbwqwhHG1Cm1nvTnz9YZS6r7-SU1KYSIBNOu-VZ-M_C8H_hXKCcxgIgqYVfrfd5rw3QpGTRYF4rR95FPHd8qC7WIVZ4YUy02so8d_Dczue/s4608/DSCF2532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpz3bisySOZME_6C-2b5wcdDwZ64Vb-tiXuGIeMTNZsImfh6RqTTav0bz3auKrdEOTOLzdnbMbwqwhHG1Cm1nvTnz9YZS6r7-SU1KYSIBNOu-VZ-M_C8H_hXKCcxgIgqYVfrfd5rw3QpGTRYF4rR95FPHd8qC7WIVZ4YUy02so8d_Dczue/w400-h300/DSCF2532.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">When Brindley surveyed the route he decided, much to the Trent Navigation Company's dismay, to build to broad gauge from Wilden Brook to Burton. An Act had been obtained in 1699 to make the river navigable up to Burton, and the leaseholders ran a monopoly insisting that goods be carried only on their own boats and unloaded at their own wharves. They enjoyed considerable commercial success, but the seasonal variations in water levels was always a problem. Then Brindley's canal opened in 1777... They tried to get him to start his Trent and Mersey Canal in Burton so traffic still had to use the river navigation, but he was having none of it. In fact, to rub salt into the wound, the canal up to Horninglow was built to take barges, in direct competition to the river.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Only 30 years later trade on the river had declined to such an extent that the then owners, the Burton Boat Company, admitted defeat and closed the navigation. </span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The River Dove looks low but still inviting for a paddle.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx89BX4x-2cGPx8VSTARHx1gX7kk16QXiHqKCCRD6ANLzVoeJstKoSM3QaZQjCjSoLTtp49rpPoa5L0yAT3-lkjS0HSTLp18bH7pY34KsKdwu7fav9TReLnZmqa5TJ37DHfv_-bvrnmGoJJhnoB-SjRtS77voppTo9nCjgb8zxaizcriZ/s3731/DSCF2535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2634" data-original-width="3731" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx89BX4x-2cGPx8VSTARHx1gX7kk16QXiHqKCCRD6ANLzVoeJstKoSM3QaZQjCjSoLTtp49rpPoa5L0yAT3-lkjS0HSTLp18bH7pY34KsKdwu7fav9TReLnZmqa5TJ37DHfv_-bvrnmGoJJhnoB-SjRtS77voppTo9nCjgb8zxaizcriZ/w587-h414/DSCF2535.JPG" width="587" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">We moored only a half-mile or so past the Dove Aqueduct, in a mainly shady spot, just where I'd intended. Four hours and it was just getting very warm.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Locks 6, miles 10.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-57017054258120980752022-07-14T19:29:00.000+01:002022-07-14T19:29:05.088+01:00Down to Fazeley<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Slightly cooler temperatures over the last couple of days has made locking and cruising a little more comfortable. But the cloudier skies meant that it stayed warm overnight, making sleeping more difficult.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Shouldn't complain though, at least it's not raining!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">From the moorings next to The Cuttle Inn it's only a mile or so to the top of the 11 locks dropping down from Curdworth.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Curdworth village itself sits above the canal similar to those at the south end of the Shroppie, the moorings in a gloomy cutting followed by a short tunnel.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3t3-ISJsCedeGarOhv2zZc5hmjhmRFxZfDjuU2yL5zdql_UC_0jn8NS6eRTWDaGaSRPuUel-4NDaLNN67b2ukPH-kaHiYYJDbTIuMrHvJGLJIp1m1gQD40O4VL8Cd0GaIqee_DeHrpk5DkfuqCoN1R7Vvf31YIgpf_fuTbKqfSDOqms0t/s3944/DSCF2445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2847" data-original-width="3944" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3t3-ISJsCedeGarOhv2zZc5hmjhmRFxZfDjuU2yL5zdql_UC_0jn8NS6eRTWDaGaSRPuUel-4NDaLNN67b2ukPH-kaHiYYJDbTIuMrHvJGLJIp1m1gQD40O4VL8Cd0GaIqee_DeHrpk5DkfuqCoN1R7Vvf31YIgpf_fuTbKqfSDOqms0t/w400-h289/DSCF2445.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEU7a8mt2PBfcW0IJhRWZ6tL1FT4LLHOt-AFeXcyJ1hsVwwuHyeo_6ig3bi_Lf6LHurL7Dr8fKaJFiA_X9xjW7jD1j5n4iIivFUyhAHZ215DLJAoi98ceZIanHuDfZYw94ryK-MmdXor7vnt4cEfVxOFAR8bhIKZLdK0ePNFn46BiZKsM/s4131/DSCF2447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2757" data-original-width="4131" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEU7a8mt2PBfcW0IJhRWZ6tL1FT4LLHOt-AFeXcyJ1hsVwwuHyeo_6ig3bi_Lf6LHurL7Dr8fKaJFiA_X9xjW7jD1j5n4iIivFUyhAHZ215DLJAoi98ceZIanHuDfZYw94ryK-MmdXor7vnt4cEfVxOFAR8bhIKZLdK0ePNFn46BiZKsM/s320/DSCF2447.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Curdworth Lock 1, and a boat has arrived at the bottom to open the top gate for me.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbeuJgWDb2d4E7DyeyhsoZqMKcqCGEVbtpPAH2ZHK3XeCmOc3FC87ujsGXs8efoiVJbJ8fHeNV0YPzd1MkyH8QiaWaJ3eZc_nF-JOz0lpBLNwML2Kbj3ZvaVhbjq1KyPFKq-j_JXSKSPljokpA2j1yFB1LteYntvRcMRtfmmFXEzquhNb/s3487/DSCF2449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2407" data-original-width="3487" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbeuJgWDb2d4E7DyeyhsoZqMKcqCGEVbtpPAH2ZHK3XeCmOc3FC87ujsGXs8efoiVJbJ8fHeNV0YPzd1MkyH8QiaWaJ3eZc_nF-JOz0lpBLNwML2Kbj3ZvaVhbjq1KyPFKq-j_JXSKSPljokpA2j1yFB1LteYntvRcMRtfmmFXEzquhNb/w484-h334/DSCF2449.JPG" width="484" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The bridge beyond carries the M6 Toll motorway.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I pulled in for water and to clear the prop of accumulated Birmingham rubbish, which took some time, and Ian and Caroline went past. I caught up with them above Lock 4, a paddle had failed at the bottom end of the lock, making it slow and expensive on water to fill. Caroline had already reported the problem to CRT by the time I got down, after scraping the bottom to get into the chamber.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Low pound above Lock 4</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJRR69tArvoDYCWH5zw5rykjYYgdbccNuD1o8mJdAOiEx8o2R_4sipH1Q5gcZ7N0_gUMu4P-Qy_9HRIoDT7kJZDvMy23Ny3nP4vEM9J2getNEC7eZtOvobOwcfy_MoLwi_MLm0pVpSkKf8JyAVQk0tDsNHZ65zgFK9SVXAc1TuxCny-HB/s3555/DSCF2454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2219" data-original-width="3555" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJRR69tArvoDYCWH5zw5rykjYYgdbccNuD1o8mJdAOiEx8o2R_4sipH1Q5gcZ7N0_gUMu4P-Qy_9HRIoDT7kJZDvMy23Ny3nP4vEM9J2getNEC7eZtOvobOwcfy_MoLwi_MLm0pVpSkKf8JyAVQk0tDsNHZ65zgFK9SVXAc1TuxCny-HB/w484-h303/DSCF2454.JPG" width="484" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Got in there though...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50P9_Yc971UCbbUNidgPEnQ0RIQdeN-rtKb8FAi-XSF-dPxvu9twSDZhLzO44klox-qtJW3pw9zGDz0CjFx7gytCMfzIjyI_wGeXQP-sAqQah4m6R84Kb_yvvmA-LjEP7C07byY7kKdjLwOMYjv-0QcLqXTpxrOBheeyrOW_NPVpa7JAu/s4374/DSCF2456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="4374" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50P9_Yc971UCbbUNidgPEnQ0RIQdeN-rtKb8FAi-XSF-dPxvu9twSDZhLzO44klox-qtJW3pw9zGDz0CjFx7gytCMfzIjyI_wGeXQP-sAqQah4m6R84Kb_yvvmA-LjEP7C07byY7kKdjLwOMYjv-0QcLqXTpxrOBheeyrOW_NPVpa7JAu/w400-h250/DSCF2456.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">They closed the lock completely later in the afternoon after boats got stuck above and below the lock.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We were lucky to arrive when we did, else it would have been another Camp Hill...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We dropped down another three locks and tied up for the rest of the day below Lock 7.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Fields of ripening wheat on the left...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNagUW9BVTRmJFaAb4US02RYbjCUDBKs4g8ChiaqYz0O34nJxN_r789TCuNuvlfF8eId6DdYTTs9XJ7JPYl7ddjDDPWUnrbC7LoMLa9CLOq9NqvGqVUrv9WoWpthNAKS_9mMn47kutOe0DPI4uFxvAGogVWqUd-8hh2x3IrPaUy5rltnk9/s4608/DSCF2451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNagUW9BVTRmJFaAb4US02RYbjCUDBKs4g8ChiaqYz0O34nJxN_r789TCuNuvlfF8eId6DdYTTs9XJ7JPYl7ddjDDPWUnrbC7LoMLa9CLOq9NqvGqVUrv9WoWpthNAKS_9mMn47kutOe0DPI4uFxvAGogVWqUd-8hh2x3IrPaUy5rltnk9/s320/DSCF2451.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">...and groundwork for the construction of HS2 on the right.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LYBHBAiogj18nmvFj5LnFDa4xnW0D9A1hf4sXNOOlx4tedzzon_yBUJSFXUKvEATMDWZGvs5PPdw16HueNV7cKcKloCaEi-5PAdQ75a62yh-SbeebyNZRdVRkF8DOLDx7b9XRk7CTYXNedbMYAmKMjkQDaJNe5cpN_fDjft2U80JvTfu/s4404/DSCF2453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2881" data-original-width="4404" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LYBHBAiogj18nmvFj5LnFDa4xnW0D9A1hf4sXNOOlx4tedzzon_yBUJSFXUKvEATMDWZGvs5PPdw16HueNV7cKcKloCaEi-5PAdQ75a62yh-SbeebyNZRdVRkF8DOLDx7b9XRk7CTYXNedbMYAmKMjkQDaJNe5cpN_fDjft2U80JvTfu/w400-h261/DSCF2453.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I decided to push on through to Fazeley today, our food stocks were getting badly depleted and I needed some engine oil for the next service, so wanted to moor near the Ventura Retail Park.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ian and Caroline are in no rush, they're booked in to a local marina in a week or so, and so can take it easy now.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We left them behind when we moved off this morning...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtFiWtsxMIcMDSpap20At5DzAMyClSIgxPcW2X2uNZZoU6pKa4Hsiz4EFQgXe4oX9oKebOafQzjRa7XoyjvhwG6D0erDL2N9xrfzQ3cRrwMjW8gQmNMnc19Fejop8HNSL3haYdcFfD5-cONPrMO3WtwrRnKMIFJ7ZuWJgs4aus3pi-Ym2/s4007/DSCF2460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2834" data-original-width="4007" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtFiWtsxMIcMDSpap20At5DzAMyClSIgxPcW2X2uNZZoU6pKa4Hsiz4EFQgXe4oX9oKebOafQzjRa7XoyjvhwG6D0erDL2N9xrfzQ3cRrwMjW8gQmNMnc19Fejop8HNSL3haYdcFfD5-cONPrMO3WtwrRnKMIFJ7ZuWJgs4aus3pi-Ym2/w499-h353/DSCF2460.JPG" width="499" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Cheers guys, been great traveling with you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Just four locks today to finish off the Curdworth flight, and with L4 closed no-one else was on the locks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Dropping down Lock 8</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_nM22LxoiPqk3e9oUSYf5fjuE-AP9Jz-xCPRlArt2awvB23s45zrVgOe814gmim64Mwtvn7_5dlJmyEd4cG9zGPlQdSdbUbF-eapHvNO9cuZxoLwiVSwLzAGyM0wxoYV5UziG9p6sm_FIARSqDqcEeBAfNs75-wWai4rc-d_4X6qAU0s/s4366/DSCF2462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2809" data-original-width="4366" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_nM22LxoiPqk3e9oUSYf5fjuE-AP9Jz-xCPRlArt2awvB23s45zrVgOe814gmim64Mwtvn7_5dlJmyEd4cG9zGPlQdSdbUbF-eapHvNO9cuZxoLwiVSwLzAGyM0wxoYV5UziG9p6sm_FIARSqDqcEeBAfNs75-wWai4rc-d_4X6qAU0s/w522-h337/DSCF2462.JPG" width="522" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I reached the bottom lock, Lock 11, soon after eleven o'clock, and pulled in to make a brew and for Amber to "stretch her legs".</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRRbvDoNMWxR1kctufHBBl0PvSured_mr_L4IAPE3r_vLFmGOt2PW6ycb45M1crdoGDTqyaLffpTd_h1dIsIbKgUwz6CA7FtpgY2nywVptQ_hFw3OME68aKP3LlfzjgQ11h9MerMmxDqVJNodS-jgoOWY1gjhXj-dGqzczzipReXNkVH0/s3474/DSCF2466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2155" data-original-width="3474" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRRbvDoNMWxR1kctufHBBl0PvSured_mr_L4IAPE3r_vLFmGOt2PW6ycb45M1crdoGDTqyaLffpTd_h1dIsIbKgUwz6CA7FtpgY2nywVptQ_hFw3OME68aKP3LlfzjgQ11h9MerMmxDqVJNodS-jgoOWY1gjhXj-dGqzczzipReXNkVH0/w488-h304/DSCF2466.JPG" width="488" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">That's the locks done for the time being, it's 14 or 15 miles to Fradley Junction and the Trent and Mersey Canal.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The first three or so take the canal to Fazeley Junction where the Coventry Canal arrives from the east.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Eccentric footbridge near Drayton Manor Park</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRMX40RGX32av48W1h1EHSCxvvDxAuhABzzpUVqQf2EguN-joiP1Kn8tfBbG0kFjBF7Zf2CWO6FsPvJSBQMSstYKwZo-wjSDgMf8yqU3WPrfq_dkrm6Gj0vE1t5M8jUatlFM-2Tx0aRypmRuYTaUilXmvXWJ2tpAYzrju6URX_k1MHv38/s3896/DSCF2467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2352" data-original-width="3896" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRMX40RGX32av48W1h1EHSCxvvDxAuhABzzpUVqQf2EguN-joiP1Kn8tfBbG0kFjBF7Zf2CWO6FsPvJSBQMSstYKwZo-wjSDgMf8yqU3WPrfq_dkrm6Gj0vE1t5M8jUatlFM-2Tx0aRypmRuYTaUilXmvXWJ2tpAYzrju6URX_k1MHv38/w534-h322/DSCF2467.JPG" width="534" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Approaching the junction, the 1886 Fazeley Mill on the right.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6Z4s8g3eUr-z4m1_P2SCvry9bdtKTMHr_2m_Ci0OlaVESLHDdxtx0U13B-PFDNJSbxAa5b6jweTw6F7JO0LAGELaEMfkFOEacTo8Lxo61tt2AGDqDAOQ-NSpeyXNu2RZ7-1iIiAofbPkSWO87zFkaiYqdNrxHHHb4rGdMh0yh0CkO5Co/s3934/DSCF2468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2535" data-original-width="3934" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6Z4s8g3eUr-z4m1_P2SCvry9bdtKTMHr_2m_Ci0OlaVESLHDdxtx0U13B-PFDNJSbxAa5b6jweTw6F7JO0LAGELaEMfkFOEacTo8Lxo61tt2AGDqDAOQ-NSpeyXNu2RZ7-1iIiAofbPkSWO87zFkaiYqdNrxHHHb4rGdMh0yh0CkO5Co/w400-h258/DSCF2468.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Coventry comes in from the right, we go left.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYoVhhGNM1SwUfc37kNJWnBHUhDWGMxe179Vje63UCbBX2SAvHln8qNzi8Qf23IhURen_38374T6o5v3zONM019NoGAA-75vgGRYoiBOuMX4tCOAP0lTo1ZnoBVigOijlwWNKnjOvI78C4dIIGwztNex6EIpTmQl-Bt-9B8-GDByYvP7-/s4033/DSCF2469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2613" data-original-width="4033" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYoVhhGNM1SwUfc37kNJWnBHUhDWGMxe179Vje63UCbBX2SAvHln8qNzi8Qf23IhURen_38374T6o5v3zONM019NoGAA-75vgGRYoiBOuMX4tCOAP0lTo1ZnoBVigOijlwWNKnjOvI78C4dIIGwztNex6EIpTmQl-Bt-9B8-GDByYvP7-/w534-h346/DSCF2469.JPG" width="534" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There are good moorings here, but I pushed on for another twenty minutes to stop near Sutton Road Bridge for my shopping excursions. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Another shopping run in the morning, then off to Fradley.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Locks 4, miles 7¾</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-24547134637925570802022-07-13T09:32:00.002+01:002022-07-13T09:34:41.160+01:00Around Birmingham and back out into the country. <p> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Yesterday was a long one, even though we called it a day at Star City. We left the moorings at Catherine de Barnes at around half-eight, following our journey of just under a week ago into England's second city, what used to be known as the workshop of the world.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">From the late 18th century well into the mid Victorian period massive changes in England, socially, economically and scientifically drove the Industrial R</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">evolution, centred around the Black Country, and made England the most productive country in the world. Improved transport supported this revolution, initially by canal, latterly by rail.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Birmingham Canal Network was incredibly busy, coal and raw mater</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ials coming in, finished goods flowing in the opposite direction. All a lot quieter now. Just as well, the current condition of the locks wouldn't cope with the traffic of 150 years ago.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Anyway, we travelled slowly north west, the first 5 miles or so thankfully mainly in a tree fringed cutting before then canal runs into more open country as it reaches the industrial fringes of the city.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><i>Calan Lan</i> following us under the trees.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTNRzBcR6E0fv74YPkWaSci8FUeU6X0EYe4EkSpmikJU5ZIYESb10RrGskPwjgMph5sksmB1T1W4Txx_d1XwKgXMBLInGDjZI0IaOxKfkx65wyT-BTJEH-ub-auiUW9ftl_64viVFkHhk8B74txHAu3AAnqH0VycRTTFYerfWhrprxOow/s2770/DSCF2399.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1870" data-original-width="2770" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTNRzBcR6E0fv74YPkWaSci8FUeU6X0EYe4EkSpmikJU5ZIYESb10RrGskPwjgMph5sksmB1T1W4Txx_d1XwKgXMBLInGDjZI0IaOxKfkx65wyT-BTJEH-ub-auiUW9ftl_64viVFkHhk8B74txHAu3AAnqH0VycRTTFYerfWhrprxOow/w568-h383/DSCF2399.JPG" width="568" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Leaving the cutting after Stockfield Road Bridge.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MmRi2Za4YLhygF9ZVBJk08_Ptp3uBlsKCIRL-psuu2_TJpdysxlOWAb17T1DMbQwPIDacV44vDm6iflNfp58FnMY9Anoh8CzHicouiqvNoJT7RAKshHCdmc9sLO822D1k4mPaVAE_23eheImzk6ol_AJmUHSH69pM6dLwGoQI7bkxn8f/s3640/DSCF2401.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2450" data-original-width="3640" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MmRi2Za4YLhygF9ZVBJk08_Ptp3uBlsKCIRL-psuu2_TJpdysxlOWAb17T1DMbQwPIDacV44vDm6iflNfp58FnMY9Anoh8CzHicouiqvNoJT7RAKshHCdmc9sLO822D1k4mPaVAE_23eheImzk6ol_AJmUHSH69pM6dLwGoQI7bkxn8f/w400-h269/DSCF2401.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I think the tall structure ahead is the Quayside Tower on Broad Street.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After the activity centre, Ackers, the canal passes between the suburbs of Sparkbrook and Small Heath. At the turn of the 19th-20th century these were mostly housing, but notably, close to the canal near Bridge(s) 88 was the Birmingham Small Arms Factory. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The factory was established in 1861 to manufacture rifles, and its first major contract was for 20,00 infantry rifles for Turkey 2 years later. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">They diversified into bicycle production in 1880, producing a machine under licence before introducing their own design a couple of years later. The factory suspended bicycle production in 1887 to concentrate on a War Office contract for 1200 Lee-Metford rifles a week to update the British Infantry.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It wasn't until 1908 that bikes once again started coming out of the factory gates, 3 years after they'd experimented with a motorcycle. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In 1906 the company purchased the Sparkbrook Royal Small Arms Factory from War Office on the understanding that it would produce 25% of the new Lee-Enfield rifle for the military, an agreement that was never fulfilled. The company was struggling financially so concentrated on bicycles at Small Heath, and then motorcycles from 1910. The Sparkbrook factory, meanwhile, had been retooled for an early and unsuccessful motorcar design.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The acquisition of Daimler in 1910 and Lanchester (using the Sparkbrook Factory) in 1930 enabled the company to properly break into car production. Apart from these badges they produced BSA cars in the '20s and '30s.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Throughout the two world wars BSA went back to arms manufacture, producing the Lewis machine gun in WWI and the successful .303 Browning in WWII. Their most recent motorcycle design, the 500cc M20, was also the preferred machine by the War Office in 1940.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Post war the company concentrated on bicycle, car and motorcycle production, but the bicycle business was sold to Raleigh in 1956 and Daimler to Jaguar in 1960. This left the core motorcycle production, although the Small Heath factory still produced a range of sporting rifles.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Triumph Engineering Company was bought in 1950 and the collaboration resulting in some very successful models. the 100,000th BSA Bantam rolled out of the factory gates in 1961. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">At it's peak BSA Motorcycles was the largest manufacturer in the world, but decline in sales to the USA and the unexpected popularity of imported Japanese machines led the company into financial difficulties. It struggled on, upgrading and modernising the product range, but in 1973 a government-sponsored takeover by Norton-Villiers was announced, the new company becoming Norton-Villiers-Triumph (NVT). The BSA badge was dropped and that was that.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Well, not entirely. BSA Guns operate from a factory adjacent to the original in Small Heath, producing a range of air guns and accessories. So the name, much diminished, lives on... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">My word, I do go on, don't I!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, back in 2022, we arrived at the top of Camp Hill Locks at just before 11</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;">. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Bit of déjà</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">vu...</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ol3O6TupwKTLTEjKT3sLpXeZ3P3ZW-eVqv5b__K9ujuZ1EC87SVHMSAvn9ljyUEAebHRK6JC2eEh0esC92HuPdwkoydB3v8QkPtqH7YPM7iRpupCVAmg-T2aaDb6RxXZ9CAzrKQXfF-EfXJUQg-LgB8Bun50W_RP4kxDMO0LUnSySc6g/s4251/DSCF2409.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3026" data-original-width="4251" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ol3O6TupwKTLTEjKT3sLpXeZ3P3ZW-eVqv5b__K9ujuZ1EC87SVHMSAvn9ljyUEAebHRK6JC2eEh0esC92HuPdwkoydB3v8QkPtqH7YPM7iRpupCVAmg-T2aaDb6RxXZ9CAzrKQXfF-EfXJUQg-LgB8Bun50W_RP4kxDMO0LUnSySc6g/w523-h373/DSCF2409.JPG" width="523" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;">L</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">ock 2 hadn't improved in the intervening week, fragile bottom gates, one bottom paddle unusable and the other on it's last legs, but we progressed down the flight steadily, reaching the bottom at Bordesley Junction after just over an hour. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Bordesely Junction, a right turn takes us down the 5 Garrison Locks on the Warwick and Birmingham Junction Canal, straight ahead is the Digbeth Branch leading to the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal at Aston Junction.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19zG3D7qr5fBOsBjXakdVSiTgdJ5_1kIY5PdUS3mty9QJkHkTmcLrk_KTzlI24HEvoTa6vTi05P0kllHR8wYBuXpphFX-NsnSNhvmXiK47Cvivvv0PyIWGexCr3skmnp1_rCQAXV6X2fMsfzQfp_DTJpnoe8vpT1cQHgBYYv5uIMXgnrR/s4608/DSCF2412.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19zG3D7qr5fBOsBjXakdVSiTgdJ5_1kIY5PdUS3mty9QJkHkTmcLrk_KTzlI24HEvoTa6vTi05P0kllHR8wYBuXpphFX-NsnSNhvmXiK47Cvivvv0PyIWGexCr3skmnp1_rCQAXV6X2fMsfzQfp_DTJpnoe8vpT1cQHgBYYv5uIMXgnrR/w400-h300/DSCF2412.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /> We turned right, to meet the B&F further down, avoiding the Ashted and Aston Locks.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Bridges, bridges and more bridges.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqApE_B5CpFP1JSukuuPjUwlZxGXdKmwuVA-AiIyVQ0zNUUxHIui7llzxzqMbIZnzIixIxQ7xo8uAFuom8ON555O9ALGayJOcnKGxQb20dkLRLXYgvUsi7vBt6inIj8X-FQFS6QvqhfkfxAKx4Fgyjtc3hLIlSb40rsrPYgaHx6OV-isQP/s4544/DSCF2414.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2746" data-original-width="4544" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqApE_B5CpFP1JSukuuPjUwlZxGXdKmwuVA-AiIyVQ0zNUUxHIui7llzxzqMbIZnzIixIxQ7xo8uAFuom8ON555O9ALGayJOcnKGxQb20dkLRLXYgvUsi7vBt6inIj8X-FQFS6QvqhfkfxAKx4Fgyjtc3hLIlSb40rsrPYgaHx6OV-isQP/s320/DSCF2414.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Garrison Locks are in reasonable condition, although the odd paddle is out of action. The worst is the amount of rubbish accumulating at the locks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Lock 5 was particularly bad, the towpath and lockside strewn with rubbish, cans and plastic bottles. All soft drinks, so I guess it's a favourite haunt of the local youngsters.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfenbqHz5te2h3Hgry8AtBZ4KA7bkXNqIKJyBaoVM0FOxTHI1KjFINknC-H8GMMB1U50SNq8m1emctHyjUiXrSc_a7tQ1wvauWS7cuk1S3063lurc8ovYflRESiP7D3f2tV2BffbdYzJCttTKtpgcHma_pgt4jWJcMJVhJ9cjpYUI210da/s4408/DSCF2417.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2770" data-original-width="4408" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfenbqHz5te2h3Hgry8AtBZ4KA7bkXNqIKJyBaoVM0FOxTHI1KjFINknC-H8GMMB1U50SNq8m1emctHyjUiXrSc_a7tQ1wvauWS7cuk1S3063lurc8ovYflRESiP7D3f2tV2BffbdYzJCttTKtpgcHma_pgt4jWJcMJVhJ9cjpYUI210da/w400-h251/DSCF2417.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokq1AHR5_WVchYACVlF9VtAcwz-ARaRHI49HBGs7Pi36iCQcly9Y3ZC0hbZcPtglKKlB3X4SrBqARiZ3P3pwzN1beD4qJIDCikTmno6C97UQ4fynKftjUaTnAeAvKKWJveAc7SR2zceIy5FOnKpUr5TuRVBp7bI385yq9e_1m7u3ACbhm/s4229/DSCF2416.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3159" data-original-width="4229" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokq1AHR5_WVchYACVlF9VtAcwz-ARaRHI49HBGs7Pi36iCQcly9Y3ZC0hbZcPtglKKlB3X4SrBqARiZ3P3pwzN1beD4qJIDCikTmno6C97UQ4fynKftjUaTnAeAvKKWJveAc7SR2zceIy5FOnKpUr5TuRVBp7bI385yq9e_1m7u3ACbhm/w529-h395/DSCF2416.JPG" width="529" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">With Lock 5 left behind I was glad to see the pontoon mooring at Star City appear just beyond Cuckoo Road.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZZog5FiV2l_pHYX6BEM7V-w_Uv3hNbwz8J-b69ImamssXrP7nXg6Iv_VoE868yJYBPA-6kkuBsBcrOKcBliA6xXUccJzp-o8siz_OeXJ4Z3EtjCd0a6IaDvYOG_gd8QwVFcU3RE-2815P6hmQGb03YN5yisWr1aiO_4hf12ZEOHUHgV5/s4156/DSCF2420.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2838" data-original-width="4156" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZZog5FiV2l_pHYX6BEM7V-w_Uv3hNbwz8J-b69ImamssXrP7nXg6Iv_VoE868yJYBPA-6kkuBsBcrOKcBliA6xXUccJzp-o8siz_OeXJ4Z3EtjCd0a6IaDvYOG_gd8QwVFcU3RE-2815P6hmQGb03YN5yisWr1aiO_4hf12ZEOHUHgV5/w400-h274/DSCF2420.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Five and a half hours in very hot conditions was enough, so we called it quits here.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Today saw us leave a little later, with a short, easy day ahead.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Leaving Star City the canal narrows at the site of a stop lock, a common structure where one canal meets another to prevent loss of water from one companies navigation to another. Tolls from passing boats were often collected at these points too.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuPzDuCuksU_qB7nUWJOM7Mci7SFl0ra6sgdiduqb3r7ityqkFyM3bmWcMa2XFQCuXvwQ9GaHwhSsGz6XRutFnXAJk8DgkdLzWyPMz8N-OIVa665xMS8R68b9RsTbluQ7nuEguwVrcZDubtRjuKCpI--CDt_saYnRDZPko-1MDTTaOM1Q/s4608/DSCF2424.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuPzDuCuksU_qB7nUWJOM7Mci7SFl0ra6sgdiduqb3r7ityqkFyM3bmWcMa2XFQCuXvwQ9GaHwhSsGz6XRutFnXAJk8DgkdLzWyPMz8N-OIVa665xMS8R68b9RsTbluQ7nuEguwVrcZDubtRjuKCpI--CDt_saYnRDZPko-1MDTTaOM1Q/w506-h380/DSCF2424.JPG" width="506" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The W&BJ ends at Salford (Saltley) Junction, a hard right turn takes you north-westwards on the Birmingham and Fazelely up to Fazeley to join the Coventry Canal, a left and left again heads into the city proper up Aston Locks, and a single left heads out north to Wednesbury, Walsall and the coalfields on the edge of Cannock Chase.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwsd_E5xrrJVnGxwx2PD1p4s_OxA5_qbHNWz_uFtSUI-rVnkjhiunVDTTePv6-WFk_fAjpld0xegE8wgTwL6-A-5xrlpqzYKTGbCcXh0KWhhQxiBkwyUhqHfScePjx3gwuHys4E28MB0duIirOp3DF-R1cPCtnC9lUt_N2novvsfwIr-F/s3116/DSCF2429.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2258" data-original-width="3116" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwsd_E5xrrJVnGxwx2PD1p4s_OxA5_qbHNWz_uFtSUI-rVnkjhiunVDTTePv6-WFk_fAjpld0xegE8wgTwL6-A-5xrlpqzYKTGbCcXh0KWhhQxiBkwyUhqHfScePjx3gwuHys4E28MB0duIirOp3DF-R1cPCtnC9lUt_N2novvsfwIr-F/s320/DSCF2429.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVZ8S2GN8s_2kTi8fkqjrQsRWDnbQSEjYcmevQ4VYRF339OC-H1N-tFDlHoRxFZEHI0pv9tDsX9qVYHPJVsZ9BCPmSDqw3ZSSWnABgmC3x6RpQeuV4p1TknWUBBXnNTrSBo-aHdr3_q3bu5IO-MAElnQNDdMVCz-4xqqnxbkfd5vN-HLa/s4608/DSCF2426.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVZ8S2GN8s_2kTi8fkqjrQsRWDnbQSEjYcmevQ4VYRF339OC-H1N-tFDlHoRxFZEHI0pv9tDsX9qVYHPJVsZ9BCPmSDqw3ZSSWnABgmC3x6RpQeuV4p1TknWUBBXnNTrSBo-aHdr3_q3bu5IO-MAElnQNDdMVCz-4xqqnxbkfd5vN-HLa/w400-h300/DSCF2426.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;">It</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">'s an involved canal junction, but not as much as the Gravelly Hill Interchange (AKA Spaghetti Junction) overhead.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Trying to take pictures of the signpost and both directions as well as steer around the sharp bend didn't go well, I finished up hauling the stern around by hand, but then I was off, following <i>Calan Lan</i> to Minworth and out into the fringes of the city.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Just around the corner the canal passes under a factory, a bit gloomy but the scent of the buddlea flowering at the far end made it more pleasant than it might have been.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YT3KZVWa1vB0pimFQuM5OqjKrD6KwiEVq1uO92_M6x1-j-9A5DLNgHX7vICNwQjl7PWyZXb6b5OISbV2vnhqdIEPRZliJQczNx4_EVcblpaGdc-9augXZ6O97H0yZvHFlmDg6h-k9GmFh1QMSyfYgmxCmTDEZCnDDUghMunBTjo1WOkS/s4285/DSCF2432.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2612" data-original-width="4285" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YT3KZVWa1vB0pimFQuM5OqjKrD6KwiEVq1uO92_M6x1-j-9A5DLNgHX7vICNwQjl7PWyZXb6b5OISbV2vnhqdIEPRZliJQczNx4_EVcblpaGdc-9augXZ6O97H0yZvHFlmDg6h-k9GmFh1QMSyfYgmxCmTDEZCnDDUghMunBTjo1WOkS/s320/DSCF2432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Nature's air freshener...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1Yb_ELjXoCRFqcxm72hBJwSK8eljfFiIHj0Jv2p-fYVVP0agEJSUxv3oE6p-1lCkbnacfBXTBmFZH_cFZLQmkO_tLfU_GOFQz_z-Rta70Z1yq6xLPgnDrKjoMnaZsyVsHWoVoLo2bD-WaSG3iw0sCjiwriOj8-RVmT43ljlqQmBut7IV/s3444/DSCF2434.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2429" data-original-width="3444" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1Yb_ELjXoCRFqcxm72hBJwSK8eljfFiIHj0Jv2p-fYVVP0agEJSUxv3oE6p-1lCkbnacfBXTBmFZH_cFZLQmkO_tLfU_GOFQz_z-Rta70Z1yq6xLPgnDrKjoMnaZsyVsHWoVoLo2bD-WaSG3iw0sCjiwriOj8-RVmT43ljlqQmBut7IV/s320/DSCF2434.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It's about an hour to Minworth Top Lock, the first of three, and where I caught up with Ian and Caroline.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Teeth or trousers, I wonder...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tg35oBf7FyuiX02aPw5zvKhI_Te-YU8BBRBWYvUYooETQjUqVkNxvARDbH8VM5OoVDIhEOx2TkrXd2osq3HJcQxUJe-CO7S4qMM6qEyZf-CtIaXxIjT4h2XS9KuCNfZuY4soB3g7xwgRS54SzIs8NjmQNS03wAPsdIuqoWvpSg4J7MGr/s3363/DSCF2437.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2019" data-original-width="3363" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tg35oBf7FyuiX02aPw5zvKhI_Te-YU8BBRBWYvUYooETQjUqVkNxvARDbH8VM5OoVDIhEOx2TkrXd2osq3HJcQxUJe-CO7S4qMM6qEyZf-CtIaXxIjT4h2XS9KuCNfZuY4soB3g7xwgRS54SzIs8NjmQNS03wAPsdIuqoWvpSg4J7MGr/w400-h240/DSCF2437.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Birmingham and Fazeley Canal Company named their bridges, rather than the more common numbers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The lock was in poor condition, slow to fill and empty with only one partially clogged paddle working at the top and only slightly better at the bottom.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It took both boats about an hour to get through, but the remaining two were much better.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Minworth Bottom Lock.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJXa9uqr9TViJqNbY1L3jaEMBFyOpmegeMgKxi-qKH8n8ciVlKSvdMps_YLPO20eeHdXplgJo0RNgob57fIsUH5KmETaW59Y6_YVnLUln7lBXlFcmbKcB9Dr5H0doBBAEwXUGRB3-h-LE1vmkIbGzWpuapG9G-05iLBRuACFFTelbsZ7T/s4608/DSCF2441.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJXa9uqr9TViJqNbY1L3jaEMBFyOpmegeMgKxi-qKH8n8ciVlKSvdMps_YLPO20eeHdXplgJo0RNgob57fIsUH5KmETaW59Y6_YVnLUln7lBXlFcmbKcB9Dr5H0doBBAEwXUGRB3-h-LE1vmkIbGzWpuapG9G-05iLBRuACFFTelbsZ7T/w565-h424/DSCF2441.JPG" width="565" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ian and Carol had stopped for water so I'd overtaken them, giving me the advantage of boats coming up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The built up area is finally left behind not far below the last lock, there's still a busy A road to the right but at least there's fields to the left.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We pulled in on the moorings outside the Cuttle Bridge Inn and later in the afternoon had a much-deserved pint or two at a table outside.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnTFFJiQfgLG9zZlhVIzJ2jdjgT-tLwVDLlJpMNQYkXnZtaXFlYEj1D7fy_ENNL75DytYhtsl66icyq3P1Z5FYkKFNqvey9KCTvR0oZ0izOtDofZRFjmeceY9D6ichs0IhTNL7uIyig4SjUY9aRIjHlu0JQDH8XMOzsR9IQey9oOGlhZZ/s2293/20220712_173055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1461" data-original-width="2293" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnTFFJiQfgLG9zZlhVIzJ2jdjgT-tLwVDLlJpMNQYkXnZtaXFlYEj1D7fy_ENNL75DytYhtsl66icyq3P1Z5FYkKFNqvey9KCTvR0oZ0izOtDofZRFjmeceY9D6ichs0IhTNL7uIyig4SjUY9aRIjHlu0JQDH8XMOzsR9IQey9oOGlhZZ/w400-h255/20220712_173055.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I should have taken the shot from the other direction, Mags looks like a child from here! If you look closely you'll see Amber under the table.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Locks 14, miles 15½ </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-69359773115916174072022-07-10T18:13:00.000+01:002022-07-10T18:13:13.645+01:00Back to Plan A<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">You remember I said we would be heading up and over Birmingham to avoid the stoppage at Camp Hill Locks? Well, we didn't.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ian and Carol on <i>Calan Lan</i> got in touch while we were at Lapworth, before we set off up Lapworth Locks. They were arriving last Friday, so we decided to wait for them before heading up, and there was an update due from CRT regarding the repair on Friday too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The first update said they had been progressing well, and would issue further info later. True to their word, at 10 to 10 they sent out another email to say the lock was repaired and open for business. They must have worked like troopers to get it finished. Well done CRT.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So we switched back to Plan A, around Birmingham via Knowle, Camp Hill and Garrison Locks to pick up the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal at Salford Junction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Not wanting to go through the built up area over the weekend we moved up to then bottom of Knowle Locks on Saturday, then today up the locks to Catherine de Barnes. An early start tomorrow will take us to Star City near Salford Junction, 10 miles and 11 locks, if we've got an energy left by then we might even push on to Minworth.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Leaving Lapworth for then last time for a while - we hope!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ctrYU2MP_Rj14dFf6tVku3id_cIj3BQD1c5bhQ1JGR6KitQClNpzIkpBAn9nmRyxsE4h1dKOfII-CPiyBu0egMba1Ujzo0MrGzO-AVDBMWV80NMaGAdH-PVne1aIw8XOmVHy1jv6QIJxZLN7wHzZechTqmdNQdEty6nz6HWOaHUdb7gt/s4118/DSCF2365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2685" data-original-width="4118" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ctrYU2MP_Rj14dFf6tVku3id_cIj3BQD1c5bhQ1JGR6KitQClNpzIkpBAn9nmRyxsE4h1dKOfII-CPiyBu0egMba1Ujzo0MrGzO-AVDBMWV80NMaGAdH-PVne1aIw8XOmVHy1jv6QIJxZLN7wHzZechTqmdNQdEty6nz6HWOaHUdb7gt/w400-h261/DSCF2365.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rpSDovohauT8Bm8x0DaSga2gfjwe3fMXSWeXmSungM1b4N9m7KwKb0gwLPmaI04cBAG1wB5PnmsqTRb4SbdNSVXmcHrHzj8Le0Ub0uqY9IAsxmAQnyJuuOvPxXVa1EApOu-2_P53adAx34NQgHqHtBydynYGXiswtW4u_UbeLJcMWBmj/s3457/DSCF2366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2433" data-original-width="3457" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rpSDovohauT8Bm8x0DaSga2gfjwe3fMXSWeXmSungM1b4N9m7KwKb0gwLPmaI04cBAG1wB5PnmsqTRb4SbdNSVXmcHrHzj8Le0Ub0uqY9IAsxmAQnyJuuOvPxXVa1EApOu-2_P53adAx34NQgHqHtBydynYGXiswtW4u_UbeLJcMWBmj/w493-h346/DSCF2366.JPG" width="493" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I tried, unsuccessfully, to get a picture of a kingfisher that flirted around in front of us for 5 minutes, but it passed the time.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Moored below Knowle Locks.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZ3F5l5VyEDIztSwFuO4Hizu79KYvobf9WtsEP1bdliAtsg2iOjU5IIZUwmKrjtMXyHnu2OyrjcUOgJCC8McnW21gwYw28YT35IYlt5udewYgQVgt_DYQgkkGT4WnsmeOTLryTDKOuifv_dmwGlftvFTh-aXhcBrDFGBxToe-iNUYsIjp/s3833/DSCF2374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2468" data-original-width="3833" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZ3F5l5VyEDIztSwFuO4Hizu79KYvobf9WtsEP1bdliAtsg2iOjU5IIZUwmKrjtMXyHnu2OyrjcUOgJCC8McnW21gwYw28YT35IYlt5udewYgQVgt_DYQgkkGT4WnsmeOTLryTDKOuifv_dmwGlftvFTh-aXhcBrDFGBxToe-iNUYsIjp/w523-h337/DSCF2374.JPG" width="523" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This morning we were off at 10:00, around the corner to the bottom of the locks, pleased to see a couple of volunteers waiting on then lockside.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It was hot already, so out came the floppy hats...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVOIVvG2hJZglzeQ2OBQ9sXJfYO6qF0CDITnkvOKONyetI-fr3KhQSJtuUUSsgjFeAcg4uUQNupNqvaZMm7YSoh7Pi3oYtgucnOvEEcYJEZD2wIXyJELFJQOExisQ1nGJjx6fY5dBf-ex-jYy65EDfVi_VCPAtoG6WLo1V0LCsoqf_VtX/s4089/DSCF2379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2454" data-original-width="4089" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVOIVvG2hJZglzeQ2OBQ9sXJfYO6qF0CDITnkvOKONyetI-fr3KhQSJtuUUSsgjFeAcg4uUQNupNqvaZMm7YSoh7Pi3oYtgucnOvEEcYJEZD2wIXyJELFJQOExisQ1nGJjx6fY5dBf-ex-jYy65EDfVi_VCPAtoG6WLo1V0LCsoqf_VtX/w545-h327/DSCF2379.JPG" width="545" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhg45gkRKWeiEAkT6i2byG3FI_tm_QCmFZQqzixZhBzAHW0rHZc4RQB2avm5aVcaFyfIVY7icMTXbpDnwX3q2vflPGy6JqmiZSykb6scyjfDMoAHj43iQtdCfqDup6tiBk7pfmo9aut0_80hKvcL_Cc7m8PQD1bkO62bDaPLFu0rcGvPL/s3678/DSCF2388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2254" data-original-width="3678" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhg45gkRKWeiEAkT6i2byG3FI_tm_QCmFZQqzixZhBzAHW0rHZc4RQB2avm5aVcaFyfIVY7icMTXbpDnwX3q2vflPGy6JqmiZSykb6scyjfDMoAHj43iQtdCfqDup6tiBk7pfmo9aut0_80hKvcL_Cc7m8PQD1bkO62bDaPLFu0rcGvPL/w400-h245/DSCF2388.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We made good time again, bottom to top in about 45 minutes.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ducks in a row on a sunken boat near Copt Heath Wharf.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgPYcNG4iIxgeh5PK6R_rhI3SGuK45MxGL0rSU2h09HJsiW7m7GMrDI0wiCaFZrav2sWlpyZRIw6MubsybJKx8tRo7cecXgbtD19rge1dpGx76hWB-we6EN1BY8xGQXWF8UATlkl2wdarG5pwN0nA73k_HBGHDYh7eniOQM1Hz36IQUtq/s2493/DSCF2392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1690" data-original-width="2493" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgPYcNG4iIxgeh5PK6R_rhI3SGuK45MxGL0rSU2h09HJsiW7m7GMrDI0wiCaFZrav2sWlpyZRIw6MubsybJKx8tRo7cecXgbtD19rge1dpGx76hWB-we6EN1BY8xGQXWF8UATlkl2wdarG5pwN0nA73k_HBGHDYh7eniOQM1Hz36IQUtq/w561-h380/DSCF2392.JPG" width="561" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Easyjet arrival at Birmingham Airport...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75ZKmqw9Ye5f-waHeTdtv6_XvN7plMLtsDrI8B846I9L-j_7dZyi9_EFOHQ877uRVR9gb84rnIJg7ExfWE6CqdQxDay6QBc1ARQeG2W1l_Hp6j9Vm0lZ8T-c6XYf9LOKwn0E9d1IAdvQozelFqiKjuEZDnlNKFChcTQ_KQFq364Y5ROoU/s3333/DSCF2394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1913" data-original-width="3333" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75ZKmqw9Ye5f-waHeTdtv6_XvN7plMLtsDrI8B846I9L-j_7dZyi9_EFOHQ877uRVR9gb84rnIJg7ExfWE6CqdQxDay6QBc1ARQeG2W1l_Hp6j9Vm0lZ8T-c6XYf9LOKwn0E9d1IAdvQozelFqiKjuEZDnlNKFChcTQ_KQFq364Y5ROoU/w400-h230/DSCF2394.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">...and ours once again at Catherine de Barnes.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgqKQmTQo6R2Z_OyaUqAKvdT0mFviQFljmaCDrWjbXgXiJOt_wRixyHtRci069NqCHQ-b8IMSzGwNJKgiUNATozKsdGsSLfWIzk3oahTaziiN66uR9not-irAqxvHMqfrnmhzhIBRMQG5s1oorkJVyYSn_93emuPYu3msRepNU17IlFPZ/s3402/DSCF2395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2138" data-original-width="3402" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgqKQmTQo6R2Z_OyaUqAKvdT0mFviQFljmaCDrWjbXgXiJOt_wRixyHtRci069NqCHQ-b8IMSzGwNJKgiUNATozKsdGsSLfWIzk3oahTaziiN66uR9not-irAqxvHMqfrnmhzhIBRMQG5s1oorkJVyYSn_93emuPYu3msRepNU17IlFPZ/w534-h335/DSCF2395.JPG" width="534" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I hope we have better luck tomorrow than a week ago...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Locks 5, miles 3½<br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-85449430568229181532022-07-06T20:43:00.001+01:002022-07-06T20:45:21.356+01:00Well, that's a bit of a b****r...<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Yesterday morning we were off early, looking at a long day around the fringes of Birmingham. Little did we know it would turn out to a bit longer than planned...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Leaving Catherine de Barnes</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzaSCh3e-AiEwqFkM4ognCfSKAVMyHbnrOuxFXwwOhvKzih1tAuRdJG1lAZh698Buc8e4r3OApeCNOediZlhqHbBXodOD9uzc2L1xQ4hXfIe6z_dUTnBsSOI94hLal7Mf8FgSvtSmvgg4SQEOjd0j5X2mQ8piQYvWDUk66C3cBSvMzsNm/s3572/DSCF2339.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2403" data-original-width="3572" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzaSCh3e-AiEwqFkM4ognCfSKAVMyHbnrOuxFXwwOhvKzih1tAuRdJG1lAZh698Buc8e4r3OApeCNOediZlhqHbBXodOD9uzc2L1xQ4hXfIe6z_dUTnBsSOI94hLal7Mf8FgSvtSmvgg4SQEOjd0j5X2mQ8piQYvWDUk66C3cBSvMzsNm/w400-h269/DSCF2339.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Considering we're running into England's second city it's a surprisingly rural green corridor, at least until then first of the locks are encountered.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-0SJ0y4EfOwbprxaHdSooCNYPGmSqKz6vQ4sNRHLrDCQhZc20vbUCfscPazlCWlENa5C9WS4X5RIQzagbmprZEuXxgiWx2RsokZSO3Qh6GvSKAviYDzIbyVTrb5XEHM3bZH4ozpNnazDDxnItMFsRkT5P-ZSalgDNHPYT2mMNJiQap7w/s3892/DSCF2341.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2535" data-original-width="3892" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-0SJ0y4EfOwbprxaHdSooCNYPGmSqKz6vQ4sNRHLrDCQhZc20vbUCfscPazlCWlENa5C9WS4X5RIQzagbmprZEuXxgiWx2RsokZSO3Qh6GvSKAviYDzIbyVTrb5XEHM3bZH4ozpNnazDDxnItMFsRkT5P-ZSalgDNHPYT2mMNJiQap7w/w529-h344/DSCF2341.JPG" width="529" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Leaving the big houses of the affluent 'burbs behind, the canal enters the light industrial zone, with light industry and affordable housing mixed together.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOp0rQDMS3cs-PTMea4DDqj4nv2jj6ryIz_7N5kDx1iINGMpSmxHhBGOpH7Z7Jzcikd-UKf3Qsm5Y_r0asKoP53VL_UMl4kyPEQbDVED2s0M7EaN3sVO5QkfzEkFkts1oAYIQ0nqu7fzC4NEuH0LunRaKfSnI-66s3sbBMWz1m_lPZGWJI/s4084/DSCF2343.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2838" data-original-width="4084" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOp0rQDMS3cs-PTMea4DDqj4nv2jj6ryIz_7N5kDx1iINGMpSmxHhBGOpH7Z7Jzcikd-UKf3Qsm5Y_r0asKoP53VL_UMl4kyPEQbDVED2s0M7EaN3sVO5QkfzEkFkts1oAYIQ0nqu7fzC4NEuH0LunRaKfSnI-66s3sbBMWz1m_lPZGWJI/w400-h278/DSCF2343.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhfPG_ejRJtAxSmq_i-J4TmJIL-S3_vU7Xcx9-rLfVT8B74o3fKX2EZ7c3fm0J9p4FqZ6Cr5ZVJoeyKQ1kOrB2MJE0BlhL-6PLM8Zi01Q44vKO3O6MmScaVrEmZOLDVye7QTHSbafLd9Jv4seB44tNy3Z_GMHKRj5I_Bt1MtSDHd0O15j/s3678/DSCF2345.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2425" data-original-width="3678" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhfPG_ejRJtAxSmq_i-J4TmJIL-S3_vU7Xcx9-rLfVT8B74o3fKX2EZ7c3fm0J9p4FqZ6Cr5ZVJoeyKQ1kOrB2MJE0BlhL-6PLM8Zi01Q44vKO3O6MmScaVrEmZOLDVye7QTHSbafLd9Jv4seB44tNy3Z_GMHKRj5I_Bt1MtSDHd0O15j/s320/DSCF2345.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Aha, getting nearer, floating furniture!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrefTf83wGAC73dcnMHeRXsi3nSdJzhH9SaGbr_KzSQ0k9NZS2BKOQv6r6WNyzywc9ulL9tXbN5EVMezYnNG9Bsow2o0tBAl8I8FnY1hOje4uAXaIlkE1A3RNquPGdkW3H322PbJEcLxKP3DHZCI_MqLS_FD-w2AWC6O3NKfMTTWim1rf/s3026/DSCF2351.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2079" data-original-width="3026" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrefTf83wGAC73dcnMHeRXsi3nSdJzhH9SaGbr_KzSQ0k9NZS2BKOQv6r6WNyzywc9ulL9tXbN5EVMezYnNG9Bsow2o0tBAl8I8FnY1hOje4uAXaIlkE1A3RNquPGdkW3H322PbJEcLxKP3DHZCI_MqLS_FD-w2AWC6O3NKfMTTWim1rf/s320/DSCF2351.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLWDCZlk7O_3D7njiB-myGZyb28BdtvSOBXgeAO2ndrK8o5wmtIRyYiDke_7au66HkQvIVX0hUMVIjIJ8KEda8JlGXlsa03onq-Gf_qEMiEh4-3-usxUNX1am6It_QjYsaswpxTfFFlIxmw3XYJPROLbydpjbz3C8JdrdJokz_vtOfHqO/s3159/DSCF2346.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2318" data-original-width="3159" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLWDCZlk7O_3D7njiB-myGZyb28BdtvSOBXgeAO2ndrK8o5wmtIRyYiDke_7au66HkQvIVX0hUMVIjIJ8KEda8JlGXlsa03onq-Gf_qEMiEh4-3-usxUNX1am6It_QjYsaswpxTfFFlIxmw3XYJPROLbydpjbz3C8JdrdJokz_vtOfHqO/w400-h294/DSCF2346.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Heavier industry, now gone, has left it's bones in the form of several now redundant factory arms which must have once bustled with boats loading and unloading.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9TPZJ0cuUsP1XQCKPCQB1LlDjsjx43syCaxEIN6inFpuhqfML2t13_p4Isn0CH7ggD76O0PDj_RGs9rHw-ftSi7X68X-dtHFXPbxP3K6XmYFyOa-_DT4hTzkPQJjg2aQ-zjrg7Q8IKdebSUVqHAJkIhWl7LbW5Hdhs-C6GOkUWhmejJa/s3722/DSCF2349.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2544" data-original-width="3722" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9TPZJ0cuUsP1XQCKPCQB1LlDjsjx43syCaxEIN6inFpuhqfML2t13_p4Isn0CH7ggD76O0PDj_RGs9rHw-ftSi7X68X-dtHFXPbxP3K6XmYFyOa-_DT4hTzkPQJjg2aQ-zjrg7Q8IKdebSUVqHAJkIhWl7LbW5Hdhs-C6GOkUWhmejJa/s320/DSCF2349.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHISx4N4poy8Dd99b37j6rrIxOW44US9d3dMxaLuBZ-csmSODYMR1oWhLRx1uBhyqpnOi6w9dFpKTU6UyoZedGxQOWzmk0X4pEgMvvNZ3VFXPCkI4NqidLyY1lXxV0Pv3E9kc4s8ds-Sn0aYiJA7DwGCza2ZCT7spt1t8P8ctmBbTJljg/s3747/DSCF2348.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2408" data-original-width="3747" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHISx4N4poy8Dd99b37j6rrIxOW44US9d3dMxaLuBZ-csmSODYMR1oWhLRx1uBhyqpnOi6w9dFpKTU6UyoZedGxQOWzmk0X4pEgMvvNZ3VFXPCkI4NqidLyY1lXxV0Pv3E9kc4s8ds-Sn0aYiJA7DwGCza2ZCT7spt1t8P8ctmBbTJljg/w400-h258/DSCF2348.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Camp Hill Top Lock, seven miles and 2¼ hours after leaving "Catny".</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GY89U4KOJX2WUwd1Juy9khnyr8VlFnVWIbrs5A91-kTx04FaZDD7Szqi0SSbAe0dxbCOCAmKFprkollf984A6EXastAAjnU1mSLi3Yp3mcpvcZbO3E-D62-Ztk-rTf2npjGZUgwCsjgzU_EAF-q7Eqjqq-jPxMd3eifDKacE7V0NlFZY/s3654/DSCF2350.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2570" data-original-width="3654" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GY89U4KOJX2WUwd1Juy9khnyr8VlFnVWIbrs5A91-kTx04FaZDD7Szqi0SSbAe0dxbCOCAmKFprkollf984A6EXastAAjnU1mSLi3Yp3mcpvcZbO3E-D62-Ztk-rTf2npjGZUgwCsjgzU_EAF-q7Eqjqq-jPxMd3eifDKacE7V0NlFZY/w590-h414/DSCF2350.JPG" width="590" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">With two boats having left ahead of us I expected to have to turn each lock, but they're pretty quick and having left the last of the broad, upgraded locks behind at Knowle, these are narrow.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Lock 53, a bit the worse for wear...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaWhnX8SE-1x0JRWycWtTqItb07mKQNtWhez9Rq03HBFbUm-dtgSTW4nY-Rb0v7yM8n_ePWxD_cQEWj5c3REfHwF2mAQH4zrv00LwPu0SbrZ1RHQPpO7G5kQc1_xvmnLlpuckOaQwqUxZHIzlP8vMAhj1Tnne6GC8bzH2mzFUKIY6y_FM/s3660/20220705_120243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2274" data-original-width="3660" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaWhnX8SE-1x0JRWycWtTqItb07mKQNtWhez9Rq03HBFbUm-dtgSTW4nY-Rb0v7yM8n_ePWxD_cQEWj5c3REfHwF2mAQH4zrv00LwPu0SbrZ1RHQPpO7G5kQc1_xvmnLlpuckOaQwqUxZHIzlP8vMAhj1Tnne6GC8bzH2mzFUKIY6y_FM/w538-h335/20220705_120243.jpg" width="538" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I worked steadily down the next couple then - what's this, I've caught with with boats ahead at Camp Hill Bottom Lock, No 6!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWr7ODww-tG7x7s4z9le35f2bTzQ49wN0eG73Ss3B6LEMz5BKRe3LAKEFGPaMmrlUOBUPB_fhQmZQpVRYpXtpRMAaeubh2V-ghkjh73Ud5-ZqY83NKh8p4Amq6qPLWFKVduhVNHg7cmGSAK9UKuVvaSrd5B1FB991wDnYI6VrG9_skevgH/s2319/20220705_123944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2319" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWr7ODww-tG7x7s4z9le35f2bTzQ49wN0eG73Ss3B6LEMz5BKRe3LAKEFGPaMmrlUOBUPB_fhQmZQpVRYpXtpRMAaeubh2V-ghkjh73Ud5-ZqY83NKh8p4Amq6qPLWFKVduhVNHg7cmGSAK9UKuVvaSrd5B1FB991wDnYI6VrG9_skevgH/w568-h376/20220705_123944.jpg" width="568" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The lock wouldn't fill, a bottom gate paddle had failed and there was no way to pass the lock.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Initial examination and much sucking of teeth resulted us being advised that it could take several days to fix. Not wanting to hang around in this less salubrious area of the city I reversed back up two locks, turned around and toddled back to Catherine de Barnes, followed by the other two.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">At least the locks were all set for me now! I lifted a bottom paddle as I left each lock to help the following boat.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Back again...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5BDGUYyx-fA8lEZocONcqxKpyiALcokg2_m5BgFrQfisvmHmVec--tVH5Zc_x1ougIHYLbuVmA8N4ax0e-Khqz5tsVE6ZdqxXSo1U3WuXWbTbB-Rk6jvv49xVQr7q61TY23TnjRUfau7PdvV90xiKGyj6n6pXwK2pJ2fMVqfCpKwz59U/s3888/DSCF2352.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2625" data-original-width="3888" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5BDGUYyx-fA8lEZocONcqxKpyiALcokg2_m5BgFrQfisvmHmVec--tVH5Zc_x1ougIHYLbuVmA8N4ax0e-Khqz5tsVE6ZdqxXSo1U3WuXWbTbB-Rk6jvv49xVQr7q61TY23TnjRUfau7PdvV90xiKGyj6n6pXwK2pJ2fMVqfCpKwz59U/w400-h270/DSCF2352.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Today I decided to head back to Lapworth. We could have waited at C de B to see what the outcome was but I wasn't confident it would be a good one, so reconciled myself reluctantly to the longer, heavier locked route up and over, through the city centre.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">As it was it was the right move...</span></p><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Notice Alert</h2><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Grand Union Canal</b><br /><b>Location:</b> Camp Hill Lock Flight, Grand Union Canal<br /><b>Starts At:</b> Lock 1, Camp Hill Top Lock (Lock 52)<br /><b>Ends At:</b> Lock 6, Camp Hill (Lock 57)<br /><b>Up Stream Winding Hole:</b> Camp hill Services<br /><b>Down Stream Winding Hole:</b> Saltley Junction</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Tuesday 5 July 2022 14:00 until further notice</b></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Type: Navigation Closure<br />Reason: Structure failure</b></p><hr style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></p><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Update on 06/07/2022:</h3><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We've now assessed the damage, and unfortunately it's not something we've been able to quickly fix. The good news is that our reactive response team have a clear plan for repair, and are working to get this done and the locks reopen as quickly as possible. We expect this to take a few working days, and will provide an update on the works and an expected reopening date by the morning of Friday 8th July.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">For those looking to reach or leave Birmingham from the south, we recommend a route via Kingswood Junction on the North Stratford and Worcester & Birmingham Canals.</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I'm not holding my breath for a rapid resolution... </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So we left at around half nine this morning, heading back to drop down the five locks at Knowle that we'd come up two days before. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Back at Knowle, unfortunately no helpful hire boat crew today. But I did have a lady CRT volunteer who set the locks ahead for me, a big help.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv8TGD5vKD79tHVXRT2hN5SJlP2aMctqJPdoARYoSqmBepHMEuZTZ0n7UKHB0TjKjjGtFQZXduC2UpFUsVWPzHqp7TMmWLCFsVuxEhtZxPqCMXNvBSVwh0NHA0CGDmNhZh5oGVsNETR0rGwJ7zRbJxYTEg5xDWSmtxrxhhbmRS5M9QFe1/s3875/DSCF2355.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2741" data-original-width="3875" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv8TGD5vKD79tHVXRT2hN5SJlP2aMctqJPdoARYoSqmBepHMEuZTZ0n7UKHB0TjKjjGtFQZXduC2UpFUsVWPzHqp7TMmWLCFsVuxEhtZxPqCMXNvBSVwh0NHA0CGDmNhZh5oGVsNETR0rGwJ7zRbJxYTEg5xDWSmtxrxhhbmRS5M9QFe1/w490-h347/DSCF2355.JPG" width="490" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13NixSUBEWI_r8qyVJ2CWtaHKbSjjcqgrEfhZ5fe5Cga1tIIXt43Pq8jM5oPohi7EMWDtgHQvxsIFo1-hFgAh_ZfehIU-6EZYzkom17GqCk7HnaKNWCQ6BWVtN6Gs1pATbiN0yLBiPwrvlzosxpnG6IvzBRCvMS1Ms7gRXQSEAdU3tbEv/s3717/DSCF2356.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2774" data-original-width="3717" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13NixSUBEWI_r8qyVJ2CWtaHKbSjjcqgrEfhZ5fe5Cga1tIIXt43Pq8jM5oPohi7EMWDtgHQvxsIFo1-hFgAh_ZfehIU-6EZYzkom17GqCk7HnaKNWCQ6BWVtN6Gs1pATbiN0yLBiPwrvlzosxpnG6IvzBRCvMS1Ms7gRXQSEAdU3tbEv/s320/DSCF2356.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewsRDKoDS1u_xL6I1HtWJJpoXQyXBMelpsDEV1nnNyIq804IrS1B3ophmgO-yGQegD5YddglrXXFej2FU9SaHh1zTpD1AEPRbqlayWUycijD8O8pC-wiDHX41GweUyz-4KJQRiJeLy8VRNTBptK6uk5HnVzcCFgRkwf8kbWlsPZ4VhKwu/s3828/DSCF2357.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2472" data-original-width="3828" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewsRDKoDS1u_xL6I1HtWJJpoXQyXBMelpsDEV1nnNyIq804IrS1B3ophmgO-yGQegD5YddglrXXFej2FU9SaHh1zTpD1AEPRbqlayWUycijD8O8pC-wiDHX41GweUyz-4KJQRiJeLy8VRNTBptK6uk5HnVzcCFgRkwf8kbWlsPZ4VhKwu/w592-h383/DSCF2357.JPG" width="592" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br />Leaving the locks behind I had a steady hour and a bit back to Kingswood Junction and the turn onto the North Stratford.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85f4EIL2t6GbQOt27rSNEt9FRfvJZLNAn-la6vPKZwPKvVkDEjiSbsMvVtbf18LS35Vjo1AGry8KLoBpIXcnJ-TdWCXoqoE4y2INyvzK6_mStPxXgbEckPBYygK4oyZ1tcYZIAOHMptf5yF2is6zGE__WfhyOOG_3T4ERjmjJDCT282nh/s3581/DSCF2361.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2258" data-original-width="3581" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85f4EIL2t6GbQOt27rSNEt9FRfvJZLNAn-la6vPKZwPKvVkDEjiSbsMvVtbf18LS35Vjo1AGry8KLoBpIXcnJ-TdWCXoqoE4y2INyvzK6_mStPxXgbEckPBYygK4oyZ1tcYZIAOHMptf5yF2is6zGE__WfhyOOG_3T4ERjmjJDCT282nh/w400-h253/DSCF2361.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></span><p></p><p style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Having not seen a boat all morning it was suddenly busy, a boat coming out from under the bridge without warning, and another wanting to turn in from the opposite direction!</span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0WRM-tzzf1wJIakFRPWZTs9gLMmI-8ygY2uqAtVRLjzDLKTeDyeFi6aRdCo3dSI0Liqtr-bYXF-mMQLbg_C39KezYfzafj7_vZumfC9G4MKnM9Rv_5tEPzVXsolW0XYLKipTSHLqHYg0vMaEPUeImP-bpOhees00HGzrB2edx8Iz1sxH/s2779/DSCF2362.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1785" data-original-width="2779" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0WRM-tzzf1wJIakFRPWZTs9gLMmI-8ygY2uqAtVRLjzDLKTeDyeFi6aRdCo3dSI0Liqtr-bYXF-mMQLbg_C39KezYfzafj7_vZumfC9G4MKnM9Rv_5tEPzVXsolW0XYLKipTSHLqHYg0vMaEPUeImP-bpOhees00HGzrB2edx8Iz1sxH/w528-h341/DSCF2362.JPG" width="528" /></a></div><p></p><p style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">All accomplished without incident, just a bit of manoeuvring, then we got tied up in pretty much the same place we'd left on Saturday morning.</span></p><p style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Now we know what's what we'll be heading up Lapworth Locks and towards Brum tomorrow.</span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Locks 15, miles 22</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">¼</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Sorry about the weird background effect on some paragraphs, can't seem to get rid!</span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-2997991735733648532022-07-04T16:47:00.005+01:002022-07-04T16:47:58.028+01:00Heading up the Grand Onion <p> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It's been really quiet on the water for the last few days, today we've only seen three moving boats, and one of those we shared locks with!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Anyway, looking back to last Friday. We left Lowsonford at around half-nine, a couple of boats had left ahead of us so there was no rush.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The locks come regularly now, every five or ten minutes as the canal climbs to Kingswood Junction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A good start, swapping at Rowington Bottom Lock.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD9z5LfScTZLf4S8_48IcHcW1Qc9FnW5ZSp_b1hZRXN86vbXa_Wb7rzU_NiLTaOWMtzue0fhYNG_52vz8lj4H6Dpn63n0Ur3WILkoo8h8TnyP8LJV8_hlbgNCPU3owNOztzlk6kFUbO7X08JBvpS5qO_CbT9j3OCtmBCmRH70owz3p6ns/s1700/DSCF2306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1700" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD9z5LfScTZLf4S8_48IcHcW1Qc9FnW5ZSp_b1hZRXN86vbXa_Wb7rzU_NiLTaOWMtzue0fhYNG_52vz8lj4H6Dpn63n0Ur3WILkoo8h8TnyP8LJV8_hlbgNCPU3owNOztzlk6kFUbO7X08JBvpS5qO_CbT9j3OCtmBCmRH70owz3p6ns/w400-h239/DSCF2306.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Railway enthusiast at Lowsonford Halt on the dismantled Lapworth to Henley in Arden branch line.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pqHccKCJKu-_90KyjKLbaThdpCUwEwT_uJEpOkYg1UPjvYo7DbFAEmfkp7sAR4LE0zq7QBjFIYxiKafaenpDgmED4DckANK6Ok5OW4bGKoMxNW4HdfZBEgrOWb6kJ5KEVrYjKgjCTz_HROuqVsGzVyhCapH2HPxozIyhjvMkLtQ5Vul9/s3896/DSCF2307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2659" data-original-width="3896" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pqHccKCJKu-_90KyjKLbaThdpCUwEwT_uJEpOkYg1UPjvYo7DbFAEmfkp7sAR4LE0zq7QBjFIYxiKafaenpDgmED4DckANK6Ok5OW4bGKoMxNW4HdfZBEgrOWb6kJ5KEVrYjKgjCTz_HROuqVsGzVyhCapH2HPxozIyhjvMkLtQ5Vul9/w462-h314/DSCF2307.JPG" width="462" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We made steady progress, most locks in our favour as boats came down, some not.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Lapworth Bottom Lock, just below the M40.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwIvQ2Vu6kfpEzx6LdLVDI0TNunQ5XelKHfgDPsNyN8sQY1xjrE7kfOXwCuh_C5ZJ2HPzXZHm19-Ibq78zuZcrckeKPTNKkzbIw5F8T30fEc6VT4q4CvkMLup6sdrwKzTzc23hl1nxLIO2kXwR_6opRo94z9iSXCpa_fLJtR5EC6ChuPs/s3884/DSCF2312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2582" data-original-width="3884" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwIvQ2Vu6kfpEzx6LdLVDI0TNunQ5XelKHfgDPsNyN8sQY1xjrE7kfOXwCuh_C5ZJ2HPzXZHm19-Ibq78zuZcrckeKPTNKkzbIw5F8T30fEc6VT4q4CvkMLup6sdrwKzTzc23hl1nxLIO2kXwR_6opRo94z9iSXCpa_fLJtR5EC6ChuPs/w400-h266/DSCF2312.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Between Lowsenford and Lapworth there are 9 locks over 2¼ miles. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We reached Lapworth Junction at around noon, topped off the water, emptied a loo tank and disposed of rubbish and recycling before making the sharp right turn into the Lapworth Link.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The northern length of the canal, from here to Kings Norton Junction was completed first, linking the Worcester and Birmingham Canal to the Warwick and Birmingham Canal (later to become part of the Grand Union network) at Kingswood Junction. It opened in 1802, 10 years after the Act of Parliament was granted.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The southern section from here to Stratford Upon Avon wasn't completed until June 1816, and, as I mentioned in an earlier post, was built under severe financial restraints. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">At Lapworth Junction the southern section connected to the northern a couple of hundred to the west of the earlier link to the W&B, requiring boats joining the W&B to ascend one lock then turn right and descend another to reach Kingswood Junction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This was wasteful in terms of time and water, so a short cut (literally a shortcut!) was made to bypass the one up one down situation. It's only about 50 yards long but saves 45 minutes and several hundred gallons of water! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The last lock before Lapworth Junction</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m4jiXfCjAR7q-yUfad9t_3qhKeFVDCvZ2tOTqluCS6khcxXw2LRZ27rcPmkdHzRrSJZbFat3FEQrBJ5dmfbXFtK9ygS437vPO7JOUlqX1QmI9GvgzUGVz5hPuep267-XH2ukrsVaXpTwXLXbyTqqj3Y9s1qJvjV9HxPS8f0Ys3kmLDWi/s3867/DSCF2314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2582" data-original-width="3867" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m4jiXfCjAR7q-yUfad9t_3qhKeFVDCvZ2tOTqluCS6khcxXw2LRZ27rcPmkdHzRrSJZbFat3FEQrBJ5dmfbXFtK9ygS437vPO7JOUlqX1QmI9GvgzUGVz5hPuep267-XH2ukrsVaXpTwXLXbyTqqj3Y9s1qJvjV9HxPS8f0Ys3kmLDWi/w486-h326/DSCF2314.JPG" width="486" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ahead is the "thick" of the Lapworth Locks, 18 of them in less than a mile, but our route is to the right, just past the white cottage.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iZI30ZOSZY7lpxyejnSrSYQUjs6d78ax9enPbDRyWKIRnCuZV77GR2XdtysH5xqbgNqwb4qj8ewNQltRboP6gOch9WvKWNiUCpXn_rOevHF2jsZuyPnGPREa1sVVrIKUNxrfBJe6FpRuE623z-AQbYO25sBatY7635ZaEYsx1pPAt2a4/s3862/DSCF2315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2437" data-original-width="3862" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iZI30ZOSZY7lpxyejnSrSYQUjs6d78ax9enPbDRyWKIRnCuZV77GR2XdtysH5xqbgNqwb4qj8ewNQltRboP6gOch9WvKWNiUCpXn_rOevHF2jsZuyPnGPREa1sVVrIKUNxrfBJe6FpRuE623z-AQbYO25sBatY7635ZaEYsx1pPAt2a4/w520-h329/DSCF2315.JPG" width="520" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Turning into the Lapworth Link.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqgkDPAYcNoukOuumBFi308urkQxdedO8N_BqS-ZFGu-O0hbA-FhZibOFGG7Nh1Oy3FdaUdz_qETkUe1zyySxgWA9G28Leng-zLjoBYkHfGgpRrDcoyfES0IA0hbJH3D1PQeC7OEZpQV-OWiG_8sWVeCG3PvtsQ1EPfMxL06JcACyACUG/s3841/DSCF2316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="3841" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqgkDPAYcNoukOuumBFi308urkQxdedO8N_BqS-ZFGu-O0hbA-FhZibOFGG7Nh1Oy3FdaUdz_qETkUe1zyySxgWA9G28Leng-zLjoBYkHfGgpRrDcoyfES0IA0hbJH3D1PQeC7OEZpQV-OWiG_8sWVeCG3PvtsQ1EPfMxL06JcACyACUG/w400-h275/DSCF2316.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We pulled in on the moorings before Kingswood Junction, and I had a good chat with Chris, proud owner of <i>Elektra</i>, an all-electric boat (apart from the diesel gennie to charge the large battery bank). Interesting spec, though. <a href="https://www.pink-narrowboat.com" target="_blank">Website here</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Saturday saw us turning left onto the Grand Onion under damp, gray skies.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYW6ZxqbYNn3R6-ABMxWNsBoCMjCj0XJMSmO5pEtel_pPxUJPYmU5WX1yxFT2VKTwOozIwOO2Jx2Of3heefDOvo5TneNaqNXnx562kTwnpvCiEonlTj1ZuXS8ZFNQKaUjj2v3DsMHZPPSfAdbE8AbDIT4iHXDFVbKO2mwlc9dkvXt4JvC/s2646/DSCF2320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1780" data-original-width="2646" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYW6ZxqbYNn3R6-ABMxWNsBoCMjCj0XJMSmO5pEtel_pPxUJPYmU5WX1yxFT2VKTwOozIwOO2Jx2Of3heefDOvo5TneNaqNXnx562kTwnpvCiEonlTj1ZuXS8ZFNQKaUjj2v3DsMHZPPSfAdbE8AbDIT4iHXDFVbKO2mwlc9dkvXt4JvC/s320/DSCF2320.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;">I</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">n 1929, facing increasing competition from the road and rail network, the Grand Union Canal Company was formed. The idea was to gather the disparate sections of canal that made up the route from London to Birmingham under one umbrella, improve the navigation to high standard and win back trade. It had limited success, but it leaves us with a broad and deep (mostly) navigation 135 miles long.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The canal was widened and narrow locks replaced with modern, rapidly filling and emptying wide ones. The concrete copings tell the story...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQ7N_Ol3qaZFx3skQdQfSHULQqz_GbX__qiS6nt4wsFetdGQbzO3hTq9JryQ5jB-NnTX051UxG0tsuOGgIXjGdXlLwqO6tGUAGGlSZ60-LSayaAo4A7rJ2r-4-udYrG4oSjMQqVphONsxhPbEtjgVpuddH2SKf6l_FpXmWldrFuN6WBuD/s3176/DSCF2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1930" data-original-width="3176" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQ7N_Ol3qaZFx3skQdQfSHULQqz_GbX__qiS6nt4wsFetdGQbzO3hTq9JryQ5jB-NnTX051UxG0tsuOGgIXjGdXlLwqO6tGUAGGlSZ60-LSayaAo4A7rJ2r-4-udYrG4oSjMQqVphONsxhPbEtjgVpuddH2SKf6l_FpXmWldrFuN6WBuD/w518-h314/DSCF2322.JPG" width="518" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It was raining quite heavily by the time we pulled in opposite the under-construction marina near the Black Boy pub.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMOw_-T8qZgqNikdBdXxuq1RtLPl2otnbVk0LzdwkbEZD7tM48AfDl84HAE9yMx74OoQlVT4VUgjKTJg9Ai5T8YIwBWOruk-a-UO0omt9YuhBWOqcKBYk8YQrIFZCB047J3It_FHCzj0Nfw8PRI8SqOWF6dIdjMjXJ5BehovW0B6UWgva/s3884/DSCF2325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2399" data-original-width="3884" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMOw_-T8qZgqNikdBdXxuq1RtLPl2otnbVk0LzdwkbEZD7tM48AfDl84HAE9yMx74OoQlVT4VUgjKTJg9Ai5T8YIwBWOruk-a-UO0omt9YuhBWOqcKBYk8YQrIFZCB047J3It_FHCzj0Nfw8PRI8SqOWF6dIdjMjXJ5BehovW0B6UWgva/w400-h248/DSCF2325.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I watched the very wet qualifying for the Silverstone Grand Prix in the afternoon, then yesterday afternoon watched the eventful race itself. Interesting action on the first corner, though I don't think the Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu would describe it that way... </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGoOlvy-GHimCvL_cp1QNBRiZzUh5WxmBGz6f0_4GVoEjxvNHdndCdVEstvEKu4pWA2VgjIY4l8d0U3NcwXn5aDqKLPfOm9bqWhEDPvJ9BjWXDRqvbE17MqqYBkh26dzt8sojTY_Gqt3gt84knRTCytlRTr1dalXncTDoBG3S34Er3Bq0/s590/Crash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="590" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGoOlvy-GHimCvL_cp1QNBRiZzUh5WxmBGz6f0_4GVoEjxvNHdndCdVEstvEKu4pWA2VgjIY4l8d0U3NcwXn5aDqKLPfOm9bqWhEDPvJ9BjWXDRqvbE17MqqYBkh26dzt8sojTY_Gqt3gt84knRTCytlRTr1dalXncTDoBG3S34Er3Bq0/w400-h238/Crash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Amazingly no-one was hurt.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Today, under far brighter skies than of late, we set off with the five Knowle Locks a mile ahead. In the distance, as we passed under Black Boy Bridge, I could see a hire boat heading away. We caught up below the locks, and they invited me to share. Not an offer I was going to turn down!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzw1xGta29iz2o-4NulmCuJlSKSaGQGB_AJXO2R9egsPvCbwCxZyywo5L4aeZzVSEjAPJt-64omHsrjQ8-njAfCW2mVztksSdxYrrhGbbxsXhoX_wfizG1mgYr-AXRQmZ4hbBCGNi2Vh4NWRa8L5jMFQuZ4d-dxUjwpiWWnBUMmoTzvtq/s2646/DSCF2328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1695" data-original-width="2646" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzw1xGta29iz2o-4NulmCuJlSKSaGQGB_AJXO2R9egsPvCbwCxZyywo5L4aeZzVSEjAPJt-64omHsrjQ8-njAfCW2mVztksSdxYrrhGbbxsXhoX_wfizG1mgYr-AXRQmZ4hbBCGNi2Vh4NWRa8L5jMFQuZ4d-dxUjwpiWWnBUMmoTzvtq/w530-h339/DSCF2328.JPG" width="530" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We gelled immediately, working as a team we did bottom to top in 45 minutes!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbl7qo-RDgOrnzOCMzxaOuoOl5Hgy3OMqwEXZYnlWN4bUfNJxTtR2kgpqHj89L7avjN0gHIVZzgLo8lp3Os2L4wUEcXVU7zep8Ow0nnskakjLz7xIdOOaLprvUJ1Wk63WXr9Kp6cMJ3vkvJoew0hOI2g5X2O-fnvyqNrUaVJRL1lwDwaSZ/s3943/DSCF2329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2851" data-original-width="3943" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbl7qo-RDgOrnzOCMzxaOuoOl5Hgy3OMqwEXZYnlWN4bUfNJxTtR2kgpqHj89L7avjN0gHIVZzgLo8lp3Os2L4wUEcXVU7zep8Ow0nnskakjLz7xIdOOaLprvUJ1Wk63WXr9Kp6cMJ3vkvJoew0hOI2g5X2O-fnvyqNrUaVJRL1lwDwaSZ/w400-h289/DSCF2329.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgip6n-VTb2QaL3tM2oeCJGnHGiFBSjpzlsp4K6AaVZ5LGACwJxpMpIhGWTPKBBV2w7iwqYMutMRjhWReChOKAMX1aVLfdY707pe5astrzEyvVo96op2yPQ1nu8BUI6RXFLJde3iz0T-BEO-4oV6s-EEkgoG6YIVKcAEuaigAWU_cU0VYnR/s3530/DSCF2331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2557" data-original-width="3530" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgip6n-VTb2QaL3tM2oeCJGnHGiFBSjpzlsp4K6AaVZ5LGACwJxpMpIhGWTPKBBV2w7iwqYMutMRjhWReChOKAMX1aVLfdY707pe5astrzEyvVo96op2yPQ1nu8BUI6RXFLJde3iz0T-BEO-4oV6s-EEkgoG6YIVKcAEuaigAWU_cU0VYnR/w637-h462/DSCF2331.JPG" width="637" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">An uneventful hour took us to the moorings at Catherine de Barnes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Under the M42</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fJt2mfAGQBK_qSirUwg31Zq6lkpGRMpEKslpElU1aufVkKSNxlyPVWyNwRcQNhheIk6jE0AvwSnkxB7IeTUexlDBqnDz1adj9ZwDQ-VGIYlOQUGSkC8ZLF8qsxUoyJtMBFcefOVOhZNLj_ymYB1pcgKgHzSZdz4UXDJHd6sBW30A74gP/s3930/DSCF2334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2591" data-original-width="3930" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fJt2mfAGQBK_qSirUwg31Zq6lkpGRMpEKslpElU1aufVkKSNxlyPVWyNwRcQNhheIk6jE0AvwSnkxB7IeTUexlDBqnDz1adj9ZwDQ-VGIYlOQUGSkC8ZLF8qsxUoyJtMBFcefOVOhZNLj_ymYB1pcgKgHzSZdz4UXDJHd6sBW30A74gP/w400-h264/DSCF2334.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Converted oil-rig lifeboat <i>Butternut </i></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">at Copt Heath Wharf. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wlf59SHYdwbn4BWcgpD1zbsl_SGwdeI-4yog0-n2Smkxz5Ws2VLxQH5zFC1auVUbaPMTno9JvlSrT2WYqiWyqKj7VdbAg8hXA60GpVTn18VC0CX_uDDTynX4zhOcjFJCfaQ__neVIZVcMbsvNuby7W2HovAr6a0gnlmpgNU77D08bKPQ/s2147/DSCF2335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="2147" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wlf59SHYdwbn4BWcgpD1zbsl_SGwdeI-4yog0-n2Smkxz5Ws2VLxQH5zFC1auVUbaPMTno9JvlSrT2WYqiWyqKj7VdbAg8hXA60GpVTn18VC0CX_uDDTynX4zhOcjFJCfaQ__neVIZVcMbsvNuby7W2HovAr6a0gnlmpgNU77D08bKPQ/w400-h264/DSCF2335.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1kWTCxW4NjPEtZb5p8S_2kZTMUa2fjugzpljVD4dKKCrpTfGuc1JWIRsPlLg5ZsBGfmigouwfMIYm7F8iXy6KSrMBhPORwgdOOJ73ZHdlffp_Zl550iFCC9FxvPAdnyN8UqVOS5mvNlErizjYey30I2re0WbG9IBzQh5QjDK6oQ4lbZw/s2668/DSCF2336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2668" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1kWTCxW4NjPEtZb5p8S_2kZTMUa2fjugzpljVD4dKKCrpTfGuc1JWIRsPlLg5ZsBGfmigouwfMIYm7F8iXy6KSrMBhPORwgdOOJ73ZHdlffp_Zl550iFCC9FxvPAdnyN8UqVOS5mvNlErizjYey30I2re0WbG9IBzQh5QjDK6oQ4lbZw/s320/DSCF2336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Moored at "Catney"</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgwUZuSwmjRX0ADn3BvkjAmIJG3J-O1wVlpm1j-8j2QhsTSZEdkWbtZE28289X_Ut9KxxbbV3Kd9NlLQBLJzhBooc_TlT06ADXFxll1EKAHYGT7JLNXdy8kozcvEyF0ih6nRKzS3NVN-eeHdLV24ynuuUHL1rMdWNOmOOvx5l_ci3g69-/s3572/DSCF2337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2079" data-original-width="3572" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgwUZuSwmjRX0ADn3BvkjAmIJG3J-O1wVlpm1j-8j2QhsTSZEdkWbtZE28289X_Ut9KxxbbV3Kd9NlLQBLJzhBooc_TlT06ADXFxll1EKAHYGT7JLNXdy8kozcvEyF0ih6nRKzS3NVN-eeHdLV24ynuuUHL1rMdWNOmOOvx5l_ci3g69-/w535-h312/DSCF2337.JPG" width="535" /></a></div></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Locks 14 (9 narrow, 5 wide) miles 9 </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-60747684231592236772022-06-30T20:30:00.000+01:002022-06-30T20:30:59.347+01:00Wootton Wawen and Lowsonford<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Yesterday we had an easy day, from Wilmcote to Wootton Wawen it's a steady, isolated stretch with only one lock.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After recently cruising two rivers and a broad, deep canal the South Stratford Canal seems hard work. It's shallow, narrow and with limited views with high hedges and often overgrown banks. But that is part of it's charm, I guess.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq31m7epDw92JtxDGEbtYj-mJInrYYqWySsobh9AIUGhfEeUoyMm015cw9GIDy1TrCf1awfz01UDAVcEdyXaWYAIMV_keEzrAiGEakRAdzExjQ9ijlnj6mssl0bh2xurc6YCHdnFEItAm_8iHpxE6qJC2Rc_vjilPVB-6B5gpWVBYMuTUI/s3065/DSCF2273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2202" data-original-width="3065" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq31m7epDw92JtxDGEbtYj-mJInrYYqWySsobh9AIUGhfEeUoyMm015cw9GIDy1TrCf1awfz01UDAVcEdyXaWYAIMV_keEzrAiGEakRAdzExjQ9ijlnj6mssl0bh2xurc6YCHdnFEItAm_8iHpxE6qJC2Rc_vjilPVB-6B5gpWVBYMuTUI/s320/DSCF2273.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After about an hour we came to the first of three iron-trough aqueducts carrying the canal over shallow valleys.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Edstone Aqueduct.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOP2pCpaMvo0vXOsef_S1xAzKAGZ4OQV8iFkiCJuRZizVsjsfOwMGPK8hq4QT1J7UCBHAwdfGtE4NvHcgTYmY0EfYImHkmrJLXZcjMGbXzvuz3rLKKUNZnR8iNloB3LARX8LhTuhYi6Ym3Lz5dZNLm2IaQZA64UgnmZx75rlzk2UqCMQo/s3248/DSCF2274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2322" data-original-width="3248" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOP2pCpaMvo0vXOsef_S1xAzKAGZ4OQV8iFkiCJuRZizVsjsfOwMGPK8hq4QT1J7UCBHAwdfGtE4NvHcgTYmY0EfYImHkmrJLXZcjMGbXzvuz3rLKKUNZnR8iNloB3LARX8LhTuhYi6Ym3Lz5dZNLm2IaQZA64UgnmZx75rlzk2UqCMQo/w528-h378/DSCF2274.JPG" width="528" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">These are mini Pontcysyllte Aqueducts, built on the same principal of an iron trough supported on masonry pillars. Unusually the towpath is dropped to the level of the base of the trough, probably a construction economy but also affording pedestrians a "duck's eye" view of crossing boats.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It's the first time for miles we've had any sort of a view!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0WK5-Mh4bzf3eDfmSpOAHYNu6kWHkbIDOKI5WZylTb3wMKO9kghMWXvlHC02qF3xXAlYmwabY8B3ufWNFZ8LhpazrEeI67Tx4rHq9f8OvthG8-4av7PtwDtpE9_dGRdH1UZOccG8fWlqSO63f5ByqBSjqaozYkJ1icQ7StHk1nYLi93l/s4608/DSCF2279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0WK5-Mh4bzf3eDfmSpOAHYNu6kWHkbIDOKI5WZylTb3wMKO9kghMWXvlHC02qF3xXAlYmwabY8B3ufWNFZ8LhpazrEeI67Tx4rHq9f8OvthG8-4av7PtwDtpE9_dGRdH1UZOccG8fWlqSO63f5ByqBSjqaozYkJ1icQ7StHk1nYLi93l/w529-h397/DSCF2279.JPG" width="529" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdKDjhtWF7VPSlV2zrb_ppEplIpBHQjmwqnHmedDQRUwS14BH3q78-pmtzMqeKrpFqitnoOuHDohIiWm3MB5P2YUSR8gYV_MxnQMvHOLC-s2rxEsINwoqNlB0AIAlBavEtmzgudOYxG2zEnNjSCSxLFA4OJXwMHrrAAJ2WR6OPuug1fyE/s4608/DSCF2275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdKDjhtWF7VPSlV2zrb_ppEplIpBHQjmwqnHmedDQRUwS14BH3q78-pmtzMqeKrpFqitnoOuHDohIiWm3MB5P2YUSR8gYV_MxnQMvHOLC-s2rxEsINwoqNlB0AIAlBavEtmzgudOYxG2zEnNjSCSxLFA4OJXwMHrrAAJ2WR6OPuug1fyE/w400-h300/DSCF2275.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After the aqueduct it's a short distance to Bearly Lock, then another mile and a bit, passing the new Hill Farm Marina, to Wootton Wawen.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3r6jYMLUZYAniHgcRrDWS2tjfmVWLvMsH0C51hyz4JZs0DSrYdq_C12l0AyocHIgjEaYrCjylRpm4REDKWThUkIvN6HmRTZx2g6jcQQOGcVy9lVKsHHC2_bUkBUOU9BaKR5zTaXjFFXg-DL6dJVyrZwqSIBdc0zPZjC1tUTpITyjuj7St/s3752/DSCF2280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2399" data-original-width="3752" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3r6jYMLUZYAniHgcRrDWS2tjfmVWLvMsH0C51hyz4JZs0DSrYdq_C12l0AyocHIgjEaYrCjylRpm4REDKWThUkIvN6HmRTZx2g6jcQQOGcVy9lVKsHHC2_bUkBUOU9BaKR5zTaXjFFXg-DL6dJVyrZwqSIBdc0zPZjC1tUTpITyjuj7St/w400-h256/DSCF2280.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NXK1__mOHqvHloCi-h4GKwBxCD62KuaeDBa1lkC4Zxdn9snFuhTRQEQ4_1DWK8u-n4LNJ9SwOVw1Tr8ZcUL9wgBgDAvUlQ_l0eM2IAPdD2_mfn1wbpC7tkx_DFDe6-4aaDoSZikfiTL-XhCLQ0vySY6qhRy1V4B0RobYEdJdhYyAhgr6/s3572/DSCF2282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2403" data-original-width="3572" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NXK1__mOHqvHloCi-h4GKwBxCD62KuaeDBa1lkC4Zxdn9snFuhTRQEQ4_1DWK8u-n4LNJ9SwOVw1Tr8ZcUL9wgBgDAvUlQ_l0eM2IAPdD2_mfn1wbpC7tkx_DFDe6-4aaDoSZikfiTL-XhCLQ0vySY6qhRy1V4B0RobYEdJdhYyAhgr6/w533-h359/DSCF2282.JPG" width="533" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yfZLkTOF7o7_B6gAfOj-vO9ApcGNOicRn7ddzagf9u2K_WdaRDxWb8FRfUIiSvSqRSzpqsGs6GvI7_b9KvALglOtcq-LUnW6UrYl73Wy2R9-a9w_jcifX9Z3CVkBIE7EAntsqYSIiD2Y8DUBuTNDu6Ip4ZPUIW9aIkyCJYPm8-2wsp30/s3030/DSCF2284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="3030" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yfZLkTOF7o7_B6gAfOj-vO9ApcGNOicRn7ddzagf9u2K_WdaRDxWb8FRfUIiSvSqRSzpqsGs6GvI7_b9KvALglOtcq-LUnW6UrYl73Wy2R9-a9w_jcifX9Z3CVkBIE7EAntsqYSIiD2Y8DUBuTNDu6Ip4ZPUIW9aIkyCJYPm8-2wsp30/s320/DSCF2284.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">CRT were busy rebuilding the towpath at the south end of the aqueduct here. Across the aqueduct there's a basin with an Anglo-Welsh hire base and moorings where we pulled in.<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Over the A3400 on WW Aqueduct.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtUlt9LxTsEAdPkQeiwE82gM0ffcTZ3qCm0lA3q_d85fbjjcUWx5ry4d7IBFsI8Lq3h51JxZMTJJvexCzRAPTjruTjukij4gDj9mw9uJEuOoeIkkjlusIEDSYN-tejcOSzc5DQRBlAryAjAipS9aBOV0gjPgq_u295hWVyfg8k3hN9Jst/s4063/DSCF2285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3167" data-original-width="4063" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtUlt9LxTsEAdPkQeiwE82gM0ffcTZ3qCm0lA3q_d85fbjjcUWx5ry4d7IBFsI8Lq3h51JxZMTJJvexCzRAPTjruTjukij4gDj9mw9uJEuOoeIkkjlusIEDSYN-tejcOSzc5DQRBlAryAjAipS9aBOV0gjPgq_u295hWVyfg8k3hN9Jst/w517-h402/DSCF2285.JPG" width="517" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This morning we had a late start by the time Amber and I had had our morning constitutional and I had a trip up to the village store.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Wootton Hall is a 16thC house in extensive parkland with an artificial lake fed from the River Alne. St. Peter's Church is behind the gatehouse, and hidden from the road by the church and the hall is a large park home site.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvOHrUn9s_gCvtyN4F_C975wohvmo0MHyUwsRlfluuEArb24qAbWq2dv6P1rTiXGSZ-eXrF7okNz40Q6FrCX2nAf4Qh0-7PQY9y58dwCAZSd0mw1u9mgc6NxwbZxzWu9db5MzSKQIZyRGh6fzgV1EnJY_lXBgDidgMc-A-jOiOutiIXEw/s3342/20220630_090802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2405" data-original-width="3342" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvOHrUn9s_gCvtyN4F_C975wohvmo0MHyUwsRlfluuEArb24qAbWq2dv6P1rTiXGSZ-eXrF7okNz40Q6FrCX2nAf4Qh0-7PQY9y58dwCAZSd0mw1u9mgc6NxwbZxzWu9db5MzSKQIZyRGh6fzgV1EnJY_lXBgDidgMc-A-jOiOutiIXEw/w521-h375/20220630_090802.jpg" width="521" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpf-XzwP3j1JZpT5UqGWxbYNOPNlBh3wbt1jxUGt0ioY51Z5nNGxI1_NPCr9YAwxruGnVdoLCyURT3KMAmi2bgg1fiT2AqOpDKE_dCIR6sZk14MIIDGZGvk6TG-bIeAQvFjCEXI49mlt5OWE0pgcZzkTGvjlL5hIDCHIUIHaWGHbrjv6vd/s3429/20220630_091913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2341" data-original-width="3429" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpf-XzwP3j1JZpT5UqGWxbYNOPNlBh3wbt1jxUGt0ioY51Z5nNGxI1_NPCr9YAwxruGnVdoLCyURT3KMAmi2bgg1fiT2AqOpDKE_dCIR6sZk14MIIDGZGvk6TG-bIeAQvFjCEXI49mlt5OWE0pgcZzkTGvjlL5hIDCHIUIHaWGHbrjv6vd/w400-h272/20220630_091913.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57RX1i-zooC7g4BWiCR-uTLrfZHvGLFJB9Mi0qw2eh09oILQBXSlAGOWvtSD5LS1Wrj1yI3ee7XlqIOUBl0vbpQ4QUFuhjzdK6fpEMxXiY-_bDp0kTS6BcbUYNfX5BdlD3I76UAwQHzTRw0Gtk30Eh7hSZE6Ja6I7oPOrgBhFkpzX_T3G/s3641/20220630_092415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2510" data-original-width="3641" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57RX1i-zooC7g4BWiCR-uTLrfZHvGLFJB9Mi0qw2eh09oILQBXSlAGOWvtSD5LS1Wrj1yI3ee7XlqIOUBl0vbpQ4QUFuhjzdK6fpEMxXiY-_bDp0kTS6BcbUYNfX5BdlD3I76UAwQHzTRw0Gtk30Eh7hSZE6Ja6I7oPOrgBhFkpzX_T3G/w400-h276/20220630_092415.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">On the way back I ducked under the aqueduct in time to see a day boat setting off from the hire base.<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We were on the move at just after 10, heading off to a rash of locks an hour away.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctw6slixPIDZWEub_-r34VkyWXT1xZWrBf8rSXtjqpvBWLWzg6q3SKugZecH8TofdXR1Zji5gRdTss_JxXxmX-TQM-nWbhFfAySwbvrf6cKBkgxKF_Wg3njfyD9VkEkU9bd9J3GdgKlAl2gepP8vvrISI7Oxme1ghByOM8pC9zZlDFA-h/s3922/DSCF2291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2663" data-original-width="3922" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctw6slixPIDZWEub_-r34VkyWXT1xZWrBf8rSXtjqpvBWLWzg6q3SKugZecH8TofdXR1Zji5gRdTss_JxXxmX-TQM-nWbhFfAySwbvrf6cKBkgxKF_Wg3njfyD9VkEkU9bd9J3GdgKlAl2gepP8vvrISI7Oxme1ghByOM8pC9zZlDFA-h/w400-h271/DSCF2291.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The hedges and trees are often thinner along here...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Bridge 49 is still in original condition.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHH5h3CY3sdW2p8qod8rqbdfd0NHTEO6WCwBQ_onfwfynhU-fwi0K_XajzDURAKnK3KOR4t9qxb0DSYWMaoGuNjiYXg-Rh0y4WNbbBTB4YxK-bcdLfZRchfJg8BlkwIZ50weXgCuOpFFNSjIsR741xv5lG63MKCDPm2Fsh2DkLNcAgUT0/s3931/DSCF2292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="3931" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHH5h3CY3sdW2p8qod8rqbdfd0NHTEO6WCwBQ_onfwfynhU-fwi0K_XajzDURAKnK3KOR4t9qxb0DSYWMaoGuNjiYXg-Rh0y4WNbbBTB4YxK-bcdLfZRchfJg8BlkwIZ50weXgCuOpFFNSjIsR741xv5lG63MKCDPm2Fsh2DkLNcAgUT0/w465-h338/DSCF2292.JPG" width="465" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Often the rope-slot has been filled and the bridge deck reinforced for modern farm traffic.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Preston Bagot Bottom Lock was our first for the day and we started to meet boats coming down so had a good road for a while.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Talking about modified bridges... the lock was beyond a bridge that had been widened and laid with an iron deck.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzg0SvTTKPvVtI_L2r-wBvXB4qcvB5aiLYQEa2Yi9iujWQLZK-yfdFD9Z6ONFyg3fwCeKXv_W_ThUTevWURBFwmOted0vmixLPeKfLxjbibQIgfF_5HBAOZdy-vCRXkPWKmf9adiNQLrYKisursVxJ-M4apHKfM_CIfk51mqEG5VqkAXV/s4608/DSCF2295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzg0SvTTKPvVtI_L2r-wBvXB4qcvB5aiLYQEa2Yi9iujWQLZK-yfdFD9Z6ONFyg3fwCeKXv_W_ThUTevWURBFwmOted0vmixLPeKfLxjbibQIgfF_5HBAOZdy-vCRXkPWKmf9adiNQLrYKisursVxJ-M4apHKfM_CIfk51mqEG5VqkAXV/s320/DSCF2295.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There are three locks at Preston Bagot, the middle one sports a barrel-roofed keepers cottage. This design is unique to the South Stratford.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDewzdysjHu9r96SL04kUkX7msuS1rAesFDGnq18o9hx8BRk5lO3l2Ls192I-f87N6stMis0qo0r-5XBuw-kyE6Rbk5k9-5PF3eJ4eDI8L2tJi2DQAW-WVRb7KRhL_U4e4RtvGq05-Yvof1NPqaCJjlSq9s0uIXpu7-4S9oP-_6VptFDdW/s3939/DSCF2296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2753" data-original-width="3939" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDewzdysjHu9r96SL04kUkX7msuS1rAesFDGnq18o9hx8BRk5lO3l2Ls192I-f87N6stMis0qo0r-5XBuw-kyE6Rbk5k9-5PF3eJ4eDI8L2tJi2DQAW-WVRb7KRhL_U4e4RtvGq05-Yvof1NPqaCJjlSq9s0uIXpu7-4S9oP-_6VptFDdW/w501-h351/DSCF2296.JPG" width="501" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Being very small the sold-off buildings have often been extended, some sympathetically, sometimes not!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The locks came steadily, another three a little further on, then a gap followed by two more wider spaced.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5WAzclqBLBrxHNoCVsm896QenDlXJ-n0vlFhIYGQFKFmGSBMzvykEtHTdX2MPjXhXMai8B8EA4eK8OcKAQPdUk-QK6NEtxNRdyMNdR8OuKlhl6eRrfdRDFw0uehvPYgjCqkvukNnfAsirxPVFOG-iGTa0TACXckv3z9hUesgljyaXiJs/s3956/DSCF2298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2638" data-original-width="3956" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5WAzclqBLBrxHNoCVsm896QenDlXJ-n0vlFhIYGQFKFmGSBMzvykEtHTdX2MPjXhXMai8B8EA4eK8OcKAQPdUk-QK6NEtxNRdyMNdR8OuKlhl6eRrfdRDFw0uehvPYgjCqkvukNnfAsirxPVFOG-iGTa0TACXckv3z9hUesgljyaXiJs/w539-h358/DSCF2298.JPG" width="539" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Above Bucket Lock is the last of those iron aqueducts, Yarningdale.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7BwC4y6IcONKjw5AAfGmADspYq6X_Csi_ZR2JjhgkFChxCqaeABExTIonv8ODDZSxSiZ81kK-RjThy0hc8Y2g_1PIJB0Fyx5HVAWKZ_vT9UjWfYPKN3yf8ojPUC5XhNKDpBaqHyIaxsQMkSXccVrb9cEq-eFg28XpaKFKx-xWpLHH-_m/s3990/DSCF2300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="3990" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7BwC4y6IcONKjw5AAfGmADspYq6X_Csi_ZR2JjhgkFChxCqaeABExTIonv8ODDZSxSiZ81kK-RjThy0hc8Y2g_1PIJB0Fyx5HVAWKZ_vT9UjWfYPKN3yf8ojPUC5XhNKDpBaqHyIaxsQMkSXccVrb9cEq-eFg28XpaKFKx-xWpLHH-_m/w558-h370/DSCF2300.JPG" width="558" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">You can clearly see the low-level towpath.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I had to empty these last two, the only ones set against us, but was able to leave the top gates open for approaching boats.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I dropped the rubbish off below Lowsonford Top Lock after passing a long line of permanent moorings, then helped a single-hander down. He'd come from Anderton via Birmingham in a week, and was intending to be in Stratford on Saturday. Long days!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">While <i>Seyella</i> was slowly rising in the lock I had a chat with the family renting the lock cottage alongside. This is one of the portfolio of historic properties managed by <a href="https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk" target="_blank">The Landmark Trust</a> and let out for holidays.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There was space for us opposite the Fleur de Lys Pub garden, and, in a tried and tested formula while there's an audience, I made a cock up of getting in to it. In my defence it was shallow and tight...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLm_SK5YgaWxfQMqU0-xhn8pMEIuSJOwBSpZcxRvnYQcZniUuKDw1fBTEdl4IYt__iDJkKmm6pmfdIQ7UXtTBZvbzarBB7ONwwgwZB1yI2JRuZBb8uK2TsnKx7GJH90LWWy8bDTi01r-vB1H9elt6ltD5mUImPaDOIXCNLtHkLuc_bqMbc/s3846/DSCF2304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2544" data-original-width="3846" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLm_SK5YgaWxfQMqU0-xhn8pMEIuSJOwBSpZcxRvnYQcZniUuKDw1fBTEdl4IYt__iDJkKmm6pmfdIQ7UXtTBZvbzarBB7ONwwgwZB1yI2JRuZBb8uK2TsnKx7GJH90LWWy8bDTi01r-vB1H9elt6ltD5mUImPaDOIXCNLtHkLuc_bqMbc/w434-h288/DSCF2304.JPG" width="434" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Tomorrow we should be at Kingswood Junction and the Grand Union.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Locks 8, miles 4 </span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-56176976108700968402022-06-28T20:13:00.004+01:002022-06-29T19:54:54.134+01:00Ditchcrawling...<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Before we left Bancroft Basin on Sunday morning I took a few pictures while it was still bright and sunny...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXtTNM08wxwXyppq58KYK0n8o-vnnEbcH7KUK2AIajivpsqX-sm1O_ynbEEnLcM7AACRWrDEovgYzCiZv_lkjA5PR8nEjFw3_9QdIMgqlPjKe-Um9RWBbZpfGp6KmVDz-wM5UadIuQYDQcEgjWFYKb96Thafx7P2yr2_sxnxi2rTu4Mb5/s3588/20220625_071915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2225" data-original-width="3588" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXtTNM08wxwXyppq58KYK0n8o-vnnEbcH7KUK2AIajivpsqX-sm1O_ynbEEnLcM7AACRWrDEovgYzCiZv_lkjA5PR8nEjFw3_9QdIMgqlPjKe-Um9RWBbZpfGp6KmVDz-wM5UadIuQYDQcEgjWFYKb96Thafx7P2yr2_sxnxi2rTu4Mb5/w400-h248/20220625_071915.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTu4RQez7Q3fN08cq0DHrivJKxzJd9lZvqhtZ4J_1vQIUKFv485jcKCt9-a2SXNs4B2uEkaGMNw8IWSqeeMC4utgFTELnjD29Q2IWk74A0P8NxAgkamTmpNzqtqN5IcT7r-NPnOhfNG19ScF0NeTb-fNI4hn58rfad3UmDZH3M4f6IwquM/s3731/20220625_075917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2334" data-original-width="3731" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTu4RQez7Q3fN08cq0DHrivJKxzJd9lZvqhtZ4J_1vQIUKFv485jcKCt9-a2SXNs4B2uEkaGMNw8IWSqeeMC4utgFTELnjD29Q2IWk74A0P8NxAgkamTmpNzqtqN5IcT7r-NPnOhfNG19ScF0NeTb-fNI4hn58rfad3UmDZH3M4f6IwquM/w530-h331/20220625_075917.jpg" width="530" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This one was on Saturday morning, on the lock flight heading up out of town...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VetDRGjBgVQ2c_TFkRtgxmO2FEQhsG0s0jUk4m3Cv2r6Uw0C4G3l0qrSO6k5qmtcWOQ6SBAdUcgdrE0Hl32mmD3rt0ayOVkZ2j_VuLPFmVX0isn0aj46zfF4LEtt6koZ0QbTr3ayNQ-iTej0zFbo2A9dzb8UfY2GghGQjIR4-DtMXrRK/s3616/20220625_072731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1937" data-original-width="3616" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VetDRGjBgVQ2c_TFkRtgxmO2FEQhsG0s0jUk4m3Cv2r6Uw0C4G3l0qrSO6k5qmtcWOQ6SBAdUcgdrE0Hl32mmD3rt0ayOVkZ2j_VuLPFmVX0isn0aj46zfF4LEtt6koZ0QbTr3ayNQ-iTej0zFbo2A9dzb8UfY2GghGQjIR4-DtMXrRK/w533-h285/20220625_072731.jpg" width="533" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It wasn't much better a day later!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I thought I might struggle to reverse out off our pontoon as the breeze had picked up but it wasn't as bad as it might have been.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Heading across the basin...</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhuymPoXy2gY0flR5CRj27hnLIjrymUCmCLdw4VvoEY0ShOjkEGOgZ7mEcL6vnrnSJvlK-vngUnKYv-quq7yqrpxTpQcb37-Ln7eWUljcMOGBuvNQt3uolxcYn48HgcqCMswEjnjfguRTsHpa9DfQj-M1kXRwdHN-Jp2OVdnAFkKgQvXE/s3953/DSCF2245.JPG" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwhPmWPyWPCIQ7J9SrlXKyWeRyRKp4ID3VjT37dED-4Kb0bCDjrILaDrOSTZRztI0leamhizNIWbr0lXNkwYRmxTVYWuPwhXdOZzVTXp-IA2Ogyzj8LWzn1ZRbQCADvCKR8aXIzhNulpUNwYaKCvR5eMoXXrOnAS_PcIMX2vNcKbVrvGj/s4021/DSCF2244.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2734" data-original-width="4021" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwhPmWPyWPCIQ7J9SrlXKyWeRyRKp4ID3VjT37dED-4Kb0bCDjrILaDrOSTZRztI0leamhizNIWbr0lXNkwYRmxTVYWuPwhXdOZzVTXp-IA2Ogyzj8LWzn1ZRbQCADvCKR8aXIzhNulpUNwYaKCvR5eMoXXrOnAS_PcIMX2vNcKbVrvGj/w554-h377/DSCF2244.JPG" width="554" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">...under the low Bridge Street Bridge...</span><img border="0" data-original-height="2519" data-original-width="3953" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhuymPoXy2gY0flR5CRj27hnLIjrymUCmCLdw4VvoEY0ShOjkEGOgZ7mEcL6vnrnSJvlK-vngUnKYv-quq7yqrpxTpQcb37-Ln7eWUljcMOGBuvNQt3uolxcYn48HgcqCMswEjnjfguRTsHpa9DfQj-M1kXRwdHN-Jp2OVdnAFkKgQvXE/w400-h255/DSCF2245.JPG" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;" width="400" /></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">and into our first narrow lock for several weeks.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWVQuw6orBHJ6xe1OnYEZYNanAgjuzrZ-4b6IaKk5hAVnGXtsw2eDvDdcJjohEMKSfVI87kS0SA9BflQUHqo3F0n2hyWWlycDOMxq_JM2qtloPHZvROfn3uCp3uQtyu6BR4hB94susXyPoZ0IZA2zGRx432X9ybgqBcsfeqFOWCZ1v1rI/s3874/DSCF2248.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2313" data-original-width="3874" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWVQuw6orBHJ6xe1OnYEZYNanAgjuzrZ-4b6IaKk5hAVnGXtsw2eDvDdcJjohEMKSfVI87kS0SA9BflQUHqo3F0n2hyWWlycDOMxq_JM2qtloPHZvROfn3uCp3uQtyu6BR4hB94susXyPoZ0IZA2zGRx432X9ybgqBcsfeqFOWCZ1v1rI/w481-h288/DSCF2248.JPG" width="481" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The next pound was the low one from Saturday morning, a little better but still not deep enough for me to get to the next lock. I was just able to get the fore end in to the bank and jump off to let a lockful of water down, just enough to allow me to scrape in to the lock.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Above this the pounds were ok, still a little low but passable. I stopped to fill up the water tank and empty a loo tank at the old Valley Cruisers base above Birmingham Road Lock (52) before pushing on, up Lock 51 and mooring up just past the A46 road bridge. Boats has started to pass us going down, taking water with them so the levels nearer town should improve.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Moored below Lock 50.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQ5Xq813mHvGMgjw8kUJlgj48P6EXOvFtDrDCTbCZ0fl4Fd7eoDpN43qcg7vylxbvYV4di-ZUCAHZl0BUw4ysguIGuKl7GfDKJ4VxaOXi5shnhfLdZDz68xkXyIqx_Pf8MTN1Q8r-zdItXOjxzTXY0fCv_wZmEWXsKW04IlFTH8uHhULl/s3489/DSCF2251.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2376" data-original-width="3489" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQ5Xq813mHvGMgjw8kUJlgj48P6EXOvFtDrDCTbCZ0fl4Fd7eoDpN43qcg7vylxbvYV4di-ZUCAHZl0BUw4ysguIGuKl7GfDKJ4VxaOXi5shnhfLdZDz68xkXyIqx_Pf8MTN1Q8r-zdItXOjxzTXY0fCv_wZmEWXsKW04IlFTH8uHhULl/w400-h272/DSCF2251.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We waited out the rain yesterday. It did brighten up after lunch but I'd lost the urge to move by then so we stayed put.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The urge was back this morning, I dragged Mags out of bed at 08:15 (bless...) and we were on the move a half hour later.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheB62vmNNeT40jJXBSrC6HoGNgVc-oXtLewfyLj8qGFQs-e6dBS3dy-RHgIUxmc_aWkHOUi9FmY1CDnpPgik-_EBGbRfVTIWb0aAO6AsI3RzYAEWBPBcGbdDorvmBaxzV7GSWsOC5Cr-dhILXdTnlp8bE49E88uwls2vuZe30bHfYW5buL/s3906/DSCF2254.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2519" data-original-width="3906" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheB62vmNNeT40jJXBSrC6HoGNgVc-oXtLewfyLj8qGFQs-e6dBS3dy-RHgIUxmc_aWkHOUi9FmY1CDnpPgik-_EBGbRfVTIWb0aAO6AsI3RzYAEWBPBcGbdDorvmBaxzV7GSWsOC5Cr-dhILXdTnlp8bE49E88uwls2vuZe30bHfYW5buL/w519-h335/DSCF2254.JPG" width="519" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I'd worked my way up the first two, then a CRT volunteer arrived and set the third one for me. And he stayed with me for the rest of the morning.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy080ZPp5mmcaMlFwBPdeE-Lchz-VRqwgjAFhivj7kxOogcWesscQRLubLO0tteRKF1RIG9DFB81G1X01lklv1X7wn50S0mJEW-_tsEz6nvvofMGB5It20FeM7m_Gd5ViyAcKeDm6nn1_arVZiyjVM1O_MqyZA9NoUn0pp4UUbv6u0zvE5/s3998/DSCF2255.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2746" data-original-width="3998" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy080ZPp5mmcaMlFwBPdeE-Lchz-VRqwgjAFhivj7kxOogcWesscQRLubLO0tteRKF1RIG9DFB81G1X01lklv1X7wn50S0mJEW-_tsEz6nvvofMGB5It20FeM7m_Gd5ViyAcKeDm6nn1_arVZiyjVM1O_MqyZA9NoUn0pp4UUbv6u0zvE5/w588-h404/DSCF2255.JPG" width="588" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">My own helping hand on the left and his mate going in the opposite direction on the right.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLATPVzYzOGiiDwWvjXQcVbGUOgsN7rsZmJhdJ5dReQeudX5kbL_Ls0I3eJf_B36Dy_Zfm4Ang9PeLxKceZvFDmoexRJdGZZlZ6IKXa9RdUJgxUF3nx3gRuO3T89EFX63FEm1Vzlc1fwOxlkV4Zje64r38CeuVlk2zhQwuR1SgVb5XN0p/s3445/DSCF2258.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLATPVzYzOGiiDwWvjXQcVbGUOgsN7rsZmJhdJ5dReQeudX5kbL_Ls0I3eJf_B36Dy_Zfm4Ang9PeLxKceZvFDmoexRJdGZZlZ6IKXa9RdUJgxUF3nx3gRuO3T89EFX63FEm1Vzlc1fwOxlkV4Zje64r38CeuVlk2zhQwuR1SgVb5XN0p/s3445/DSCF2258.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjX4OG5-zReFe5NYJcb-smYVBoNQPzDODs7yYOa1FvRQZSrZWdk_YXR_ivOb8ZeMkCPB2NltLsd-qFze0uAZ-XbGlp5rKkpv8rpr8-kixneTCqpeIkoUSdZRh9lnrykAcABqJrKS6SJf-gEj9ld7Kin90BUq72YzbKXSXketNkS8H4WFT/s3942/DSCF2256.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2686" data-original-width="3942" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjX4OG5-zReFe5NYJcb-smYVBoNQPzDODs7yYOa1FvRQZSrZWdk_YXR_ivOb8ZeMkCPB2NltLsd-qFze0uAZ-XbGlp5rKkpv8rpr8-kixneTCqpeIkoUSdZRh9lnrykAcABqJrKS6SJf-gEj9ld7Kin90BUq72YzbKXSXketNkS8H4WFT/w540-h367/DSCF2256.JPG" width="540" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><img border="0" data-original-height="2309" data-original-width="3445" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLATPVzYzOGiiDwWvjXQcVbGUOgsN7rsZmJhdJ5dReQeudX5kbL_Ls0I3eJf_B36Dy_Zfm4Ang9PeLxKceZvFDmoexRJdGZZlZ6IKXa9RdUJgxUF3nx3gRuO3T89EFX63FEm1Vzlc1fwOxlkV4Zje64r38CeuVlk2zhQwuR1SgVb5XN0p/w400-h268/DSCF2258.JPG" width="400" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWVrLyKge49vfs8rXBy92xHn5UsK6MOKD7JeCq3-IWNmK9XgpGqPw8M-dpSv0n4NM0W_7n9NI7RYRpnvZylv9TmySlAlp-WPwfumr9-jdKhsNlUUWOfdX8HobBppKL2TxBp4oanKpVAm1LKSg4rVEK15lRnoLWETxYyo6Gn9cTfYceTKh/s2925/DSCF2259.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1674" data-original-width="2925" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWVrLyKge49vfs8rXBy92xHn5UsK6MOKD7JeCq3-IWNmK9XgpGqPw8M-dpSv0n4NM0W_7n9NI7RYRpnvZylv9TmySlAlp-WPwfumr9-jdKhsNlUUWOfdX8HobBppKL2TxBp4oanKpVAm1LKSg4rVEK15lRnoLWETxYyo6Gn9cTfYceTKh/w400-h229/DSCF2259.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Near the top, maybe L41 or L42, we had to take it really slowly as a rather imprudent mallard had decided to bring her young family in to the lock. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But we managed without any casualties.<br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Wilmcote Top Lock has only one paddle working so was slow to fill, giving us enough time to help out a hire boat that had come a bit unstuck.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuZB9K9kw0Hs-D-x29y14AcwK4OEqwm7YpVw5YQX2Lv_79sYNoSDPqiBZttOqD2UroJI1THAa5rru_-7dwHNtS086I9DBBwd9G6v8jzpjblAIGdBzU5iVxjYh1rknSrJ15i8nJ5vwTaobIZbdfYim6XCcHCSii6Ez26XvOwjgGxrB9Kdk/s3353/DSCF2263.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1900" data-original-width="3353" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuZB9K9kw0Hs-D-x29y14AcwK4OEqwm7YpVw5YQX2Lv_79sYNoSDPqiBZttOqD2UroJI1THAa5rru_-7dwHNtS086I9DBBwd9G6v8jzpjblAIGdBzU5iVxjYh1rknSrJ15i8nJ5vwTaobIZbdfYim6XCcHCSii6Ez26XvOwjgGxrB9Kdk/w400-h226/DSCF2263.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">First day, he hadn't a clue and his wife was less than impressed. Might be their first and last canal holiday...</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This canal was built to a tight budget, that's why the locks have single gates top and bottom rather than the more usual mitred pair at the bottom, and narrow split bridges that avoid having to build them wide enough for a towpath. The towing rope could pass through the gap in the middle.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Canada Bridge</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPFbUQVesu4sQ8a3guP5YPXCzi7XMcSxL5ncK069G3nbHOQWXupZzOLm93GsIEXJXpoWemhrCVbTtlEEzpDERu61BDDA4eUcmQxSvEV8sJbNjRZOxFPP936eyJCs0KahyNI4KpQpXJ5ndhji9zVnmVQ8olC69X0QtOcY0WaYoo5c_yMXu/s3834/DSCF2266.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2381" data-original-width="3834" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPFbUQVesu4sQ8a3guP5YPXCzi7XMcSxL5ncK069G3nbHOQWXupZzOLm93GsIEXJXpoWemhrCVbTtlEEzpDERu61BDDA4eUcmQxSvEV8sJbNjRZOxFPP936eyJCs0KahyNI4KpQpXJ5ndhji9zVnmVQ8olC69X0QtOcY0WaYoo5c_yMXu/w496-h309/DSCF2266.JPG" width="496" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Coming in to Wilmcote.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh_ibuyrAdGk4IZFMKaQLCuB-VrwzG4f-iRzoz5hhhpQYtelLIJ3DoTbP93pbR3bKHrWnXkqIx_MOcvJG5OCpE_v9Pc4pPzE7mcjrLGxxdifa21zfBxTq9g02DkOzzN9gzm4TNoeZMZgqSNglNIvlWeehL1PPmf5dQlqrGVZwaeafOrR-/s4092/DSCF2267.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2583" data-original-width="4092" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh_ibuyrAdGk4IZFMKaQLCuB-VrwzG4f-iRzoz5hhhpQYtelLIJ3DoTbP93pbR3bKHrWnXkqIx_MOcvJG5OCpE_v9Pc4pPzE7mcjrLGxxdifa21zfBxTq9g02DkOzzN9gzm4TNoeZMZgqSNglNIvlWeehL1PPmf5dQlqrGVZwaeafOrR-/w400-h253/DSCF2267.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Just a half mile above the top lock I pulled in on the moorings above Bridge 59 at Wilmcote. It was only 11:00, 11 locks and 1½ miles in just over 2 hours. </span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoxTnL6HJESl2NksZQeTeDICLBC7M_rhvzf8OTL_5bx14Y7LOO3EwkzOgFPv7H5NvJ52LAURcRdVNfzhVeuf2gMxRoyZcu77m4ATm4-VtzTxSK7BGwKkRJmzhVzM1jg7JdSvdk-LrFPxIjByfXLgxjl03ZafSB_nDWagXq_gkUnZHCP9C/s4529/DSCF2270.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2790" data-original-width="4529" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoxTnL6HJESl2NksZQeTeDICLBC7M_rhvzf8OTL_5bx14Y7LOO3EwkzOgFPv7H5NvJ52LAURcRdVNfzhVeuf2gMxRoyZcu77m4ATm4-VtzTxSK7BGwKkRJmzhVzM1jg7JdSvdk-LrFPxIjByfXLgxjl03ZafSB_nDWagXq_gkUnZHCP9C/w540-h332/DSCF2270.JPG" width="540" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We'll push on to Wootton Wawen tomorrow, a few more miles but only 1 lock.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Locks 17, miles 3</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-84145850879873020852022-06-24T19:21:00.000+01:002022-06-24T19:21:26.530+01:00Up off the river.<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Well, that's clean water and wide spaces left behind for the time being. We left the Luddington Lock moorings yesterday morning early, on the move at soon after eight.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There's a tribute to another restoration giant, David Hutchings, on the path to the village from the lock. You may need to enlarge the pictures to read the text....</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dJrG-iddnCmJOPYKV6NVbs8ldD0JJFTbyrPKOVhIbfs0pOtoD5SWAJn2jlF4vWBdK9P8B6cVJU6YEfjj22GY8dD2GF7T0vCcm_ioKuxq5u9VAW5u-NvvJRD1son695rSwNDx_DKHS_bcjAQdW45-62ZHaEo52uv9NmvO51AxRjYSv7hc/s4608/DSCF2219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dJrG-iddnCmJOPYKV6NVbs8ldD0JJFTbyrPKOVhIbfs0pOtoD5SWAJn2jlF4vWBdK9P8B6cVJU6YEfjj22GY8dD2GF7T0vCcm_ioKuxq5u9VAW5u-NvvJRD1son695rSwNDx_DKHS_bcjAQdW45-62ZHaEo52uv9NmvO51AxRjYSv7hc/w300-h400/DSCF2219.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkCKr-HI1aUEe_CqW2LOZF5K4MhVWUyAFNqkgHTfpYkmQrVvhwa8qlnwlOBijz0QTJNthSMEPzLcXjqu3AFeWfX4sI9yiTt5t4NTNd20b5NogqSMvCvB_2J70me0LJfmuA7oN24xjJRDtGdvgRODn4frz2lUlk3l4ChteLtQFATsvzrRt/s4608/DSCF2218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkCKr-HI1aUEe_CqW2LOZF5K4MhVWUyAFNqkgHTfpYkmQrVvhwa8qlnwlOBijz0QTJNthSMEPzLcXjqu3AFeWfX4sI9yiTt5t4NTNd20b5NogqSMvCvB_2J70me0LJfmuA7oN24xjJRDtGdvgRODn4frz2lUlk3l4ChteLtQFATsvzrRt/w300-h400/DSCF2218.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Victorian parish church of All Saints replaced an earlier one destroyed by fire. It was there that Shakespeare was married to Anne Hathaway, according to local lore.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORwvcQvrQuD3-YIaJ2mL8DYOVmhpDqloIQVSU3MAMB_x7El4UXSFFJG6V6Vvk0b9rOP_fP3X02ITpN26yKKLz3ybyYZRLxSJppJklB-os1_Mlcb4gdgQn73fomQ9QFb7Sdr-nqEOSf83NINR5IVQUXWrnsr_kNrphP_-fyIpaGlZAiBRE/s3866/20220623_063312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2647" data-original-width="3866" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORwvcQvrQuD3-YIaJ2mL8DYOVmhpDqloIQVSU3MAMB_x7El4UXSFFJG6V6Vvk0b9rOP_fP3X02ITpN26yKKLz3ybyYZRLxSJppJklB-os1_Mlcb4gdgQn73fomQ9QFb7Sdr-nqEOSf83NINR5IVQUXWrnsr_kNrphP_-fyIpaGlZAiBRE/w514-h352/20220623_063312.jpg" width="514" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This is disputed, as is a lot of The Bard's "history". Worcester, Grafton Regis and Shottery also claim the distinction. What is agreed though is that he was eighteen and she was 8 years his senior and 3 months pregnant with their first child. Naughty lad. Not a shotgun wedding though, they weren't invented until 300 years later!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The village is chocolate-box cute...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4yIA8vSpAyQV7zxGrgv_T3TU5NrBBy4sOTERM3u_EwcrSYwLmFe4cT7fA2xTwnO5LqOhJ0KSSddr87upI4estNx5X7ZfhLIOSOg3QllWPhwlMOeoAb7x0z-F11BuLgA7zxE1FhhMJuvVScremo3HwBfsYYyyb3exQf-sPJllpD-Tof6M/s3484/20220623_063640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2501" data-original-width="3484" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4yIA8vSpAyQV7zxGrgv_T3TU5NrBBy4sOTERM3u_EwcrSYwLmFe4cT7fA2xTwnO5LqOhJ0KSSddr87upI4estNx5X7ZfhLIOSOg3QllWPhwlMOeoAb7x0z-F11BuLgA7zxE1FhhMJuvVScremo3HwBfsYYyyb3exQf-sPJllpD-Tof6M/w530-h381/20220623_063640.jpg" width="530" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_HgxJ7l1XzaE1cFqkoyJ9-7XU0FFSmC1g8HLuW6Da0bhVHwIo4odvE9-QIey5BsfN8oz0XxNSdYPTxC9RR9r745jz3ebfQZyOiyy1j5EBHwqj5JZExsJ5A1dTGvlnAtjEFYDP6wkeFN-_i6DQo39BCw1JoDUxqJdJ5WS-UWufz-aOf7M/s4032/20220623_063432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_HgxJ7l1XzaE1cFqkoyJ9-7XU0FFSmC1g8HLuW6Da0bhVHwIo4odvE9-QIey5BsfN8oz0XxNSdYPTxC9RR9r745jz3ebfQZyOiyy1j5EBHwqj5JZExsJ5A1dTGvlnAtjEFYDP6wkeFN-_i6DQo39BCw1JoDUxqJdJ5WS-UWufz-aOf7M/s320/20220623_063432.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Anyway off we went, aiming to get tied up on the river at Stratford in plenty of time for our visitors.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5puP0_CLUJMJ5H8n5IunbTh_5sZ8r_Oqz_2whykhTa2qd9TRzv7DAYitnLDGo3zQLJSxGXbiJHUyJDTSggmxt8C0-1Mx_qAG3Rq1sKhaQcOkhjLaaQxACnUYHhGLkuuOHCprtZQsuH3aBlG_zNyKBdMkKM40TemCxLYZ9BVqz6evqDdmt/s3691/DSCF2220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2416" data-original-width="3691" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5puP0_CLUJMJ5H8n5IunbTh_5sZ8r_Oqz_2whykhTa2qd9TRzv7DAYitnLDGo3zQLJSxGXbiJHUyJDTSggmxt8C0-1Mx_qAG3Rq1sKhaQcOkhjLaaQxACnUYHhGLkuuOHCprtZQsuH3aBlG_zNyKBdMkKM40TemCxLYZ9BVqz6evqDdmt/w523-h341/DSCF2220.JPG" width="523" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Big houses, large lawns, efficient mowers!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QcxNp59RLlUa7zp5BLpkEI-1Ebwbm-Dt4NSRAFSgYtYhLSZUTznZyjaLO0FXnD3nBg64cVePK_nnlQq0JsfYlBKEVDcXXLy_9V5URrgPBXCMAcMgauD6YjHgbKMypfqGtrmEUF97sPpk_qvondi1T7B0kj2M55euiQnJ2w0laQ4Z_hJt/s3934/DSCF2221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2563" data-original-width="3934" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QcxNp59RLlUa7zp5BLpkEI-1Ebwbm-Dt4NSRAFSgYtYhLSZUTznZyjaLO0FXnD3nBg64cVePK_nnlQq0JsfYlBKEVDcXXLy_9V5URrgPBXCMAcMgauD6YjHgbKMypfqGtrmEUF97sPpk_qvondi1T7B0kj2M55euiQnJ2w0laQ4Z_hJt/w400-h260/DSCF2221.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Gloucester to Stratford railway crossed the river on an iron truss bridge.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUBxHcee5MJoaBzzObEPlBpq6mqOhiVkWrROjI2t_YYBBZMmqwfwpr8p2UCCphfQSgnmnz86n9di3-xR0AwUEIzbrtKJBybzSuoIP-3HK1tGwVJN4qU6u9IaQInSPDB3pfFvuuGq9rpbl8_2rythlW02d_rkOyPiUJxqh2qxb6D5mb7zM/s4608/DSCF2227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUBxHcee5MJoaBzzObEPlBpq6mqOhiVkWrROjI2t_YYBBZMmqwfwpr8p2UCCphfQSgnmnz86n9di3-xR0AwUEIzbrtKJBybzSuoIP-3HK1tGwVJN4qU6u9IaQInSPDB3pfFvuuGq9rpbl8_2rythlW02d_rkOyPiUJxqh2qxb6D5mb7zM/s320/DSCF2227.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The track is gone, the bridge now carries a cycleway.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Just two locks today, the first Weir Brake (Gordon Gray) Lock was empty with bottom gates invitingly open for me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Leaving Weir Brake.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGw50uhCn7C8d5sFVWIndeZbG66F8bP-OrnYMjnKSFlwSPw95-Nz5lOfXlBqTGNrx3O0qsyMWawitekJ2YbpD0pQ8FltmxLNoDd_MW_yKpAGUnelCXjcGIhpU_g5K8H-rgU6NfnWZRCTdUqi3V2q8-AH_1oMf3s5osQr7Q_OyU7aegbs6w/s3295/DSCF2229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2055" data-original-width="3295" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGw50uhCn7C8d5sFVWIndeZbG66F8bP-OrnYMjnKSFlwSPw95-Nz5lOfXlBqTGNrx3O0qsyMWawitekJ2YbpD0pQ8FltmxLNoDd_MW_yKpAGUnelCXjcGIhpU_g5K8H-rgU6NfnWZRCTdUqi3V2q8-AH_1oMf3s5osQr7Q_OyU7aegbs6w/w501-h313/DSCF2229.JPG" width="501" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Shakespeare Marina is open but not quite finished just above the lock.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DPL8OJnV-z7qvwup2e8S1Jq4cQXylt2s5Pw619QJ_JSNS1-7z3Lg5KRNQhwZgUaSi61Ho0bnLxR74igY7TrGrlUQNAMb3t6xvH7sjfAHC-M9b8YtqdWSZMz1zuOhNFuWCYoIoFkFpSuXdN0fv0-c3dQns0Mme_2qTpN19IcQH75angrW/s4001/DSCF2230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2754" data-original-width="4001" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DPL8OJnV-z7qvwup2e8S1Jq4cQXylt2s5Pw619QJ_JSNS1-7z3Lg5KRNQhwZgUaSi61Ho0bnLxR74igY7TrGrlUQNAMb3t6xvH7sjfAHC-M9b8YtqdWSZMz1zuOhNFuWCYoIoFkFpSuXdN0fv0-c3dQns0Mme_2qTpN19IcQH75angrW/w400-h275/DSCF2230.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It's not far to Stratford Trinity (Colin P Witter), past a large area of parkland on the right and the start of the built-up area on the left.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeDIo8efWyv43DJcIh-CoHNw0kn6LFPEDsYHDIJbvL3kwxsFgwEvX_-ueq4ZuNEgVmU74EGEJKNlhVvE1VMtG9MBFTjGR_vtRuuNtx1sf7CWwtQ1TFkyq9usQiwWmeGY5wRRAZ-huKHMmquDkAsMuP-PuaE11NMavDwhnmJUhroV6jlLH/s3354/DSCF2232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2266" data-original-width="3354" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeDIo8efWyv43DJcIh-CoHNw0kn6LFPEDsYHDIJbvL3kwxsFgwEvX_-ueq4ZuNEgVmU74EGEJKNlhVvE1VMtG9MBFTjGR_vtRuuNtx1sf7CWwtQ1TFkyq9usQiwWmeGY5wRRAZ-huKHMmquDkAsMuP-PuaE11NMavDwhnmJUhroV6jlLH/w489-h330/DSCF2232.JPG" width="489" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A boat was just getting ready to leave and another was waiting above so that was a quick turnaround too.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8QMzRa4sGXRtDKpIs3TzNUrDfLgqBEX0rWtBMkjBpqjQ4NXPcKQaK9o4-tJVE1T7IBE71OEwkHClsPytbxtii3c4jXK2Jhj7DxKzz0rdx2BQP0XnyGxG7Q--020e6ive0pvjTkR-Gb6cuhiQWCpyKdA4QD9EA6Wy3wkgr3tgi1ClAle9/s3818/DSCF2233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2527" data-original-width="3818" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8QMzRa4sGXRtDKpIs3TzNUrDfLgqBEX0rWtBMkjBpqjQ4NXPcKQaK9o4-tJVE1T7IBE71OEwkHClsPytbxtii3c4jXK2Jhj7DxKzz0rdx2BQP0XnyGxG7Q--020e6ive0pvjTkR-Gb6cuhiQWCpyKdA4QD9EA6Wy3wkgr3tgi1ClAle9/w475-h314/DSCF2233.JPG" width="475" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Stratford Holy Trinity Church above the lock.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD95m3opJtuHfdvIaFQDgKnsjmrq_CRYOBqPcVyNIjmO2RkW2dIFLQWxkef5AfSmGY7d9sfl0GLME4egFuxGtOBAhnZpAdrmdM9jQ2sHfx9B-vLq7FUDD5-Y4rZ-hOxKkSR9hqlYwPtRjds5ATTLZydnwVZVsUCOG3sMpDrcPfg9FFTP5k/s4176/DSCF2234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2941" data-original-width="4176" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD95m3opJtuHfdvIaFQDgKnsjmrq_CRYOBqPcVyNIjmO2RkW2dIFLQWxkef5AfSmGY7d9sfl0GLME4egFuxGtOBAhnZpAdrmdM9jQ2sHfx9B-vLq7FUDD5-Y4rZ-hOxKkSR9hqlYwPtRjds5ATTLZydnwVZVsUCOG3sMpDrcPfg9FFTP5k/w380-h267/DSCF2234.JPG" width="380" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;">I</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">'d planned to moor opposite the theatre but the moorings there were full so I turned around and pulled in near the chain ferry.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We had a good afternoon with Kay, Paul and Sue, passing showers kept us inside but they enjoyed watching the boats and the swans through the side hatch. They left us late afternoon and I toyed with the idea of heading up into Bancroft Basin but decided to leave it till this morning.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Heading towards the lock up off the river, Tramway Bridge and Clopton Bridge ahead.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDSy-ZR2zcAxAy52HtiKIwRAfYpskqBN_AsiTcPj-iwGliZfZaM8QtS-LPRYtyKWqoBFPrGmBWTd_3wTcSqNbfTj96Pep8PBE_dWo8J6CsxfTlMru1N-ylNPouX05tg2MY7OW1zdUdOXBq3UotPdYeaoZ8RVBrY8LUtn-7lXOGegd2cte/s4608/DSCF2241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDSy-ZR2zcAxAy52HtiKIwRAfYpskqBN_AsiTcPj-iwGliZfZaM8QtS-LPRYtyKWqoBFPrGmBWTd_3wTcSqNbfTj96Pep8PBE_dWo8J6CsxfTlMru1N-ylNPouX05tg2MY7OW1zdUdOXBq3UotPdYeaoZ8RVBrY8LUtn-7lXOGegd2cte/w503-h377/DSCF2241.JPG" width="503" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span> The lock is to the left, this side of the bridges, but the river navigation continues for another 3</span>½ miles for shallow-draughted boats, but only 1½ if you want to turn a narrowboat!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Looking back at the "interesting" architecture of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB4h0AoD6Jm4PR1qXpCvRWFC4TFxk8urdK3mNstaLZI7OaQ6eEOG8Q5nCQffgwSt1WHTdHxk12ePXzT69J4fBBB1-j3eLYu2TGHCg2GFGt7xL2uxt-_iLcMHEY4baNbB1fYCt612lDjgVtJbXffmvvTRtpCZ3pzLEgxi04x2BNCc2wcWq/s3664/DSCF2240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2552" data-original-width="3664" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB4h0AoD6Jm4PR1qXpCvRWFC4TFxk8urdK3mNstaLZI7OaQ6eEOG8Q5nCQffgwSt1WHTdHxk12ePXzT69J4fBBB1-j3eLYu2TGHCg2GFGt7xL2uxt-_iLcMHEY4baNbB1fYCt612lDjgVtJbXffmvvTRtpCZ3pzLEgxi04x2BNCc2wcWq/s320/DSCF2240.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We went up the lock into Bancroft Basin, closely observed by the tourists on the tail bridge, then pulled in on one of the pontoons facing the Gower Memorial to the man himself...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHviaMcpDVLIdm8o-KlLIHo7UbkNN5Sod2VuQ4hOB-f6nSSQV5skIuJsj9r5rLZhLx2P14kokKPnlcBzUHBybGIhjMrAjkksHX1Y0pdqZBF7evNw3lYgt1oLNlxRnTK_UVFMWB6a48J7rraAv7pX3M3e292lRtb29oxgFnIAkLjeevO_y/s4081/DSCF2243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="4081" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHviaMcpDVLIdm8o-KlLIHo7UbkNN5Sod2VuQ4hOB-f6nSSQV5skIuJsj9r5rLZhLx2P14kokKPnlcBzUHBybGIhjMrAjkksHX1Y0pdqZBF7evNw3lYgt1oLNlxRnTK_UVFMWB6a48J7rraAv7pX3M3e292lRtb29oxgFnIAkLjeevO_y/w457-h277/DSCF2243.JPG" width="457" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Heading off up the Stratford Canal tomorrow or Sunday. I'll have to remember to shut the lock gates behind us!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Locks 3, miles 3</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-51436661071027386952022-06-22T20:25:00.000+01:002022-06-22T20:25:02.515+01:00Old bridges, new(ish) locks<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I have two sisters, one living near my Dad, and the other on the other side of the world with her husband in New Zealand. Well, the NZ one is over for a visit, after Covid put the mockers on the last 2 planned trips.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">They are coming to find us, and I thought Stratford Upon Avon would be ideal. A call yesterday told us they are coming tomorrow (Thursday) and we were still 13½</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">and 8 locks away! So at half-one we untied and set off from Offerton Lock, leaving our friends Carolyn and Ian (and Milo) there.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A fine evening for a spot of ballooning on Monday.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWZFjBLUCVrtaezohE8A5XisJw-gdbYZz74NwF_y7A9f2J5z1tgEkQwATGpakASrcr8hQpTknejq5Q8zUkSs3fnpslUI2U7_DPpw61puZyufKTDaJ2WsKk9fT2-uq5ZqyYSofgnfrmsLXKVI0_wpj3hKPDKys15uFbL3sORGJKatKFSU-/s2742/DSCF2189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1952" data-original-width="2742" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWZFjBLUCVrtaezohE8A5XisJw-gdbYZz74NwF_y7A9f2J5z1tgEkQwATGpakASrcr8hQpTknejq5Q8zUkSs3fnpslUI2U7_DPpw61puZyufKTDaJ2WsKk9fT2-uq5ZqyYSofgnfrmsLXKVI0_wpj3hKPDKys15uFbL3sORGJKatKFSU-/s320/DSCF2189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Leaving Offerton Lock moorings.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CFtBQCBYGpkkkor-dQj-QhHDb1y-12S_OiWJ3Sn3zD09wEpG6XqRsH6Ejpb_4f_u3ANKZL26F4zPUOj7EJ2w1wwbrvx0baedPoFbiQo9vhnsRtZcEBUSX6nZXw7sQQKCRSQEhSyuyeFAspG_30s7-sQzcBMICjruuCQue3jRMGo_4VRs/s3656/DSCF2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2413" data-original-width="3656" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CFtBQCBYGpkkkor-dQj-QhHDb1y-12S_OiWJ3Sn3zD09wEpG6XqRsH6Ejpb_4f_u3ANKZL26F4zPUOj7EJ2w1wwbrvx0baedPoFbiQo9vhnsRtZcEBUSX6nZXw7sQQKCRSQEhSyuyeFAspG_30s7-sQzcBMICjruuCQue3jRMGo_4VRs/w400-h264/DSCF2191.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I rambled on about the restoration of the Upper Avon yesterday, mentioning the fundraising and donations. These locks above Evesham have often been resited as the old chambers were in an advanced state of dereliction. They all have a secondary name to reflect these sponsors.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Offerton Lock is aka George Billington Lock, named for the chap who paid for it's construction. He didn't have long to live, the structure was completed by volunteers in six weeks and was opened just a week before he died.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Similarly Harvington Lock is also Robert Aikman Lock, one of the driving forces behind this and several other restoration projects.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaFkiwH12qDTcrNH1ZnC-dVbKkjlVT5ULpGiO_HI1uZsNheDUyYiHh7KB52Ku2_OJfneFSCSzIiNThBQZSdqlaPWyvH0eABptJKN0_ucFavBiIFUfRJg1YT3OhiRT5v28RVzK6yVM0sNJyXjTcdT5QWO0SD1qZIByBUcFqsS2cXOAqLKW/s3759/DSCF2193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2707" data-original-width="3759" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaFkiwH12qDTcrNH1ZnC-dVbKkjlVT5ULpGiO_HI1uZsNheDUyYiHh7KB52Ku2_OJfneFSCSzIiNThBQZSdqlaPWyvH0eABptJKN0_ucFavBiIFUfRJg1YT3OhiRT5v28RVzK6yVM0sNJyXjTcdT5QWO0SD1qZIByBUcFqsS2cXOAqLKW/w492-h354/DSCF2193.JPG" width="492" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /> The river follows a fairly straight course for a while, passing under Cleeve Hill before heading east towards Bidford.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5zoTdxhOWgHlCa0hGiFuGyb9V-prmCrjBRQ1hXOV04MlAAj43WKCvDrJ1-hARKQQzpJIEbNjv7rbIIGzCmhPbTpcb2oZPJblZHqLvuG1oQC4OfjR9r27meHYx7W8FQ7MgE7CmEVNdpFYyl_63_7Jc2xSQ4Tfrinfjjcg1QRqKcQaqPeD/s3823/DSCF2194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2579" data-original-width="3823" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5zoTdxhOWgHlCa0hGiFuGyb9V-prmCrjBRQ1hXOV04MlAAj43WKCvDrJ1-hARKQQzpJIEbNjv7rbIIGzCmhPbTpcb2oZPJblZHqLvuG1oQC4OfjR9r27meHYx7W8FQ7MgE7CmEVNdpFYyl_63_7Jc2xSQ4Tfrinfjjcg1QRqKcQaqPeD/w527-h356/DSCF2194.JPG" width="527" /></a></div><p>Shouldn't have left the sunroof open - it's wet through inside now!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjac9eovWwohn9JrsYUzXZ01eu8xWZAYMSwVypvOVKHibJpoPsHio9QZpHkxdxCIBSOhoRblyEWe9FMNz7jrPtWvGWsH-86CnoCLT21zazdSb6GnZC58F1DwfSIIZjBxTo6aBLV-WKxzQnFW6Z_Ru1C3M0j6y5b7cuylcuu3F0gMiIJEA/s2618/DSCF2195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1821" data-original-width="2618" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjac9eovWwohn9JrsYUzXZ01eu8xWZAYMSwVypvOVKHibJpoPsHio9QZpHkxdxCIBSOhoRblyEWe9FMNz7jrPtWvGWsH-86CnoCLT21zazdSb6GnZC58F1DwfSIIZjBxTo6aBLV-WKxzQnFW6Z_Ru1C3M0j6y5b7cuylcuu3F0gMiIJEA/s320/DSCF2195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Marcliff Lock aka IWA Lock was next, then we headed into Bidford.</p><p>Bidford Bridge with St Laurence Parish Church beyond.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzrtQ1_FZnG-yAN1xXIuPn-ZItnNSmhJlunhDP2cObyqX3a38suwMRiUEXX7GmFZuzAL0QQZJj3Epc_okzPRaecnGsUeeLjTHFVH4a0DGbNrXuooYAeZaC6m-8LOay5tBKOaRgLO2bNg8TeaK00oiWZ3Z2FRYO6mqKzBTKJOxTvrUfyZq/s2909/DSCF2197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1888" data-original-width="2909" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzrtQ1_FZnG-yAN1xXIuPn-ZItnNSmhJlunhDP2cObyqX3a38suwMRiUEXX7GmFZuzAL0QQZJj3Epc_okzPRaecnGsUeeLjTHFVH4a0DGbNrXuooYAeZaC6m-8LOay5tBKOaRgLO2bNg8TeaK00oiWZ3Z2FRYO6mqKzBTKJOxTvrUfyZq/w532-h346/DSCF2197.JPG" width="532" /></a></div>The church dates from the 13th century, the bridge, which was built in the early 15th century has been rebuilt or repaired a few times since. Charles I's supporters demolished part of it to protect his retreat to Oxford from Worcester in 1644, and more recently a tractor did significant damage to the parapet and central pier. It's a bit of a mixture in the style of the arches...<p></p><p>Out of Bidford we motored on for another half hour or so, but I called it quits above Barton (Elsie & Hiram Billington) Lock as it was getting very hot.</p><p>Moored at Barton, pleasant enough moorings but nowhere to walk... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjHGYE45ViKZ2GEqyixsQsniZwnokJnYV_8_59HtJZ8fa_fT9ge2n-E1sUvswxg-NtemFALQh8ecMl-Q7ZgqA3E6LF5hyNRIaRYZ-J3T9QrOsB3eylYQA35DTDQeP2TbCZXqXvX2YQrjqkncbyU_VC-PxaaUZqSzt5PQYcvtxtrWtfXvZ/s3664/DSCF2199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2186" data-original-width="3664" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjHGYE45ViKZ2GEqyixsQsniZwnokJnYV_8_59HtJZ8fa_fT9ge2n-E1sUvswxg-NtemFALQh8ecMl-Q7ZgqA3E6LF5hyNRIaRYZ-J3T9QrOsB3eylYQA35DTDQeP2TbCZXqXvX2YQrjqkncbyU_VC-PxaaUZqSzt5PQYcvtxtrWtfXvZ/w400-h239/DSCF2199.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>After yesterday's hot trip and wanting the option of heading all the way to Stratford we were on the move at half-eight this morning.</p><p>Leaving Barton Lock.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL11oFuvI28u4hfe8z4VLjAy86RlGAbm0ac5V6B9E6GOCLcFLLkCbVExZgcoHuZiKBcX1njpBeo0-kscOO07KDPpcRSJIiOo67urc-I8W0NK1pPwpQQZerj3nEUfPTpQjQPn7UhFFx7bv26PhXdXyNh7gDqGT5D_uTUvxT_dFDxE0pzxro/s3390/DSCF2201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2428" data-original-width="3390" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL11oFuvI28u4hfe8z4VLjAy86RlGAbm0ac5V6B9E6GOCLcFLLkCbVExZgcoHuZiKBcX1njpBeo0-kscOO07KDPpcRSJIiOo67urc-I8W0NK1pPwpQQZerj3nEUfPTpQjQPn7UhFFx7bv26PhXdXyNh7gDqGT5D_uTUvxT_dFDxE0pzxro/s320/DSCF2201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>A bit narrow and overgrown along here...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5e2IMFfYE8xCxhpDR96ltw8fboMOKn7rhfwE3XJ4M02KJxDPT1_BDJo0yyt0JGGmUowNxS_qsWPcmAdxSMXNoBQW7wXuutSA9fQKJF3gCPbwDjXQORAu9mLZzCTwll03duWNAR9mbZe26xLuq99-O7qXGFIEQGOkcQBXTHSbG2ZMU6JUX/s3418/DSCF2202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2321" data-original-width="3418" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5e2IMFfYE8xCxhpDR96ltw8fboMOKn7rhfwE3XJ4M02KJxDPT1_BDJo0yyt0JGGmUowNxS_qsWPcmAdxSMXNoBQW7wXuutSA9fQKJF3gCPbwDjXQORAu9mLZzCTwll03duWNAR9mbZe26xLuq99-O7qXGFIEQGOkcQBXTHSbG2ZMU6JUX/w400-h271/DSCF2202.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Only a mile upriver is Bidford Grange (Pilgrim) Lock.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgMy_byA-Ue-wOL9emRq3ZQoXZx6Whh9S3KR0W6RwPfRiVHDu6CXusRCxLLrjcTUsERL3LRbTeqRVVlIKlRUlCycGQzaYRlReva1I7HgxmfdcgEIvo_MwwubgrmeyHnjuGE6MwbnNVGZT6u96WeyILl2i_g3jzoDhu8vRYcak72syVexz/s3739/DSCF2205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2221" data-original-width="3739" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgMy_byA-Ue-wOL9emRq3ZQoXZx6Whh9S3KR0W6RwPfRiVHDu6CXusRCxLLrjcTUsERL3LRbTeqRVVlIKlRUlCycGQzaYRlReva1I7HgxmfdcgEIvo_MwwubgrmeyHnjuGE6MwbnNVGZT6u96WeyILl2i_g3jzoDhu8vRYcak72syVexz/w599-h355/DSCF2205.JPG" width="599" /></a></div><br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">Financed by The Pilgrim Trust the lock chamber is of hand-laid concrete blocks, built by volunteers from Gloucester Gaol. Much better than the sheet piled sides of some of the others. Lovely 48hr moorings here too!</span></div><p></p><p>Welford Lock is 1½ miles further up, another lock with very pretty moorings above. Sorry, no photo, I was chatting with a boat crew waiting to go down.</p><p>The river does a long loop to Binton Bridges, passing lengths of moored boats, some of which haven't moved in a while...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UiRIedmUtg0TIjpNTdmR8ePk4qQ94HfsXnxKakLRFzpwbiebhRpNSI7hb7xRtan6b4RjBsuBvjF0MMhTP7L1JnRoYO-fubwYFft6qkFn5JhEjV1GkZx01Mc6Pj0C_4_TzU5TebvkoRRWqsC0XCLM6kYq5EKyU019irlBV87hLDTicOH9/s3326/DSCF2210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2114" data-original-width="3326" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UiRIedmUtg0TIjpNTdmR8ePk4qQ94HfsXnxKakLRFzpwbiebhRpNSI7hb7xRtan6b4RjBsuBvjF0MMhTP7L1JnRoYO-fubwYFft6qkFn5JhEjV1GkZx01Mc6Pj0C_4_TzU5TebvkoRRWqsC0XCLM6kYq5EKyU019irlBV87hLDTicOH9/s320/DSCF2210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />It's worth having a look at your cruising guide as you approach Binton Bridges from downstream. The channel isn't immediately obvious, you have to keep to the right of an island, then take the left hand arch.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwJRfT7sMMqEf-ekanUmS2iDWRjJW83ZBPXKXuFCNSfI7xIqJJPUyUD3mBI9U6BkUXpgOP1dXdYM8kYRTazInV00B-y1Cu90ZzQrqRo84FXXTtoLbQj0Wl9-zSuZjWhKncX7lnLKh3fr018Y2kJQ-S7btVBo3RRI3ZtNpDJQEja8LQWAQ/s4608/DSCF2211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwJRfT7sMMqEf-ekanUmS2iDWRjJW83ZBPXKXuFCNSfI7xIqJJPUyUD3mBI9U6BkUXpgOP1dXdYM8kYRTazInV00B-y1Cu90ZzQrqRo84FXXTtoLbQj0Wl9-zSuZjWhKncX7lnLKh3fr018Y2kJQ-S7btVBo3RRI3ZtNpDJQEja8LQWAQ/w400-h300/DSCF2211.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Another bridge built by commitee... "What shape shall we make the arches? I know, let's have one of each..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0_y7Fz4bSkur8TV7L0SSShU1v-Q6iAo6vWKMrSto6ObB2m0_lBsN8tIjN5K9RHeCvhlJV2eJq0_fTekt4JDW8vyLrX7qFTgk8JxLIbcq2-pEe2Sw1W_XeueJuBxaWCqqO4EEV3tf4aDYjDqfMlDn8GORgy639gQJMt8BtbsNR1n8UuOV/s3640/DSCF2212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2106" data-original-width="3640" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0_y7Fz4bSkur8TV7L0SSShU1v-Q6iAo6vWKMrSto6ObB2m0_lBsN8tIjN5K9RHeCvhlJV2eJq0_fTekt4JDW8vyLrX7qFTgk8JxLIbcq2-pEe2Sw1W_XeueJuBxaWCqqO4EEV3tf4aDYjDqfMlDn8GORgy639gQJMt8BtbsNR1n8UuOV/w400-h231/DSCF2212.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I caught up with another boat at around the site of the old Luddington Lower Lock, the river is shallow with a rock bed along here, making the flow quite noticeable. We shared the new Luddington Lock (Stan Clover) but separated above. Amber needed a comfort break, I needed a brew and there are "facilities" here.</p><p>Luddington Lock.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4dpmg9VxFnzCn51Ez9eXn49AcjoulnKnKgWV0QCIVTKE-reOEVPslP0_q_Z35FSinVkuR8LWz5SzoNb71RMQFlWI1xfkXLKUFock-luiiD1aXSUXKysPdX8_l4T1i_u8QRIzDlbKWVqXyp5cjWbUNbxNxfLpJcXGzKM7W8Pt8hVwZWau/s3998/DSCF2214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2651" data-original-width="3998" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4dpmg9VxFnzCn51Ez9eXn49AcjoulnKnKgWV0QCIVTKE-reOEVPslP0_q_Z35FSinVkuR8LWz5SzoNb71RMQFlWI1xfkXLKUFock-luiiD1aXSUXKysPdX8_l4T1i_u8QRIzDlbKWVqXyp5cjWbUNbxNxfLpJcXGzKM7W8Pt8hVwZWau/w516-h342/DSCF2214.JPG" width="516" /></a></div><br />I watered up and got rid of the rubbish and recycling, then decided it was too nice a mooring to pass by so pulled forward a bit and tied up for the rest of the day. I'd told the chap on <i>Lazy Lad</i> not to wait for us anyway.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sWxf1F5lomg_Jp5vI_FUZW603IaTedoTh3OuZCtRnCXY9ezPeGBpwz8tFlEzih3IYoUqh2OW2ma_NDyHi7BqjzY6F8-I8fMYzYWVurjDqXG_fLG5b3h33F3qqKUirOvYKdQRND-cocdnMf6ER-qY7DcaL5afvJY3WmP-xJfImrGhgkoP/s3774/DSCF2215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2591" data-original-width="3774" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sWxf1F5lomg_Jp5vI_FUZW603IaTedoTh3OuZCtRnCXY9ezPeGBpwz8tFlEzih3IYoUqh2OW2ma_NDyHi7BqjzY6F8-I8fMYzYWVurjDqXG_fLG5b3h33F3qqKUirOvYKdQRND-cocdnMf6ER-qY7DcaL5afvJY3WmP-xJfImrGhgkoP/w605-h416/DSCF2215.JPG" width="605" /></a></div><p>With full batteries, plenty of hot water and bright sunshine I managed to get three loads of washing done this afternoon, all running off solar. In between washes the solar dump kept the water up to temperature. Win, win ! Most of it is dry too!</p><p></p><p>Into Stratford tomorrow morning, aiming to moor opposite the theatre. Our visitors are due before lunch.</p><p>Locks 6, miles 11.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p></span><p></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-84227691601757512122022-06-20T20:31:00.002+01:002022-06-20T20:31:56.988+01:00On the Upper Avon<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">When we first used this waterway, way back in the 1980s, we had to buy two licences, one for the Lower Avon from Tewkesbury to Evesham, and another for the Upper Avon up to Stratford Upon Avon.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Now at least both ends of the river come under one authority, the Avon Navigation Trust.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A proposal by local businessman William Sandys in 1636 to improve the river for navigation was approved by Charles I and he used his personal fortune to build locks, sluices and dams to open the river to boats from Tewkesbury to Stratford Upon Avon. By 1758 the navigation had deteriorated to such an extent that a new owner, George Perrot, had to close it for several months to effect repairs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A common story as the railways became more widespread, the structures on the river were neglected as tolls decreased, and by the first half of the 20th century it was impassable above Pershore, and the navigation was effectively closed due to the poor condition of Strensham Lock. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Lower Avon was the first to be restored, a massive undertaking that saw the first boats arrive at Evesham from the River Severn in 1962.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">With the dereliction of the Stratford Upon Avon Canal, which linked Stratford with the edge of the Black Country, there was less incentive to rebuild the Upper Avon Navigation until the canal was adopted by the National Trust, with a remit to restore it to usable standards. The canal was fully navigable again in July 1964, and this provided the impetus to consider the condition of the upper section of the old navigation. A new organisation was established, the Upper Avon Navigation Trust, but considerable obstructions had to be overcome, the locks and weirs were in a dire state and some riparian landowners were uncooperative. But the problems were resolved and the navigation was once again a through route from the Severn to Stratford in 1974. LANT and UANT were officially amalgamated in 2010, and the navigation fell under one authority again for the first time in 300 years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This is a brief summary, but I must mention the tenacity, hard work and sheer bloody-mindedness of the volunteers, fundraisers and supporters who made the undertaking possible, and gave us access to this beautiful waterway again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So - we left Craycombe Turn on Saturday morning, expecting a damp trip to Evesham but, although there were grey skies and the odd spot of rain we made it to the town without getting wet.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh627gxDl6gbQprobEJf7eddPos8eZFE5g5HUKljcnojd2nYHqGfsTluaDoRGQ3pW_iriEQiZAVHsOFIlhnHWslwCLRelNvTVIyeJsRh4xKOUXkg5P-_o-XRiCD2sBO-Iez3XRYe3MAxBIFeoyNcFOhJ02ISFcewJKCRlQPD0jT1WBurF5F/s3441/DSCF2161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2123" data-original-width="3441" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh627gxDl6gbQprobEJf7eddPos8eZFE5g5HUKljcnojd2nYHqGfsTluaDoRGQ3pW_iriEQiZAVHsOFIlhnHWslwCLRelNvTVIyeJsRh4xKOUXkg5P-_o-XRiCD2sBO-Iez3XRYe3MAxBIFeoyNcFOhJ02ISFcewJKCRlQPD0jT1WBurF5F/w400-h246/DSCF2161.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Wood Norton Hall, now an exclusive hotel, in the trees on the slopes of Tunnel Hill.</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMG4QNwnXLzbyz_7tM0cFrovfquQ2IvV65AyQaEo1uWI7MH0D-0KPrC_HeprrGXIfRL0teRqaW3MFtdB8aXlpJJEvYMX3VRaHLzRdl0l2BGFVtvZSBYIXMuFtya78AsmpNieqs9J9Cz5buiLHigijqmOKEBvun2eseqT5RfphA5b05NFrh/s1677/DSCF2162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1677" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMG4QNwnXLzbyz_7tM0cFrovfquQ2IvV65AyQaEo1uWI7MH0D-0KPrC_HeprrGXIfRL0teRqaW3MFtdB8aXlpJJEvYMX3VRaHLzRdl0l2BGFVtvZSBYIXMuFtya78AsmpNieqs9J9Cz5buiLHigijqmOKEBvun2eseqT5RfphA5b05NFrh/w535-h354/DSCF2162.JPG" width="535" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"> During WWII it was taken over by the BBC and used as a listening post for enemy radio transmissions and emergency broadcasting centre. A nuclear bunker was constructed here as a backup to London in case the worse happened. The mast on the hill above the hall dates from this period.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Just one lock to do between our mooring and Evesham, Chadbury Lock.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGQik00UhTKNseFDrWWY65brJBtupvMi9qH-R-56j6dIG2pVe4YrAqVY73nFT8XPd_HJi_-dmKubY7iNfsy1BrrvAslQ8WSQyBDGPQRggXmZEJ53qf8t2zHBcAW8p_JsyusYpHib-rKGFTni9INYPuPwssF8_R3OqHLCKBg5Dl9Z8VSiy/s3433/DSCF2166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2838" data-original-width="3433" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGQik00UhTKNseFDrWWY65brJBtupvMi9qH-R-56j6dIG2pVe4YrAqVY73nFT8XPd_HJi_-dmKubY7iNfsy1BrrvAslQ8WSQyBDGPQRggXmZEJ53qf8t2zHBcAW8p_JsyusYpHib-rKGFTni9INYPuPwssF8_R3OqHLCKBg5Dl9Z8VSiy/s320/DSCF2166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_SP6JzM1bQ5RscVaex1bhJi3fqWFjKTXnVIHBNea-8MpwnnsHrLLwRsMIQbCsi6M9E0SHLb_32L9diddyNvWMcXRrT-jOBKPYI_RLOzFK1QLfj0tmIqgXKs1dARh-ArnwndzXgYfu0MavZtoccerSZOpSoQDssPEdJXCcOAThzD1SnDR/s4322/DSCF2167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2921" data-original-width="4322" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_SP6JzM1bQ5RscVaex1bhJi3fqWFjKTXnVIHBNea-8MpwnnsHrLLwRsMIQbCsi6M9E0SHLb_32L9diddyNvWMcXRrT-jOBKPYI_RLOzFK1QLfj0tmIqgXKs1dARh-ArnwndzXgYfu0MavZtoccerSZOpSoQDssPEdJXCcOAThzD1SnDR/w575-h388/DSCF2167.JPG" width="575" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHL4Xipkg4n1EmSb2W7VXUc6SjTiLGXhUboYxV6JYFSUw4fOkJf6Q6GRGWNo4t8XKAZPb618pKDfAhzcdD0X9i--sIampS_fN4gX-wPnXoC-7ZzDLlpkeMK_H9PVUzYfzoh8UMmS2aQsRoJOxfaCDlUu77oOQtMQg-mV1pboc9h_0EfVPM/s3651/DSCF2168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2774" data-original-width="3651" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHL4Xipkg4n1EmSb2W7VXUc6SjTiLGXhUboYxV6JYFSUw4fOkJf6Q6GRGWNo4t8XKAZPb618pKDfAhzcdD0X9i--sIampS_fN4gX-wPnXoC-7ZzDLlpkeMK_H9PVUzYfzoh8UMmS2aQsRoJOxfaCDlUu77oOQtMQg-mV1pboc9h_0EfVPM/w400-h304/DSCF2168.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Arriving at Evesham we pulled onto the almost-deserted moorings below Workman Bridge. The rain came on in the afternoon and it was wet on and off overnight and through yesterday. So we stayed put.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A different day today, bright sunshine from the word go. We were later getting away than usual, shopping to do, tanks to fill and <i>Calan Lan </i>needed diesel and a pump-out, but we weren't going far.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Workman Bridge on this fine, sunny morning.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECz-pS7F0OGKqCoDFp6Rz51vU03YjbEUDdNFsijeohVO_NTPup4OTXCXctosUNODUw8DzkpeoIJNp07nHqapunLG1b6vdxbYmMCEs-eiGCM_eWQ-3kGo9rdRYmBL4ECt4QRox1WQhtpwc_OpqAAIidATkFWbykoW5C3_7TeLYq6sqUMZL/s3866/DSCF2175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2568" data-original-width="3866" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECz-pS7F0OGKqCoDFp6Rz51vU03YjbEUDdNFsijeohVO_NTPup4OTXCXctosUNODUw8DzkpeoIJNp07nHqapunLG1b6vdxbYmMCEs-eiGCM_eWQ-3kGo9rdRYmBL4ECt4QRox1WQhtpwc_OpqAAIidATkFWbykoW5C3_7TeLYq6sqUMZL/w513-h341/DSCF2175.JPG" width="513" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Evesham Lock marks the change from Lower to Upper Avon, and lies just up from the bridge.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchfLDl_fXOLA_5855gjzqdzbeq8U8_9kwWhM4zdRQF1ysm2ml1tu5ejeijYorwSn2xkQgBxsPpVlRDxjyu8GL9UmLgAfcgquVw8vpfiLN0SXcbzXH8MMhUnbDumxPq8RrTh-NIqJN-7XQmpyY9uCHsUqwMRs7_OyfgQTca4uZT4urar8J/s3267/DSCF2176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="3267" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchfLDl_fXOLA_5855gjzqdzbeq8U8_9kwWhM4zdRQF1ysm2ml1tu5ejeijYorwSn2xkQgBxsPpVlRDxjyu8GL9UmLgAfcgquVw8vpfiLN0SXcbzXH8MMhUnbDumxPq8RrTh-NIqJN-7XQmpyY9uCHsUqwMRs7_OyfgQTca4uZT4urar8J/w543-h341/DSCF2176.JPG" width="543" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>The fine chalet-style lock-house to the left is being renovated and there's no lock-keeper on duty.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The large weir above the lock must be hazardous when the river is running fast.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuC89VGdJYbz6M5qJx9cEvmJLy0IHf856Q8aNIlyntlbWLrKDfddhw_5353dWzYg-UfTT35CUxKcIihpiv3InPtPM8mkbi7csRVB1kJ81C33jaT-X-ALab7Rd8EnKw0Bk9CSL8DFibHC48Vx7Tk4mqqBkV_jB3Gnzc4FPgSpgns8cMtDb/s4354/DSCF2181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="4354" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuC89VGdJYbz6M5qJx9cEvmJLy0IHf856Q8aNIlyntlbWLrKDfddhw_5353dWzYg-UfTT35CUxKcIihpiv3InPtPM8mkbi7csRVB1kJ81C33jaT-X-ALab7Rd8EnKw0Bk9CSL8DFibHC48Vx7Tk4mqqBkV_jB3Gnzc4FPgSpgns8cMtDb/w393-h239/DSCF2181.JPG" width="393" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>In fact the flow is faster now than it was, after the wet weekend. This is emphasised by the river now often being narrower and shallower than the lower reaches.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5-3Hq5SO44fgpLORlZIG-hdF9FvshTnBFz9PRRzfEOTPaejJBenlxnGCYaLNe-FTfv3qyURtO7luZiEONxoRzUDCV5u-UjTwtS36Z9K9aUAKlpdIWOuPi9AOh3tsxojmzWSdeTChNUsjJ8SLFCwikkzJRxOEbTdUsOj2CtTF8n0dXUAw/s3620/DSCF2184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2241" data-original-width="3620" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5-3Hq5SO44fgpLORlZIG-hdF9FvshTnBFz9PRRzfEOTPaejJBenlxnGCYaLNe-FTfv3qyURtO7luZiEONxoRzUDCV5u-UjTwtS36Z9K9aUAKlpdIWOuPi9AOh3tsxojmzWSdeTChNUsjJ8SLFCwikkzJRxOEbTdUsOj2CtTF8n0dXUAw/w526-h326/DSCF2184.JPG" width="526" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>We were aiming to moor at Offenham Lock, hoping that there would be space on the attractive moorings above.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The rebuilt Offenham Lock, with a dalek-shaped lock-keepers cabin.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZP5dbXcZ97-ZhMsOX9pB1KePP0xuoIPJtKjAaWQyIVMlFq1VVQCu7ZrAcbmtUvDCgKZNLG2eRP6KI9ydKCykrgvHncN59Ci7wiXsI9UJv9rcRV_jzldKDivOYz_GAoNumeo789cEuKkLuBqx5VzX2nbFQbRF7JD9I8bgXnaNoa84Ur9Q/s3898/DSCF2186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2655" data-original-width="3898" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZP5dbXcZ97-ZhMsOX9pB1KePP0xuoIPJtKjAaWQyIVMlFq1VVQCu7ZrAcbmtUvDCgKZNLG2eRP6KI9ydKCykrgvHncN59Ci7wiXsI9UJv9rcRV_jzldKDivOYz_GAoNumeo789cEuKkLuBqx5VzX2nbFQbRF7JD9I8bgXnaNoa84Ur9Q/w557-h379/DSCF2186.JPG" width="557" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Plenty of mooring above the lock. That'll do!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdazaLlSq5NrtDnWfmI_iVoeen9GiwE7B__cDhQ48lZNnKtVmFEBiAGcTKkaxxRMYr9i3Wt47iueeklGXkfVHlPMD1ZBifyiGF1r_hXrOfOIhO2v66AV9h1rH7JJYLV5qc35rQyHf8IduU-QX5z6DtxrkrTs5g0azLbGSN-FKfKPAntlt/s3934/DSCF2187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2472" data-original-width="3934" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdazaLlSq5NrtDnWfmI_iVoeen9GiwE7B__cDhQ48lZNnKtVmFEBiAGcTKkaxxRMYr9i3Wt47iueeklGXkfVHlPMD1ZBifyiGF1r_hXrOfOIhO2v66AV9h1rH7JJYLV5qc35rQyHf8IduU-QX5z6DtxrkrTs5g0azLbGSN-FKfKPAntlt/w400-h251/DSCF2187.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Locks 3, miles 8.<br /> </span></div><p></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-17622803862770468662022-06-17T17:23:00.002+01:002022-06-17T17:23:38.853+01:00Wow weather!<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It's been much too nice to sit inside typing, and it still is, but I thought I'd better have a catch up...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We moved on Tuesday and Wednesday, heading upriver to Pershore with a stop at Eckington Bridge, then today we pushed on to stop at Craycombe Turn. We'll wait out tomorrow's wet weather here before heading for Evesham. Two short days and a slightly longer one.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Leaving Eckington Bridge on Tuesday morning.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFRKK7dW5Bkqm94Zgt5jFbrPtU0Dke3wbi21ArgrSN7_EJaO0HlGtnMyU4_El4K_2ADxmf2uupLEQdW33rKe960eizpio3qG74K7v4moc3GRKwprIwjABq6qWQ38Vp_P_TLcA2AWsUiU2bwgkfrcEUBK4cDUwgCcIHs1V9fSo89s1Fyxr/s3485/DSCF2112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2349" data-original-width="3485" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFRKK7dW5Bkqm94Zgt5jFbrPtU0Dke3wbi21ArgrSN7_EJaO0HlGtnMyU4_El4K_2ADxmf2uupLEQdW33rKe960eizpio3qG74K7v4moc3GRKwprIwjABq6qWQ38Vp_P_TLcA2AWsUiU2bwgkfrcEUBK4cDUwgCcIHs1V9fSo89s1Fyxr/w400-h270/DSCF2112.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The river alternates between narrow, twisty sections and broad, open stretches.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uFbjI3wgbO6hkCfPunr0EDvoUs8o_sY5qCGzjOwHAogxAmiwqSs3XdQHvfRYWJGnbVXixG9CLJzS9ikuddrj-Xpsr_W16Ygi4IGECP5p955Du1RHYBNxWp3GX8NoKQdFs0irYwa5t1LXvOiv7TviAlmjLzZnK4l40KA71aJ43OIqf33N/s3346/DSCF2115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2508" data-original-width="3346" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uFbjI3wgbO6hkCfPunr0EDvoUs8o_sY5qCGzjOwHAogxAmiwqSs3XdQHvfRYWJGnbVXixG9CLJzS9ikuddrj-Xpsr_W16Ygi4IGECP5p955Du1RHYBNxWp3GX8NoKQdFs0irYwa5t1LXvOiv7TviAlmjLzZnK4l40KA71aJ43OIqf33N/w400-h300/DSCF2115.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnj_RjMi4Ska-pCZdCNLu046LCoK73yVpNDTNIw7iT4waM-XRxY-yLxDZmWAPpPdUN6ATwcmjc5V-Py5P4KLSi-N4JmVEgQjNfWhNquNH9iGT67b1NsFZ02uscgp4Hba18BArKkn4YA2OShpwTUQi2jP47RyVlN0kjw9ibZhyOKfaJd2l/s4104/DSCF2116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2528" data-original-width="4104" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnj_RjMi4Ska-pCZdCNLu046LCoK73yVpNDTNIw7iT4waM-XRxY-yLxDZmWAPpPdUN6ATwcmjc5V-Py5P4KLSi-N4JmVEgQjNfWhNquNH9iGT67b1NsFZ02uscgp4Hba18BArKkn4YA2OShpwTUQi2jP47RyVlN0kjw9ibZhyOKfaJd2l/s320/DSCF2116.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Nafford Lock was the only one we dealt with, we had to wait while a boat dropped down and Mags popped up to see what was happening...</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2rKsxm2EdKuCzn4JNEirOtiMQnrjQSnPQNoXRFg5frXvtpCn5l4Uho7T2M1gZM9LsUUk9KfK2Pwh3P8JOKNUbjKRIddBAwVYmclUTxB9UFzXTsMcw4Zn3LXDm8EwjmLaiC8OKEd5-aO1c4bdlW0Ub_qIXnbpaSkYWtqsY7k1N2H1W7Gy/s4608/DSCF2120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2rKsxm2EdKuCzn4JNEirOtiMQnrjQSnPQNoXRFg5frXvtpCn5l4Uho7T2M1gZM9LsUUk9KfK2Pwh3P8JOKNUbjKRIddBAwVYmclUTxB9UFzXTsMcw4Zn3LXDm8EwjmLaiC8OKEd5-aO1c4bdlW0Ub_qIXnbpaSkYWtqsY7k1N2H1W7Gy/w514-h386/DSCF2120.JPG" width="514" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJGnFRVISFvCFCrpJd3wNVLKqKbuLGgD7gfSj_MNVk1ylMcAtvzXWXknpwFvaqQP7fkwcWb-Ho2oDKy9chgYmlfPrpP_vqVqLvKDsADacjW3Wo0TVV_n_WZfyAnHnoQqT3oBmiNw1khvyM8jKAoVA_PRRVQ8TJx4of9lunSZ0a-n2jCs-/s4608/DSCF2121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJGnFRVISFvCFCrpJd3wNVLKqKbuLGgD7gfSj_MNVk1ylMcAtvzXWXknpwFvaqQP7fkwcWb-Ho2oDKy9chgYmlfPrpP_vqVqLvKDsADacjW3Wo0TVV_n_WZfyAnHnoQqT3oBmiNw1khvyM8jKAoVA_PRRVQ8TJx4of9lunSZ0a-n2jCs-/w400-h300/DSCF2121.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Misfortune in floods, I guess, above the lock.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhggBK7UZVj6sNelEo6UPDTfAlb6lUwwtalwEFYR7IMe_nCJhrW0PwFN0UOBLRWWZ4uan32oV1yFQzy4NWPKwQNexWpD82QwjdUjrFg1_6pPihLTC8peWQEyUfqIdaeXCDzC6IZlyF0nnqwxvjvAT_J6yalGvvxs-zt6j4Z9LSD4yRBkPj/s2941/DSCF2122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1832" data-original-width="2941" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhggBK7UZVj6sNelEo6UPDTfAlb6lUwwtalwEFYR7IMe_nCJhrW0PwFN0UOBLRWWZ4uan32oV1yFQzy4NWPKwQNexWpD82QwjdUjrFg1_6pPihLTC8peWQEyUfqIdaeXCDzC6IZlyF0nnqwxvjvAT_J6yalGvvxs-zt6j4Z9LSD4yRBkPj/s320/DSCF2122.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /> <br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We stopped for the night at Comberton Wharf, a fine, quiet spot.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">From here to Pershore the river gets into one of it's lazy moods, long gentle curves generally heading north, as it's pushed to and fro by the gently undulating countryside.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdT-YjNWO8RQhts7GY824vg2xQFffjt5_xZBgBpoZchexND8kCA3j2oosrS2GWioFv5WhGe-Y0fdjbFxoUeCcxS0vS2OkNx-Y2JgfNVeK9RRDPn9Quiiunw9eQ6wC9IaVHEFIKTyLMF03v7KmD5nQc5bQlPbKWABucw3kp18ZXOfSxxWDA/s4037/DSCF2128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2615" data-original-width="4037" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdT-YjNWO8RQhts7GY824vg2xQFffjt5_xZBgBpoZchexND8kCA3j2oosrS2GWioFv5WhGe-Y0fdjbFxoUeCcxS0vS2OkNx-Y2JgfNVeK9RRDPn9Quiiunw9eQ6wC9IaVHEFIKTyLMF03v7KmD5nQc5bQlPbKWABucw3kp18ZXOfSxxWDA/w542-h351/DSCF2128.JPG" width="542" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUSkYQXf88DPEyfYb52E9m_IyQ6p48l_Aa9lI2cR1Cqy9h7jVGZc9SYtzSDtv5FqAamBUjkJNGNQApHOOPPB0LoKM4WfM8kY2J9wiDawiNCG9oXEplUbxlwIk7VL1-gqb_5AlzAZyApXizCjyrP98azMclSrQBxEcllWfLYX37WimEZxN/s2484/DSCF2127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2365" data-original-width="2484" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUSkYQXf88DPEyfYb52E9m_IyQ6p48l_Aa9lI2cR1Cqy9h7jVGZc9SYtzSDtv5FqAamBUjkJNGNQApHOOPPB0LoKM4WfM8kY2J9wiDawiNCG9oXEplUbxlwIk7VL1-gqb_5AlzAZyApXizCjyrP98azMclSrQBxEcllWfLYX37WimEZxN/s320/DSCF2127.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">It was an hour to Pershore, passing under the two bridges downstream of the town. </span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Looking back, Pershore Great Bridge C1700, and the modern replacement from 1928.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHIKg1Ru_3oIAwJ_4Fvu-bEXuZRyqosKq7d7aK868AoQGUOozhxfDviDkHJFQv8c53k00Ls8SQi5HCmOPE0G0M_ODks1skhTi4EUMUPbmPeO060dS-8nE1kPOL3KgBY-jcva4TySn0y4D9Dv4oacGIUWuqWDls8hB_iu0ZLISIV89wSwf/s4608/DSCF2134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHIKg1Ru_3oIAwJ_4Fvu-bEXuZRyqosKq7d7aK868AoQGUOozhxfDviDkHJFQv8c53k00Ls8SQi5HCmOPE0G0M_ODks1skhTi4EUMUPbmPeO060dS-8nE1kPOL3KgBY-jcva4TySn0y4D9Dv4oacGIUWuqWDls8hB_iu0ZLISIV89wSwf/w588-h441/DSCF2134.JPG" width="588" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Pershore Lock, above here is a broad reach with fine moorings and walks around the water meadows between the river and the town.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaFLGhEMGlIcsRU9gZ7LZXiGlWxFn2J0zvFnO6KCzCr059KdRdIBgOiXHULq5oCJlpg6k2WE3rs9C_9L8Vvb9nO7T5qRggCXJAbwHm3h9MroRCYbQTtqjMIgjWVEKZc7DfDO1FJ5j6KxbtEDkuEMDhvm4TD_LbrnoXOsDENHqD-unro70/s3866/DSCF2137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2487" data-original-width="3866" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaFLGhEMGlIcsRU9gZ7LZXiGlWxFn2J0zvFnO6KCzCr059KdRdIBgOiXHULq5oCJlpg6k2WE3rs9C_9L8Vvb9nO7T5qRggCXJAbwHm3h9MroRCYbQTtqjMIgjWVEKZc7DfDO1FJ5j6KxbtEDkuEMDhvm4TD_LbrnoXOsDENHqD-unro70/w494-h318/DSCF2137.JPG" width="494" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We stayed here for two nights, on Wednesday evening we had a small celebration for our canines, Amber had reached her third birthday and Milo his eighth!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Dog-friendly home-made birthday cake.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvdt9NzTV7597aVMRHWTluatLSKZl-TtwNtdgTEVyyjWor_NGMHUffIAJUxKYQ6h-84NQib7cK9pKeYit9i3sLbo4q4MiFsRmW8L_THe6BrYE9vzVO78jpiVEREOJEW2G329OgV-1L8k2TEug7y8aTlJOaGCEepjUIiVQcm0FeSAPg-HI/s3338/20220615_151452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2893" data-original-width="3338" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvdt9NzTV7597aVMRHWTluatLSKZl-TtwNtdgTEVyyjWor_NGMHUffIAJUxKYQ6h-84NQib7cK9pKeYit9i3sLbo4q4MiFsRmW8L_THe6BrYE9vzVO78jpiVEREOJEW2G329OgV-1L8k2TEug7y8aTlJOaGCEepjUIiVQcm0FeSAPg-HI/s320/20220615_151452.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The dogs wouldn't stay still though!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbqzc1BhJoWMyktSoxOODLIZP3VuFNohJh8-ubiyo2LhhfJ7j3rVIWW521B59Z0LbTlV5Q4WhJp3uWiiVp_8TmxijuSICYm4FSVw8l5pKfp6jNzmKPx7ZZB7QBqgbMJbK1kAlbIHdyhXDc8s9jkiEGQ2eCn9aip15OsBWrgmqG-bDuUhg/s3474/20220615_194638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2632" data-original-width="3474" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbqzc1BhJoWMyktSoxOODLIZP3VuFNohJh8-ubiyo2LhhfJ7j3rVIWW521B59Z0LbTlV5Q4WhJp3uWiiVp_8TmxijuSICYm4FSVw8l5pKfp6jNzmKPx7ZZB7QBqgbMJbK1kAlbIHdyhXDc8s9jkiEGQ2eCn9aip15OsBWrgmqG-bDuUhg/s320/20220615_194638.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Leaving Pershore this morning we didn't have far to go before passing the impressive Wyre Mill and arriving at Wyre Lock.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Pershore moorings, very quiet.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQQdNsqV6IB4QMruQUt9GO2RvtlBgowDbedhU4hCj-ABR_MeyJTlPNOSj-QNqIdwN0k0wY7QgG0dpXwVk1dEJQf9eqX0lsDnCe8TcdfPchj5YtaSP42xlYzriPzUjppB8AQEeJ90stA79tolQgVokYj9dZlTYnXKZbHWFIVJAWxd_iJf2/s3937/DSCF2140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2523" data-original-width="3937" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQQdNsqV6IB4QMruQUt9GO2RvtlBgowDbedhU4hCj-ABR_MeyJTlPNOSj-QNqIdwN0k0wY7QgG0dpXwVk1dEJQf9eqX0lsDnCe8TcdfPchj5YtaSP42xlYzriPzUjppB8AQEeJ90stA79tolQgVokYj9dZlTYnXKZbHWFIVJAWxd_iJf2/w400-h256/DSCF2140.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Wyre Mill, now a social club for the Avon Navigation Trust members.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHEZdmRYi-hblGn8tDe1He9F7kCwO_2XAyLldcRFDrp2JGMBzfgHZHvp4lKjV8wRK9p2W1_40grccERn4aAi42NU6V9_ut59NbpF6bHBzpQMzbjJH_FCcDLaMAwVovFrWk8khVi7IcDXRvdI3MP70-G2rsb9aoB8a_hNd1p_NsiLquJcQ/s3508/DSCF2141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2356" data-original-width="3508" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHEZdmRYi-hblGn8tDe1He9F7kCwO_2XAyLldcRFDrp2JGMBzfgHZHvp4lKjV8wRK9p2W1_40grccERn4aAi42NU6V9_ut59NbpF6bHBzpQMzbjJH_FCcDLaMAwVovFrWk8khVi7IcDXRvdI3MP70-G2rsb9aoB8a_hNd1p_NsiLquJcQ/s320/DSCF2141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3oP2KkZoKwdjLghn9-2v4JoDNNZnPUVTh2BHjjQZMj9RxJQ_C-JV-Dnzqz_FqkXbQ86vkZP6kUficJWGfTHpZGwJBTGroQkHXUy4pioN3MyBaHPPSb7Y3EcUMqzY3tsxe-SQXfWF6Q_Mtve_oQvDUURXy_AeHWefBxrCM2luaAQF9918/s3700/DSCF2142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2313" data-original-width="3700" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3oP2KkZoKwdjLghn9-2v4JoDNNZnPUVTh2BHjjQZMj9RxJQ_C-JV-Dnzqz_FqkXbQ86vkZP6kUficJWGfTHpZGwJBTGroQkHXUy4pioN3MyBaHPPSb7Y3EcUMqzY3tsxe-SQXfWF6Q_Mtve_oQvDUURXy_AeHWefBxrCM2luaAQF9918/w515-h322/DSCF2142.JPG" width="515" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUX9oPQbSDN5DRsKHFFrhr1e7FxKNw-UInpuBgM25b2M5X95DqEwzFcEVTpZKsFupsYMv8tSj0FM_en9__2Q5luxl1cMl1QCROwi6UgCntZTNRxKe1PTC84_Dl1dSe6kM-KGv0bm9FcjTFKfSKuNHvM5kbx-xEYoU7XnmUZ6I93DgAULa/s4585/DSCF2144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3250" data-original-width="4585" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUX9oPQbSDN5DRsKHFFrhr1e7FxKNw-UInpuBgM25b2M5X95DqEwzFcEVTpZKsFupsYMv8tSj0FM_en9__2Q5luxl1cMl1QCROwi6UgCntZTNRxKe1PTC84_Dl1dSe6kM-KGv0bm9FcjTFKfSKuNHvM5kbx-xEYoU7XnmUZ6I93DgAULa/w400-h284/DSCF2144.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I wonder why it's diamond shaped...?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Out of the lock and the river skirts the village of Wyre Piddle. (Enough tittering , thank you...) Thatched roofs have the thatcher's trademark, often an animal, on the ridge.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This one's a fox...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEadkfgAvF9uKQ6UDGaJcaOtmF9hHtlBo2_rJHc1O_ErALvJReQR1Tk2oNWb8LguKsGgnB4CoorGXQxidk7MZyJGPLnUw22AAJPs5fSmRi6TFq7lZaJzwKdy8yHYhveq5fnuvYc9lE0GNyXRWlzdWgF0h5IbehUtS74EEUAfkDPzM_t1P/s1274/DSCF2145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="883" data-original-width="1274" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsEadkfgAvF9uKQ6UDGaJcaOtmF9hHtlBo2_rJHc1O_ErALvJReQR1Tk2oNWb8LguKsGgnB4CoorGXQxidk7MZyJGPLnUw22AAJPs5fSmRi6TFq7lZaJzwKdy8yHYhveq5fnuvYc9lE0GNyXRWlzdWgF0h5IbehUtS74EEUAfkDPzM_t1P/s320/DSCF2145.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Lodge on Osier Island, only access is by water... </span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bklACN21bykElDzLD5ZqA2pLnSmqqVbyHlaqY_sTD28S9nOips6ZIvh_M8UBe0G-xRnXTzBvTat_ilbA4aX_HokRzZx_Zp-9tojiBYTHgREb-vj-YzNZg_k5Ncq_Ig4UMqF8DtvcHsMXUxj9AC_NXi-q6r5A53Wfptqmd5WJqsHOuuzc/s3322/DSCF2148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2261" data-original-width="3322" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bklACN21bykElDzLD5ZqA2pLnSmqqVbyHlaqY_sTD28S9nOips6ZIvh_M8UBe0G-xRnXTzBvTat_ilbA4aX_HokRzZx_Zp-9tojiBYTHgREb-vj-YzNZg_k5Ncq_Ig4UMqF8DtvcHsMXUxj9AC_NXi-q6r5A53Wfptqmd5WJqsHOuuzc/w400-h272/DSCF2148.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Poor picture of a buzzard enjoying the sun.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRvCDxb_fUsA-bMunAdOtXOs_QeZ_QdPLoiMi1aXVuvX3x5MKgiIaSR-J_CKIjr7lHaQDbhJDFf-MkBEerQIYIH7WHuInIkNc_RMwwSuQg9EzvQMp1cargrBHCy0b273WlvZ1z6we-AIvswGNn3DDOHh9Bq6uQNYhwlBleueqeQpMSO-l/s2531/DSCF2150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1637" data-original-width="2531" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRvCDxb_fUsA-bMunAdOtXOs_QeZ_QdPLoiMi1aXVuvX3x5MKgiIaSR-J_CKIjr7lHaQDbhJDFf-MkBEerQIYIH7WHuInIkNc_RMwwSuQg9EzvQMp1cargrBHCy0b273WlvZ1z6we-AIvswGNn3DDOHh9Bq6uQNYhwlBleueqeQpMSO-l/s320/DSCF2150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">An hour and a half of delightful wiggly river saw us arrive at the picturesque Fladbury Lock, with two mills alongside. The river branches here to provide water for the mills and the lock cut.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU96w2c7DBaejobGSmfdDh6ck-dan7BQx7M4oZOPjh22wideOa7mFvw5Sd_wzKPQdD4V8wsag2gHPmYOGpkS8ho63WZjQQeFw7-qwdpLgvMO0FXzavLq6yTm9IXEQZxu1DgVAeaOq4SqC-lVpyYSp3SESZf-yR6pnf00-VBrMIUwBmAh9v/s4608/DSCF2156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU96w2c7DBaejobGSmfdDh6ck-dan7BQx7M4oZOPjh22wideOa7mFvw5Sd_wzKPQdD4V8wsag2gHPmYOGpkS8ho63WZjQQeFw7-qwdpLgvMO0FXzavLq6yTm9IXEQZxu1DgVAeaOq4SqC-lVpyYSp3SESZf-yR6pnf00-VBrMIUwBmAh9v/s4608/DSCF2156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn55cAScYDOKfmoVbdIBTPAzEKEl_Rla9ygQ85T1AJdR8rzcjyaoOzMm0qKK3XeS8Mwld4faFMDaJhyhAaaJnaTJdBWBhDPm-TEQhFH0gzv34Npb2hfMeQDFdsLaIXVcPkcgJmtiDP1vVn9d6o_YAQQt37mBVXTXCsOgzatAhwd4tscg2b/s4608/DSCF2155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn55cAScYDOKfmoVbdIBTPAzEKEl_Rla9ygQ85T1AJdR8rzcjyaoOzMm0qKK3XeS8Mwld4faFMDaJhyhAaaJnaTJdBWBhDPm-TEQhFH0gzv34Npb2hfMeQDFdsLaIXVcPkcgJmtiDP1vVn9d6o_YAQQt37mBVXTXCsOgzatAhwd4tscg2b/w501-h376/DSCF2155.JPG" width="501" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU96w2c7DBaejobGSmfdDh6ck-dan7BQx7M4oZOPjh22wideOa7mFvw5Sd_wzKPQdD4V8wsag2gHPmYOGpkS8ho63WZjQQeFw7-qwdpLgvMO0FXzavLq6yTm9IXEQZxu1DgVAeaOq4SqC-lVpyYSp3SESZf-yR6pnf00-VBrMIUwBmAh9v/w546-h410/DSCF2156.JPG" width="546" /></div><br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We had a pause to allow a boat to finish going up ahead of us and to let another come down. It's a deep lock too, so takes a while to f</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;">ill. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I'm not going to mention that I opened a paddle too fast and flooded the well deck - whoops!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Twenty-five minutes above the lock and we pulled in on the moorings at Craycombe Turn. A bit of traffic noise from the nearby A44 but it'll do us.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOIKJiKJMr1jtHjjpfm-33E4uTFWqKeB9oITaPJIqTR5OggTZ5mRVF8R0P75pt-nEuNgvTlGPXbAo-vQZLdfLQSU3Hpx4SYd9oVW6H2mvmZ5YQxWiQx_stvu0CbDizuXbM9CMeyg8ldWn_pmQ0D9ZXq_hGQyYr8dFrHpyxyI2ct4aQjkx/s3282/20220617_134409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2319" data-original-width="3282" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOIKJiKJMr1jtHjjpfm-33E4uTFWqKeB9oITaPJIqTR5OggTZ5mRVF8R0P75pt-nEuNgvTlGPXbAo-vQZLdfLQSU3Hpx4SYd9oVW6H2mvmZ5YQxWiQx_stvu0CbDizuXbM9CMeyg8ldWn_pmQ0D9ZXq_hGQyYr8dFrHpyxyI2ct4aQjkx/w400-h283/20220617_134409.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ian pointed out that we're about half-way to Stratford now.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I normally wear a black baseball cap while cruising, but it's been too hot for that these last couple of days. So I've taken to wearing Mags' straw hat...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpU7wIGMNlBhS2yKNQ1aIWqy87plWPjAvJd0D0o_r6qQUMcoQK93EQUTL7JzUZSLM-6I01wNauxd7uPQuES6ZzcZiA4X4TW9KiYkP1s-CH4sAnztD4AtUH-p_5gtKZt54hGbysmT9bwj17rf6I7maNyUDzyjHupQ9xQdmDCiFWmLX7SkX/s2665/20220615_114503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2665" data-original-width="2357" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpU7wIGMNlBhS2yKNQ1aIWqy87plWPjAvJd0D0o_r6qQUMcoQK93EQUTL7JzUZSLM-6I01wNauxd7uPQuES6ZzcZiA4X4TW9KiYkP1s-CH4sAnztD4AtUH-p_5gtKZt54hGbysmT9bwj17rf6I7maNyUDzyjHupQ9xQdmDCiFWmLX7SkX/s320/20220615_114503.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">What do you think? Dashing, eh!</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Locks 4, miles 13¼ over three days. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-44076758389441130912022-06-13T20:30:00.001+01:002022-06-13T20:30:50.879+01:00Heading up the Avon<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">On Saturday morning we dropped down Gloucester Lock in company with <i>Calan Lan</i> and <i>Best of British, </i>leaving the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal behind.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8knougycgC2RGvxtQVYHAl8vrNeUkgmk-ad5hOPPwyBZsqBymeDzUc4CSjndII3LlITgfIu_zfRRaSaKOx-MNrapQWW4v2oFBw-WFZ5KTEebzTwDIXvCm-5i8ndOW-z0modM8WARyxoMxaaLbOeKupMf36r9acp54LhRagG4QWswRfiF/s4009/DSCF2061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2627" data-original-width="4009" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8knougycgC2RGvxtQVYHAl8vrNeUkgmk-ad5hOPPwyBZsqBymeDzUc4CSjndII3LlITgfIu_zfRRaSaKOx-MNrapQWW4v2oFBw-WFZ5KTEebzTwDIXvCm-5i8ndOW-z0modM8WARyxoMxaaLbOeKupMf36r9acp54LhRagG4QWswRfiF/w520-h342/DSCF2061.JPG" width="520" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It was fairly slow going heading against the flow on the relatively narrow Eastern Channel, but as soon as we passed Upper Parting we were able to get on a bit.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOfU_nl9gDSbdtMnsWUHIYdBHGWbcWP7GURME25SQn2uLbDPc4PZKl8hRmVhlU8CjGsJ0uXAXa68rh0ETJyrodB0nK3A1-GVkVZr9ntdfbtWgNPxSRcPl-ykusVLQks1Ie9ILZMuVJN44midO7oDTPmsDrsokH-SnTDkCdNtvDo-gR8qt/s4069/DSCF2064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2440" data-original-width="4069" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOfU_nl9gDSbdtMnsWUHIYdBHGWbcWP7GURME25SQn2uLbDPc4PZKl8hRmVhlU8CjGsJ0uXAXa68rh0ETJyrodB0nK3A1-GVkVZr9ntdfbtWgNPxSRcPl-ykusVLQks1Ie9ILZMuVJN44midO7oDTPmsDrsokH-SnTDkCdNtvDo-gR8qt/w427-h256/DSCF2064.JPG" width="427" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /> Even though we made good speed we worked out that we wouldn't, as we'd hoped, make Avon Lock at Tewkesbury before the lockie knocked off for lunch.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So we pulled in at Haw Bridge for a half hour brew and comfort stop.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Chinese boat people a little off course...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNQWe5l3aKpQoTCXjY6iOcJ9q2atna_TUoTycMMDJCQsHAnkqHQeLHgqnin_VlEDq84ttO0Z-5aJiqZCykAjXqTothm3wXsvPosJLRfNVzY52Ij4MOkUN9twTghKB9AkEw8fapmxG3nKITovcybveZ-NUpobwEVItQ3SBomGgF5gsgO2y/s1678/DSCF2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1678" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNQWe5l3aKpQoTCXjY6iOcJ9q2atna_TUoTycMMDJCQsHAnkqHQeLHgqnin_VlEDq84ttO0Z-5aJiqZCykAjXqTothm3wXsvPosJLRfNVzY52Ij4MOkUN9twTghKB9AkEw8fapmxG3nKITovcybveZ-NUpobwEVItQ3SBomGgF5gsgO2y/w400-h251/DSCF2066.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">Our travelling companions for a while, Ian, Carolyn and Milo.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXIV1qcIHuKv7TZ0RQRutCXBA5pE4eNMpKx9a62t901mQbZIwjsxCN0ggNxtzKrXxo5I59fpt0k7yBGiZjY42i6pOP_Gc6jPy8ieeDKyLcTYAMeCB1ekthpD_dw7Gxl0vX0J7-JJrxNBiMSq_zm6I9Lfnvdk35bTVXfSQsCdEPtFgCgcD/s3095/DSCF2071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2078" data-original-width="3095" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXIV1qcIHuKv7TZ0RQRutCXBA5pE4eNMpKx9a62t901mQbZIwjsxCN0ggNxtzKrXxo5I59fpt0k7yBGiZjY42i6pOP_Gc6jPy8ieeDKyLcTYAMeCB1ekthpD_dw7Gxl0vX0J7-JJrxNBiMSq_zm6I9Lfnvdk35bTVXfSQsCdEPtFgCgcD/w400-h269/DSCF2071.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgE9_s1uZNQpWKRTfR0881yfKUPUhq3PGcVJGR-va3xEFZDXxHN9vodB9aJU6lPWv6QxMhvNdTmr2qP5ebT8dxMCdLYpRTnaJw7Tnj24gc4zpUcUwFPFI38lvJ-uaeu-RdGCO7EKflzGh2fS5PqTlN0i8HCzl-bK3q4Gd2lwVOqjQQohl/s3901/DSCF2073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2703" data-original-width="3901" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgE9_s1uZNQpWKRTfR0881yfKUPUhq3PGcVJGR-va3xEFZDXxHN9vodB9aJU6lPWv6QxMhvNdTmr2qP5ebT8dxMCdLYpRTnaJw7Tnj24gc4zpUcUwFPFI38lvJ-uaeu-RdGCO7EKflzGh2fS5PqTlN0i8HCzl-bK3q4Gd2lwVOqjQQohl/w514-h357/DSCF2073.JPG" width="514" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">After Gloucester Lock we only had the one at Upper Lode to go up before the confluence of the River Avon, but the wheels came off at little here. On arrival we found that the lock was out of action due to an electrical failure, so we turned around and stopped on the patrons-only pontoon at the Lower Lode Inn.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisPzjmTg6WCIWFeXlrmdyd0qQvhKEOlLPIaa_iVkOfAuOKhZw3QFctRhHplEGTNYH6oyuiqN8XTmddGUoPrbA8XEhbKLFOLFjTwOlqt99C0tOY-2JYhZD6iN4PcntMb8sKSi-quHYhFmh3EHbEe3gGUYPeCJS27FGZl1qQwQurVzS6C5s/s3887/DSCF2080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2540" data-original-width="3887" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisPzjmTg6WCIWFeXlrmdyd0qQvhKEOlLPIaa_iVkOfAuOKhZw3QFctRhHplEGTNYH6oyuiqN8XTmddGUoPrbA8XEhbKLFOLFjTwOlqt99C0tOY-2JYhZD6iN4PcntMb8sKSi-quHYhFmh3EHbEe3gGUYPeCJS27FGZl1qQwQurVzS6C5s/w400-h261/DSCF2080.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The landlord was sympathetic and said we could stay as long as needed. By 4 o'clock though the situation was resolved and we headed back the </span><span style="text-align: left;">¾ mile to the lock.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUf_zOa_HJg-o4Fh-OvLiTQ5LpUPuhu2irNRUZsrHsXrRez0SbOGlZoJ5xmTMLi-4Zy09VLNQCMb-YGcTsDTbvCG6DCjGB67ktqmKjdDmcBERbtKPDvK_ciziCqd-M36QbjwXPiWB2C8lV0px_6ibC0IZccFa7QeOq6nIMqAUdr8HOI_v/s3945/DSCF2082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2229" data-original-width="3945" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUf_zOa_HJg-o4Fh-OvLiTQ5LpUPuhu2irNRUZsrHsXrRez0SbOGlZoJ5xmTMLi-4Zy09VLNQCMb-YGcTsDTbvCG6DCjGB67ktqmKjdDmcBERbtKPDvK_ciziCqd-M36QbjwXPiWB2C8lV0px_6ibC0IZccFa7QeOq6nIMqAUdr8HOI_v/s320/DSCF2082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> As it was getting on a bit and I (mistakenly) thought that the Avon Lockie clocked off at half-four we stayed the night on the upper lock landing at Upper Lode.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">A quarter past seven on Sunday morning at Upper Lode.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPs9QmE0Gp1q4_727-ZGralo0_nlx3AV0AkVylG5SkHTxJ0l-Zmlqw36tBpMAXC7s-QL2oxfReyVQodfshmAdgVIUHoDSmOYGwQrXQaVPIl4WhIRttgjCI5ya3XfsWgOY1sb_IBPK80MUf1BaMR0QyHCRubpG3unS43kgK-1XSJQAnfLd/s3282/20220612_071344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2288" data-original-width="3282" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPs9QmE0Gp1q4_727-ZGralo0_nlx3AV0AkVylG5SkHTxJ0l-Zmlqw36tBpMAXC7s-QL2oxfReyVQodfshmAdgVIUHoDSmOYGwQrXQaVPIl4WhIRttgjCI5ya3XfsWgOY1sb_IBPK80MUf1BaMR0QyHCRubpG3unS43kgK-1XSJQAnfLd/w400-h279/20220612_071344.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></div></span></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Sunday morning saw us up on the Avon by 10:00.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvY8OHZGL7dgx0B4NwcSXIz5aqkQPinzkG3Tzcz-OgjyKO55Tq-F6EKg8kH-PiMAkGMy3ID1LnNWjJzzoqEk21QgnWrlvYqTpyvcdNrJn4lgdPsGrcuCwbMCvs8qWXCI0CLp9ptwHLhJqe8nuKwYHEzM5ZiipNAK1BuGDJOc2eGK2LsgIf/s4235/DSCF2091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2679" data-original-width="4235" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvY8OHZGL7dgx0B4NwcSXIz5aqkQPinzkG3Tzcz-OgjyKO55Tq-F6EKg8kH-PiMAkGMy3ID1LnNWjJzzoqEk21QgnWrlvYqTpyvcdNrJn4lgdPsGrcuCwbMCvs8qWXCI0CLp9ptwHLhJqe8nuKwYHEzM5ZiipNAK1BuGDJOc2eGK2LsgIf/w544-h344/DSCF2091.JPG" width="544" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJ7mpkmJWl0G0fZ11qPvnLuBNCdNwSgG0wi3jlW3a6S7vlIChElESFwU5ZimijMgyf85DzK7SfZwW_QjrrbVH0kGVMr5DCKLLlzX6eb83ej80hKQLv8bjXYPrHXoZjqrPhoYJLFC5_6j3UF8om8VxkRag6-Bp29KJ6NCl50IVRgMBwX_I/s3890/DSCF2095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2810" data-original-width="3890" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJ7mpkmJWl0G0fZ11qPvnLuBNCdNwSgG0wi3jlW3a6S7vlIChElESFwU5ZimijMgyf85DzK7SfZwW_QjrrbVH0kGVMr5DCKLLlzX6eb83ej80hKQLv8bjXYPrHXoZjqrPhoYJLFC5_6j3UF8om8VxkRag6-Bp29KJ6NCl50IVRgMBwX_I/s320/DSCF2095.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Not an ideal spot, a high bank and flood poles to bump against but it did us for one night.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Amber and I had a fine walk around The Ham first thing this morning.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidp267iv7X2Z10J6ZF1Hd31xqWLEq73YAKrDBnVcSPzn3VgQLZdsQ9XT8w2dRcxp879IHHlKrGXwgOsafQlwvtdYnVzdiiTOmmzsQ8ZzXs8UuTUfVsOeS69NWcJk0-212L10PvF3rnZ2Q28nARjXeNpxHSxgbq8k9vTj1PBZcgmxHC4w4K/s8080/20220613_071533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2192" data-original-width="8080" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidp267iv7X2Z10J6ZF1Hd31xqWLEq73YAKrDBnVcSPzn3VgQLZdsQ9XT8w2dRcxp879IHHlKrGXwgOsafQlwvtdYnVzdiiTOmmzsQ8ZzXs8UuTUfVsOeS69NWcJk0-212L10PvF3rnZ2Q28nARjXeNpxHSxgbq8k9vTj1PBZcgmxHC4w4K/w640-h174/20220613_071533.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGHNySvzbWKP48FBGJPrHMRIx_UOdXN0Xyo0S4lJ8DwVreo6NZaqRDL0MVx7YC79mgxP71WDoVL37iXqEosou17YUxZAZPDRbDvPdAS6V80pQ7zyD4TU_A1HGvdJINEC2HhmDH8KRGxQXhlLqBIsAGMjjrEUbZlZkCKydyZNa2J9lYsaJ/s4032/20220613_071904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGHNySvzbWKP48FBGJPrHMRIx_UOdXN0Xyo0S4lJ8DwVreo6NZaqRDL0MVx7YC79mgxP71WDoVL37iXqEosou17YUxZAZPDRbDvPdAS6V80pQ7zyD4TU_A1HGvdJINEC2HhmDH8KRGxQXhlLqBIsAGMjjrEUbZlZkCKydyZNa2J9lYsaJ/w400-h300/20220613_071904.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lfIS4pz3AGoryvABhiAqs-oG2Q_qZQ40NwFk9906CXduu9P-3_iwgqQKIxeLuwo-iyTn2IR3DImGf4t-8RvQs521p-ytsd3xdi41N67qc40q3zeNe4wAEFCovVaIZvIeDJLpFqXfxNbJt1UvW-eUdqL-cfk7EPMWohUkP5_LLoUCiJHR/s3045/20220613_072300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2309" data-original-width="3045" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lfIS4pz3AGoryvABhiAqs-oG2Q_qZQ40NwFk9906CXduu9P-3_iwgqQKIxeLuwo-iyTn2IR3DImGf4t-8RvQs521p-ytsd3xdi41N67qc40q3zeNe4wAEFCovVaIZvIeDJLpFqXfxNbJt1UvW-eUdqL-cfk7EPMWohUkP5_LLoUCiJHR/s320/20220613_072300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Saxon's were masters at the art of literary efficiency. "Water meadow in a bend of a river which suffers from periodic flooding". Shortened to Ham. Excellent!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Looking across to Tewkesbury Abbey.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzfodx5ItiONb8xXquH4p-rnk44V7pQ-ZpKvqrz1KjWBAp2GqC0VVEaebYD8O9W08n7nJwuCB3jac4srJgmhImWpMpXjNB9bxgUZmx4HDMiL9lZ8JCYnnd_7I99Gr7mvdZ1H7rD-5hteXPaHBTd9RORFyXaamEtmY7H6m7HosO3ueN6N0/s3738/20220613_074417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2177" data-original-width="3738" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzfodx5ItiONb8xXquH4p-rnk44V7pQ-ZpKvqrz1KjWBAp2GqC0VVEaebYD8O9W08n7nJwuCB3jac4srJgmhImWpMpXjNB9bxgUZmx4HDMiL9lZ8JCYnnd_7I99Gr7mvdZ1H7rD-5hteXPaHBTd9RORFyXaamEtmY7H6m7HosO3ueN6N0/w522-h304/20220613_074417.jpg" width="522" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We had a later start this morning, leaving the moorings near Healings Mill and heading out of town under King John's Bridge and past the marinas.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FFJ1boktqwI1KqPyUX1m2X8DyH8yo40KZxsA33sADHM3MIKNiQ4ZJE6xKMgLwazDMCuocEKI5QsD6ZgVd9b-RTYKxSmj_k8DWPWh62M2PGx6JMV-vwM6eI3wefG14rbNjNwVEsTcbeuW3PyYY0HOZDvaJ3mbDyPVWksE167fjs1NPGZo/s4172/DSCF2096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2769" data-original-width="4172" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FFJ1boktqwI1KqPyUX1m2X8DyH8yo40KZxsA33sADHM3MIKNiQ4ZJE6xKMgLwazDMCuocEKI5QsD6ZgVd9b-RTYKxSmj_k8DWPWh62M2PGx6JMV-vwM6eI3wefG14rbNjNwVEsTcbeuW3PyYY0HOZDvaJ3mbDyPVWksE167fjs1NPGZo/w640-h424/DSCF2096.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWm7P0AohpQXC-tIdsXnCx4KVfwYWv7V0QFzsI2cCgcdj9LenMUOGmu43Nx_oQWdpKWnGqb9r4xgCDzZvfpy-Y1PfawObfnZL1ME1Yetfq18uWuilyoBPzisBu6DfytWOsn7-YeKJPfmtBAwAUjokSrRmUQVZFG-5_xjfo25UYs6q4YWNU/s3973/DSCF2097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2491" data-original-width="3973" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWm7P0AohpQXC-tIdsXnCx4KVfwYWv7V0QFzsI2cCgcdj9LenMUOGmu43Nx_oQWdpKWnGqb9r4xgCDzZvfpy-Y1PfawObfnZL1ME1Yetfq18uWuilyoBPzisBu6DfytWOsn7-YeKJPfmtBAwAUjokSrRmUQVZFG-5_xjfo25UYs6q4YWNU/w400-h251/DSCF2097.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The bridge is supposed to have been commissioned by the luckless King in around 1205. It was King John who lost a lot of the traditional Angevin holdings in France, drove the Barons into revolt leading to the Magna Carta, then lost a goodly proportion of the Crown's treasures in salt marshes near The Wash. Not a happy time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The river twists and turns a bit, heading generally northward though, towards Bredon Hill.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Bredon Hill and the M5.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD2u6Fx3SuWcblkdYVP43064r-6CCJsq-70fsQAxO2yZI-HPhVcOFyMgdQwmiUU3p2abVfaZBMgeEZJHn_d-b6n1v6zLSov12SETp3DJJ1wdbWTR69NGRaHnmhcuV23KVBK8Q5acQeefCZpt4YJNtqR81y07Ok1Wsa2UE_UczriS2XSfm/s3990/DSCF2101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2531" data-original-width="3990" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD2u6Fx3SuWcblkdYVP43064r-6CCJsq-70fsQAxO2yZI-HPhVcOFyMgdQwmiUU3p2abVfaZBMgeEZJHn_d-b6n1v6zLSov12SETp3DJJ1wdbWTR69NGRaHnmhcuV23KVBK8Q5acQeefCZpt4YJNtqR81y07Ok1Wsa2UE_UczriS2XSfm/w640-h406/DSCF2101.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Strensham Lock, our first DIY Avon Lock</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-0CZRNoa9R9j_3E30QeahldAqLr0896rWZh52rGuBODR-gopBYpQOBnM46MFcn7eBR9Qv2mtq6LRMVmBSs9YIuDg9gQSs0swpARV0JAcUQdc9lFb1Rb40crqhrqEzpM-Gl35sBo2_0fSL0bZV_dzbHrwqdvXn2gbWcrU1mpLvH2D6ty-/s3358/DSCF2103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2134" data-original-width="3358" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-0CZRNoa9R9j_3E30QeahldAqLr0896rWZh52rGuBODR-gopBYpQOBnM46MFcn7eBR9Qv2mtq6LRMVmBSs9YIuDg9gQSs0swpARV0JAcUQdc9lFb1Rb40crqhrqEzpM-Gl35sBo2_0fSL0bZV_dzbHrwqdvXn2gbWcrU1mpLvH2D6ty-/w467-h296/DSCF2103.JPG" width="467" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Now that's a big online order crossing Defford Railway Bridge!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1n_3V8ylb-_YqoYFGWbZAbgU56R7UHKG6bJTmPWxW_sqDy_gENAL8Pm3ncfUULhSfYsRIGqMOpvjI63ULxTHjcbl6-D2qzy10TX3cbQV3AedAYPg_31u6uRr493LR3z0XJNrv3VkYuwzTLxcz1RHrGwSAGQSF_WMj9fYxmUaH1vn5WV_S/s4168/DSCF2106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2424" data-original-width="4168" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1n_3V8ylb-_YqoYFGWbZAbgU56R7UHKG6bJTmPWxW_sqDy_gENAL8Pm3ncfUULhSfYsRIGqMOpvjI63ULxTHjcbl6-D2qzy10TX3cbQV3AedAYPg_31u6uRr493LR3z0XJNrv3VkYuwzTLxcz1RHrGwSAGQSF_WMj9fYxmUaH1vn5WV_S/w563-h328/DSCF2106.JPG" width="563" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We pulled in after 7 miles or so on the Trust moorings just above Eckington Bridge.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxutnX7KiF3HxhvucNn2wlY0qzUIQHMaYYzylU1fok8xyY_RS_HPN7eYhnovBMHBt41SZjI-i0h7zs55ezDq60zxHUrTynT4iUq_Qa_tE1uovZUqWUk606NK9zEMhFbPGyVpPQlxMpnMGp0s6yhJb_0nuPgXAJUrBPF7TI8N7H4GkcZeZ/s3123/DSCF2108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1884" data-original-width="3123" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxutnX7KiF3HxhvucNn2wlY0qzUIQHMaYYzylU1fok8xyY_RS_HPN7eYhnovBMHBt41SZjI-i0h7zs55ezDq60zxHUrTynT4iUq_Qa_tE1uovZUqWUk606NK9zEMhFbPGyVpPQlxMpnMGp0s6yhJb_0nuPgXAJUrBPF7TI8N7H4GkcZeZ/s320/DSCF2108.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This one's a relative youngster, only 300 years old...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Since last post - Locks 4, miles 23½</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-75522969651452892902022-06-10T20:19:00.002+01:002022-06-10T20:19:53.116+01:00There and back again.<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We headed back towards Gloucester last Saturday, stopping at Rea Bridge for the extended bank holiday weekend.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You wouldn't have thought it but this small wooden launch kicked up more wash than the hotel boat <i>Edward Elgar</i></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">!</span></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGKVNeyo_zn-9_nrTC8510fC0CdBq5EIVP4BlyzPrx_qVuKrWUHj5A9BExfylQ6gxzT-PaJhQSP_wz7d8vambc3hbTF30Ld-APavUByef8EKTL0zmqh93QB9TfwF8Kg_aHD7RJGDHncj5tszM782Zcwr_AqgEcmlICBlVJYXIX58ZR_hV/s3346/DSCF2037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2249" data-original-width="3346" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGKVNeyo_zn-9_nrTC8510fC0CdBq5EIVP4BlyzPrx_qVuKrWUHj5A9BExfylQ6gxzT-PaJhQSP_wz7d8vambc3hbTF30Ld-APavUByef8EKTL0zmqh93QB9TfwF8Kg_aHD7RJGDHncj5tszM782Zcwr_AqgEcmlICBlVJYXIX58ZR_hV/w400-h269/DSCF2037.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhF1kgUgh1kb75hEq_3pF7-vPMUb7iFsB9Y2Drw9u8Tz6jkd3WfpUov0EG4ozAlPnGSUXS-DPfj_qMrgSGYiNGGFNCmqW3n3igP3cxBkvaeiAO3i8V8TTH-anAEwa1fMYmERxlYA1DtuINZ3XFlmJjCR6VL5iglaZVQvYhZhAcX5fTgA-m/s3278/DSCF2038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2063" data-original-width="3278" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhF1kgUgh1kb75hEq_3pF7-vPMUb7iFsB9Y2Drw9u8Tz6jkd3WfpUov0EG4ozAlPnGSUXS-DPfj_qMrgSGYiNGGFNCmqW3n3igP3cxBkvaeiAO3i8V8TTH-anAEwa1fMYmERxlYA1DtuINZ3XFlmJjCR6VL5iglaZVQvYhZhAcX5fTgA-m/w400-h251/DSCF2038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I'd started on tidying up the gunnels, sanding and repainting the whole length each side while we were moored at Sharpness. I'd got one side done but ran out of discs for my orbital sander before I got the left side ready for painting. So I'd ordered some for collection at Quedgeley, and the nearest mooring is at Rea Bridge, also handy for Tesco too. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Monday saw us head back to Saul Junction, we needed fuel and a replacement gas bottle, and both were available from Joe Fuels (used to be APC), just up from Fretherne Bridge.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We stopped the night near the junction, meeting up with friends Carol and Ian (<i>Calan Lan</i>) who we last saw up on the Llangollen last winter. We caught up with the news and arranged to travel together up the Severn and onto the Avon.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">TS <i>Irene</i></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> heading back to Sharpness after the Tall Ships Festival.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJ9DFBp-hUWds_qobG7GHGhsrpJ-e_o80Y8JIQRajXgkzpYHTb6Ma9juCuRB5k-yJP2Wsj-I2jmJVpVWNWtUqTYmZCstUpsvexFq_eQzmoJxlWM90xSXfuvrdAMdN3iMMWJaB-MbnniY1epIr6kbRiL3qkhr_-IsDsXOn--QNpVNuNTKX/s3937/DSCF2049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2754" data-original-width="3937" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJ9DFBp-hUWds_qobG7GHGhsrpJ-e_o80Y8JIQRajXgkzpYHTb6Ma9juCuRB5k-yJP2Wsj-I2jmJVpVWNWtUqTYmZCstUpsvexFq_eQzmoJxlWM90xSXfuvrdAMdN3iMMWJaB-MbnniY1epIr6kbRiL3qkhr_-IsDsXOn--QNpVNuNTKX/w580-h406/DSCF2049.JPG" width="580" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Tuesday morning we headed a mile or so back, mooring near the site of the old Hardwicke Swing Bridge in a quiet spot to get the rest of the sanding and painting finished. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">That'll do...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99xfNv_AXVfK77ETaq9t8SK2qjkgjBUDDGV3pIHvZjx5H8LpZqm_mgpJx8noCydb84m5HDSus618G8LKrjwC4q5S6yVqirc7x0LS1sAeyvdfQ3OdZNSY2pHbhbsicVmhZQDLvtQ3kWJTX1ZIUJdr-P-TfcIzf0pzCq_pqhah7Q38npqp-/s3762/DSCF2054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2575" data-original-width="3762" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99xfNv_AXVfK77ETaq9t8SK2qjkgjBUDDGV3pIHvZjx5H8LpZqm_mgpJx8noCydb84m5HDSus618G8LKrjwC4q5S6yVqirc7x0LS1sAeyvdfQ3OdZNSY2pHbhbsicVmhZQDLvtQ3kWJTX1ZIUJdr-P-TfcIzf0pzCq_pqhah7Q38npqp-/w473-h324/DSCF2054.JPG" width="473" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I managed to get it done between the showers, then TS <i>La</i> <i>Malouine</i> went past at a rate of knots and bashed us against the piling, scratching the new paint! She and <i>Irene </i>had been delayed in Gloucester Docks, stuck on the bottom. So maybe they had some time to make up... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Judicious use of a paintbrush sorted the paint.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So yesterday saw us head back to Gloucester, mooring just before High Orchard Bridge near Sainsbury's.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Back into Gloucester, we moored on the left in front of the new apartments. <i>Calan Lan</i> is already there.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLagqfpjMeSK_56pCZyNRay2XYHm9pOfdl9Z-N-8kGnNrXpmcX9xw926PyZpiHOvIqdYOzuEtGFQcJg-fmTlMQuvfn7oDORnnlYzzsESgm1WHkVCa9H37UKoHZJ3tNKgor1aO8OG0EAJcjjkT7BCkkqVSTZt2Qdm2sBY8vXjtk2eTNO_d/s4061/DSCF2057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2758" data-original-width="4061" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLagqfpjMeSK_56pCZyNRay2XYHm9pOfdl9Z-N-8kGnNrXpmcX9xw926PyZpiHOvIqdYOzuEtGFQcJg-fmTlMQuvfn7oDORnnlYzzsESgm1WHkVCa9H37UKoHZJ3tNKgor1aO8OG0EAJcjjkT7BCkkqVSTZt2Qdm2sBY8vXjtk2eTNO_d/w542-h367/DSCF2057.JPG" width="542" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Tomorrow (Saturday) we'll be back on the river, heading upstream to Tewkesbury and the River Avon.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Locks 0, miles 17½</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-89535721065794458172022-06-03T21:02:00.000+01:002022-06-03T21:02:44.215+01:00Tall Ships and derelicts<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We stopped at Purton on Tuesday, mooring not far past the two Purton Swing Bridges. The expected showers didn't materialise, although it did remain overcast until later in the evening.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Purton Lower Swing Bridge.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWsY-sC8LkNSu2hHzVRrRXoAgAhv0mQRTN9mhWCJg7xyoSsZJRZTRw7jPhsNRclVTRdMOnc2LJRYsnvVIPhRppP9bzr-YE9v1HnOFjp4EFI1MvBqfC4YRAS563ueFsCgXCOgn-pmEMKGQUzvDrRBaVMyq4Vo83MYO__USv7W5aHeFz_t2/s3652/DSCF1978.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2384" data-original-width="3652" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWsY-sC8LkNSu2hHzVRrRXoAgAhv0mQRTN9mhWCJg7xyoSsZJRZTRw7jPhsNRclVTRdMOnc2LJRYsnvVIPhRppP9bzr-YE9v1HnOFjp4EFI1MvBqfC4YRAS563ueFsCgXCOgn-pmEMKGQUzvDrRBaVMyq4Vo83MYO__USv7W5aHeFz_t2/w400-h261/DSCF1978.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The bridges are close together and are controlled from this one.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In 1909 a large slip on the river bank here at Purton threatened the </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">G&S</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> canal. With no locks on it's 16 mile length a breach would have been disastrous. The canal runs very close to the river at this point, and something had to be done! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Chief Engineers solution was simple and cost effective. He called for redundant barges and other vessels to be towed to Sharpness, dropped down onto the river at high tide and then beached on the vulnerable bank with the hulls breached. The plan was that the hulks would form the basis for sandbanks to build up and reinforce the bank.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Between 1909 in 1965, 85 craft were repurposed as bank protection, most of the earlier ones have been swallowed by the sand and silt they attracted, but the remains of several of the later ones are still visible.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><i>Envoy, </i>one of the first sacrifices...<br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAuzW40TtGkC38eUmSXVQIG5Gjrk5QLek-iofNy_-uHKADZ6DP5donWF-zaLolnPZ0be--RKVI46z35LDTtUju39TVh81ggVU67ESSB2dPuFhLEQOfjcuQzaY6-6--D3MKaYg_RDSwI2Fz_Km-b7aoRmoqzA_3hBdMbFEMJzQQbATo2S9/s4032/20220601_081633.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAuzW40TtGkC38eUmSXVQIG5Gjrk5QLek-iofNy_-uHKADZ6DP5donWF-zaLolnPZ0be--RKVI46z35LDTtUju39TVh81ggVU67ESSB2dPuFhLEQOfjcuQzaY6-6--D3MKaYg_RDSwI2Fz_Km-b7aoRmoqzA_3hBdMbFEMJzQQbATo2S9/w400-h300/20220601_081633.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1M76RH0DOk2-wyxoGH97ZvBU9sDYQjwOq3xaeXKjiQn_ogHHBkPeu1P4I7P1Sd8z60208bLt6A-_HVoW9eouXFl07Kla-9VXv7AdnYuPq_0r7NFxC8asgtDzu5c9-AI0rUg2dDiJ_hbTRlNnyk9b6iywdrMRbcQKl5Y-lneJq0MsuD6G/s4032/20220601_081644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1M76RH0DOk2-wyxoGH97ZvBU9sDYQjwOq3xaeXKjiQn_ogHHBkPeu1P4I7P1Sd8z60208bLt6A-_HVoW9eouXFl07Kla-9VXv7AdnYuPq_0r7NFxC8asgtDzu5c9-AI0rUg2dDiJ_hbTRlNnyk9b6iywdrMRbcQKl5Y-lneJq0MsuD6G/s320/20220601_081644.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Most of the remains have been identified and have these memorial plates alongside.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYRxXGQtrSIvyJJmKE5SHvkwVabY2NVS25s1NYJaA-5Ur6r0aTRYwrOXDYIbPYbN3HRDSnWdoDPYMMNTkm8lu8HjfGCfAh1aPVSgnPnkS_09r6bGH_VSaqkOIg8q__1lIJHwju_T5VSQyYZ_Gr6XHuQfZi43Y3KCTxwubmgMLHiPHXGSD/s4608/DSCF1987.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYRxXGQtrSIvyJJmKE5SHvkwVabY2NVS25s1NYJaA-5Ur6r0aTRYwrOXDYIbPYbN3HRDSnWdoDPYMMNTkm8lu8HjfGCfAh1aPVSgnPnkS_09r6bGH_VSaqkOIg8q__1lIJHwju_T5VSQyYZ_Gr6XHuQfZi43Y3KCTxwubmgMLHiPHXGSD/s320/DSCF1987.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The ferrocement barges, built during WWII when there was a shortage of steel and timber, have fared the best.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVEH01ng2CjypJq05nFHcrEMrGH-DQL9u1m-lduYmTp_ln_mAlaViY6kSVcfM3-nHuHANJVCY6d02MMko_Fi_HMcAyCC3CtpBuHXlGyH21CnoXjlbD8dUxqE-fIBQLUuqS78ergeVSxHKh52zgRzQ69dGYOarLwLmK4_J8QDXVfrUDybg/s4140/DSCF1993.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4140" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVEH01ng2CjypJq05nFHcrEMrGH-DQL9u1m-lduYmTp_ln_mAlaViY6kSVcfM3-nHuHANJVCY6d02MMko_Fi_HMcAyCC3CtpBuHXlGyH21CnoXjlbD8dUxqE-fIBQLUuqS78ergeVSxHKh52zgRzQ69dGYOarLwLmK4_J8QDXVfrUDybg/s320/DSCF1993.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaRiApay31BLSg2JD_ROZ7PxeHP5ydhZ9SbgM4I1icBC0cv52waifwN0PkdKYU4KXNj3nQCJSbdBm_Hn06-gHViiy9BMAXdiR1LJRjCL6l5iNMBJh0GxbH-1wLiJ2u2VAM-4d2dLtMMAGIm3n4oj7woV6cV_JtVhvwMdGPo_jsj30BXyf/s4025/DSCF1997.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2917" data-original-width="4025" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaRiApay31BLSg2JD_ROZ7PxeHP5ydhZ9SbgM4I1icBC0cv52waifwN0PkdKYU4KXNj3nQCJSbdBm_Hn06-gHViiy9BMAXdiR1LJRjCL6l5iNMBJh0GxbH-1wLiJ2u2VAM-4d2dLtMMAGIm3n4oj7woV6cV_JtVhvwMdGPo_jsj30BXyf/w400-h290/DSCF1997.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqvOalCVbmJMwfTD8v_U7YJ_PbDPH7fUo5bnIIQaoRXiehj0hvbMYg9SDRgxShF3x2WqPA4c-FCskNv9Y7RH4jGIXvuLj-GfDDKf6Dm8iCuIIZ-Bf2Oey9d3jXD7lYoYpP77_DYMEshEKgUJab13MQeN-GBYLMZdFr5tu0mACOUOv4H_2/s4247/DSCF1998.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2774" data-original-width="4247" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqvOalCVbmJMwfTD8v_U7YJ_PbDPH7fUo5bnIIQaoRXiehj0hvbMYg9SDRgxShF3x2WqPA4c-FCskNv9Y7RH4jGIXvuLj-GfDDKf6Dm8iCuIIZ-Bf2Oey9d3jXD7lYoYpP77_DYMEshEKgUJab13MQeN-GBYLMZdFr5tu0mACOUOv4H_2/s320/DSCF1998.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Further out, visible at low tide, lie another two wrecks with a more tragic story.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWINSyTeCNAdJDZB78h2wOG4yJUISTfzQ1fj6BYQ0zpU7eSq6L0K4YGi8gPtpeHmYDGaSOTlczcaJ4qUE4v-LCkNxWwb5myPnrffbMRlvjAh0z3ZR7b891UnUVSU2cPXwnY_I56W9drzVMui5eNkcedVneMdJbdI0t1291wb8gqdyXDma/s2977/DSCF1990.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1459" data-original-width="2977" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWINSyTeCNAdJDZB78h2wOG4yJUISTfzQ1fj6BYQ0zpU7eSq6L0K4YGi8gPtpeHmYDGaSOTlczcaJ4qUE4v-LCkNxWwb5myPnrffbMRlvjAh0z3ZR7b891UnUVSU2cPXwnY_I56W9drzVMui5eNkcedVneMdJbdI0t1291wb8gqdyXDma/w585-h287/DSCF1990.JPG" width="585" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On a foggy night in October 1960 two oil tankers missed the entrance to Sharpness Docks and collided in the channel. The tide carried them upstream and they collided with the Severn Railway Bridge crossing the estuary. Electricity cables and a gas line were ruptured as a span of the bridge collapsed onto the vessels, causing a massive fire. Of the eight crew members only three survived. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlv-efKVFOGbGLJQegWpuz8hNVjGNQxfU6RUxllDOFWMZafAbLqvTVPp8UJCEJeBu-CySg2XoYU40mxRMaz-SBU-jnmmXeP4h3-hYyA_KLdg-S_HNLj6r3AzZPcvRz2OMQfsG46x_Cnfhs9IVl7elfbk2VrqfDIuk2lx23UQ4PG8Y_eUB/s4032/20220601_081924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlv-efKVFOGbGLJQegWpuz8hNVjGNQxfU6RUxllDOFWMZafAbLqvTVPp8UJCEJeBu-CySg2XoYU40mxRMaz-SBU-jnmmXeP4h3-hYyA_KLdg-S_HNLj6r3AzZPcvRz2OMQfsG46x_Cnfhs9IVl7elfbk2VrqfDIuk2lx23UQ4PG8Y_eUB/w400-h300/20220601_081924.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The bridge was never repaired and was completely demolished in 1967. The full story is <a href="https://www.severntales.co.uk/severn-bridge-disaster.html" target="_blank">here.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sun appeared later in the evening, the light making the colours on the foreshore really intense.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aZOcG0ERokhm5NNWMUf6RXdIDpfkYXoWOiBKOXVOhV86SqfF_WGANcsIF4N_jk4B8Qv3UdAYlSJ3kVPHQlpnq-GQwUKX7YHN1nECUJcc45jSjsRUJoRjtd5Fk6MyUH_3FC6QRxOjWKIcKuNhdjjIrIm9EnNbRnkyoDnm1Afb7ngHyeT2/s4032/20220531_201342.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aZOcG0ERokhm5NNWMUf6RXdIDpfkYXoWOiBKOXVOhV86SqfF_WGANcsIF4N_jk4B8Qv3UdAYlSJ3kVPHQlpnq-GQwUKX7YHN1nECUJcc45jSjsRUJoRjtd5Fk6MyUH_3FC6QRxOjWKIcKuNhdjjIrIm9EnNbRnkyoDnm1Afb7ngHyeT2/w400-h300/20220531_201342.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We moved the short distance to the moorings above Sharpness on Wednesday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pier on the offside and the support for the swivel which housed a steam engine to swing the span are all that remains of the Severn Railway Bridge.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT33XKkh9wcATdqIWW7LF8X2thTyYNAl7IuprUJ1FYGAkxnbpbLs5prMY93Vo1abb1IwDCaKH00BDdLftGS_imv6meZDGBvOeEyxSd3PEpI0f6TMaPBtV2_kT08iB9i7y5IoA198NCzeTSGs56VOYcKla9rNvnF8xB7x5RP9ZQnO2jpmRn/s4032/20220601_075518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT33XKkh9wcATdqIWW7LF8X2thTyYNAl7IuprUJ1FYGAkxnbpbLs5prMY93Vo1abb1IwDCaKH00BDdLftGS_imv6meZDGBvOeEyxSd3PEpI0f6TMaPBtV2_kT08iB9i7y5IoA198NCzeTSGs56VOYcKla9rNvnF8xB7x5RP9ZQnO2jpmRn/w400-h300/20220601_075518.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCKG5ZssExU8dUa8kEFMLvO0nBbO8CAHe-TGwfRxmlHRMkIwb6MXvCzOCcj--kBva_I1VNDu7RNK87Itdzhz3ocy0-KFDkU791GmpQvtAqQwIOMmmKBkzJM5vctslzogcCc-haBND3BL3WzsAQFscMp7WzqotJXsWbYRZidzyCzDAbceA/s4032/20220601_075623.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCKG5ZssExU8dUa8kEFMLvO0nBbO8CAHe-TGwfRxmlHRMkIwb6MXvCzOCcj--kBva_I1VNDu7RNK87Itdzhz3ocy0-KFDkU791GmpQvtAqQwIOMmmKBkzJM5vctslzogcCc-haBND3BL3WzsAQFscMp7WzqotJXsWbYRZidzyCzDAbceA/w640-h480/20220601_075623.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bright and early yesterday morning Amber and I walked to the old dock...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">High and Low Swing Bridges cross the entrance to the new lock, the old entrance channel and lock are now used for moorings.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGRJ1nH5mrw4rp84SWohhzVGDSOWyxP_fmO7YSdUVgHjJ3Im2YYDQ4_fdipP3S_hXyL59VnX4ors6tjvO6D1InUzFrkazTgJf0mIGiN9mEyD6ai-5w64hWprqpgZ4uPHw2KUkoQ4n32o3yE-2AQfJhPMsmQ5eBjQyLBDEGwTE7-We7Qbf/s3744/20220602_074232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2218" data-original-width="3744" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGRJ1nH5mrw4rp84SWohhzVGDSOWyxP_fmO7YSdUVgHjJ3Im2YYDQ4_fdipP3S_hXyL59VnX4ors6tjvO6D1InUzFrkazTgJf0mIGiN9mEyD6ai-5w64hWprqpgZ4uPHw2KUkoQ4n32o3yE-2AQfJhPMsmQ5eBjQyLBDEGwTE7-We7Qbf/w461-h274/20220602_074232.jpg" width="461" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLat0zQg1Usjlcn1D1DODgavqnwg019kSYg8gmUrXAROEYYLrJEaj-ajiy6JiAvMo1DWSupMU_rQcrP5D2GJGhNewXsla6Ij038Y6qP0CwpzusH8QOkN9FF_FwWA6wt-LuR5YdSttezimF_4PJL-eFIiIHpidtFyFako1tBRV_hZ4lRIh/s3647/20220602_080241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2546" data-original-width="3647" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLat0zQg1Usjlcn1D1DODgavqnwg019kSYg8gmUrXAROEYYLrJEaj-ajiy6JiAvMo1DWSupMU_rQcrP5D2GJGhNewXsla6Ij038Y6qP0CwpzusH8QOkN9FF_FwWA6wt-LuR5YdSttezimF_4PJL-eFIiIHpidtFyFako1tBRV_hZ4lRIh/s320/20220602_080241.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>From the point at the end of the old tidal basin... Upstream...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi783x3GT7Ka26f3y2K9x_szUPQiLjHBs-wqVyELunr3T5uEA-ipRBtVAp1oLH6XaFnmvevllW2xnm-564GQJslcM98WKQ9TiSAugT2EImZV2dtlSr7-u0vzlHVP8S7JUjOyWSRcsB-ILBWVlrHxa0rgrJepk_ztRg3Cb9PuUs4wuTw7p1U/s3623/20220602_075210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2326" data-original-width="3623" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi783x3GT7Ka26f3y2K9x_szUPQiLjHBs-wqVyELunr3T5uEA-ipRBtVAp1oLH6XaFnmvevllW2xnm-564GQJslcM98WKQ9TiSAugT2EImZV2dtlSr7-u0vzlHVP8S7JUjOyWSRcsB-ILBWVlrHxa0rgrJepk_ztRg3Cb9PuUs4wuTw7p1U/w400-h256/20220602_075210.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">...and downstream.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsRV0w-HI9-oJ6mlwJPoLpos0YTJpw3Sh63km_AI3n0JFQUKX43yJyEAtSroGxeflDspJW_odM2SRuD_9_7WGITE7OqMueyjpNtFTGn47dICqeAx_Tj9JZ7SQqHW_dPqP0Gj6GV3RLxKEMcjRAqp3Va5QQZIxAYRi1r5s9tjhcwJq662e/s3168/20220602_075658.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2093" data-original-width="3168" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsRV0w-HI9-oJ6mlwJPoLpos0YTJpw3Sh63km_AI3n0JFQUKX43yJyEAtSroGxeflDspJW_odM2SRuD_9_7WGITE7OqMueyjpNtFTGn47dICqeAx_Tj9JZ7SQqHW_dPqP0Gj6GV3RLxKEMcjRAqp3Va5QQZIxAYRi1r5s9tjhcwJq662e/w554-h365/20220602_075658.jpg" width="554" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The buildings centre of picture are either Berkeley or Oldbury Nuclear Power Stations, now in the process of dismantling.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">To the right can be seen the cable support towers of the Severn Road Bridge, the suspension bridge opened in 1966 and 10 miles downstream. The newer Prince of Wales is out of sight, another 3 miles away.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Talking about Berkeley, when the Act of Parliament for the construction of the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal was applied for, in 1793, it was for the Gloucester and Berkeley Canal, as the original intention was for it to reach the Severn just over 2 miles further downstream. Some old maps still show it as the Gloucester and Berkeley Canal, although running to Sharpness.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Financial difficulties kept delaying the project, but at the time it was opened in 1827 i</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">t had cost twice the original estimate of £200,000 to finish.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">At the time it was the broadest and deepest canal in the world, able to take vessels over 200 feet long and 30 feet wide.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">On the subject of large craft, it wasn't planned but our visit coincides with the Gloucester Tall Ships Festival. After seeing <i>La Malouine </i>the other day, there have been several others heading up to Gloucester. Sorry about the quality of some of the photos...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><i>TS Vilma</i>, topsail schooner, built 1934.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://angleseytraditionalsail.co.uk/vilma/">Vilma - Anglesey Traditional Sail</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQaxoBHCgTmlAjguazOBtWZcFbuYBkXpeWYiMNM4sEaP0VuUOqKSAAJx8sLn3pfaGapq9JFMGbRJYDAgKZmxsBMoWWnrsPhk5J6Teed7w_chY7JrufPerlda6JGoyVsPeLnUQ5xhrQh98bAWzl8tzULM3xznVdSzjFttS3b1ZJUHJ6Pih/s4085/DSCF2007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2553" data-original-width="4085" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQaxoBHCgTmlAjguazOBtWZcFbuYBkXpeWYiMNM4sEaP0VuUOqKSAAJx8sLn3pfaGapq9JFMGbRJYDAgKZmxsBMoWWnrsPhk5J6Teed7w_chY7JrufPerlda6JGoyVsPeLnUQ5xhrQh98bAWzl8tzULM3xznVdSzjFttS3b1ZJUHJ6Pih/w400-h250/DSCF2007.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">TS Anny of Charlestown, another topsail schooner, from 1930.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://classic-sailing.com/vessel/anny-of-charlestown/">Anny of Charlestown - Classic Sailing (classic-sailing.com)</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f4fPcfj0VTw/YppjTZGkWEI/AAAAAAABL80/WZkK_NUO-i0s9o8NiX8n2NgkmF6bnnKVACNcBGAsYHQ/s2482/DSCF2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2447" data-original-width="2482" height="457" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f4fPcfj0VTw/YppjTZGkWEI/AAAAAAABL80/WZkK_NUO-i0s9o8NiX8n2NgkmF6bnnKVACNcBGAsYHQ/w464-h457/DSCF2011.JPG" width="464" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Note the two guys working on the bowsprit...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9w8y6-D90rW3h3caQWDVBHOGRfjobVK46kb4YGfOTQcAsCRPzGTOt3NgBIWYvsPJpLsj42BDffBISOh4MwOc9d8gECDw1GMDdJrSGajNSiVtVp_hPRvG8gaXDwtiTo9iTcKUUdVplMOgDZ-E6gyFrckbwjXIAwrp0A3pbVm6KsLvILtU6/s4608/DSCF2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9w8y6-D90rW3h3caQWDVBHOGRfjobVK46kb4YGfOTQcAsCRPzGTOt3NgBIWYvsPJpLsj42BDffBISOh4MwOc9d8gECDw1GMDdJrSGajNSiVtVp_hPRvG8gaXDwtiTo9iTcKUUdVplMOgDZ-E6gyFrckbwjXIAwrp0A3pbVm6KsLvILtU6/s320/DSCF2013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">She was followed by TS Grayhound, a three-masted lugger built in 2012 as a replica of a customs lugger built in 1776.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://grayhoundventures.com/the-ship/">Ship - Grayhound Ventures</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTapXUKRieaHEizo7SF71Vqkhe27QaiTcdnXU0vAb1bfz3-ztMPT_G1ZvPjO6nene3W7VR89dKoWtu8BzA9Kc4des49fADzQSDtbuxVoosfzJyqBDj_H3VslwIWtQ7aHefqwpr_LM6yyXLrqEfoHRyQ7kfDc6hkAB9g-nWlZLaIiNhsgW/s4608/DSCF2017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTapXUKRieaHEizo7SF71Vqkhe27QaiTcdnXU0vAb1bfz3-ztMPT_G1ZvPjO6nene3W7VR89dKoWtu8BzA9Kc4des49fADzQSDtbuxVoosfzJyqBDj_H3VslwIWtQ7aHefqwpr_LM6yyXLrqEfoHRyQ7kfDc6hkAB9g-nWlZLaIiNhsgW/w509-h382/DSCF2017.JPG" width="509" /></a></div><br />Last but not least, <i>TS Irene,</i> a ketch built in 1903 and a movie star, having appeared in <i>Pirates of the Caribbean</i>!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ireness.com/">Sailing Vessel Irene - UK Charter Voyages On Historic Sailing Ship (ireness.com)</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FLUODiB--5mqyY4eGwWfTnkhZ08kqJkQkwTm_k7RhUz9pGFoHulXYgdO_yF0wtbrbe1r4LYS_PAvMRkoesuDS6x0FyFO96MPgBztVfETR3NZ8-bwFEu_KLMhs_ufZaIK4KnJxQ_9JgH_orJp0InQr8h_4bOB2cyKSpqGq7ubAgG3U3Vz/s3015/DSCF2020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3015" data-original-width="2576" height="529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FLUODiB--5mqyY4eGwWfTnkhZ08kqJkQkwTm_k7RhUz9pGFoHulXYgdO_yF0wtbrbe1r4LYS_PAvMRkoesuDS6x0FyFO96MPgBztVfETR3NZ8-bwFEu_KLMhs_ufZaIK4KnJxQ_9JgH_orJp0InQr8h_4bOB2cyKSpqGq7ubAgG3U3Vz/w451-h529/DSCF2020.JPG" width="451" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There's something about tall ships, isn't there. The links will take you to far better pictures than I've taken!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Locks 0, miles 8</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-49155232792800703012022-05-30T20:07:00.001+01:002022-05-30T20:07:26.604+01:00Off down the big cut.<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We left Gloucester Dock on Thursday morning, after just the one night. Unfortunately it's not very Amber friendly, and a bit too busy for Mags and I too! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Heading out onto the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal from the dock.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLoPWmTLsQuCyWnbI_dagmHan29EigH4fDD8Qh7nzFDD5mvtw1yx5j15Roi1iw3GZjhWQIGarC9ldueF0WXhj5iR59HAmzXOreZ49Il82znZVhoduusGtgmi8hYX5vdWRglkgr-9u-sPu13paDihzk59MbgVdMpQtSi_kz0ThB-jBBYiL/s4132/DSCF1933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2710" data-original-width="4132" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLoPWmTLsQuCyWnbI_dagmHan29EigH4fDD8Qh7nzFDD5mvtw1yx5j15Roi1iw3GZjhWQIGarC9ldueF0WXhj5iR59HAmzXOreZ49Il82znZVhoduusGtgmi8hYX5vdWRglkgr-9u-sPu13paDihzk59MbgVdMpQtSi_kz0ThB-jBBYiL/w400-h263/DSCF1933.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLTtNR1uqIqyCG5yv_o_V9eEquBNZC6aY4mFA2ekISr1xnbPmZTTGTnDFlnWC27MqTYPeOcNdGk_Pg7vc0RaNEyQoH8Hocg8vNad7UQ_P6NorQqWf7bQkmwN4NCBzaKdPevk1alFhyPofZlBttnspYW64fxII7SEdb5c2QWXeZwqhzCPc/s3958/DSCF1931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2416" data-original-width="3958" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLTtNR1uqIqyCG5yv_o_V9eEquBNZC6aY4mFA2ekISr1xnbPmZTTGTnDFlnWC27MqTYPeOcNdGk_Pg7vc0RaNEyQoH8Hocg8vNad7UQ_P6NorQqWf7bQkmwN4NCBzaKdPevk1alFhyPofZlBttnspYW64fxII7SEdb5c2QWXeZwqhzCPc/w527-h321/DSCF1931.JPG" width="527" /></a></div><br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We passed through Llanthony Bridge which marks the end of the dock and the start of the canal, used the facilities there, then moved on out of town, mooring for a couple of nights just past the southern bypass bridge, Netherbridge Swing Bridge.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Llanthony Swing Bridge</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJQiYh75WF65xgiZdWcmCuGhPEoUIcw2wiN1DN3MzxW5dtwF9TtRIOhVA6QjpgqRmKYp50FT9gtIKGM2lDtUR6lfJz0QdbzEE6ngIj1iwqoN0X-GKfFYZB-an1OEd270bEaDmNeuRV6v124xTWhYVL__RzPOKQwGrXEf-asGLLylve-vB/s4033/DSCF1934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2623" data-original-width="4033" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJQiYh75WF65xgiZdWcmCuGhPEoUIcw2wiN1DN3MzxW5dtwF9TtRIOhVA6QjpgqRmKYp50FT9gtIKGM2lDtUR6lfJz0QdbzEE6ngIj1iwqoN0X-GKfFYZB-an1OEd270bEaDmNeuRV6v124xTWhYVL__RzPOKQwGrXEf-asGLLylve-vB/w547-h356/DSCF1934.JPG" width="547" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Moored for a night or two.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuUx5Ti8XVUzwx6XfPOxoj2wAJUabky5-yfHKi787ZdZAEUYTCWvaQW9VjvsnvL0WNvbElmMy3_50ECHbrj3lZ-wtwEKqtBSCA2adHMQvLrrQaI-aVzu0Dhn2qfkSnPYP65-Ibc40Fc2D2vF-jRIBRPDBE3d6slRjvJvilrcpdkmjod_X/s3807/DSCF1941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2571" data-original-width="3807" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuUx5Ti8XVUzwx6XfPOxoj2wAJUabky5-yfHKi787ZdZAEUYTCWvaQW9VjvsnvL0WNvbElmMy3_50ECHbrj3lZ-wtwEKqtBSCA2adHMQvLrrQaI-aVzu0Dhn2qfkSnPYP65-Ibc40Fc2D2vF-jRIBRPDBE3d6slRjvJvilrcpdkmjod_X/s320/DSCF1941.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">When the bypass was built they wanted to construct a bridge over the canal with enough headroom to allow most traffic to pass without having to open it. So they changed the line of the canal here, leaving two short stubs of the original line. A family of swans had made their home in one of them...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxTLylNtAIaf5u1RKbyodajk32BGw4gqW0aeuzG3IJCJjBKyCJo5mQ60KJOsCsuHIb7rUpb1HP4lz1H0WSeUoJHZF2mrHrD6bKKcdk9bZYvNjZwHmBCpymopwAm3TV5p7IgSY5Z-6VQQ5-wYEHndbIK7bUVs1QAEiEDUzbk348MDNsbJo/s3640/DSCF1943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2221" data-original-width="3640" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxTLylNtAIaf5u1RKbyodajk32BGw4gqW0aeuzG3IJCJjBKyCJo5mQ60KJOsCsuHIb7rUpb1HP4lz1H0WSeUoJHZF2mrHrD6bKKcdk9bZYvNjZwHmBCpymopwAm3TV5p7IgSY5Z-6VQQ5-wYEHndbIK7bUVs1QAEiEDUzbk348MDNsbJo/s320/DSCF1943.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">All of the bridges crossing the canal are movable, even the largest. But the first three after we left on Thursday are high enough that us little boats can get under. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Rea Swing Bridge, 7'7" air gap so plenty for us.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKWpiLIDeewSKYzD7x17_eaC_WvokqP4cpxekmGpsegozY7917JSpySoI9qKGW515OyXyZPDSVuwsgLLyIOIl8vftPmVvXRY6Q57s3-jVZ1i9kGC3-KaEKPVV9m9at7dOytMvnhxGI8aKC3SEnYa2bQj2Blp_gq3fyUl5TzDjAbJbH57i/s3497/DSCF1947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2218" data-original-width="3497" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKWpiLIDeewSKYzD7x17_eaC_WvokqP4cpxekmGpsegozY7917JSpySoI9qKGW515OyXyZPDSVuwsgLLyIOIl8vftPmVvXRY6Q57s3-jVZ1i9kGC3-KaEKPVV9m9at7dOytMvnhxGI8aKC3SEnYa2bQj2Blp_gq3fyUl5TzDjAbJbH57i/w450-h285/DSCF1947.JPG" width="450" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">All of the bridges are staffed, no self-service along here. The original bridge-keepers houses are delightful whitewashed bungalows with a pillared entrance. All sold off now of course.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA8ylB7VCPKDTG6fxXr5Qq24J71f4WveLOYlKoAloCOLsvMPU-YsPJYrctg8WCdHpK14j30E_b4iJNY8H6bkrDxTfmpcpl39h893mnz1AKrB6gAg8iefjkNrQosDrlNXwIIeRNSEboFywPNQbwgeld3gHaxY_T7DrcQ4fUj4pGNsXKutT/s4608/DSCF1949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA8ylB7VCPKDTG6fxXr5Qq24J71f4WveLOYlKoAloCOLsvMPU-YsPJYrctg8WCdHpK14j30E_b4iJNY8H6bkrDxTfmpcpl39h893mnz1AKrB6gAg8iefjkNrQosDrlNXwIIeRNSEboFywPNQbwgeld3gHaxY_T7DrcQ4fUj4pGNsXKutT/w377-h283/DSCF1949.JPG" width="377" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This does mean that it's a lazy canal to cruise, and also that there's nobody on the water after tea-time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We pulled in after less than 2 hours just before Saul Junction, a popular spot for long-term and visitor moorings, and day trippers too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Saul Junction is where the Stroudwater Navigation joins and crosses the larger canal, the western branch dropping down to the Severn, through two locks with the lower being tidal, and the eastern line running to Stroud where it made an end-to-end connection with the Thames and Severn Canal which linked up to the Thames at Lechlade. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The western branch is pretty much filled in. Both canals heading east are now partially derelict, but restoration is proposed.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A quarter mile of the Stroudwater is used for moorings up to an impassable road bridge.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This morning, after a chilly start and under grey skies, we headed off past the junction with it's swing bridge.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-diXI-itmaij7eWgmUbbAqg2ZGAJNMYDUGaPLFbibnljnMdwr4ro75G5mxmBgERTkB1xzTMfONQpzS-CwK5fisRawyCJ6RabLePSqKVkBlIsd5axS3tME3RB0wsYYtzOliWwzwcSWjHOGmflFfwhA5tfUj5l4o5aI8V3txaoRwWX_764u/s3989/DSCF1956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3989" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-diXI-itmaij7eWgmUbbAqg2ZGAJNMYDUGaPLFbibnljnMdwr4ro75G5mxmBgERTkB1xzTMfONQpzS-CwK5fisRawyCJ6RabLePSqKVkBlIsd5axS3tME3RB0wsYYtzOliWwzwcSWjHOGmflFfwhA5tfUj5l4o5aI8V3txaoRwWX_764u/w542-h327/DSCF1956.JPG" width="542" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We pulled in to make use of the "boaters facilities" and got caught up by the two large charity trip boats run by <a href="https://willowtrust.org/" target="_blank">The Willow Trust</a> while we waited for Sandfield Swing Bridge.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiweJyOpGrf37Zx6Z39WLAaJSj7Kf_eMsfJCeQc6a12hKk8hkcFMqsrKJjTlENZ4r5m1VzdOJe9tGA2n462LLC_c8XSBwBnzxrAzmhW5wFzvhxZsRPknREsmLkSEug_XPlegwJ6pnz1H-Tl-0x9TO2gzGECFP9wgbj1tPHW0K6cAuMe9o/s3322/DSCF1958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="3322" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiweJyOpGrf37Zx6Z39WLAaJSj7Kf_eMsfJCeQc6a12hKk8hkcFMqsrKJjTlENZ4r5m1VzdOJe9tGA2n462LLC_c8XSBwBnzxrAzmhW5wFzvhxZsRPknREsmLkSEug_XPlegwJ6pnz1H-Tl-0x9TO2gzGECFP9wgbj1tPHW0K6cAuMe9o/w415-h245/DSCF1958.JPG" width="415" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Once through the bridge I was going to wave them past as I was pulling in for a quick trip up to the little shop in Frampton, but there was something coming the other way...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLluotZt3yEgcC0x58x6ZGIyQXloE8VfwYmkCBNPvO-mAnKfZ_9_qoB0tPkdmCbtM40SXvG__7ay0w1klaEyi6fY-uHoZGyzZoijWHFx7UBnWK5BWQPYTRqKwwEqLTzaDZH41Ruk-gU12h9xdCnW3fSaG4sSHCqhmqE0XOkBRDL6Jj1VxT/s4188/DSCF1960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="4188" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLluotZt3yEgcC0x58x6ZGIyQXloE8VfwYmkCBNPvO-mAnKfZ_9_qoB0tPkdmCbtM40SXvG__7ay0w1klaEyi6fY-uHoZGyzZoijWHFx7UBnWK5BWQPYTRqKwwEqLTzaDZH41Ruk-gU12h9xdCnW3fSaG4sSHCqhmqE0XOkBRDL6Jj1VxT/w574-h342/DSCF1960.JPG" width="574" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This is the brig <i>La Malouine, </i>first of the ships heading up to the <a href="https://gloucestertallships.co.uk/" target="_blank">Gloucester Tall Ships Festival</a> over the Jubilee Weekend. There'll be some more, not sure how many though, over the next day or two.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The canal becomes more remote as it heads down to Sharpness, the only settlements appearing around the bridge crossings, including the delightfully named Splatt (should really have an exclamation mark like Westward Ho!...) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Splatt Bridge.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9huYYit7DHPaDiR4PsUuDoz-miUlxhwrsCsNHpC5DX0qkUlrcNwHBT2wem7g8Sp_24FLRs6vwcImkTkvIG_1CJkI9yaia2i9Bw2XohElxaA_UOEQneI81xyXyuEgITLEfS5Tphzy9IB2ZRMdIYisMyxlevO17oXKhyt_eEu8vxWzn483/s3922/DSCF1972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2234" data-original-width="3922" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9huYYit7DHPaDiR4PsUuDoz-miUlxhwrsCsNHpC5DX0qkUlrcNwHBT2wem7g8Sp_24FLRs6vwcImkTkvIG_1CJkI9yaia2i9Bw2XohElxaA_UOEQneI81xyXyuEgITLEfS5Tphzy9IB2ZRMdIYisMyxlevO17oXKhyt_eEu8vxWzn483/w492-h281/DSCF1972.JPG" width="492" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Looking out over the Severn estuary.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7D4oVRvYU9oBDzlI_JeQWdCv9FO5qGp2ZkVLBVunMbwTvmD8bmf9gZ2jijgEmvrahh-UToC4Z5jSa5hQtIlBbLNWBEzODJuMmCwNLVP298i5mY8Fod78GTqc5KHtbplbLBh6PhHENLeblKGSXL3CfKjPFe6VOfEP-S-2SXJ8h7byNtA0d/s4219/DSCF1966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2773" data-original-width="4219" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7D4oVRvYU9oBDzlI_JeQWdCv9FO5qGp2ZkVLBVunMbwTvmD8bmf9gZ2jijgEmvrahh-UToC4Z5jSa5hQtIlBbLNWBEzODJuMmCwNLVP298i5mY8Fod78GTqc5KHtbplbLBh6PhHENLeblKGSXL3CfKjPFe6VOfEP-S-2SXJ8h7byNtA0d/w526-h345/DSCF1966.JPG" width="526" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">That's Hereford over there.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We pulled in soon after Patch Bridge, not far from the Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve. And the hamlet of Shepherd's Patch.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In between the showers tomorrow we'll just have a short cruise to Purton, a mile or two this side of Sharpness.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Locks 0, miles 12. </span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-46919454487839229382022-05-25T19:46:00.000+01:002022-05-25T19:46:48.054+01:00In the dock.<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A short day today saw us leave Haw Bridge at 10 and tied up in Gloucester Docks before noon. I was quite glad it was a short trip, most of it was into a fresh wind, and it was decidedly chilly!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Wide waters and grey skies as we set off this morning.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4tI57skjEAepa0ZGkfcfJaasfJlhpDiA6_Z90l5xbA509BCsDWdzCNnpzc0E3aJUkUiKiKyRf3cuOcoHwfOSTJnV0PY0w_JfGtFad5GKHCoKFssDLHAVyADuZv0vdb9_1Prn5_NpXNeTZQj0gSO6aQCyAqXmg_aAAIArnrZU3lqhipPs/s4247/DSCF1909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2547" data-original-width="4247" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4tI57skjEAepa0ZGkfcfJaasfJlhpDiA6_Z90l5xbA509BCsDWdzCNnpzc0E3aJUkUiKiKyRf3cuOcoHwfOSTJnV0PY0w_JfGtFad5GKHCoKFssDLHAVyADuZv0vdb9_1Prn5_NpXNeTZQj0gSO6aQCyAqXmg_aAAIArnrZU3lqhipPs/w506-h304/DSCF1909.JPG" width="506" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I had a welcome respite from the wind as the river was turned to the west under the lee of the appropriately named Sandhurst Hill...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmZkslvYWiyXtuPOwi0DjLhvNrXyI2BZXeTl5JeUZnDT7iISlP3g2ArOHief5Va1vc5k9exGuxaKWWbYduh9j65cmTmE9X83FUNad1Fp6IGguU51PAG-_AXKjc5dpiBfmtpgnjzkM4TyOmUeTjU-j2QN_Tqlykw3lQ_DU8gC5wMeQzJji/s3982/DSCF1910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2718" data-original-width="3982" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmZkslvYWiyXtuPOwi0DjLhvNrXyI2BZXeTl5JeUZnDT7iISlP3g2ArOHief5Va1vc5k9exGuxaKWWbYduh9j65cmTmE9X83FUNad1Fp6IGguU51PAG-_AXKjc5dpiBfmtpgnjzkM4TyOmUeTjU-j2QN_Tqlykw3lQ_DU8gC5wMeQzJji/w602-h410/DSCF1910.JPG" width="602" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">...but then we were right into the teeth of it as we swung around the end, heading south.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBSVhBU1PLxJ8l36oyjXEvb6Ki7GzSm9Bp57NlTTu8PrTnry65OMrQAogHMBB2rRWl2Ukc2MgOn9uqhJX_7fWb1WOI5Nvf7L6h4wGKfg_MWlHj2qH8q6Vte77m_ejbyUpt68jbEXXa83VmySM8D34U-71tpylOwonx-ecny020PXDUCCl/s2738/DSCF1913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1780" data-original-width="2738" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBSVhBU1PLxJ8l36oyjXEvb6Ki7GzSm9Bp57NlTTu8PrTnry65OMrQAogHMBB2rRWl2Ukc2MgOn9uqhJX_7fWb1WOI5Nvf7L6h4wGKfg_MWlHj2qH8q6Vte77m_ejbyUpt68jbEXXa83VmySM8D34U-71tpylOwonx-ecny020PXDUCCl/w400-h260/DSCF1913.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Just over an hour after setting off we reached Upper Parting, where the river splits into the East and West Channels. We turned left here, down the East Channel which heads to the lock up into the docks about 3 miles downstream.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvAdw_3j2Q9oGe6Ny9GRTSajN4GatGIvWMkdU3LqqY4FV5wqIRQD3LFBkNNQfMQkbs1pvCeBJENsCMNGqiqwAGV21hH6iuOlAPYeG9u6uG-OIrwSXYgN3JJBgdBCJ49OvyA8lhNv5MxEXaV1RGXhAXyvK6vYLYT5vP6WVqD7amKYk_fqg/s4283/DSCF1915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2567" data-original-width="4283" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvAdw_3j2Q9oGe6Ny9GRTSajN4GatGIvWMkdU3LqqY4FV5wqIRQD3LFBkNNQfMQkbs1pvCeBJENsCMNGqiqwAGV21hH6iuOlAPYeG9u6uG-OIrwSXYgN3JJBgdBCJ49OvyA8lhNv5MxEXaV1RGXhAXyvK6vYLYT5vP6WVqD7amKYk_fqg/w537-h322/DSCF1915.JPG" width="537" /></a></div><p>It's a half-sized channel now, seemingly strangely constricted. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnC4VVroAvCFoRmxr2hxKPd8NAflwvX_dMrgIA1kK_XOuzwG0CUL95litvBqBD0bAH4gBuvvmPGaNVSyi-SkIFegE67vnZdow8f5uqQ3MI1xEzyj1qchDov7xcOW2SR3gfelRpJ4fsWbVk-1vhvB7b1sD-ZJkiXt7CkxgL7PS4Sizh2LUh/s3552/DSCF1916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2098" data-original-width="3552" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnC4VVroAvCFoRmxr2hxKPd8NAflwvX_dMrgIA1kK_XOuzwG0CUL95litvBqBD0bAH4gBuvvmPGaNVSyi-SkIFegE67vnZdow8f5uqQ3MI1xEzyj1qchDov7xcOW2SR3gfelRpJ4fsWbVk-1vhvB7b1sD-ZJkiXt7CkxgL7PS4Sizh2LUh/w400-h236/DSCF1916.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It's amazing how quickly you get used to cruising wide water, even though we only left the narrow canals less than a week ago.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Under the ring-road at Westgate Bridges.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSg-yW4cOW8JWldFjpjRNxb680dOjMD7wiyTXgK3O0zsRdlqvi_fHBBefoIAuuyeglpVmornKMZ-b45R5OUtNtCBjRBnlYuRt4z3K0ace2XfojtiDwrY14pY_tr3cqjalKstpCNpyskAmQBAQqWm74f1zKBq5XAQBq3gYPOfELuFnmZWDf/s3775/DSCF1919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2511" data-original-width="3775" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSg-yW4cOW8JWldFjpjRNxb680dOjMD7wiyTXgK3O0zsRdlqvi_fHBBefoIAuuyeglpVmornKMZ-b45R5OUtNtCBjRBnlYuRt4z3K0ace2XfojtiDwrY14pY_tr3cqjalKstpCNpyskAmQBAQqWm74f1zKBq5XAQBq3gYPOfELuFnmZWDf/w451-h300/DSCF1919.JPG" width="451" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I'd rung the lockie from Upper Parting to let him know we were on the way. It's difficult to hold off below the lock with the weir stream going off to the right.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3d6-bO4t9VcpS4GYl9mrehiBs3XrwPetkPlAfrdgIYQy-6ohvcVpgQHisx3aXg_imSM_kghcfqLpmrtuM8QJpZ-Ic8m8dWGbIAX9AOsTd5biy1tK760sOMiCZn9Lkc_TlWfiAcEpPcZg_uUzepNqM7iQ9MR7ndSiL9DR8stQn1VoPQwP/s3302/DSCF1922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2289" data-original-width="3302" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3d6-bO4t9VcpS4GYl9mrehiBs3XrwPetkPlAfrdgIYQy-6ohvcVpgQHisx3aXg_imSM_kghcfqLpmrtuM8QJpZ-Ic8m8dWGbIAX9AOsTd5biy1tK760sOMiCZn9Lkc_TlWfiAcEpPcZg_uUzepNqM7iQ9MR7ndSiL9DR8stQn1VoPQwP/w520-h361/DSCF1922.JPG" width="520" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">He'd obligingly opened the gates ready for me, so I could cruise gently in. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A lot less relaxed the last time, with an outgoing spring tide running rapidly off to Llanthony weir past that concrete wall to the right and one gate obstructed by a tree! </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienRH2h9wGt2BOgNRUWI5KX9NadTicTu5XVoCiFOJ2BjbEHR3CSVWOO5rIX1avepmnyOB48R2dGshw_Itty4uW_6FsVy5PbTGTbb6V6bZ7Fb8K_R47zhTXaDHJncBg7q6Wt1m8Jkv_9-lnIn5hkowyBPQfX5l12vJGpGwCGDX7rxVMktRc/s3870/DSCF1924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2547" data-original-width="3870" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienRH2h9wGt2BOgNRUWI5KX9NadTicTu5XVoCiFOJ2BjbEHR3CSVWOO5rIX1avepmnyOB48R2dGshw_Itty4uW_6FsVy5PbTGTbb6V6bZ7Fb8K_R47zhTXaDHJncBg7q6Wt1m8Jkv_9-lnIn5hkowyBPQfX5l12vJGpGwCGDX7rxVMktRc/w471-h311/DSCF1924.JPG" width="471" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoh8dZp7SlFlc5kGqkwp-v71QFJorfosaeWEpYSkDJOSapj6gCtRm8g6tiLTvouDIaG8KDV9CEs1J1qHrrFG1a4EWjph1HeJo7g3U1X0Fvs2HExCaTaxcpgSpdYVtQt0qEtHVLOlJ0mzjmc4UGPza2bUnCVyt36w07HNO1KILEsS7hQux/s4608/DSCF1925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoh8dZp7SlFlc5kGqkwp-v71QFJorfosaeWEpYSkDJOSapj6gCtRm8g6tiLTvouDIaG8KDV9CEs1J1qHrrFG1a4EWjph1HeJo7g3U1X0Fvs2HExCaTaxcpgSpdYVtQt0qEtHVLOlJ0mzjmc4UGPza2bUnCVyt36w07HNO1KILEsS7hQux/s320/DSCF1925.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>The lockie gave us a very gentle fill taking nearly 15 minutes, then we were up at dock level.</p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqtKtq2MhPVLU0e59aG10T-dyDmCDA8gMEHly8PXZr1zZte6-pksrDJAyouJtzzxZGGGXe1_1t-E_ygpYGG1cnrC-bW-C0XDlhWJJ5SGkKpID1tzRUT77kWTP8pksHu0sKAHl3aS82U8pZTqHgd1VE6tf3PIhEHe2sx86_xI9scr8E_Rd/s3791/DSCF1926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2456" data-original-width="3791" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqtKtq2MhPVLU0e59aG10T-dyDmCDA8gMEHly8PXZr1zZte6-pksrDJAyouJtzzxZGGGXe1_1t-E_ygpYGG1cnrC-bW-C0XDlhWJJ5SGkKpID1tzRUT77kWTP8pksHu0sKAHl3aS82U8pZTqHgd1VE6tf3PIhEHe2sx86_xI9scr8E_Rd/w518-h335/DSCF1926.JPG" width="518" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There was quite a bit of space on the visitor moorings, but I struggled to get onto one of the pontoons with the wind blowing down the open water. I'd have been better off aiming for the mooring to the left out of the lock.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49NJ_AsJXn3jFERdUii0BdHlknGhadq4A_eERlhoEqr24f1gtb7HqTcR4hEPohrzsGen9HXmXkXbhHKYhQOPl6I0LmQwAJbCs4um5Qlf1LSOF6MLaudLmiBYtRGyl-W2PWsMOhsA1aa46Nn5pHJ9witLc4IryIqO2XevAEpqfpBOI26gn/s4113/DSCF1928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="4113" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49NJ_AsJXn3jFERdUii0BdHlknGhadq4A_eERlhoEqr24f1gtb7HqTcR4hEPohrzsGen9HXmXkXbhHKYhQOPl6I0LmQwAJbCs4um5Qlf1LSOF6MLaudLmiBYtRGyl-W2PWsMOhsA1aa46Nn5pHJ9witLc4IryIqO2XevAEpqfpBOI26gn/s320/DSCF1928.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Still, we're tied up and we'll only <span>be staying one night anyway. It's not good for a dog that'll only "ablute" on grass... </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span>Locks 1, miles 8</span>¼</span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-26164185114988854932022-05-24T20:59:00.001+01:002022-05-24T20:59:43.139+01:00Slight change of plan...<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The last time we came this way we stopped at Worcester the first night, then ran all the way downriver to Gloucester. It was a long second day, 29 miles which took 7 hours or so. We had to contend with a Spring Tide below Upper Lode Lock, which didn't help matters.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So this time I thought we'd split it into three, with stops at Worcester again, but also at Tewkesbury. It didn't quite work out that way...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Anyway, we left the pontoon mooring at Stourport yesterday morning at around half nine. Amber and I had spent some time mooching around the historic basins over the weekend.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs5wV_ARjRF1knBm5DrqWrKoLNgsoxZxlZNzT77jYGg-zD4wlz80pkIF_lK9UUExSrmZEsj8Q1v9OB0hFM3YlOv4F8z6D7cz9kj6kS4h8PMYUIJrK96JEHsjQg-kdeQOflSVyRPI29VcXuhZ0IlPhM5Xfk84QXSioCB9AfGjCY5vORp33/s3609/20220523_074653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2414" data-original-width="3609" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs5wV_ARjRF1knBm5DrqWrKoLNgsoxZxlZNzT77jYGg-zD4wlz80pkIF_lK9UUExSrmZEsj8Q1v9OB0hFM3YlOv4F8z6D7cz9kj6kS4h8PMYUIJrK96JEHsjQg-kdeQOflSVyRPI29VcXuhZ0IlPhM5Xfk84QXSioCB9AfGjCY5vORp33/w522-h350/20220523_074653.jpg" width="522" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHSzdi-BgVmpMCu94WoBwwCb_R_pOf9RRHQH1Fb5dIBWnFzHa_lFpb2Qe9hB-8JKQh24Qf8j1trWaFZSrZWzHzbivzpKh6myTERc2HBN_Kru8mZx7HXyYIj8QBaqPuRhva03pq5Ey9ysB49OpuEveSUtU_tfk5coOxqTHkudKfq5guEru/s3443/20220523_074429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2121" data-original-width="3443" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHSzdi-BgVmpMCu94WoBwwCb_R_pOf9RRHQH1Fb5dIBWnFzHa_lFpb2Qe9hB-8JKQh24Qf8j1trWaFZSrZWzHzbivzpKh6myTERc2HBN_Kru8mZx7HXyYIj8QBaqPuRhva03pq5Ey9ysB49OpuEveSUtU_tfk5coOxqTHkudKfq5guEru/w400-h246/20220523_074429.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The Severn is low at the moment, but that's not always the case...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkpkD3O2_7uHZZ7HIGdyuYs8knztXwE9LOMXQvJrPdgnB2M0GvUaZDXIGdTFFUjUKseN-NiILHNqTZUnGojmblNT-AcPFXQRrqoPeG6ZHCfDC0QXZ29LFhXr0uTeKp7SFMMdEqOpX6hPXihAMmRixMEQ-5Ycnt277Jkb9aH7QQIwD6GJ9/s3133/20220523_092047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="3133" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkpkD3O2_7uHZZ7HIGdyuYs8knztXwE9LOMXQvJrPdgnB2M0GvUaZDXIGdTFFUjUKseN-NiILHNqTZUnGojmblNT-AcPFXQRrqoPeG6ZHCfDC0QXZ29LFhXr0uTeKp7SFMMdEqOpX6hPXihAMmRixMEQ-5Ycnt277Jkb9aH7QQIwD6GJ9/s320/20220523_092047.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />These are mounted on a wall just here...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXEptaEFNofr5P5Qz1jE-eiSaxvp1iBmb8meaSlpftZC6F504CIfhocXC_63Dq81q5jNb_CBs0NhvGWpfz7Kr2VLzDfoh9Oz_9lL2DTgFGVJb3HzwkWP1IBfsKzHYXfCtXl9Nm3gP9JhdWiCzgmH2vtrmibjd1ls880A7HfVFnLbbnLHX/s3501/20220523_092053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2330" data-original-width="3501" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXEptaEFNofr5P5Qz1jE-eiSaxvp1iBmb8meaSlpftZC6F504CIfhocXC_63Dq81q5jNb_CBs0NhvGWpfz7Kr2VLzDfoh9Oz_9lL2DTgFGVJb3HzwkWP1IBfsKzHYXfCtXl9Nm3gP9JhdWiCzgmH2vtrmibjd1ls880A7HfVFnLbbnLHX/w473-h314/20220523_092053.jpg" width="473" /></a></div><br />And we're off, heading towards our first Severn lock, Lincomb. Some big boats down here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEen-dQdyWsDk1BIcDHbnU9MAgaqWsq407Dywro_muyzAQDh6UsIFBoFFRaSpDNUrPUNqe4mnXEmnFFnH5-Xo_o8GVEZm27MAVdV4bWk3C18KTd59R7W7fTvNPhfcuCwMCZTHbpqN3EOOLuv1d5_rNKpH1XxGsPyohDq3Qr54MSqDyRyAv/s3314/DSCF1824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2114" data-original-width="3314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEen-dQdyWsDk1BIcDHbnU9MAgaqWsq407Dywro_muyzAQDh6UsIFBoFFRaSpDNUrPUNqe4mnXEmnFFnH5-Xo_o8GVEZm27MAVdV4bWk3C18KTd59R7W7fTvNPhfcuCwMCZTHbpqN3EOOLuv1d5_rNKpH1XxGsPyohDq3Qr54MSqDyRyAv/w502-h320/DSCF1824.JPG" width="502" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGjM7CpXp5fb6NZJo7huB97cvt89dYNcRwdqwzOkiQxyu9TjCgA7eyp1n0B1c8TDTFiHazAtEkJ50TsYlShOPHvQh4j31oPEz0HCIdXM5InZGAkRYdpbHS43P7EpKtVqdEnrdeN1adqzrEF49J377QbB1GA8KOXeFVOrGaLU6tfZzjGzM/s3441/DSCF1825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2293" data-original-width="3441" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGjM7CpXp5fb6NZJo7huB97cvt89dYNcRwdqwzOkiQxyu9TjCgA7eyp1n0B1c8TDTFiHazAtEkJ50TsYlShOPHvQh4j31oPEz0HCIdXM5InZGAkRYdpbHS43P7EpKtVqdEnrdeN1adqzrEF49J377QbB1GA8KOXeFVOrGaLU6tfZzjGzM/w400-h266/DSCF1825.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Lincomb Lock</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WBv5rdrJbyI/Yo0hkxBvOPI/AAAAAAABL0Y/bibf5uaRUekI7YdBCGkfBgNArLlTTm7KQCNcBGAsYHQ/s3707/DSCF1827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2158" data-original-width="3707" height="325" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WBv5rdrJbyI/Yo0hkxBvOPI/AAAAAAABL0Y/bibf5uaRUekI7YdBCGkfBgNArLlTTm7KQCNcBGAsYHQ/w557-h325/DSCF1827.JPG" width="557" /></a></div>There's not much in the way of settlements along the river, but there are regular riverside pubs, most with customer moorings.<p></p><p>The Hampstall Inn</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA650xZD7VZ8ckQUQbntSaMa_PS0GXGDr3jSFqX0hhRTrzHSQdJm4gOBXTW62InOP79cvoCy3tYU5CA74gHXVMn1rrKLs_fpGRCPNjP6jsJY7jKOzmeBsgrJPW4cS-e3HAuu3gxwtm24ZBUxjz7OKdUVKxX0hhvW5T6AxvfRDIoX3v2Cyg/s3985/DSCF1830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2579" data-original-width="3985" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA650xZD7VZ8ckQUQbntSaMa_PS0GXGDr3jSFqX0hhRTrzHSQdJm4gOBXTW62InOP79cvoCy3tYU5CA74gHXVMn1rrKLs_fpGRCPNjP6jsJY7jKOzmeBsgrJPW4cS-e3HAuu3gxwtm24ZBUxjz7OKdUVKxX0hhvW5T6AxvfRDIoX3v2Cyg/w576-h372/DSCF1830.JPG" width="576" /></a></div>The next lock down was Holt, and, like at Lincomb, I'd called ahead to the lock-keeper so it was ready for me. In and out in 10 minutes.<p></p><p>Leaving Holt Lock</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1rb9ewfqdYQ1wKVr9Ow_fFq-bQxnjNqu07zi7aG96dkbeUxEHnd4PbHJjKkcO9irS38oNxlTNW7mBHGDGOFQaVSEb2FauVzrVQlTQQc-8HdTo1kd8hrhMafjE2hYmF4QGpUnpuEPJ9MfRVCCbxgWKbyJavnihtEgoB6b9TvY0nua5NzM/s3786/DSCF1834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2519" data-original-width="3786" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1rb9ewfqdYQ1wKVr9Ow_fFq-bQxnjNqu07zi7aG96dkbeUxEHnd4PbHJjKkcO9irS38oNxlTNW7mBHGDGOFQaVSEb2FauVzrVQlTQQc-8HdTo1kd8hrhMafjE2hYmF4QGpUnpuEPJ9MfRVCCbxgWKbyJavnihtEgoB6b9TvY0nua5NzM/w504-h335/DSCF1834.JPG" width="504" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bridges are few and far between, so passing under one is event worth recording!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Holt Fleet Bridge, carrying the A4133.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5fF-WGEVP9U_VET-Uu3ksdVfTvqtTMHpb7RSPvp8Hb0kx6UhDT6USRKhbAoCY-Q4RDwZavtzt_qyDiCMkfS1f2fdU4zMLuSCk9LkYhManT4eiExkI_J3SWYgQIKVYDPvAABJKrKHeavBShLShvpPh2ePDf3sYDz8zB7biV09H4R4CSHb/s3854/DSCF1835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2670" data-original-width="3854" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5fF-WGEVP9U_VET-Uu3ksdVfTvqtTMHpb7RSPvp8Hb0kx6UhDT6USRKhbAoCY-Q4RDwZavtzt_qyDiCMkfS1f2fdU4zMLuSCk9LkYhManT4eiExkI_J3SWYgQIKVYDPvAABJKrKHeavBShLShvpPh2ePDf3sYDz8zB7biV09H4R4CSHb/w400-h278/DSCF1835.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Lookout duty...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZI41KumCg5F8wjSTCzG8vTJExsM5hJtG5N1QcjO0Ws7prqGqdfL1wBmbfTId55xdD9t5dvnaBsmugabxfHRhGopTwupdRUqQ9VbpKmRzpt1-2VlhpcsRUwyA_6V_UMOlmwZ9UTIjALhv0hBPi5DFgCjXWfiSpFZzT3qPWBYwep8W0tsxu/s2150/DSCF1837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="2150" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZI41KumCg5F8wjSTCzG8vTJExsM5hJtG5N1QcjO0Ws7prqGqdfL1wBmbfTId55xdD9t5dvnaBsmugabxfHRhGopTwupdRUqQ9VbpKmRzpt1-2VlhpcsRUwyA_6V_UMOlmwZ9UTIjALhv0hBPi5DFgCjXWfiSpFZzT3qPWBYwep8W0tsxu/w504-h282/DSCF1837.JPG" width="504" /></a></div>After passing the entrance to the Droitwich Barge Canal at Hawford Junction, and Bevere Lock, we came into Worcester.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More bridges here...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Gxqt_7RVAWpBGOGvVBnABNad7ryKZZMOM-nCAprhDzFBKt0LwAP954G1EfSdpmQ7oOsj99YYAs17d3HDc7felpt1nyrXCDd-GHirdka2p84go9WMhtEYLfARp9L3AR5i_Y41270hrzG6OIU_vtFNYNdRwsQ2gS6NvNTTwu0I1mc4XX6c/s3656/DSCF1845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2233" data-original-width="3656" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Gxqt_7RVAWpBGOGvVBnABNad7ryKZZMOM-nCAprhDzFBKt0LwAP954G1EfSdpmQ7oOsj99YYAs17d3HDc7felpt1nyrXCDd-GHirdka2p84go9WMhtEYLfARp9L3AR5i_Y41270hrzG6OIU_vtFNYNdRwsQ2gS6NvNTTwu0I1mc4XX6c/w407-h248/DSCF1845.JPG" width="407" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...and the iconic cathedral.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8ZKttUJAvz2ZL3VxF0kw4X1a8-sIl70M8XAkUsHi4d7GfYMeqSJGuFEUd-Gtue7JxDXt2Mzq0RFjdd1rjKOZ0GOPZTrsn37c_27wBrkYQjirPT9opc7UeRu7vlI58-eLOYfhgENO2FKNICF3u1k5OEU-vAT_Ib7J3Cgw15HPTNTCTsDL/s4156/DSCF1849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2722" data-original-width="4156" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8ZKttUJAvz2ZL3VxF0kw4X1a8-sIl70M8XAkUsHi4d7GfYMeqSJGuFEUd-Gtue7JxDXt2Mzq0RFjdd1rjKOZ0GOPZTrsn37c_27wBrkYQjirPT9opc7UeRu7vlI58-eLOYfhgENO2FKNICF3u1k5OEU-vAT_Ib7J3Cgw15HPTNTCTsDL/w400-h263/DSCF1849.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Started in 1084 and finished in it's current form in 1504, it's an eclectic mixture of architectural styles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We'd passed the moorings near the racecourse, hoping that there was space on the pontoon near Diglis Junction, and by golly there was!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLMLdp_ES5_wbBWG-ojqFOApd4kxnZnS_supcEnHTN0MNDNrKrhn_2pJnY5xrulLV0iKDHXUY_wh-smkVFlAjH8gEl8o3DiInTZeR1lD82OLUb0DA_Z5Yrk-iCPJzz16AM6GhRb9jfFDk4fBspP_9Rw098oLT5Ebz0fb3juV8rCaZ3w4j/s3553/DSCF1851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2051" data-original-width="3553" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLMLdp_ES5_wbBWG-ojqFOApd4kxnZnS_supcEnHTN0MNDNrKrhn_2pJnY5xrulLV0iKDHXUY_wh-smkVFlAjH8gEl8o3DiInTZeR1lD82OLUb0DA_Z5Yrk-iCPJzz16AM6GhRb9jfFDk4fBspP_9Rw098oLT5Ebz0fb3juV8rCaZ3w4j/w400-h231/DSCF1851.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Diglis Junction is just out of shot to the left. It's the connection to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, one option for us to head back north.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a quiet but wet night here, but the rain had cleared by the time we got going this morning. A boat had left the moorings just ahead of us, and they were already waiting in Diglis Lock when we arrived.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Past the Oil Dock where tankers discharged fuel for after coming up from Gloucester.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmGsaFjJNxEIjsfw5peiPV7-zWw0xepRiiNuA1KhXgELoQFsL3jHlF8YVXfSY_LA28_Spy0mYrsht7tsTajtTXyBEJ67ByJy9xg4jyjgKxAy50NaQoQYbsUUHOCKJX0CrJU4sCym9QW0L4GpJ8Z2lLotGUFD8GxQTPerXzQ7IbftNEo-y/s3787/DSCF1856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2444" data-original-width="3787" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmGsaFjJNxEIjsfw5peiPV7-zWw0xepRiiNuA1KhXgELoQFsL3jHlF8YVXfSY_LA28_Spy0mYrsht7tsTajtTXyBEJ67ByJy9xg4jyjgKxAy50NaQoQYbsUUHOCKJX0CrJU4sCym9QW0L4GpJ8Z2lLotGUFD8GxQTPerXzQ7IbftNEo-y/w461-h299/DSCF1856.JPG" width="461" /></a></div><br />The dock was made redundant with the construction of a pipeline, but now the storage facilities are gone, replaced by blocks of apartments.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Diglis Lock.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zmXrKFwMxxQSojq1e8p_aCyh4IFN_H11PvW1m8MuCiTACUmw-ucsHroWpFxOpAH8yx5FwCn5OU5V1KeS5_x0bvsgKb0i0bWjV-Uo4D9bh7K-3niIPDypJ7eFwQNzJ4L4IZRrF3JfC518bVY_wKrxhzNP-jtvB8YHb0fRS-tPVjE0y3vx/s2845/DSCF1857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1765" data-original-width="2845" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zmXrKFwMxxQSojq1e8p_aCyh4IFN_H11PvW1m8MuCiTACUmw-ucsHroWpFxOpAH8yx5FwCn5OU5V1KeS5_x0bvsgKb0i0bWjV-Uo4D9bh7K-3niIPDypJ7eFwQNzJ4L4IZRrF3JfC518bVY_wKrxhzNP-jtvB8YHb0fRS-tPVjE0y3vx/w569-h354/DSCF1857.JPG" width="569" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today's plan was a bit weather-dependant. Heavy showers were forecast, so we decided to see how it went.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Carrington Bridges.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXveUIFKSUJLFeyLhCrWEBR8e0mZHyK2idUMMjnIZKKXeMRexvCcy324j5fwfeK-_wjfKheLA6QYFHtuvXmZDBedKULPWxWlxlYfKaoj9SEP4iiV7v8cwc4T3ERnY1Zrt7rumNEr3miDog5FD1q6U7LNxpYrxj-vg4JvKbP_v4_ETWilL/s3159/DSCF1861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2162" data-original-width="3159" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXveUIFKSUJLFeyLhCrWEBR8e0mZHyK2idUMMjnIZKKXeMRexvCcy324j5fwfeK-_wjfKheLA6QYFHtuvXmZDBedKULPWxWlxlYfKaoj9SEP4iiV7v8cwc4T3ERnY1Zrt7rumNEr3miDog5FD1q6U7LNxpYrxj-vg4JvKbP_v4_ETWilL/w400-h274/DSCF1861.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div>Below Worcester the river banks pull back as the valley flattens and broadens. The Malvern Hills were sometimes visible in the distance.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghK3lD0Nyi_xnThax0Gw2vIKqeOPUs4XPOtan8591KG0tT-Fk-BluP10wE1CHwB92wbslbegyQjSAg2E4UdGghQqRcnvsBvDRKRPJFcpsYonsk0hy0BCIN_OwM6s0_s2CiG7A5hIK3Y0586P32VSCpwGbJzlhxlmJ_ZwapLPFi6Leatx0/s3724/DSCF1863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2389" data-original-width="3724" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghK3lD0Nyi_xnThax0Gw2vIKqeOPUs4XPOtan8591KG0tT-Fk-BluP10wE1CHwB92wbslbegyQjSAg2E4UdGghQqRcnvsBvDRKRPJFcpsYonsk0hy0BCIN_OwM6s0_s2CiG7A5hIK3Y0586P32VSCpwGbJzlhxlmJ_ZwapLPFi6Leatx0/w584-h374/DSCF1863.JPG" width="584" /></a></div><br />The clouds have started to build now as well, heralding the start of those heavy showers...<p></p><p>The <a href="https://river.englishholidaycruises.co.uk/the-edward-elgar-hotel-boat/" target="_blank"><i>Edward Elgar </i>hotel boat</a>, one of the few boats we've seen today.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9doB3YKbdSlPhV_6wLQ1bgzCTLOci5nSTw-CAaTBVuDSLr5Ok35TABpoWe75kTra0kC8oBK6Ne-O8PxAuqePg8LLCOAfCcJByKG_BIz-Rn3Aby-j38KVjXT3j2aH6mVjMkaVUOaZGmCduwsLC0YD0KlAz1COafLKtxKarIkTUCoO_k5ir/s3516/DSCF1866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2031" data-original-width="3516" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9doB3YKbdSlPhV_6wLQ1bgzCTLOci5nSTw-CAaTBVuDSLr5Ok35TABpoWe75kTra0kC8oBK6Ne-O8PxAuqePg8LLCOAfCcJByKG_BIz-Rn3Aby-j38KVjXT3j2aH6mVjMkaVUOaZGmCduwsLC0YD0KlAz1COafLKtxKarIkTUCoO_k5ir/w459-h265/DSCF1866.JPG" width="459" /></a></div><p>I was trying, unsuccessfully, to find out what this large house on the hill, is. Any suggestions? It's a mile or two upstream of Upton.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVJKD2hOnWIrXaYrbQWx5pMnZDBpi_REUfaMhYi5k7lqppudPib62tYe0ZI6G4ULS0bjQPlIkL7Heropg44AaUaVbXXV53K6c59XZ9sw4J6-ETm6uxryVQLyz-cLFasWJR-NjcTRtC-vETeExoDDkk0b-USqjcIP5XKL2_aNk-f1xCxvU/s3445/DSCF1869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2285" data-original-width="3445" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVJKD2hOnWIrXaYrbQWx5pMnZDBpi_REUfaMhYi5k7lqppudPib62tYe0ZI6G4ULS0bjQPlIkL7Heropg44AaUaVbXXV53K6c59XZ9sw4J6-ETm6uxryVQLyz-cLFasWJR-NjcTRtC-vETeExoDDkk0b-USqjcIP5XKL2_aNk-f1xCxvU/s320/DSCF1869.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />There was space on the pontoon at Upton so I took advantage of it to get Amber off for a comfort break and to put the kettle on for a brew. Then we pushed on again.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuEme-PMF1-zbgVzOicGxJyNLflF8HZG3It_9cdvZoOmB-PCePXtBHQvdPGr4HwzhkiSN1RrK8XB-ZnOar7Uj8mYtmVJ6Bh1I9m98C72iOMURgL9RUtQnxr7jMd2l6WR_LSfTx2RdDh-JktrT2piP2yos3fQaYWaGjbkNLlCStloTu0pb/s3012/DSCF1872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1864" data-original-width="3012" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuEme-PMF1-zbgVzOicGxJyNLflF8HZG3It_9cdvZoOmB-PCePXtBHQvdPGr4HwzhkiSN1RrK8XB-ZnOar7Uj8mYtmVJ6Bh1I9m98C72iOMURgL9RUtQnxr7jMd2l6WR_LSfTx2RdDh-JktrT2piP2yos3fQaYWaGjbkNLlCStloTu0pb/w560-h347/DSCF1872.JPG" width="560" /></a></div><br /> Unloading sand at Ryall Wharf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4KgnHFF3QBkFANxCw4_pXU9JzGLmrawCPFZreHQB92MPFGNe4695WvUFoYVb43xtkDOgQDDPsN7Tinj8zMTQ6XUhlmZ4AZ5Z8Z4qtxAaPXF9lGwv6DM2XbNdxmVU37Ve8P2Rgbya-s_r-0g8LTqKoDSdyOp1f9W4huh6hkZaS3vE0xdc/s3771/DSCF1879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2420" data-original-width="3771" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4KgnHFF3QBkFANxCw4_pXU9JzGLmrawCPFZreHQB92MPFGNe4695WvUFoYVb43xtkDOgQDDPsN7Tinj8zMTQ6XUhlmZ4AZ5Z8Z4qtxAaPXF9lGwv6DM2XbNdxmVU37Ve8P2Rgbya-s_r-0g8LTqKoDSdyOp1f9W4huh6hkZaS3vE0xdc/w505-h323/DSCF1879.JPG" width="505" /></a></div><p>The M50 crossing.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriRQYpkk1m51i_6c28_cWuSyWmVOdAAGUWYKyK_Y5zAEJOvMfFAag3ooyUcTOY4Yspqmm1VaZ7PAMKsLaK7Wl4hNAfShIW1PF8xa_9b02oJ7T6wmYDnxsF4lKShZIIkSz_LBeh9uN04v9xozHz0j7sy9mask-eYWqSA0Sg6XD8c9S8sHm/s3402/DSCF1884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2329" data-original-width="3402" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriRQYpkk1m51i_6c28_cWuSyWmVOdAAGUWYKyK_Y5zAEJOvMfFAag3ooyUcTOY4Yspqmm1VaZ7PAMKsLaK7Wl4hNAfShIW1PF8xa_9b02oJ7T6wmYDnxsF4lKShZIIkSz_LBeh9uN04v9xozHz0j7sy9mask-eYWqSA0Sg6XD8c9S8sHm/s320/DSCF1884.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div>Another bridge, another age. Mythe Bridge, upstream of Tewkesbury.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIWCKoStdCggWIChEA1wQeZUz8e2SSH-PYvMTUFk0_sIXGK7xi8g2B43mxoaS_bL4aLdpqAXd6oeC-UI7K0lrHUoLCMcr0K9roZrVATrNUnnpgTJFR4W44OK64rzeF5GU4ggZTfo0Xjd9rrJdNhEYis7-kwUJeillokIq5qGOkG3Iih2z/s4608/DSCF1889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKIWCKoStdCggWIChEA1wQeZUz8e2SSH-PYvMTUFk0_sIXGK7xi8g2B43mxoaS_bL4aLdpqAXd6oeC-UI7K0lrHUoLCMcr0K9roZrVATrNUnnpgTJFR4W44OK64rzeF5GU4ggZTfo0Xjd9rrJdNhEYis7-kwUJeillokIq5qGOkG3Iih2z/s320/DSCF1889.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Arriving at the confluence of the River Avon we turned off the Severn, planning to moor below Avon Lock for the night. The moorings were a bit grim though, a high wall so I had to lift Amber up, and a sticky, muddy path. I had a word with then lockie with a view to spending the night above the lock, but in the end decided to have a bite of lunch then press on.</span><div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Back out onto the Severn.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggns8F1gfAEbMsN9WMynX_oZloo8XxM5UaZn8Zen-5ieNp6K-WdNmZrWS_WAxl6CfjQuHXyh5_hIBksY1pUSPvAuWffx-4Hy7CHMFfoZOPUnBXzdgvGJdOj534vNx8jWoY4m8DPGPqHDI73k1g0wwCwOTG1NQzlayiaPZNZAugDFMnM0UN/s3890/DSCF1894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2388" data-original-width="3890" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggns8F1gfAEbMsN9WMynX_oZloo8XxM5UaZn8Zen-5ieNp6K-WdNmZrWS_WAxl6CfjQuHXyh5_hIBksY1pUSPvAuWffx-4Hy7CHMFfoZOPUnBXzdgvGJdOj534vNx8jWoY4m8DPGPqHDI73k1g0wwCwOTG1NQzlayiaPZNZAugDFMnM0UN/w400-h245/DSCF1894.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Upper Lode Lock is only a quarter mile downstream, a huge lock built to accommodate a tug and train of barges.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Big lock, little boat.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdRVOh5nN1SThPoaDQYEjpDkpdoiWEvROEh13Z5yfc2px5gs1V4XiW1nAg7SCqoG-piBnkP6EFe9cHmWt0cSy_S1Z_zxbI_ubKUCPLP9SwouDrkj7CUYVEeszqdb51ztcDPYLmsRusXg3v0fBmCEVGtxXROWns8jHSlkMrdSunjEzWYGG/s4608/DSCF1898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdRVOh5nN1SThPoaDQYEjpDkpdoiWEvROEh13Z5yfc2px5gs1V4XiW1nAg7SCqoG-piBnkP6EFe9cHmWt0cSy_S1Z_zxbI_ubKUCPLP9SwouDrkj7CUYVEeszqdb51ztcDPYLmsRusXg3v0fBmCEVGtxXROWns8jHSlkMrdSunjEzWYGG/w500-h375/DSCF1898.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><br />I thought of pulling in at Lower Lode or Yew Tree, but the pontoons here are really for customers of the adjacent pubs, so we pushed on, finding an invitingly empty pontoon at Haw Bridge.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Wide river, bright but with a cool breeze picking up.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJBn0wQK1BF8xJNWthNNTAd0LLf1vgHSYVuKqTVwFD1ZAMTr7pnS7PHUldndV4oDWlecC7o7P6idhqXKBopU5M6o3EzUygFGnGU1-LV0x7ATRaFoO0QPyDY4b64-EZ0iSJ6VoZEbp5AsCeTtQUB7aVdqrg-9jYIQV3V9vLLHa5X1yyM5O/s4283/DSCF1901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2611" data-original-width="4283" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJBn0wQK1BF8xJNWthNNTAd0LLf1vgHSYVuKqTVwFD1ZAMTr7pnS7PHUldndV4oDWlecC7o7P6idhqXKBopU5M6o3EzUygFGnGU1-LV0x7ATRaFoO0QPyDY4b64-EZ0iSJ6VoZEbp5AsCeTtQUB7aVdqrg-9jYIQV3V9vLLHa5X1yyM5O/s320/DSCF1901.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Typical on the flood-prone Severn - rise and fall pontoon moorings and park homes on stilts!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1HQwok2W_7fX7oQKcIVkDpIcXcOGt-S-Vfy3vDZTeZOqvvmlJ4_qfX4Ha5OZis4cJD_Q-7ifJxG5xRGnu4mzGc25n6WCqxL3nhO68qdBHOjTD6AmpCgSl2FAQ4dfJppJ-qHxLUUa75CYDlUC6bZ1wkWSsEVF9edEh61NLHt5Ze55IZHF/s3266/DSCF1903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1833" data-original-width="3266" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1HQwok2W_7fX7oQKcIVkDpIcXcOGt-S-Vfy3vDZTeZOqvvmlJ4_qfX4Ha5OZis4cJD_Q-7ifJxG5xRGnu4mzGc25n6WCqxL3nhO68qdBHOjTD6AmpCgSl2FAQ4dfJppJ-qHxLUUa75CYDlUC6bZ1wkWSsEVF9edEh61NLHt5Ze55IZHF/w423-h238/DSCF1903.JPG" width="423" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Haw Bridge moorings, facing upstream.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aPOfJwVs9SsEudtJh3rg8nxmjhwX3DwvOXNkM9nB2XIcVGFDZ5zyk5hokKCAkPL5i_HaANYuWv_K0L0fe6x1KWFzoSMSCscb2HMa5HLWNwaVjXSVbjVwrrnvm66t3fgAbNk_tVNlmHAWYEyXpQJ6VRiP490r4xjcm9aoP7fbLrVMIfQC/s4025/DSCF1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2690" data-original-width="4025" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aPOfJwVs9SsEudtJh3rg8nxmjhwX3DwvOXNkM9nB2XIcVGFDZ5zyk5hokKCAkPL5i_HaANYuWv_K0L0fe6x1KWFzoSMSCscb2HMa5HLWNwaVjXSVbjVwrrnvm66t3fgAbNk_tVNlmHAWYEyXpQJ6VRiP490r4xjcm9aoP7fbLrVMIfQC/s320/DSCF1904.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We should be in Gloucester Dock by lunchtime tomorrow.</div><div><br /></div><div>Locks 5, miles 33¾</div><br /> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> </span></p></div></div></div>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-32022593503850320632022-05-22T09:09:00.001+01:002022-05-22T09:11:36.378+01:00Down to the river.<p> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Well we're here, moored on the Severn at Stourport.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We dropped down through Kidderminster on Thursday, with just three locks and a couple of miles to do we were tied up again above Falling Sands Lock by noon. And that included a visit to Tesco in the town!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The tower of St. John the Baptist, Wolverley, rises above the trees. It was consecrated at the same time as the canal was opened, in 1772.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkojuj8ENJcehu1BlTgCaEbk7JBm-7hrkJ2ajPDPmuisvgT9erGdVrnDGJ8IGveNkVeVdTFl1ZHUTzJ7cU3vlUBQBvUsSWihGkyRzEJwF6Y4BYnKkNOjjZ-cKx4kwOzrMndq836C1Umz28HXkD6RndFDwCpqVyY_k-yAYKmP92Ta9USSC/s3978/DSCF1767.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2734" data-original-width="3978" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkojuj8ENJcehu1BlTgCaEbk7JBm-7hrkJ2ajPDPmuisvgT9erGdVrnDGJ8IGveNkVeVdTFl1ZHUTzJ7cU3vlUBQBvUsSWihGkyRzEJwF6Y4BYnKkNOjjZ-cKx4kwOzrMndq836C1Umz28HXkD6RndFDwCpqVyY_k-yAYKmP92Ta9USSC/w467-h321/DSCF1767.JPG" width="467" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">First of the day on Thursday, Wolverley Court Lock.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDLtFkUD-iZKEyT4p2bZhz5WLkbKgopROSjeYt9cq0w_BBOyy_MfqEyjV6XP-6geGJZ44WJ1Mn3lMGKBfTt_7I0kzveQjvuGFq9i_c3W7WjBt_opDlKA6L6pgpLkwvNsDO0aczB272B2va-bQbtrULZh_l7oYZLEOOq-ajSDbpy2gCBh7/s3791/DSCF1769.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2476" data-original-width="3791" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDLtFkUD-iZKEyT4p2bZhz5WLkbKgopROSjeYt9cq0w_BBOyy_MfqEyjV6XP-6geGJZ44WJ1Mn3lMGKBfTt_7I0kzveQjvuGFq9i_c3W7WjBt_opDlKA6L6pgpLkwvNsDO0aczB272B2va-bQbtrULZh_l7oYZLEOOq-ajSDbpy2gCBh7/s320/DSCF1769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Good moorings here above the lock, but only room for a couple of boats. From here it's obvious that we're approaching Kidderminster, new housing starts to appear along the canal corridor. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDU5EQCo5N8slja6P9HsTFx6GGcxZAlnbx4jCbf9SStNM15nwuD3tEqx5m3Je6vocZYHlVmPnquXXCgX2JVPjZdyNgib5yEHE-MqQf0SEjIZ3SySqj5R4CUTpwlWwpwuvSJ08xkK5FEc3VoxFUpdNCsLvh-zDlSKLI3mo3S7gztgYfj9F/s3913/DSCF1770.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2464" data-original-width="3913" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDU5EQCo5N8slja6P9HsTFx6GGcxZAlnbx4jCbf9SStNM15nwuD3tEqx5m3Je6vocZYHlVmPnquXXCgX2JVPjZdyNgib5yEHE-MqQf0SEjIZ3SySqj5R4CUTpwlWwpwuvSJ08xkK5FEc3VoxFUpdNCsLvh-zDlSKLI3mo3S7gztgYfj9F/w400-h253/DSCF1770.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The classic shot of Kidderminster Lock with St. Mary and All Saints in the background.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEZQuKB5XjgM1HNMiw9I2KeysIX0IMIEp91jQrHWpAeWnJTiEjgR38ZEXZKJCbNKaJmwMVGCk-Ams8v8KXe8rn1YGr8C21FOcr1mZ7t9BoSd4EPcoP59PWLDXQcCCPDl_6jVMrGILpnB5si8eu7E9qlFZiU6ArneIN51Npcz57PiiTfEn/s4608/DSCF1774.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEZQuKB5XjgM1HNMiw9I2KeysIX0IMIEp91jQrHWpAeWnJTiEjgR38ZEXZKJCbNKaJmwMVGCk-Ams8v8KXe8rn1YGr8C21FOcr1mZ7t9BoSd4EPcoP59PWLDXQcCCPDl_6jVMrGILpnB5si8eu7E9qlFZiU6ArneIN51Npcz57PiiTfEn/w590-h443/DSCF1774.JPG" width="590" /></a></div>While waiting for the lock to fill (slowly!) I got chatting to an elderly local chap who's great-great grandad was born on the boats and used to run coal from the Cannock collieries down to Stourport. An enjoyable 20 minutes listening to the stories...</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We stopped for that visit to the handy Tesco I mentioned earlier, then pushed on, arriving just right at Caldwell Lock, with a boat waiting to come up but the lock in my favour. So they dropped me down. It was a very nice inspection barge waiting below...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OCef5HcxPaMlNojTLNMWFMuwUcOcgtNgo_TcMgsHrYL8wVjjq4BKxmoirSeXZpQTVD0kHq76IJ72WbMHiy-VNaV10sXX37jnRqKFJes_IlycNzIFh0eauVMiN7_-O5sR0p23sUcUxSP-ryaJfucTFmdfmnC62p2BDvyGM7bS9M1t_2qr/s3429/DSCF1781.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2278" data-original-width="3429" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OCef5HcxPaMlNojTLNMWFMuwUcOcgtNgo_TcMgsHrYL8wVjjq4BKxmoirSeXZpQTVD0kHq76IJ72WbMHiy-VNaV10sXX37jnRqKFJes_IlycNzIFh0eauVMiN7_-O5sR0p23sUcUxSP-ryaJfucTFmdfmnC62p2BDvyGM7bS9M1t_2qr/w561-h373/DSCF1781.JPG" width="561" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">These well-appointed craft were used to carry company shareholders and other dignitaries on tours of inspection. I suspect this is a replica though.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Under the impressive Falling Sands Railway Viaduct.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZLDnpLSaiBXgjWvi-CH5dpUqu422JfBfKrZgJPoebuhiN0IGvail_RqxTRvNb3HihQSEWbBL9V_3mU2DnTrFiX_VmWxhgc-JIFpyON4FWjVoahvNzK4bzS3TtDj1KRDesPwv5pC1L4wKifKcZEyaqlNlCSh1zpSIDRrGrLyO6n6nk8h0/s4608/DSCF1783.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZLDnpLSaiBXgjWvi-CH5dpUqu422JfBfKrZgJPoebuhiN0IGvail_RqxTRvNb3HihQSEWbBL9V_3mU2DnTrFiX_VmWxhgc-JIFpyON4FWjVoahvNzK4bzS3TtDj1KRDesPwv5pC1L4wKifKcZEyaqlNlCSh1zpSIDRrGrLyO6n6nk8h0/s320/DSCF1783.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The viaduct was opened in 1878 and carries the restored <a href="https://www.svr.co.uk/">Severn Valley Railway</a> over the canal and River Stour. It was the subject of a major renovation project in 2020.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We stopped shortly after the viaduct, in a pleasant spot just before Falling Sands Lock.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzbGtrYjWlNeEPkVBeWS1wkE7Wv_oeYbRxh60q7hW9-yvPxDe4yLuagZMJTLTQIzy25h7q7V9I8-Q8yc6BcXMz1CEziJaJkTz0Vim-zT1-lvnIcyFYBVXhZXTpVTh0FD3IK8PXbjLB5PWx8x6AM95W4Iua9HBUodgU6TQRkKrpq1dxcaM/s4001/DSCF1784.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2511" data-original-width="4001" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzbGtrYjWlNeEPkVBeWS1wkE7Wv_oeYbRxh60q7hW9-yvPxDe4yLuagZMJTLTQIzy25h7q7V9I8-Q8yc6BcXMz1CEziJaJkTz0Vim-zT1-lvnIcyFYBVXhZXTpVTh0FD3IK8PXbjLB5PWx8x6AM95W4Iua9HBUodgU6TQRkKrpq1dxcaM/w499-h313/DSCF1784.JPG" width="499" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After a quiet night we had a lazy start on Friday, dropping down Falling Sands Lock after 10.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRg_6EFhu9fiXl9DkjiRKCG76z9-jz_BAwaYU_aJ13BJzpiZPW6QLny3Z1-micY5FYTLJnT33yupAWjdbNhFpRXbDJwPvW6Jg6Kw7ujJINqyBg4-8taMdu9ub08hcJ8YxJGVWAS0d0_9lM8YixuIe_GxrxLtd3OAnxQs0q0z0kUgfKNng/s4608/DSCF1787.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRg_6EFhu9fiXl9DkjiRKCG76z9-jz_BAwaYU_aJ13BJzpiZPW6QLny3Z1-micY5FYTLJnT33yupAWjdbNhFpRXbDJwPvW6Jg6Kw7ujJINqyBg4-8taMdu9ub08hcJ8YxJGVWAS0d0_9lM8YixuIe_GxrxLtd3OAnxQs0q0z0kUgfKNng/w553-h415/DSCF1787.JPG" width="553" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The lock is alongside an unstable bank, hence the name.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Oldington Bridge, backed up against the sandstone ridge.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEoKiDLWiV78Y7G9hZVo5EthPo58CDWKFqIWn8TVCnxi3wYe1Mp32ULNf6zeJ6cyQf47eU1K5wWpl_tICpY1aa7pNOwHexOCET6qnUe0mwGEl-o24U0x-iMCAPtpLgfNLnKxJAhkDGSJT3M-GzZ66vqH3gDMQo-7DBs7-tUyr98z_p9uP/s4608/DSCF1790.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEoKiDLWiV78Y7G9hZVo5EthPo58CDWKFqIWn8TVCnxi3wYe1Mp32ULNf6zeJ6cyQf47eU1K5wWpl_tICpY1aa7pNOwHexOCET6qnUe0mwGEl-o24U0x-iMCAPtpLgfNLnKxJAhkDGSJT3M-GzZ66vqH3gDMQo-7DBs7-tUyr98z_p9uP/w400-h300/DSCF1790.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Big ahhhh...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0pKHdzp_sab3DzahIjKfoQnzOgFuRHGEBvX6gpjAHbnvoutosbe6J3LWhwjXxgJTiCv71kIdKL3ZSIZ13zzNHxugJXy54GoRjcCuVWNXAJa2DRi7S1Z9YqfBxhOXtTIUpWek-L5qGAGDNLWJ83X6TLEVJMX8W0s_aORRtbQmb0xJrGAR/s2690/DSCF1796.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="2690" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0pKHdzp_sab3DzahIjKfoQnzOgFuRHGEBvX6gpjAHbnvoutosbe6J3LWhwjXxgJTiCv71kIdKL3ZSIZ13zzNHxugJXy54GoRjcCuVWNXAJa2DRi7S1Z9YqfBxhOXtTIUpWek-L5qGAGDNLWJ83X6TLEVJMX8W0s_aORRtbQmb0xJrGAR/w580-h397/DSCF1796.JPG" width="580" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It looks like the Bird in Hand and the canal cottages have had a lick of paint.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0xgrXZCReD6qNbh7JCDeZ9PkN6R81TWxUP-3WuCPsK7vreXR0pNoYNUM-TNVoXjVrOqeRkJnzFhjxmJdbIWNaTOgRNnNMR38SVYZhOnY_5blCeL6X0VOMxj9Gh82sOlZSSI5Onfd5dx3HwpkhhGW79qp-lx0t254Vg7HrUEIM0oqFi84/s4608/DSCF1798.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0xgrXZCReD6qNbh7JCDeZ9PkN6R81TWxUP-3WuCPsK7vreXR0pNoYNUM-TNVoXjVrOqeRkJnzFhjxmJdbIWNaTOgRNnNMR38SVYZhOnY_5blCeL6X0VOMxj9Gh82sOlZSSI5Onfd5dx3HwpkhhGW79qp-lx0t254Vg7HrUEIM0oqFi84/w400-h300/DSCF1798.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><p style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">We pulled in on the moorings above York Street Lock, had a brew then I walked down to suss out the mooring situation in the basin. There was a space right next to the services, so then donk was fired up again and we dropped down into the and got tied up handily.</span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0upCc2LFW4o2umiCceix-tOYBjFy387G9LjANTi2r1gtR0IYRBOkWxxywiiCvuqqm-AXIwBo4X1af3wV44sxto8tx2MlxAXwX-vm1JlBb4tZVibJJeUxtxsG2onpjd6rkLdaqCj8Y0i4w1YilBlX7BuE6Ier2BHdbSF3HFsmTQ9gAKAs/s4160/DSCF1802.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2802" data-original-width="4160" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0upCc2LFW4o2umiCceix-tOYBjFy387G9LjANTi2r1gtR0IYRBOkWxxywiiCvuqqm-AXIwBo4X1af3wV44sxto8tx2MlxAXwX-vm1JlBb4tZVibJJeUxtxsG2onpjd6rkLdaqCj8Y0i4w1YilBlX7BuE6Ier2BHdbSF3HFsmTQ9gAKAs/w400-h270/DSCF1802.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ51__K9eT9bIJQVCzszl6XWcpEVog9NEym8p9Igxubx7lnXNK2hfakgQJSHaXYjspk2PwK3LoC_EcqrQtwE_HAZgeZf15_4gdE1ua5zDrB4QdrVL7aVVpd2Q9OA-hUn2O_4Z5ai7SFGgFMm8l2sTCiR7ourtgSMSAKmZqe3yGBRQ4U4WZ/s3755/DSCF1803.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2527" data-original-width="3755" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ51__K9eT9bIJQVCzszl6XWcpEVog9NEym8p9Igxubx7lnXNK2hfakgQJSHaXYjspk2PwK3LoC_EcqrQtwE_HAZgeZf15_4gdE1ua5zDrB4QdrVL7aVVpd2Q9OA-hUn2O_4Z5ai7SFGgFMm8l2sTCiR7ourtgSMSAKmZqe3yGBRQ4U4WZ/w517-h348/DSCF1803.JPG" width="517" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I filled the water tank and emptied the loo in the evening so we could get an early-bird start in the morning. Not that we were going far, just across the basin, down the two double staircase locks to the river, and onto one of the river pontoons to moor.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Across the basin...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yosaT1SC_0snazf3HWeb5WhgyYv0lmNGYWK0jj42-qWMtnvpbmdcGADuPmAFUXIoEes-VKHvKTFgfcC8f9ulRTN8yLsQVDFkidZI8CsertpPFfz0EjGDU3EbGWff_SujkV1WZsjdRzs4zFQ0HpsYBYsozG8RF--J4Eu6wzMihhNx5gmu/s3004/DSCF1814.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2035" data-original-width="3004" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yosaT1SC_0snazf3HWeb5WhgyYv0lmNGYWK0jj42-qWMtnvpbmdcGADuPmAFUXIoEes-VKHvKTFgfcC8f9ulRTN8yLsQVDFkidZI8CsertpPFfz0EjGDU3EbGWff_SujkV1WZsjdRzs4zFQ0HpsYBYsozG8RF--J4Eu6wzMihhNx5gmu/w499-h338/DSCF1814.JPG" width="499" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">...down the locks...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJauCQveGB5qYXVQLYZP1Lse3rEZN-W5K7votqxY2PAnh3SbocINbAdm8PSAyr438PdgEEPZYNprz2LPhHHRo0wGksEMqQaePrxxjAd8kv6Osw2R--L-at95pdOuknjygrJL0w5EJmiEp0m06zWoy9410iw2_cQxfn9p69hmgQFOJtgHB/s4287/DSCF1816.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2980" data-original-width="4287" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJauCQveGB5qYXVQLYZP1Lse3rEZN-W5K7votqxY2PAnh3SbocINbAdm8PSAyr438PdgEEPZYNprz2LPhHHRo0wGksEMqQaePrxxjAd8kv6Osw2R--L-at95pdOuknjygrJL0w5EJmiEp0m06zWoy9410iw2_cQxfn9p69hmgQFOJtgHB/w440-h305/DSCF1816.JPG" width="440" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">and out onto the river.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFY3BYBFi-RVRNNqhFPFBiSPKZw-MTRfbFqQicMaea36g2VjFMkvmUtrzmJyKaDdprXgjtxq-t83xrWOH87m3tnIrBTRXFBvl5sKAlrdHNi7NDgpwAAEtZWwP5nkFo2BuirefkdD1Ed9i3yaE1uQHeIzjJSVKECkWw8_HACPktW-pikkcu/s3743/DSCF1819.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2535" data-original-width="3743" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFY3BYBFi-RVRNNqhFPFBiSPKZw-MTRfbFqQicMaea36g2VjFMkvmUtrzmJyKaDdprXgjtxq-t83xrWOH87m3tnIrBTRXFBvl5sKAlrdHNi7NDgpwAAEtZWwP5nkFo2BuirefkdD1Ed9i3yaE1uQHeIzjJSVKECkWw8_HACPktW-pikkcu/w528-h358/DSCF1819.JPG" width="528" /></a></div><br />At the top lock a very helpful CRT chap turned up and offered to do the locks for me, an offer I accepted with alacrity! That's him, closing up the bottom lock behind me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Our mooring till Monday morning...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zqZk7rRRGS2JgOh0ajmt-M5X-7AfSEm2hGUB6qs0iRouCLbPKFMKMcWnEPiQUX8xAWue3YLq_B29HUencljAyJL_NZqp0nn6X_XFnZSW3DbqUbP0qrntmYlZLdu9AKRtAtSg-HxWYaA-pyioJsmTsC6Iys0sPWcm68sBlVOXqOP_uRFv/s4089/DSCF1821.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2650" data-original-width="4089" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zqZk7rRRGS2JgOh0ajmt-M5X-7AfSEm2hGUB6qs0iRouCLbPKFMKMcWnEPiQUX8xAWue3YLq_B29HUencljAyJL_NZqp0nn6X_XFnZSW3DbqUbP0qrntmYlZLdu9AKRtAtSg-HxWYaA-pyioJsmTsC6Iys0sPWcm68sBlVOXqOP_uRFv/w400-h259/DSCF1821.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The sun came out later in the morning, and with it the crowds... Not so much on the river but the parks and pubs were busy. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Off downstream on Monday morning.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Locks 9, miles 6¼</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-51423133679036543942022-05-18T20:25:00.001+01:002022-05-18T20:29:41.231+01:00Getting there...<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We're continuing our gentle cruise down towards the Severn. A quiet night at Gothersley on Monday led to a fine, sunny day yesterday.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We had about an hour at not much more than tick-over speed before we got to the first lock at Stewpony (or Stewponey, depending on which map you look at...) It's quiet bendy along here, but that's only the prelude to later...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeqzDlBTK2-Sod3hDohneS77HfFmbBcrLLP2pQxo-GwZ5TxYHaodi3bTLhU8sZ2wNuZoHFL1ozb_hBEH9SpfCIiX1giNNsmw77aMjNuzoqzniRFmlYBKBTz31njpC17x4I8oVE7yGhzYBhhul8OEoW47-lDZAd1hYekV9mXi7zcVmXksU/s3516/DSCF1725.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2297" data-original-width="3516" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeqzDlBTK2-Sod3hDohneS77HfFmbBcrLLP2pQxo-GwZ5TxYHaodi3bTLhU8sZ2wNuZoHFL1ozb_hBEH9SpfCIiX1giNNsmw77aMjNuzoqzniRFmlYBKBTz31njpC17x4I8oVE7yGhzYBhhul8OEoW47-lDZAd1hYekV9mXi7zcVmXksU/s320/DSCF1725.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Just around the corner we passed the strange wooden door set into the base of a sandstone outcrop.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zeEgY9x4Ilcg-eE0pvxgwSQfVUbh6CXYY_O5JcWWev3eK4sk2dPwhSFOGRGne3XyGpR7FLU5D0sz5Rw1a_g2_s8K3p3X2pSiqRBZTEJ6fRnePbbO_yODEkjWA8scUqGnErLUfRqvtxrlPKyruQmqfvLs5tkIXyn8mVfR73uftNaE-Dl3/s3072/DSCF1726.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2115" data-original-width="3072" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zeEgY9x4Ilcg-eE0pvxgwSQfVUbh6CXYY_O5JcWWev3eK4sk2dPwhSFOGRGne3XyGpR7FLU5D0sz5Rw1a_g2_s8K3p3X2pSiqRBZTEJ6fRnePbbO_yODEkjWA8scUqGnErLUfRqvtxrlPKyruQmqfvLs5tkIXyn8mVfR73uftNaE-Dl3/w400-h275/DSCF1726.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />No-one seems to know what it was built for, or how far the tunnel extends into the rock face. It's known as the Devil's Den.<br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We've been following the course of the Smestow Brook for the last couple of days, but after crossing over a small aqueduct the canal starts following the Stour instead.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyxKqzaqUZFEb9_DnzIp7lymCd66I7ir6tdkm2ywAZglXG_UGc4vyyNKgTOoAJNJ3mFF55iOcfZOcYO5HHYyM6VZHEaoE4DdcRu-dnKSukuBHHGT9q8PSHFVcrb7y5xlCqsytePNqDzx4o4DRr-nD6AV8wYTdhkeJ_4nu31Cfnx0NLt_j/s3055/DSCF1728.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1916" data-original-width="3055" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyxKqzaqUZFEb9_DnzIp7lymCd66I7ir6tdkm2ywAZglXG_UGc4vyyNKgTOoAJNJ3mFF55iOcfZOcYO5HHYyM6VZHEaoE4DdcRu-dnKSukuBHHGT9q8PSHFVcrb7y5xlCqsytePNqDzx4o4DRr-nD6AV8wYTdhkeJ_4nu31Cfnx0NLt_j/w400-h251/DSCF1728.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br />We passed Stourton Junction and the route up to Stourbridge, then arrived at Stewpon(e)y Lock to find a boat just leaving.</span><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtR-KR5dfSXD_nkM95cDWrBcr9-iR2QLbMx7kLGn8yPcCbPOIybuq4CYSOLz4VVF0YV-0R0F3jWXnCkWS8wT-ZmXMiX380WhvfBtRzNVU5RyydrJtrlwr5AryuOvII9qNAvQmmS9xty2HEnSTBv4NSxtw6npaiSDdt05F8Ar8QXIc5yFc2/s4383/DSCF1730.JPG" style="clear: left; display: inline; font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2726" data-original-width="4383" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtR-KR5dfSXD_nkM95cDWrBcr9-iR2QLbMx7kLGn8yPcCbPOIybuq4CYSOLz4VVF0YV-0R0F3jWXnCkWS8wT-ZmXMiX380WhvfBtRzNVU5RyydrJtrlwr5AryuOvII9qNAvQmmS9xty2HEnSTBv4NSxtw6npaiSDdt05F8Ar8QXIc5yFc2/w468-h292/DSCF1730.JPG" width="468" /></a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BaJNQLj8-VV9KLaJgasyYjjfPWthl42CJIjRODvMgZBEwsER_SGwO23w71zMV2_j9B1R4knMA4o-fc-wR2x6dI7K9MrZVXNfMUOaDvqEMt3ViV1_SUjZARJi1JWulHpOO21tcgGuWEePy9A5DpmP8Ptv5JHzrqz5_SkdO57ts73MzRmi/s3775/DSCF1731.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3775" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BaJNQLj8-VV9KLaJgasyYjjfPWthl42CJIjRODvMgZBEwsER_SGwO23w71zMV2_j9B1R4knMA4o-fc-wR2x6dI7K9MrZVXNfMUOaDvqEMt3ViV1_SUjZARJi1JWulHpOO21tcgGuWEePy9A5DpmP8Ptv5JHzrqz5_SkdO57ts73MzRmi/s320/DSCF1731.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7uE-GHjQfUQ83p9Z1n_rRicyjYs5J7KYlHW46Tu98Cyaq7773NtIGTBJYdgwslG_ZTsQpUuPVgg2Vs-cPCCjXrwZcdHgJGW7BUkzt5Ql_W1-UR3A_KiicdKOkK6VAp0CVvrjFhvUoq9LMGh9QkOEP3IcLIfDw1fTchOspBwZVmdyDbtV/s3664/DSCF1733.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3664" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7uE-GHjQfUQ83p9Z1n_rRicyjYs5J7KYlHW46Tu98Cyaq7773NtIGTBJYdgwslG_ZTsQpUuPVgg2Vs-cPCCjXrwZcdHgJGW7BUkzt5Ql_W1-UR3A_KiicdKOkK6VAp0CVvrjFhvUoq9LMGh9QkOEP3IcLIfDw1fTchOspBwZVmdyDbtV/w505-h343/DSCF1733.JPG" width="505" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Another was waiting to come up so I was invited to get back aboard while the lock was emptied for me. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqUy2P6D118C_76gg1rZsPjUZnuHORWkwgzgGJHuWOx9fmCY6sj--Lzf2pIkpV5hE6MASV1nCOKR3s20T94dN9MfF5nttnQNvbpnFjMlv_Q_g-s4GMsaeBmNEr6wBsccr_AZqTxZ2KQHSC2CRX0OVzl7wd8j6tbeiB1jL9H3TGMc-c2_q/s4608/DSCF1734.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqUy2P6D118C_76gg1rZsPjUZnuHORWkwgzgGJHuWOx9fmCY6sj--Lzf2pIkpV5hE6MASV1nCOKR3s20T94dN9MfF5nttnQNvbpnFjMlv_Q_g-s4GMsaeBmNEr6wBsccr_AZqTxZ2KQHSC2CRX0OVzl7wd8j6tbeiB1jL9H3TGMc-c2_q/s320/DSCF1734.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Sort of settles that debate, then!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A little further on and Dunsley Tunnel takes the canal through that sandstone ridge.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrxkyzomp43WRftJ6x9jZQ8ruXFLkB6-ceMEzJ6ZfOD1hoBqQPc8vONZvQWZ7mpgMpzK6A0WCDe3uCimvg6DDMYZvji13DtBUGfYx4c6hu1Qd6IuiLBa75LvL29EGvPbxuTpzIS5Bjs3qEtkXcbHqsCgsYjNPfc9rGErS3vE6m0yypA7S/s3866/DSCF1738.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2615" data-original-width="3866" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrxkyzomp43WRftJ6x9jZQ8ruXFLkB6-ceMEzJ6ZfOD1hoBqQPc8vONZvQWZ7mpgMpzK6A0WCDe3uCimvg6DDMYZvji13DtBUGfYx4c6hu1Qd6IuiLBa75LvL29EGvPbxuTpzIS5Bjs3qEtkXcbHqsCgsYjNPfc9rGErS3vE6m0yypA7S/s320/DSCF1738.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It's stable enough to be self-supporting, with just brick arches at the ends.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Hyde Lock is picture-postcard, with a well preserved lock-keepers house alongside. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlqIhyRWpwoxdK0TLZuxY2jPgwBSg3hf3uuOvgD7yIXHj-3Y8j_8M452dDvu0TBstxiIcbtmFMGn4xELXZs5Q4ZyIHy2UpvWM9CNosP3Knk2NUXzG0Id7SR7ggfRC6Nl0vZ2bnH5VrSJ2S-i2uUdXTYizuGieshZtM0q5AiiCnByjBS6T/s3763/DSCF1742.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2738" data-original-width="3763" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlqIhyRWpwoxdK0TLZuxY2jPgwBSg3hf3uuOvgD7yIXHj-3Y8j_8M452dDvu0TBstxiIcbtmFMGn4xELXZs5Q4ZyIHy2UpvWM9CNosP3Knk2NUXzG0Id7SR7ggfRC6Nl0vZ2bnH5VrSJ2S-i2uUdXTYizuGieshZtM0q5AiiCnByjBS6T/w535-h389/DSCF1742.JPG" width="535" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Below here the canal skirts along the edge of Kinver, a popular stop and well worth the visit. But not for us today although there was plenty of mooring space to be had. Instead we pushed on and moored below Whittington Lock, with another cottage that has lasted well - much like the lady on the tiller!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GLLndpUmQxrYlf4hDL-8tFjunDSFgN2KfFYWFYW9TaOocbvBw95x_PO9ubUCArqTM5HLEsw4WNZVH914eeA_1Rwxgaip7LDZI-uCpieqkZpML1XasIikKqoIoydDa7cTRiIlesaGjSYDyV_JSnjSlkl1nN3RhTRA54vs_dSi-BUnuZLx/s3676/DSCF1746.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2734" data-original-width="3676" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GLLndpUmQxrYlf4hDL-8tFjunDSFgN2KfFYWFYW9TaOocbvBw95x_PO9ubUCArqTM5HLEsw4WNZVH914eeA_1Rwxgaip7LDZI-uCpieqkZpML1XasIikKqoIoydDa7cTRiIlesaGjSYDyV_JSnjSlkl1nN3RhTRA54vs_dSi-BUnuZLx/w555-h412/DSCF1746.JPG" width="555" /></a></div>Rain in the afternoon and overnight cleared by morning and we had a quiet night until Amber went ballistic at 6 this morning. Nothing to be seen when I got up to investigate, but outside I noticed cat pawprints all over the fore-deck...</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Sunny spells came and went, slowly warming the day as we wound our way generally south. We crossed the county boundary near Caunsel, following which the canal gets seriously bendy!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Splendid, eh!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQN7XEjyH1Jra8yJx3y70olqcHxMBWJfE_fDQS3GpheBJpWwIXpjEE6XXHl4o6FNdFDDu9xvTL7W_bGkPMsffdEeJQG7TPSl4qVbUX-WlA9TrW_AjlC4zhrCaR-o-qPVP5P2MSgAFCGgHCVBxhokV5CaLPhc2ZIv8QYTlmKXPHnEKJCQJ/s3410/DSCF1751.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2551" data-original-width="3410" height="409" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQN7XEjyH1Jra8yJx3y70olqcHxMBWJfE_fDQS3GpheBJpWwIXpjEE6XXHl4o6FNdFDDu9xvTL7W_bGkPMsffdEeJQG7TPSl4qVbUX-WlA9TrW_AjlC4zhrCaR-o-qPVP5P2MSgAFCGgHCVBxhokV5CaLPhc2ZIv8QYTlmKXPHnEKJCQJ/w547-h409/DSCF1751.JPG" width="547" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Heading into Cookley, around and almost under Austcliffe!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiHJyRo8T84QKSQAQNBFiRgGF_EmuGPuwiayADTyQcbPb2SGjWdrcYuUN8xQDAhyxmpYGlFdaCdWcduEVO8YKopWTXiqxfhzWSA6vdtoSTIxIKxJj_XcxZ3kmLYsLmTE22ez4ZtloUl2AYDVv6T2H_SpM6-UQ_J7GM0cBdCOPiSV3S6py/s3878/DSCF1753.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2686" data-original-width="3878" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiHJyRo8T84QKSQAQNBFiRgGF_EmuGPuwiayADTyQcbPb2SGjWdrcYuUN8xQDAhyxmpYGlFdaCdWcduEVO8YKopWTXiqxfhzWSA6vdtoSTIxIKxJj_XcxZ3kmLYsLmTE22ez4ZtloUl2AYDVv6T2H_SpM6-UQ_J7GM0cBdCOPiSV3S6py/w400-h278/DSCF1753.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /><p></p></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The village is built on top of Cookley Tunnel...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBH3S4t8huEAZaRUfiPCzsTc5fTtZu_j07GsriRiNPZVnm4OvkJSh_X5nBH3ciPQMP_ZDnTz3q_G0re30EiHgEZcw-ubx5vi3hg76wXFfG0oOJrlcJCJtSAX7FtJ-ChWdxOSpr8nOMIJwnAv3SARkYU1UN0OzbtF-HyGVVQjPAPqSOdRV/s3937/DSCF1755.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2829" data-original-width="3937" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBH3S4t8huEAZaRUfiPCzsTc5fTtZu_j07GsriRiNPZVnm4OvkJSh_X5nBH3ciPQMP_ZDnTz3q_G0re30EiHgEZcw-ubx5vi3hg76wXFfG0oOJrlcJCJtSAX7FtJ-ChWdxOSpr8nOMIJwnAv3SARkYU1UN0OzbtF-HyGVVQjPAPqSOdRV/w526-h379/DSCF1755.JPG" width="526" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Debdale Lock had boats coming up so that made life easy...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexGMZ5agl_yjKT5rEn_LgM9f9fFyhZK-85ZRafEZcbxRpbdWsoA1P2K5R1P7OT3_Em5LUYKMMAC6qCxnH2-7UuHOlNHhesUlXq7xBFjVZve74Kabf_P34o0sFYOLyejLaVgu54tlyCLKdxyEQXX5uo_3doKW2xnYnm-pJ1_y6MHs_wx7j/s3850/DSCF1757.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2456" data-original-width="3850" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexGMZ5agl_yjKT5rEn_LgM9f9fFyhZK-85ZRafEZcbxRpbdWsoA1P2K5R1P7OT3_Em5LUYKMMAC6qCxnH2-7UuHOlNHhesUlXq7xBFjVZve74Kabf_P34o0sFYOLyejLaVgu54tlyCLKdxyEQXX5uo_3doKW2xnYnm-pJ1_y6MHs_wx7j/w400-h255/DSCF1757.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Followed by some more tight bends which made life interesting.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAKHKoR-EPzHkk5h_Q11qRF0b5jv1gJx4x4sJdexV4KSnHe1zbAxnhTHShw-wqsVmq4gURWX325QNXj0GuDWJqW3jNNxo6zHUkBkWu8MGIQIjRtNaRHa4ODoPblubf1WDa4012lEPmnBKhuKP5KFXZjzCUk8wDqC1X6_vi1bCyMuTcJ40/s3529/DSCF1759.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2301" data-original-width="3529" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAKHKoR-EPzHkk5h_Q11qRF0b5jv1gJx4x4sJdexV4KSnHe1zbAxnhTHShw-wqsVmq4gURWX325QNXj0GuDWJqW3jNNxo6zHUkBkWu8MGIQIjRtNaRHa4ODoPblubf1WDa4012lEPmnBKhuKP5KFXZjzCUk8wDqC1X6_vi1bCyMuTcJ40/w519-h339/DSCF1759.JPG" width="519" /></a></div><br /></div>Lovely spot just before Wolverley.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDY-4nuuH2URbiXf1FUXDmh8JLqzfm3JJ5h819Y3jTT9BR92Cw-4dSQ5rDtrZaX814Rwke3T56EsLS37ymUo0AoXkQDJFhG6C8--MouBDSLKomfjb82MW08yyFGrbNPJ62gJhXvzvcKdZcHF5j_Kb9n7HJbTKSPxK0Arqugjo-fHneVA5v/s3668/DSCF1762.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2508" data-original-width="3668" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDY-4nuuH2URbiXf1FUXDmh8JLqzfm3JJ5h819Y3jTT9BR92Cw-4dSQ5rDtrZaX814Rwke3T56EsLS37ymUo0AoXkQDJFhG6C8--MouBDSLKomfjb82MW08yyFGrbNPJ62gJhXvzvcKdZcHF5j_Kb9n7HJbTKSPxK0Arqugjo-fHneVA5v/w400-h274/DSCF1762.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We called it a day after dropping down Wolverley Lock. There are good moorings on the straight below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Into Kidderminster tomorrow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Locks 6, miles 8</div></div></span></div><p></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-91651549174421069672022-05-16T19:40:00.001+01:002022-05-16T19:42:23.525+01:00Steady Descent...<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Staffs and Worcs Canal drops steadily down towards the Severn, currently following the Smestow Brook, but shortly to meet up with the Stour valley. We're mooching around the western fringes of the Black Country, avoiding climbing up onto the massive dome of coal and ironstone-bearing hills that give the area it's name. It was contemporary with the Trent and Mersey that it joins at Great Haywood, being completed in 1772. Indeed, it was surveyed by the same chap, James Brindley. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It remained financially viable and in private hands until nationalisation in 1948, mainly carrying coal, ironstone and the production of the potteries. Some of the place-names reflect it's industrial heritage, for example Greensforge. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">As it skirts the built up area it's mainly delightfully rural, often with heavily wooded banks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We had a short day on Saturday, mainly to leave the busy towpath at Wombourne behind. Our first locks were the double staircase at Botterham.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItVqwCKT3-y5eSICSZmcW4sks6TnxpnH7ojFUH7XWh36kO1NajrD6vukOiVtmfpz6R9zxHP5_SHv3rVBG4ewDZCEK8nby7oKiBL95-J4gZ5GBhTbJr3jRfX1XnmZq2_slSlTPxBO6Kb6gmSF7ouPDbZel0p8xHoMdRLHOcXyZjPPK9ih7/s4608/DSCF1692.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItVqwCKT3-y5eSICSZmcW4sks6TnxpnH7ojFUH7XWh36kO1NajrD6vukOiVtmfpz6R9zxHP5_SHv3rVBG4ewDZCEK8nby7oKiBL95-J4gZ5GBhTbJr3jRfX1XnmZq2_slSlTPxBO6Kb6gmSF7ouPDbZel0p8xHoMdRLHOcXyZjPPK9ih7/w400-h300/DSCF1692.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Unlike Bratch Locks this is a "proper" staircase, with one chamber dropping directly into the next. Only two chambers though.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EADaOfGlEirDTXX486eM3noQyrcFU-jvUKXK3FO2WUT-yaStP4l7XDIN-J8cPitjAfanJktOnQqHnuh8i0gqkRqwQy-GXLXmfliDd0lMjzpEfc0ISOQvCkrTlAxFJR7a5vhTwNOOMRJmU2e0sG00SK9qcHN4OBWxPpw3keguG4o3blZ0/s4608/DSCF1696.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EADaOfGlEirDTXX486eM3noQyrcFU-jvUKXK3FO2WUT-yaStP4l7XDIN-J8cPitjAfanJktOnQqHnuh8i0gqkRqwQy-GXLXmfliDd0lMjzpEfc0ISOQvCkrTlAxFJR7a5vhTwNOOMRJmU2e0sG00SK9qcHN4OBWxPpw3keguG4o3blZ0/w480-h360/DSCF1696.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The village of Swindon is growing outwards, both Marsh Lock and Swindon Lock now close to housing. There are moorings below Swindon Bridge but we pushed on a little further, mooring above Hinksford Lock.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxvaRx7S6-rjHqRwQPXvj0jlF4fNxnSdKmw3O6p7l7WAivJvPuRkPhHZbw8Pe98r0-JWyPtW7qwIaTwfueWJFk_ke2qAcX36sIU5H3aqD3vmrBJYYCSHIOLXiQNK8UOatSTzGNq64Lm5kL-sNbVLh1cMPTY9fJZB575cOWSUrVvHt43Yj/s3961/DSCF1704.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2599" data-original-width="3961" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxvaRx7S6-rjHqRwQPXvj0jlF4fNxnSdKmw3O6p7l7WAivJvPuRkPhHZbw8Pe98r0-JWyPtW7qwIaTwfueWJFk_ke2qAcX36sIU5H3aqD3vmrBJYYCSHIOLXiQNK8UOatSTzGNq64Lm5kL-sNbVLh1cMPTY9fJZB575cOWSUrVvHt43Yj/w525-h345/DSCF1704.JPG" width="525" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Sunday is usually the day when we catch up with family on the phone and by video, so we stayed put, moving on again this morning.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Below Hinksford Lock and wharf a large Victorian pumping station was opened in 1900.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7w4RfoSvdsLzc1C7Y1D3jvU48bYhSdNJBWTs8RjWAmn1TdHs7ijC3b5mvL14-dJ9uHFpXiQI_60MSnmmP6_skLhcs6J6QTsCmTrgq1YG7hDwCSrw2gIERguqnob3YGEHWfo1vFaAIrPlFxMu6HTEnmQg-NXPihVESY7vg3S7hT18g0ZN/s3512/DSCF1707.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3512" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7w4RfoSvdsLzc1C7Y1D3jvU48bYhSdNJBWTs8RjWAmn1TdHs7ijC3b5mvL14-dJ9uHFpXiQI_60MSnmmP6_skLhcs6J6QTsCmTrgq1YG7hDwCSrw2gIERguqnob3YGEHWfo1vFaAIrPlFxMu6HTEnmQg-NXPihVESY7vg3S7hT18g0ZN/w400-h295/DSCF1707.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br />It was constructed as part of an ambitious project to provide fresh drinking water to the still expanding homes and industry to the east.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Canal boats supplied coal for the pair of steam pumping engines that lifted water from Smestow Brook to the reservoirs. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We needed to use the services at Greensforge, past the long line of permanent moorings. There was a hire boat on the wharf but enough room for us too. We'd filled and emptied while they were still showing no signs of leaving so pushed on ahead of them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Greensforge Lock and the Navigation Inn.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnQhsQYVY3EQ8jNzXrQqbtyunybQbEPhi5ZnTqhMaBPShj2hTcx1-qv7b-64vCT6SN77nLVvpK88QgrBeaxsptGNbcWK-h5xMDVdJYBsAjp8xotiQ0_VTrruNZpjNTWijhOcGDYz7SRiV4zd8hMCcB7JmoIt5Ml_EicPVwk1XLNMFbT8f/s4049/DSCF1711.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2770" data-original-width="4049" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnQhsQYVY3EQ8jNzXrQqbtyunybQbEPhi5ZnTqhMaBPShj2hTcx1-qv7b-64vCT6SN77nLVvpK88QgrBeaxsptGNbcWK-h5xMDVdJYBsAjp8xotiQ0_VTrruNZpjNTWijhOcGDYz7SRiV4zd8hMCcB7JmoIt5Ml_EicPVwk1XLNMFbT8f/w530-h363/DSCF1711.JPG" width="530" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It was a good move, with boats coming up I didn't have to fill another lock.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Below Greensforge a branch led off to the northwest, formally Ashwood Basin, now Ashwood Marina.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrRyNgeMDZJ5wgA91Z4-Rx_QDSViJOu1hgjv-McwNVzKSRVWtG4nIvROZbITX5Mr6ClvXRKVnAX5VEF0uJfesynh1t1S0BQk5PLEcyjUaBUDyT6J71tVQnFL0FPKrxLKlm7t7zEyvvgaOk4-xzmeyKH3AKiGdXizp0D5BE2zxb4eKOr-n/s3390/DSCF1713.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2162" data-original-width="3390" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrRyNgeMDZJ5wgA91Z4-Rx_QDSViJOu1hgjv-McwNVzKSRVWtG4nIvROZbITX5Mr6ClvXRKVnAX5VEF0uJfesynh1t1S0BQk5PLEcyjUaBUDyT6J71tVQnFL0FPKrxLKlm7t7zEyvvgaOk4-xzmeyKH3AKiGdXizp0D5BE2zxb4eKOr-n/w400-h255/DSCF1713.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /> It was opened in 1829 to connect to a mineral line servicing collieries and ironworks over towards Kingwinsford.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A little further on is Ashwood Nursery, with then splendid <a href="https://www.ashwoodnurseries.com/visit-us/johns-garden/">John's Garden</a> alongside the canal.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiJdAVzGDBp--0Hr8BzB-zJlIGh9RhXiZ2MaldUdrWYiT8t5XPGbt56G6YctDpSG3VCBU5POyvEcWPT4TEb9bchYKgO0SfgzFfQ_0-m9hjJRb-5RCy9of55Fa5znadCTvmCmJhAQHYBITpDjJkEIVwK5v517uVk0XR309Or6Jk9Q10aND/s4608/DSCF1715.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiJdAVzGDBp--0Hr8BzB-zJlIGh9RhXiZ2MaldUdrWYiT8t5XPGbt56G6YctDpSG3VCBU5POyvEcWPT4TEb9bchYKgO0SfgzFfQ_0-m9hjJRb-5RCy9of55Fa5znadCTvmCmJhAQHYBITpDjJkEIVwK5v517uVk0XR309Or6Jk9Q10aND/w400-h300/DSCF1715.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5qcxCgH3sGliQAUlBS-qXSdTDCi0VaXx7xIFLK1DYYZ-kFfptzps5COtDdODcgTnQDm9VWSFJZfX_YMrjddorpcpjlsgnNxtQ4z_wZrX_bH8IIsipdNCAmockXPKWBo7114H2lSswioP3RNFWXbjj71sRWmCbh3FgTaanUu8GJUdDeHT/s4608/DSCF1717.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5qcxCgH3sGliQAUlBS-qXSdTDCi0VaXx7xIFLK1DYYZ-kFfptzps5COtDdODcgTnQDm9VWSFJZfX_YMrjddorpcpjlsgnNxtQ4z_wZrX_bH8IIsipdNCAmockXPKWBo7114H2lSswioP3RNFWXbjj71sRWmCbh3FgTaanUu8GJUdDeHT/s320/DSCF1717.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Rocky Lock and Gothersley Lock are close together, the former named for the sandstone outcrop which had to be excavated for the construction.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Rocky Lock</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedpKiNUdxvMae_6qT_SX3OLKRucm9_A5-mhNd6JkFVfSdHH9_M0Mkaz6esnzTrpy6hJd-LRyx7WdYpNIaHF51ngMiAIg2ekmrA7yDwOoJ7FHbsVOZ6vXEvn4DxVBkcIL2-dTW6Ukkdrqpsgz2c0vWmsN9AtDlxwEJ7e6-y61Kjtg1_62N/s4608/DSCF1719.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedpKiNUdxvMae_6qT_SX3OLKRucm9_A5-mhNd6JkFVfSdHH9_M0Mkaz6esnzTrpy6hJd-LRyx7WdYpNIaHF51ngMiAIg2ekmrA7yDwOoJ7FHbsVOZ6vXEvn4DxVBkcIL2-dTW6Ukkdrqpsgz2c0vWmsN9AtDlxwEJ7e6-y61Kjtg1_62N/w558-h419/DSCF1719.JPG" width="558" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We intended to push on a bit, maybe to Stewpony, but the towpath below Gothersley Lock looked inviting so we called it a day there.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodbuB9Dds3M25AthkTSXP4OFC_905VWYMkbwcwddGgK7oA4cLxCUzXa5A1BbwzVqHMbXroDtXT4arcDd35HmaoQ5DXzA6s1HK4ncxg8LG_1rxpUZ21cEAFhfHQ5sRjsF9bx33yk38W5ziLtObotXJdngNZHZSOClR4spu1A1pWeKLyz80/s4608/DSCF1721.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodbuB9Dds3M25AthkTSXP4OFC_905VWYMkbwcwddGgK7oA4cLxCUzXa5A1BbwzVqHMbXroDtXT4arcDd35HmaoQ5DXzA6s1HK4ncxg8LG_1rxpUZ21cEAFhfHQ5sRjsF9bx33yk38W5ziLtObotXJdngNZHZSOClR4spu1A1pWeKLyz80/w579-h434/DSCF1721.JPG" width="579" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Locks 8, miles 3¾</span></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30116820.post-8669481162876908372022-05-13T19:02:00.001+01:002022-05-13T19:04:22.066+01:00Down Past Wolverhampton<p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We took Wednesday off to avoid the rain, then set off yesterday planning to get to </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Bratch Locks by early afternoon. In fact we were there before 12:00...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It's a very pretty stretch along here, now the outskirts of Wolverhampton are behind us...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Leaving Wightwick Mill Lock, our first for the day.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhJQJVi4MW4K_JtatKdCG4dIjJrit2RqVmu0oRUur4jrUU4Eo-QKXdDwGLN4vwmANDhZ5oY0JXCpWKf8CpmZ4FnIh0NTBadGdRiEhRgkwZ1Lf-c_CMX2T2zv1LAhxTQC6jBEF5tVOMeJQlAz6TMO4eYVavLlnfieSOpbEO480dIhQLIZW/s3334/DSCF1664.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2206" data-original-width="3334" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhJQJVi4MW4K_JtatKdCG4dIjJrit2RqVmu0oRUur4jrUU4Eo-QKXdDwGLN4vwmANDhZ5oY0JXCpWKf8CpmZ4FnIh0NTBadGdRiEhRgkwZ1Lf-c_CMX2T2zv1LAhxTQC6jBEF5tVOMeJQlAz6TMO4eYVavLlnfieSOpbEO480dIhQLIZW/w400-h265/DSCF1664.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The locks along here are set in fine wooded country, watered by the Smestow Brook, a tributary of the Stour, running alongside the canal.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Leaving Dimmingsdale Lock after being helped down by a hire boat crew.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKj_-soB5wFBgx8m5AHuhDFQUVmQTi5eThEG205bcV9hmh0KS2QworSYdZed5fmMykr_t5EhQSaKniS1dWv6pehyJuxW1BHlkSyoNUQ7NenaKUxFH_Zeecfla6UjT29LoSH1balCnytGkOZg8Eg3v1hOXWToeJ2k0d9qJDqixqpjDUl6c/s1129/DSCF1670.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1129" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKj_-soB5wFBgx8m5AHuhDFQUVmQTi5eThEG205bcV9hmh0KS2QworSYdZed5fmMykr_t5EhQSaKniS1dWv6pehyJuxW1BHlkSyoNUQ7NenaKUxFH_Zeecfla6UjT29LoSH1balCnytGkOZg8Eg3v1hOXWToeJ2k0d9qJDqixqpjDUl6c/w490-h314/DSCF1670.JPG" width="490" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Ebstree Lock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZ2_Xp5b1DDkty0ZO91_MA3FZgFSLeGCMz11MoZkOrbDKzKcPesCFV9JZpsDlf5NwM1TDN4QO3JZ0GdFKfzLM73opAHBFeK0acxaipxRz0kEf6Aq8svvesH7wL42Buu8VPmYxcKrQ77NOGsZLP8cvEcaBqdHkXswI8P25zaNal2AJig68/s3624/DSCF1673.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2297" data-original-width="3624" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZ2_Xp5b1DDkty0ZO91_MA3FZgFSLeGCMz11MoZkOrbDKzKcPesCFV9JZpsDlf5NwM1TDN4QO3JZ0GdFKfzLM73opAHBFeK0acxaipxRz0kEf6Aq8svvesH7wL42Buu8VPmYxcKrQ77NOGsZLP8cvEcaBqdHkXswI8P25zaNal2AJig68/w534-h339/DSCF1673.JPG" width="534" /></a></div><br />Fine decorated parapet on Awbridge Lock tail bridge.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNi9nVz4sUye3lL7uK5_bOu8uZSzStExTP47Rgvij3qhCAF2r3OnBzX_S2TZ2efizUAaYoaCWF04N5gasSnQy_MoFomX_g0wO8HSe1Ma2dV4JHgzg-OW4_eFJ-S7XpNRQeqGwigXglqpn7ajVVX-OOhf3Mp2vXa6pLBgzbiS3MXfJORlU/s4096/DSCF1676.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3071" data-original-width="4096" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNi9nVz4sUye3lL7uK5_bOu8uZSzStExTP47Rgvij3qhCAF2r3OnBzX_S2TZ2efizUAaYoaCWF04N5gasSnQy_MoFomX_g0wO8HSe1Ma2dV4JHgzg-OW4_eFJ-S7XpNRQeqGwigXglqpn7ajVVX-OOhf3Mp2vXa6pLBgzbiS3MXfJORlU/s320/DSCF1676.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A half hour below this lock we pulled in on the moorings above Bratch Locks. As it was earlier than I expected and the sun had appeared Amber and I had a walk around the locks before lunch.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHh-uO0fMevZzbnx-ub0X3OIbl0yi7qYOjN50KWByUqqhjP35pzvitcc-5hIVIMrAcXfZrQHtwj7DUFMOBx2rdHl4OxJSFLvBIm933RR6wiV7dPzZmB-o4aU8RgEFjtZK8Ki0WcAbt3Y-GaI4gA4_AYMNvGk-3hEhFfBZMqu5QVHY5vZi-/s4032/20220512_170920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHh-uO0fMevZzbnx-ub0X3OIbl0yi7qYOjN50KWByUqqhjP35pzvitcc-5hIVIMrAcXfZrQHtwj7DUFMOBx2rdHl4OxJSFLvBIm933RR6wiV7dPzZmB-o4aU8RgEFjtZK8Ki0WcAbt3Y-GaI4gA4_AYMNvGk-3hEhFfBZMqu5QVHY5vZi-/w502-h376/20220512_170920.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgijPT57ycDXz6qpgVjpqY7tKH6jmkAOtxnMF39z0YUicdEa1-ENAJDV165Lfb11AS3Hypxm-HAONpAlgEnQbhjAJZCd8OhP5hRjaVnKKcuRjpVVuinAp53vfxAYM5k0XzwiK30rZJsKB5wYAuDb699vHVysjB35NuvslHMQzTAWkaRND/s3710/20220512_171035.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="2577" data-original-width="3710" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgijPT57ycDXz6qpgVjpqY7tKH6jmkAOtxnMF39z0YUicdEa1-ENAJDV165Lfb11AS3Hypxm-HAONpAlgEnQbhjAJZCd8OhP5hRjaVnKKcuRjpVVuinAp53vfxAYM5k0XzwiK30rZJsKB5wYAuDb699vHVysjB35NuvslHMQzTAWkaRND/s320/20220512_171035.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The locks here started life as a conventional triple staircase where one chamber drops directly into the next. The waste of water this causes was addressed by building side ponds to temporarily hold the overspill when the chambers are emptied. Each chamber is separated from the next by a very short pound to control the levels. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrIkkm-L5UAVc8p4D-TUYdkOKI36uJBhd0AvHmb3rUcNyqbYrT3sK4Nvslj9EuAm0GFX3eow6C0fUCSTh-epN-TalR9y6FaO_foGwIEifX60hHW7DjU56b0glaLUpIPBfgUy8OH4AbTeoHMCHX8xWxADJF-oL3hrNZrCbp4m46jDGgC8j/s4032/20220513_072123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrIkkm-L5UAVc8p4D-TUYdkOKI36uJBhd0AvHmb3rUcNyqbYrT3sK4Nvslj9EuAm0GFX3eow6C0fUCSTh-epN-TalR9y6FaO_foGwIEifX60hHW7DjU56b0glaLUpIPBfgUy8OH4AbTeoHMCHX8xWxADJF-oL3hrNZrCbp4m46jDGgC8j/w492-h369/20220513_072123.jpg" width="492" /></a></div> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLIg7j1aZtmsRBOevYNSBhB8ylmfPISncXsrfGInUxTWT1wmgfGdSNZRQ5zCkQBpb-skyjuKjqF9W1-WB85Bn5fYEYmGucUdiZGMwfHrTAHulSu2VwyHtjmdSzBEbiQJeS_WSXFETU26rBxyTxExfHhZC1vrkzV9evPfLx903XEZlsgJq/s4032/20220513_072546.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLIg7j1aZtmsRBOevYNSBhB8ylmfPISncXsrfGInUxTWT1wmgfGdSNZRQ5zCkQBpb-skyjuKjqF9W1-WB85Bn5fYEYmGucUdiZGMwfHrTAHulSu2VwyHtjmdSzBEbiQJeS_WSXFETU26rBxyTxExfHhZC1vrkzV9evPfLx903XEZlsgJq/w400-h300/20220513_072546.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It looks complicated, but it ain't, not really.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This morning we motored the short distance to the top lock, to find a volunteer lockie in attendance which made my job a lot easier!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Bratch Top Lock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYLfQsQ9fFy7aJKPjV7EQsShZE4zO-djDYZFpZr5fYW1vQUHzH2uHlvJRVU405hBU25fEnIHs1kUMdS5HsDyI-ROGf8q9zs0sHNtUgdknwR25keDBLsi7c9dkyqkxN5iur5n_QhKD2MRzn5R7mOVc69m5m_Zg9zf8l8r_AsHuVF3A6Ehu/s3536/DSCF1680.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2162" data-original-width="3536" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYLfQsQ9fFy7aJKPjV7EQsShZE4zO-djDYZFpZr5fYW1vQUHzH2uHlvJRVU405hBU25fEnIHs1kUMdS5HsDyI-ROGf8q9zs0sHNtUgdknwR25keDBLsi7c9dkyqkxN5iur5n_QhKD2MRzn5R7mOVc69m5m_Zg9zf8l8r_AsHuVF3A6Ehu/w528-h323/DSCF1680.JPG" width="528" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Very deep chambers...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstNkiOv7LT58971wSNHR3jHNtA_Yv3nm8REro-9l3KdtNVoUpdhAajKqMExjwQEy9-d_evXGonCoN5dqUQYKo3FTEj3G61R6rs4gYGSZbzW39CF6HEhPsn8o9qQmjJ4mCtif3WLWQwwJA4huZyktKb7v6aYUFMdEHdij6g7bsFEBkMdXS/s4429/DSCF1683.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4429" data-original-width="2993" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstNkiOv7LT58971wSNHR3jHNtA_Yv3nm8REro-9l3KdtNVoUpdhAajKqMExjwQEy9-d_evXGonCoN5dqUQYKo3FTEj3G61R6rs4gYGSZbzW39CF6HEhPsn8o9qQmjJ4mCtif3WLWQwwJA4huZyktKb7v6aYUFMdEHdij6g7bsFEBkMdXS/w319-h474/DSCF1683.JPG" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnnQ1ytaH7ojBQtoBdI6JKyelOO34dkmxvsN4KWAqqkP-_rUhZ_QA5D_1hcKLOKALxlaXDp13hXhGUvcMO7eNwyaT20OlLStNBMgHfd7V5mAwO_VghRaoAVfk1I0SpnpKV9PKuuFWv4rCPFeYKWckgT0Nm_37Iu6a3FDske3k6F-drdSZ/s4032/20220513_072302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnnQ1ytaH7ojBQtoBdI6JKyelOO34dkmxvsN4KWAqqkP-_rUhZ_QA5D_1hcKLOKALxlaXDp13hXhGUvcMO7eNwyaT20OlLStNBMgHfd7V5mAwO_VghRaoAVfk1I0SpnpKV9PKuuFWv4rCPFeYKWckgT0Nm_37Iu6a3FDske3k6F-drdSZ/w400-h300/20220513_072302.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div>Those steps have seen a few boots over the years!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We popped out of the bottom lock after only 30 minutes, and 5 minutes more saw us arrive at the delightfully named but slightly care-worn Bumblehole Lock.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VBou72eT8KVQS8i7qZUWynoZn-3RLU2EHh-JTTiDWjcpfT8rYv5Wh1SNFWgRIoNpnGP5wYGLsFQ90X2Le_tiL-VlH3z4is2QNm2VSWHKc2lRFJT9LBOZoIulZ9ZXarU89T5sNw1xHv-Gfd-sSM6oRSANqqH_6ixF7wgli66saj8z2ZSV/s4608/DSCF1685.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VBou72eT8KVQS8i7qZUWynoZn-3RLU2EHh-JTTiDWjcpfT8rYv5Wh1SNFWgRIoNpnGP5wYGLsFQ90X2Le_tiL-VlH3z4is2QNm2VSWHKc2lRFJT9LBOZoIulZ9ZXarU89T5sNw1xHv-Gfd-sSM6oRSANqqH_6ixF7wgli66saj8z2ZSV/w534-h401/DSCF1685.JPG" width="534" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">By half-eleven we were tied up in Wombourne, just before Wombourne Bridge. Handy for the shops here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Our neighbours...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxxKx0hB89aVG95ePVlRV3Sg89knE3hJuUqQXKvHv0R2JZ714H4UPPeUIwSLYZcEEsvQAG6L07Cr-DTdJNCsEih3HcU1KJlltRftOk-GkA-f4K-L3wMaTuGPn8IUJB46rgSalnUAU0iuyW45HUd0M9ZHW6RDFL9BQ4-VpEFIp3VGoM2tB/s4608/DSCF1690.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxxKx0hB89aVG95ePVlRV3Sg89knE3hJuUqQXKvHv0R2JZ714H4UPPeUIwSLYZcEEsvQAG6L07Cr-DTdJNCsEih3HcU1KJlltRftOk-GkA-f4K-L3wMaTuGPn8IUJB46rgSalnUAU0iuyW45HUd0M9ZHW6RDFL9BQ4-VpEFIp3VGoM2tB/s320/DSCF1690.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>We're stopping here tonight, then moving on a short distance tomorrow to wait out the rest of the weekend.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Locks 8, miles 4¾</span></div><p></p>Geoff and Magshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13766994382229800306noreply@blogger.com1