Sunday 18 June 2017

I like it when a plan comes together!

Thursday 15th June 2017
Wilmcote to Bancroft Basin, Stratford

3.5 miles, 16 locks

I guess we never sprint on a narrow boat, but this was a fairly speedy trip considering the number of locks ahead of us.  We are not ones to start early unless we feel there is a good reason and today was one of those days that did require a quick getaway, particularly as we have spent most of this trip following other boats down locks.

The alarm went off at 07:00 and we pulled pins at 07:30 just a few moments ahead of two cruisers who are travelling together.  They are both single handers and can fit in the lock together and although they were very efficient we were still glad to be ahead of them


The first lock was about a mile from our start, so time for a cuppa on the run.  When we got there, lo and behold it was full and ready for us!  Sadly that was the rare exception, but we got a good rhythm going, so made light work of the locks, despite some very heavy gates and hard paddles.


As you arrive at the Voluntary Lock Keepers comfort station you get your first views of Stratford.

When we were talking to the VLK’s at Lapworth and mentioned we are also VLKs when we are home, they told us to ask at Wilmcote to have a look at the comfort station – sadly we were too early, so no one was about.  Apparently, B&Q made a good fist of providing them with a kitchen.  There is no electricity or water – the latter they get from the outside tap of a nearby house.


And joy of joys – a boat coming up with their own Monty look alike supervisor

I rather fear that we might be guilty of 'moorhenicide'.  I will spare you the image, but in this lock there was the body of a mother moorhen. This little one was swimming frantically around and calling for Mum. It kept trying to hide in the side of the gate.  Once the lock was empty I opened the gate very carefully and it did swim out, only to head back in again.  Chris inched forward and we tried to shoo it out, but it disappeared never to be seen again.  Possibly without Mum it would not have stood a chance, so we may saved it from further distress.  That did not make us feel any better though.

And then to the dreaded cantilevered gate – I had managed all the gates bar one of the top gates on my own, but this I feared would defeat me and mean a journey up the lock ladder for Chris to come and help be out.  Someone, however, was smiling down on us as a boat was coming up and before I had had to try and open it a man appeared and saved the day.

And so after the 16 locks you emerge from the bottom lock to go round the bend

 To be greeted with your first sight of the RSC theatre.

Under the road bridge and into Bancroft Basin where we had a choice of moorings.  The early start was worth doing.  It had been dry and mostly warm all the way down, but thankfully not too hot.  

Mind it was only when we got to the basin and had to reverse onto the pontoon that a strong sharp wind came out of nowhere making a tricky manoeuvre even trickier!

Postscript – it occurred to me, when looking at Chris’ birthday cards, to wonder if our children are trying to tell their father something!!

2 comments:

nb Bonjour said...

Hi Jennie, I wrote to CRT about that cantilevered gate two years ago. I managed it on my own (just the once) by padding it out with my coat and getting my feet up the wall to get a good push. I suggested they bolt a wooden or steel panel over the beam to make a larger flat surface to push against so it's less painful. They thanked me for the suggestion but obviously nothing was done. If you think it would make it easier to push perhaps a suggestion from a volunteer would carry more weight?
best wishes Debby
PS Enjoy Stratford - we are hoping to come up the Avon this summer but can't get away till July.

Jennie said...

Hi Debby, As I did not have to try that gate on my own it is hard to know how tough it would have been. I will​ mention it to our manager and hope he passes it on! We had a great time in Stratford - a blog will follow in due course. Jennie