Cape Moorings to Tom 'O Wood Moorings
7 miles, 21 locks
The day dawned dry, if not bright and we set off around 09:30 to travel the three quarters of a mile to the bottom of Hatton locks. The washing was in the cratch hoping it might dry. We are nothing if not optimistic or maybe foolish for believing the weather forecast. We entered the first lock at 09:40 having had to wait for a boat to come down. The spirits lifted in that as we thought that might mean that the locks would be in our favour. They were dashed when they told us there was a single boat about 3 locks ahead. Sadly we never saw them and they did not spot us, so we were on our own all the way up.
To start with the locks are quite well spaced - too close not to walk, but it doesn't half add to the days step totals
One and a half hours after we started that 7% chance of rain became 100% and it never stopped!
After lock 36, which is the half way point, the locks do start to get closer together and boats started to come down, however on two occasions boats coming down carefully closed the lock gates behind them! These locks are leaky, so some winding to empty them again was required.
The weather was too murky for a good shot down back to Warwick today.
Despite the weather there were lots of walkers around. I got chatting to a few (as you do!). One couple are going on a trip along the Canal du Midi in a couple of weeks. It transpired that the route they intend to take covers some of the places we went through 2 years ago, so I was able to pass on some observations. If you see this, the French blog was written in May 2017. The book we used was Canal du Midi Waterways Guide - see here. The gloves I use are Lomo short finger gloves - click here. I hope you have a great trip.
When you arrive at the C&RT offices at lock 42 you know you are within spitting distance of being able to collapse in a heap!
Over the road and on past the Welcome Station - the doors were open and a volunteer was snug & dry inside. To be fair to her, I suspect they always have one volunteer in the office to answer questions, but oh boy did I envy her the cup of coffee, not to mention the biscuit! I stopped to report a broken 'heel stone brick' at lock 35. Whether anyone will do anything about it is another matter.
Signs of Autumn and storm damage are rife at the top
and then joy of joys I spotted a working volunteer lock keeper who opened the last three locks for us. To say I was grateful would be the understatement of the year.
We stopped at the water point emptied and filled as required. I went and bought a BLT from the cafe. Suitably refreshed we continued on in the rain to moor at Tom O' Wood moorings - a new one to us. I had noted in our book that it is noisy, but as I type with the doors and windows shut and the fire going for the first time for months, it is warm, cosy, quiet, dry and just perfect!
Kiera really enjoys the fire and luxuriates, whereas Monty tends to take himself into the bedroom where it is cooler. That is probably just as well as Kiera decided she needed both beds to herself!
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