The last 13 locks until Tardebigge - 25th September

Tuesday 25th September 2018
Lapworth to Hockley Heath
2.25 miles, 13 locks

It was a misty but beautiful autumnal start to the day.  We made the decision last night to try and get ahead of the boats ahead.  Chris went to get the paper whilst I got the boat ready to go, however we were not quite quick enough.  One of the hire boats went off 15 minutes before us at 8am.  Luckily, they had a big crew and kept well ahead of us.

The first 9 locks are close together so are easy enough to lock ahead.  There are some peculiarities on this flight that make life just a little more difficult than some other narrow flights.

Some of the paddles are really low - below knee level, which makes winding just a bit tricky.  I usually step over the two bottom gates, but find it hard on this flight as the lock gear gets in the way.  I will step and clamber from water to land, but not from land to water, so one walk round the lock is inevitable. 

 Just a few other pictures of our journey up the first nine locks

At the ninth there was a boat waiting to come down, so one less gate to shut

By the time we got to the last few locks there were boats coming down which helps a lot.  Above one of them there were repairs to the ARMCO taking place leaving little room on the lock landing - no problem as long as no one came down

One did! 

but he pulled in sufficiently for us to be able to get out and round the work boat

 

 At one of the locks we spied this notice (photographed in two parts)

Sounds like a great plan.  I have, however, looked at the website and quite frankly lost the will to live!  Admittedly I did not download it all, but the bits I did see did not seem to give any real idea what it was all about.

We arrived at Swallow Cruisers where we wanted to get diesel, but had a short wait for space to become available.  I just had to take a photo of the blue sky - it was stunning.

There are two drawbridges to go through on this stretch of canal and I am delighted to say that C&RT have done some work to make them a lot easier which was a huge relief.

We arrived in Hockley Heath to find all the visitor moorings with rings occupied.  We were about to get ARMCO chains out when one boat left, so we were able to move back to his space.  He had just returned from the fish and chip shop, which sparked an idea for dinner.

Were they any good - most definitely yes.  The haddock was tasty and the chips completely free of grease.