A Slow Boat to Astwood and on to Stoke Pound - 20th - 21st September 2019

Friday 20th September 2019
Hanbury Junction to B41 Astwood
2 miles, 6 locks

Another hot and sunny day - I could get used to this!  This was the view behind us of Hanbury Junction as we were preparing to leave this morning.

Sadly we got the timing a little wrong - I was just taking the dogs out to do what they had to do when a hire boat passed us, but then pulled in swiftly (thumping our bow as they did so) ahead of us.  We thought our luck was in and they were stopping for breakfast, but no such luck - it was an emergency stop for an ageing Basset Hound who needed to lift his leg!  We let them get a bit ahead and were about to pull pins when another hire boat appeared - too late for us to pull out.  All would have been okay if they had not been so slow moving along the cut.

We like to travel at around +/- 1500 rpm (obviously depending on the width and depth of a canal and the proximity of moored boats).  Even at 800 rpm

Chris had to keep engaging reverse to

to avoid hitting their stern!

 The dogs and I eventually jumped ship and even with my bad knee we were at the lock before they were!!

Thankfully they were proficient when it came to locking - it appeared to be a crew of Mum, Dad and two late teens/early 20's sons, so lots of young muscle to do the work.  We made steady progress with plenty of time to enjoy the wonderful views.

 Mind you despite the fact that there are only two of us and we are not as fit as we were, I still managed to make it to the first few locks before they had entered!  This is the approach to lock 18 - one of my all time favourite locks.  The owners of the lock cottage are very keen gardeners and the whole area is always delightful.  The man used to be the permanent lock keeper at the Astwood Flight.

There are notices requesting that dogs are kept on leads around

Astwood Lock Cottage

 and garden on the offside

 

we, of course, obeyed

We did meet one boat coming down who commented that the boat ahead of us might have opened a back paddle for us, but I am sure that is not something inexperienced hire boaters would think about - what was unacceptable was that they failed to obey this message on one of the locks

 The views keep coming

 The dogs have very different methods of working locks - Monty supervises

 Kiera sniffs and explores

Entering the last lock - no 22.  We know the locks round here very well and have always travelled with our fenders down.  It was not to be at this lock - something has spread!   I hope it is the lock, not us!

It was a very tight fit.

At the top of the Astwood flight, just after bridge 41 there was one boat moored, so we pulled in ahead of them.  It was a wonderful mooring - quiet and very sunny.  When we come back we will have a good view from the side hatch - I bet it is raining then!

Saturday 21st 2019
Astwood to The Queen's Head, Stoke Pound
2.25 miles, 6 locks

We had a very slow start this morning as we both wanted to shower and I wanted one load of washing done and the second load on before we moved to the water point before we tackled the six Stoke locks.  We have to make good use of the last day of sunshine to get things dry.  Two more boats joined us last night, but by the time we were ready to go we were 'Billy No Mates'.

Kiera was ready and waiting at the stern and then

at the bow

As we approached the bottom lock a boat was coming towards us - was this a good sign?  Would all the locks be in our favour?  Sadly no, it was a Black Prince hire boat, so would only have come down the bottom lock.

Last time we came past here it was just a building plot, but now it is a fully fledged housing estate

 Well nearly - there is still work going on.

Next we went past Crafted Boats, formerly J&H Pinder & Sons - Tentatrice's 'birth place'. 

Once Chris was in the bottom lock and rising, I went to dispose of rubbish and yellow water.  There is a polite notice in the elsan!

Once again Monty was supervising me - just to ensure I did it right you understand, whilst Kiera checked out all the local smells.

 
We had a smooth and uneventful trip up the six locks in perfect weather - a lot better than some of the summer months!

I left Chris rising in each lock and he finished off and by the time he got to the next lock it was ready for him to enter.

That was until a Black Prince hire boat with a crew of strapping young men came up behind us and started to shut the gates behind him.

 As you near the top the windmill at Avoncroft hoves into view - somewhere we have not been for a while - somewhere to go fairly soon I feel.

There is no mistaking where and whom some of the lock bricks were made.

As you would expect on such a wonderful Saturday, the Queen's Head was very busy - I walked ahead to ensure there was a mooring as far away as possible

 There was! The space was ours!

During a quiet afternoon Kiera came and asked for a cuddle - Monty was not having any of it and pushed his way between me and her!

They did sort themselves out eventually.

However once we both moved they made the most of the space!

The towpath was busy all afternoon until dusk.  One young girl asked what the boat was like inside - she was, of course, given a guided tour.  That is something I am always happy to do.  What does annoy me is when adults encourage youngsters to peer into boat windows.  I wonder how they would feel if I came and stuck my nose on their front room window.

Just before the dog's dinner they went for a stroll with Chris

We then had what I suspect will be the last barbecue of the year.

 As we were tidying the barbecue the pub was still busy.  No loud music thankfully - just people having a good time and we are far enough away that we cannot hear anything when we are inside the boat.

It has been an amazingly great four days.  Tomorrow it is the 30 locks at Tardebigge and we could get very wet indeed!  To be continued.