We Flew Down! 2nd October 2019

Wednesday 2nd October 2019
Tardebigge to north of B42, Astwood
4.25 miles, 35 locks!!

We made it up the Tardebigge flight with the help of our daughter and her family on our way to Birmingham, but they were all at work and school today, so we would be on our own which is something we just don't feel able to do anymore for this number of locks, even going down.  I sent a request to C&RT to see if we could 'book' a voluntary lock keeper (VLK).  Contact from them was swift and we were assured of at least one, which was all we really needed as long as they could work the bottom double gates.

There was a boat moored ahead of us which we knew planned on going down today as well, but we had no idea what time.

When I went out with Monty at first thing in the morning it was chilly - the temperature gauge (thanks Ken!) was reading 2.1c and it usually over reads!

There was a mist on the water, but it was dry and bright which is all we were concerned about.

As we untied just before 09:00 the first  VLK walked towards us with the news that two more were on their way.  The boat ahead of us untied just after we did.  She was a single hander and I am sure she was initially disappointed to be behind us, but it was her lucky day as we ended up with 5 VLKs!  Another boat followed behind, so they were in luck as well.

Once all five were in place we had two to ourselves - Lester and Kevin.  To start with I was locking ahead - the boat never had to wait for any lock all the way down.  Chris provided Lester and Kevin with tea/coffee and then Lester and I swapped places and he did a sterling job of locking ahead.

Kevin and Lester hard at work

The last two arrive and head up to help the boats following us

When we were at the reservoir there was excitement from Monty as he spotted a friend (Tilly) with her owner. They were up on the edge of the reservoir, so no chance to say hello.

It was not long before they were heading back home, so he hadn't completely missed greeting his friend

There was a lot more water around - more than we and the VLKs have ever seen

No one was rushing to cross this lock gate!

We only passed two boats going up - they must at looked at envy at all the VLKs going down!

The excess of water stayed with us until the penultimate lock

Our progress had been swift - many hands really do make light work.  The weather was kind - there was a few minutes of light rain, but it was mostly dry with some sun.  From entering the first lock to leaving the 29th and last lock it had taken just 2.75 hours.  A record for us. 

Our original plan had been to stop at The Queen's Head and then move to our current mooring tomorrow and finally go to the marina on Friday, however we checked the forecast and decided we had to make the most of the good weather today.  I felt if we stopped for a break after the Tardebigge flight we might not get going again, so we made the decision to just keep going and head down the 6 locks at Stoke Prior.  Kevin very gallantly offered to come and help us down the first two.  I don't think the offer of coffee and fruit cake had anything to do with his decision! 

At 11:50 on a chilly Wednesday the Queen's Head garden was understandably empty

Kevin watered and fed, and working lock 28 for us (Stoke top lock)

and hitching a lift to lock 27 where we said our thanks and bade him farewell

We really appreciated all the help we got, especially as it enabled us to do more locks in one day than  we have ever attempted before.

We stopped briefly at Stoke bottom lock to deposit rubbish and the yellow water.  There are general waste, mixed recycling and glass bins

Surely the signage is clear enough, so why oh why when I opened the top did I find this mess?

Enough said!

Above Stoke bottom lock there was canal spoil being unloaded onto a road lorry for disposal elsewhere, so we guessed we would come across dredging a little further along

 As we progressed a fully laden lighter approached - how much further before we came across the dredger and would we be held up?

We stopped to fill up at the water point opposite the Boat and Railway - it was tempting to stop for a pint, however the moorings where we are now are much nicer, so on we went.

Not far away the sign we were expecting to see

We were lucky - there was no delay as the operator moved over and let us past.

These were the moorings we were aiming for - we had full benefit of the sunny afternoon with no trees to keep us in the shade.

With good views across the cut from the side hatch.

Once again our very grateful thanks to Kevin and Lester for their help and to Tom (who we never actually saw as he was working behind us) who organised it all. 

Including our service stops we were moored up after the 4.25 miles and 35 locks inside 5 hours.  A good day and definitely worth going on.