Sunday 16th August 2020
Greensforge to Dimmingsdale Bridge No 53
5.5 miles, 12 locks
Whilst I called this a long day - it was for us, as we usually try to keep to around 3 hours of cruising, but we have places to go and people to meet.
Monty and I walked ahead and just after we left the heavens opened. I did have a waterproof jacket on, but by the time we got back on the boat my trousers were so wet I could wring them out! Thankfully I was able to change before we got to the first lock. Someone was looking down kindly on us today as the first four locks were empty and all ready for us. The fourth and fifth are a staircase (Botterham), so Chris was able to sail straight in whilst I went and filled the bottom lock before we proceeded to go up.
It was at these locks that we met a young man who was very chatty and felt that doing locks would be a good work out and maybe it was a job he could do. I did mention that most lock keepers were volunteers and that C&RT were always on the look out for more. He said he did not really think he could do it as he suffers from Asperger's, Autism and Tourettes and felt he might offend people. Personally I found him to be engaging, helpful and very thoughtful - as soon as he spotted I needed to cross the bridge he was sitting on, he moved out of the way to maintain a good social distance. He was also happy to open and close gates which is always welcome. I do hope he finds his way in life and finds a job to suit him.
This heron also waited patiently the entire time we were in those locks and only flew off as the boat emerged.
After the Botterham staircase, we had a brief stop at Wombourne where Chris popped over to Sainsburys to get the Sunday paper. It was not as quick as usual as he had to join a queue, but needs must these days.
The next lock along (our sixth - Bumblehole) was against us, but you cannot win them all. Seven, eight and nine are called The Bratch. These are permanently manned by full time paid lock keepers with the assistance of volunteers in the summer. The three locks are not a staircase, but the pounds between each are only a few feet long, so it is single file traffic up and down.
On our arrival, I walked up to check in with the lock keepers to see when they wanted us to ascend. There was a boat in the last lock on the way up and one waiting to come down. At busy times they take three boats up and then three down. I was told as long as no one else turned up when the waiting boat was in the top lock we could come up as he left the bottom lock. No one did, so our wait was quite short.
This a view from the top of the second lock looking down
With the help of two lock keepers it was an easy transit
The house at the top of Bratch locks is undergoing restoration. It will be interesting to see what it looks like when it is done.
Three more locks and we moored up just before Dimmingsdale Bridge, No 53. It was a quiet mooring - I took this photo as we were leaving the next day - I would hate anyone to think we were adrift!
Mon 17th August 2020
Dimmingsdale Bridge to Long Molls Bridge No 76
10.87 miles, 3 locks
Thankfully we managed to set off in the dry this morning and it stayed that way until well after we had moored up.
Less than 10 minutes after we had set off, we stopped again!
Chris is about to explore the depths of the weed hatch. A jute type bag was the issue, but thankfully it came away quite easily and we were off again.
As we approached Wightwick I noticed this boat - the name amused our granddaughter who was with us along this stretch last year. The plan for this year was for her to join us again - yet another plan scuppered by Covid.
Our original plan had been to turn left at Autherley Junction to head north on the Shropshire Union Canal, but for various reasons we didn't. 
With only 3 locks today it was a fairly easy one. Our mooring was another pleasant and very quiet one with a reasonable view from the side hatch
As for the neighbours we would be wise not to argue with.....
4 comments:
Tilly thinks that Monty should just chill. Thunderstorms are nothing in the slightest to worry about, the best thing to do is have a snooze until they go away. Some Dreamies might just help, or woofer versions of Dreamies.
I am sure Tilly is right, Pip, however Monty is so terrified that not even his most highly valued (and only given occasionally) treat of cheese would induce him to eat during a storm. It really is very hard to watch him suffer when you know there is nothing you can do to help. Jennie x
Houdini used to be a bit like that, if she could get into a dark tiny space she would then calm down. Tilly on the other hand doesn't give two hoots. Pip x
Jennie, have you tried the canine version of Feliway, can't remember the name, it's a pheromone diffuser (needs electric socket, or you can get a spray). It's supposed to smell like their mother and calm them down. Our old Tess hated thunder and fireworks. It helped a bit I suppose. We didn't find the Cds to acclimatise them gently any help. Thank goodness Meg is ok with thunder - she hates heavy rain on the roof so comes onto the bed if it rains a lot at night, otherwise under the table she goes.
Poor Monty xx
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