Long Itchington to Radford Road
5 miles, 10 locks
As you can probably gather from the title, today was not our finest! We knew it was going to be windy, but tomorrow is likely to be worse, so we set off as planned towards the first four locks at Bascote. The first two are a staircase - there was no sign of anyone coming up, so I filled the lock and we were about to go in when we spotted a boat approaching - our hopes were raised only
to be dashed when we saw another on their tail
The boat in front was a Black Prince hire boat (Myra - they will appear again later on). I asked the lady if they were travelling as a pair. They weren't but had done Stockton together, so she felt she should ask the other boat whether they minded them going on with us. It was a private boat and they told them to wait, so we were solo. Luckily for them we are fairly efficient, so we did not hold them up. What was really annoying was spotting that another single boat had arrived to do the flight just after they had started, so we effectively wasted 3 locks of water at that flight alone and potentially two more further along. I honestly think with the number of boats moving even when we were travelling with Cleddau we would have split up in case another boat came along, but there is no telling some people.
Anyway we made it through those four locks
to find as we emerged at the bottom that the canal suddenly is very overgrown and narrow.
Two more locks before lunch and at one there was one boat coming out as we approached.
and one wanting to enter as we left - always a bonus
We stopped after the first lock together (Fosse Top Lock) for water and to use the elsan disposal point. That was a big mistake - if you are coming this way do not stop here during the blackberry season! The ground is covered in them and we both ended up with very dirty shoes. Also the water pressure is low, so it took an age to fill what was not a very empty tank. Myra and crew were very considerate and were waiting for us at the next Fosse lock. As we left the third and last Fosse lock there were two boats approaching. Chris had to pull right over to the towpath to let the second one through. The water level was low and we grounded. Myra went past us and we hoped the movement would pull us out, but no luck and then Myra got stuck as well! We did both manage to escape and went on through the bridge where we saw a sight that was almost unbelievable and where I started to spit feathers!
This boat looked as though they might be untying. To start with we didn't think they could be as surely no one could be that rude. Sadly they were. Myra and Tentatrice both had to slow almost to a stop. Looking at the photo - the lady on the towpath is from Myra - now surely if someone walks past your boat with a windlass in their hand that might just be an indication that it might be an idea to look behind you!
you can see here that Myra is almost abreast of him, but still he kept on going.
He was going so fast to try and get ahead of us both that he pulled the bow pin out of this moored up boat. No photos of the rescue as I was just a tad too busy! Chris let me off with the mallet. I climbed aboard and edged my way gingerly along a very narrow gunwhale with very little to hold onto on the roof to try to retrieve the pin and bow rope. Myra's helmsman did an excellent job of gently pushing the boat into the bank, so I could get off and bash the pin back in. I am not sure how long it will last, but I did my best.
I am not going to name and shame the boat, but we know who they are! It was in the lock by the time we both arrived and Myra went in with them. I did go and ask the helmsman if he had not seen us before he pulled out in front of us. His answer 'No not until I looked round and by that time I was nearly at the lock'. The photos prove otherwise. I said he was not near the lock, he said he was and I am afraid I repeated my comment and then walked off. My mother taught me that 'Manners maketh man'. Sadly this boater's parents did not instill good manners into him. I wish I had been quick enough to suggest he might need to go to Specsavers if he really did not see us!
Myra and crew made it through and we wish them both well for a great holiday and maybe their own boat one day.
The wind was really blowing with branches and leaves falling all over the place as we waited to go down what would be our last lock of the day.
Last year at the bridge below Radford lock there was a manikin
this year she is looking a little the worse for wear, but she has gained a friend who is wearing her sunglasses!
The decision we had to make was whether to stop in the shelter of the tree lined part of the cut or continue on to open land. We chose the latter - we are safely moored up on ARMCO with no chance of a tree or debris falling on us.
Just as we moored up a short sharp shower arrived, so at least we got something right today!
I have just checked last year's blog for this stretch and it appears we had a pretty frustrating time then - SEE HERE if you are interested.
