Monday 31st May - Pinner’s Bridge 31 to Tom o’ the Wood Moorings
We left our mooring and headed down to the first lock, a boat followed us and we gradually worked our way down this set of locks. The Lapworth Lock Flight consists of 26 locks in all with locks 6 to 14 immediately next to each other - the locks themselves are single locks with double bottom gates. In between each lock there is a quite large pool / pound of water available for any transitting narrowboats needing to wait their turn - these mini-reservoirs are also very useful for providing an immediate water source to the locks.
The double bottom gates are of a size and weight that I can push one open and pull the other one open. Many people are able to step across the gap but I draw the line at that, my legs aren’t long enough and I don’t want to take an unscheduled dip!
We were fortunate to collect a volunteer lock keeper who helped us all the way down the flight of locks, Roger has been working these locks for several years and was a hive of information.
Just before this lock there is a bridge which the towpath drops down under or up a steep incline. A cyclist had fallen off his bicycle and hurt his head, neck, back. By the time we got there by standers were calling an ambulance and he was in the recovery position. Fortunately a boater coming up the flight was an off duty medic so was able to take over and make him comfortable until the ambulance arrived. I do hope the injuries were nothing too serious!
We are heading for the final lock of the day, we are taking the left hand lock and turning onto the Grand Union Canal. This boat is emerging from the lock straight ahead, coming up from Stratford Upon Avon.
This is Roger standing at the final lock, he let me get on the boat and closed the gates for us after we had exited the lock. We then carried on the Grand Union as far Tom o’ the Wood Visitor moorings where we are going to stop for the night. We are meeting up with Di and Mark on nbEnbilulu and an evening at the pub in a dog friendly garden hut!
2 miles, 15 locks, 3 hrs 6 mins
Tuesday 1st June - Tom o’ the Wood to Budbrooke Junction
We made an early start this morning, we have passed these boats many times, they just seemed to be breaking up where they are, so sad to see.
We are heading for Shrewly Tunnel, the boat ahead of us is nbEnbilulu silhouetted against the tunnel portal. It is an incredibly wet tunnel and it is essential to wear a coat with a hood or you get soaked!
We got to the top of the Hatton Locks, got rid of our rubbish in the bins provided there and began our descent. These locks are double locks, and two narrowboats fit in comfortably together. It makes for a fun descent as there are two of you working the locks together and the people on the boats get to chat as well!
These gentlemen were working on the locks, clearing them of vegetation, but they took the time to close the lock gates and shut down the paddles for us, a jolly crew!
A good shot of nbEnbilulu exiting the lock behind Dave, he was in charge of the boat again today as his back is still causing him quite a lot of pain. He is honing his boating skills and worked hard to make our job as lockies a lot easier.
A stunning view back up the locks we had just done, 21 double locks and this view is only half way!
Dave took this one because he liked the look of the clouds, they look like fluffy cotton wool clouds. The weather was brilliant for us, warm with just the right touch of breeze to keep you cool when you need it.
At the bottom of the locks we pulled over opposite the entrance to the Saltisford Arm rather than going down to the Cape Locks. We try to ensure now that we moor in a sunny light spot so the solar panels continue to absorb energy.
6.5 miles, 21 locks, 5 hrs 48 mins
Wednesday 2nd June - Budbrooke Junction to Radford Semele
We made a reasonably early start this morning in order to cruise to the Cape Locks and stop in order to put on water. This is the Cape of Good Hope opposite, they have tables alongside the locks and the boaters provide endless entertainment during lunchtimes and evenings.
Always like to photograph boats with the names of our girls, Lizzie is our eldest daughter.
We passed this boat on the outskirts of Leamington Spa. This is nbDionysus, also built by Bourne Boat Builders, we are No. 33 and they are No. 34, they were launched the day before us in 2015. Dave went and did some shopping in Leamington Spa, enough to see us through to Braunston.
We moored for the night at Radford Semele, a lovely spot, quiet and peaceful and went for a walk along the canal to the Greenway a walk along a disused railway, lovely views across the countryside.
By the time we got back to the boat, the weather had changed and the black clouds were approaching over the village. It did in fact rain very lightly for most of the evening, just enough to dampen the flower pots.
5 miles, 2 locks, 2 hrs 6 mins.
Thursday 3rd June - Radford Semele to Bickleys Bridge No 56
A grey start to the day, but we decided to continue on our way and made our way to the first of the locks and got rid of all our rubbish at the disposal point. Dave is feeling a lot better with his back, but has thankfully accepted that he mustn’t put his back under any strain for a few days more. So 10 locks today, the first 6 done on our own, and I really enjoyed working them at my speed and in my own time.
We passed the site of the HS2 development, work is going on both sides of the canal with what looks like an enormous bridge being built to carry the line over the course of the canal. The devastation of the countryside is shocking!
This is the Lock Cottage at Welsh Road Lock, it advertises selling ice cream, but everywhere it says private and no entry, so I wonder where you are supposed to buy the ice cream? On a warmer day, I might have been tempted, but not today!
Our trusty boat dog, feeling happier today as it is cooler, and keeping Dave company on the back of the boat. He came with me to do the Fosse Locks as they are closer together and we were able to walk between them, he behaves very well around the locks and sits quietly whilst I work our boat through.
At the Bascote locks we teamed up with another boat and were able to go up the staircase locks together. NbMoonfleet was heading back to its mooring at Ventnor Marina in Napton and Paul and his partner were heading home to Liskeard in Cornwall!
We moored for the night just outside Long Itchington, and went for a walk into the village. Toby loved this meadow of buttercups and spent ages rolling over and over in them. About 1010, Wulfstan was born in Long Itchington, where the Archbishop of York had granted a hide of land to his father. He entered the Benedictine Priory at Worcester and eventually became Bishop of Worcester.
A delightful timber framed house in the village, very pretty.
4.75 miles, 10 locks, 3 hrs 48 mins
Friday 4th June - Bickleys Bridge No 56 to Flecknoe
Woke this morning to grey skies and some drops of rain. Dave is still resting his back and I am off to work a few more locks! I managed to work all the locks by myself until the last three, I was very proud of myself!
This is the Warwickshire Fly Boat Co. it has a long history of specialising in the repair and refurbishment of working narrow boats. Latterly a number of new boats have been constructed incorporating the shape, character and good swimming and handling characteristics of the originals.
The buttercups this year are amazingly abundant, with fields absolutely full of them, enough to brighten up anyone’s day!
We have reached the three locks at Calcutt and we waited for a boat coming up behind us to join us in the lock. The locks were very quiet, although there were several boats coming out of the three large marinas around there.
We moored up for the night just before Flecknoe Bridge where there are open views both sides of the canal. As the weather has turned rather warm, I decided to give Toby a haircut and spent a couple of hours trimming his head, shoulders and paws. He should feel a little cooler in the hot weather.
A beautiful sunset later in the evening, stunning colours.
6.5 miles, 13 locks, 4 hrs 48 mins
Saturday 5th June - Flecknoe to Braunston Bridge 3
We set off from our idyllic mooring at about 9.30 this morning with a view to going into Braunston and mooring up in the village for the rest of the day and evening. A lovely gentle cruise all the way passing numerous boats moored up and even more heading away from Braunston.
These are stunning boats and the sight of one of these coming towards you is quite awesome. They are considerably heavier than we are, and the pull as they pass is amazing. This was the first of two working boats heading away from Braunston.
A gorgeous family of swans in Braunston, mum and dad and a lot of cygnets, really good to see. Some of the families we have seen up to now with just a few cygnets often lose their young to foxes, rats and wild mink.
Once we had moored up we went for a walk up into the village to visit the local butcher and get some essentials. The path up to the village was a beautiful green, very pretty and inviting.
Later in the afternoon we went for a walk out of Braunston and over a disused railway, as we climbed up and got to the top , the view back over the village was delightful. Well worth the climb on a hot afternoon!
3.75 miles, 1 lock, 1 hour 42 mins.
Sunday 6th June - Braunston to Norton Junction
Woke up to grey skies today, so decided to make a move and ascend the rest of the locks alongside another boat hired from Napton Narrowboats. All going really well, up the locks, through the tunnel and out the other side and into rain! Dave took over the driving and we came up behind a boat pulling a butty but going very slowly indeed. On top of this the man on the boat seemed to have a problem with anyone else on the canal and spent his whole time shouting and gesticulating in a nasty manner. We got past Norton Junction and pulled over to put some distance between us and this boat who was continuing down the Buckby Locks. We eventually decided to stay put for the day and continue tomorrow when the weather is meant to be more settled.
Dave got chatting to the owners, Andy and Anna, of this boat, they are also on their way to Ely hoping to get there for the middle of June. I’ve no doubt we shall see them again on our way.
This boat also passed, we often used to pass this boat when it was moored up in Middlewich on the Trent and Mersey Canal. The boat is a year older than ours and is also made by Bourne Boatbuilders.
3.75 miles, 5 locks, 1 tunnel, 2 hrs 18 mins.
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