The dreaded Knowle flight

So much for a lie in this morning. Not sure whats wrong with Jade but she got us up very early to go out and twice this afternoon she's been sick. I'm hoping it's just the heat thats affecting her and not something nasty brewing. After all she is nearly 14 and on the Metacam medication for her arthritis. It's something for us to keep an eye on.

So after breakfast I went for my usual walk. Next to the mooring was a nature reserve and full of butterflies, bees and bugs. Wonderful. 

 By mid morning pins were pulled and we made the short journey to Knowle. On route it was nice to see the grass cutting team about and I was quick enough to catch this heron taking off as the men came through the bridge.

Down side of the grass cuttings.

At the top lock a notice had been pinned to the facility block by Black Bouy cruising club saying 'last chance to empty loos and fill with water before the rally site'. So we all obliged and did what we normally do with the three boats, breast them together and use one hose to water up the lot. It was unfortunate for us that we happened to be on the inside because this meant we would be descending the flight on our own and I do so detest this flight! The paddle gear are hard work, keeping the boat aligned to enter the next lock is hard work (swirling water in the pounds as well as the cross winds are a nightmare. No matter how hard you try to keep in a straight line the bow always veers off). So the only saving grace was that Dave and Gillian emptied the next lock and opened both gates for me instead of the normal one, which made life much easier.

Knowle top lock and facility block

Looking down the flight

Dennis and Heather descending in the top lock

Gillian (Dennis and Margaret's daughter)

By the time we reached the bottom I was exhausted. Ian ached from winding the paddles and we only had 5 locks to do down the flight! It was decided to stop before our allocated mooring for tonight and go in first thing tomorrow morning so after a welcome cup of tea and a spot of lunch, Ian and I walked to the rally site to look at our moorings. Not bad as we are right by The Kings Arms and a real ale pub. The food was better priced at the Black Bouy pub by the next bridge so thats probably where we will end up to eat over the weekend.

Looking toward the rally site and Black Bouy pub.

Our allocated mooring is through the next bridge.

An unusual coloured duck on the Knowle flight