Who in there right mind would venture out in these conditions. Only the Jameisons thats who!

I'm still alive and well! No double pnuemonia even though it rained on and off up the whole of Hatton flight. So this is yesterdays post. We didnt actually leave Saltisford until midday hoping against hope that the rain would ease. It didnt and, even though Ian wanted to stay another day, I knew that the forecast for Monday would be just as bad so felt it didn't really matter what day we tackled Hatton. After saying our farewells to Keith and Jo it wasn't long before we reached the start of Hatton bottom and knowing we had 21 locks to do, decided that we would take it in turns to share the locking. The first 6 up were down??? to me ( must be because I'm dutch! double dutch!!! ) and boy were they hard work. Luckily most of the locks were with us and on the 7th lock we changed round. Then, would you credit it, the volunteer lock keeper choose that moment to turn up so Ian had the next 8 locks with help. With me taking over lock duties for the final 7 and with much appreciated help from our friendly lock keeper and his dog Molly, we finally exited the top lock after a long and very wet haul in a little under 3 hours.

Volunteer Lock keeper with Molly his dog.

Daunting isn't it!

Looking back towards Warwick

It was such a relieve to be able to stop and moor up but isn't it always the way that no sooner have you got inside in the dry and warm that the rain stops and the sun comes out. Still one big hurdle was now out of the way and the next was the 19 single locks on the Lapworth flight tomorrow.

Last nights mooring

Now for todays post.

Having moored under a tree the constant drip drip of water droplets falling from leaves all night made our sleep a little difficult. By 6.30am the constant drip had now become like a slow waterfall as the rain got heavier and heavier. My prediction about Monday being wet was spot on and after an early breakfast we got underway and traveled the 4 miles along the GU to Kingswood Junction. Then we turned left onto a short arm which took you onto the Stratford upon Avon canal.

Kingswood Junction

Just about to enter the Stratford canal and Lapworth flight

The Stratford Canal goes off to your right, where the hire boat is and we came up from the left.

 This is where we joined the Lapworth flight at lock 20. This flight has actually 27 in total with Lapworth bottom lock starting about a mile further down on the Stratford canal. I was ever so thankfull we only had 19 to do especially as the rain never once eased during our ascent. With a Black Prince boat in front we had to turn every lock and by the time we reached lock 6 we really had had enough. I cant tell you how cold and wet we were and to stop and warm up was a blessing. Even though we turned every lock we still did the 15 locks in 2 hours. Only 4 more to go tomorrow before we arrive in Brum.

Shrewley Tunnel before Kingswood Junction

Looks like these coping stones have had a good whack

Still raining!

Another daunting flight.

And still raining!!

 And finally:-