Day 3 Monday 17th

Set of at a silly time this morning. Not since our hiring days have we set off at 6am but our aim was to reach Tardebigge by Tuesday, hand over Beeston, and then leave with the Lady Theresa for Oxford. First lock of the day was Radford bottom followed by Cape locks then the impressive, if long, Hatton Flight. After ascending the first two locks, Ian spied a boat entering the third lock also on it's way up. Thankfully the chap had seen us and said he would wait for us in the next lock. So we joined forces to tackle the 21 locks. Hilary was at the helm of Caracol and Ian and Peter setting the locks. Hilary and I got a dab hand at entering the locks together and we would have made it up the flight in record time except Ian forgot to lower the bottom gate ground paddle so consequently nearly drained the pound ahead. It's a good job the mistake was noticed and Peter then walked ahead to let enough water down to float both boats out! It did hold us up for 20 minutes.

Ian and Hilary waiting for Peter to run water down.

Peter on a mission

 

Ian and Peter.

After 3.5 hours of hard slog we made it to the top. There we stopped for water and we waved goodbye to our lock buddies only for us to pass them when they stopped for a late lunch.

Wow...... now that's what I call a canal cleanup!

Next hurdle was Kingwood Junction. We knew from the past that the far bank was very silted and should have remembered before doing the left hand turn. It wasn't until we were listing quite dramatically that Ian remembered! Anyway after reversing off the mud Ian negotiated the turn successfully and soon we started our ascent up Lapworth flight. I took it upon myself to do all the first 15 locks while Ian steered the boat. The paddle gear were in a dreadful state. Trying to wind them up was nie on impossible. Then a volunteer lady lockie came along and asked if I was struggling. I said a bit of grease on the mechanism may help to which she replied, they had recently been done! At lock 8 I also had a senior moment when I left the bottom paddle up while filling the lock for Ian. I noticed it quite rapidly so the next pound was low but not enough to heed Ian's progress. Eventually stopped after lock 6 after a 11 hour day.
Total locks 39. Traveled 16 mile. Both now knackered.

Jade enjoying the sun