Dodgy foot board, tiny narrow boat and low water

 Wednesday 19th

Groan...it was all Marilyn's "You can't beat getting away early and think what you're missing by staying in bed until half the day is gone" that finally spurred us into action this morning, Etruria was the destination and moorings can get full so, although it pains me to say so... sometimes and only sometimes, she could be right!. With 10 locks taking up time I suppose it was the logical thing to do. We were up and ready before 6 am, I watched as Marilyn showed how easy it was to drop the pram top, and by 6.20 am we were off.

Just around the first bend we encountered Meaford Locks flight. Bottom lock was full, didn't bode well for the rest of the flight. Low water was also an issue especially between the first and second lock.

To rectify the low pound Ian walked up to lock 2 to let water down. Waka Huia had just left that lock and I in my infinite wisdom decided to close the top gate to save him walking back. I positioned FS perfectly just past the gate, stepped off with the centre rope, threw it on the ground and started to close the gate. Well... the surge as Ian let down water pushed FS away from the side. Grabbing the rope just before it disappeared into the depths, I struggled to get her back, and it was very much touch and go if I would succeed. FS was determined to make a break but not today.... FS 0 me 1.  The gate did get closed and I took comfort in congratulating myself that no one had seen this faux pas. The smug look got wiped rather rapidly when Ian said he had watched the whole thing!

 Between Meaford House lock and Meaford Road Lock the smallest narrow boat ever was seen. The owner happened to be stepping off when I came past, I said surely you don't live on it, to which he replied it was bigger on the inside than appeared. Photos were pinned on the window of the interior, shame I had already gone too far past to take a photo. 

22' long and 5'3" wide.

The last lock on the flight had an accident waiting to happen! The footboard across the lock had almost collapsed leaving it at a very dangerous angle.

Ian took photos to send urgently to CRT. He has reported it by email but the page had nowhere to send photos. It does need sorting out.

Caught up with M&D at Stoke bottom lock. Marilyn also prefers to hover instead of going onto the landing but occasionally this can come back and bite you in the bum! If the crew fails to give a signal  letting you know that a boat is coming down then it can get a bit embarrassing if the gate opens and out pops the bow of a boat. It was Ian who did make her aware of the fact and a hurried reverse was necessary to get back onto the landing.

The locks of the Stoke flight are deep and much water is taken from the pound above each lock. The penultimate lock of the flight showed this perfectly as FS was ascending. With the lock nowhere near full the top gate could be easily opened. That pound needed filling before I could proceed.

Fortunately a boat had entered the top lock which would bring water down as it descended. That topped up the pound nicely, and once I could see the bow of his boat, I exited the lock.

Marilyn had found a mooring past the Caldon Canal entrance. Our plan was to go out for dinner at the Toby Carvery and for Waka Huia to be filled with diesel at the Black Prince services tomorrow. With the afternoon still young, M&D went for a snooze. We went to Morrisons for a shop. On our return and before we left for the carvery, another game of Quiddler was played. I am very happy to report I won!

The meal was lovely, we had the carvery and Marilyn and David had the vegetarian option. For the price of a little under £9 pp it was good value. What was even better value for us, they paid for our meal. Thanks again you two, it's on us next time.