Early start, late finish.

 Twenty one locks of the Wolverhampton flight to do today, sounded daunting but they are all near to one another and if luck is with you, can be done in under 4 hours. The discussion last night was what time to depart in the morning. Toffee is better than any alarm clock because before 6 am every morning a wet nose starts to nudge Ian's arm. Today was no exception so no lie in for us, breakfast was had by 6.45am and pins pulled by 7.20am.

Now one would expect to be the only boat setting off at that time but one was even earlier than us! Jenny Wren trade boat beat us to it! They also mentioned the 21, groan...means we would now be having to turn every lock. But then they pulled over just past the junction. Turns out they were waiting for another boat this meant we would be first boat on the flight after all.

7.45 am and I was in lock 21. Ian had to drop the water out, we felt this may be our lot all the way up.

 

A lady joined us with windlass in hand. Where did she come from. Then it was clear. It was a canal time hire boat we had passed just before the junction. Bet they were pleased to see us! Anyway second lock was also full but from then on we were lucky with either empty locks or boats coming down.

 

We swapped here

 

We took the locking duties in turns. I can't remember the last time I raised a paddle, it was fun although I refused to jump the lock gate. In my fitter days it was second nature but today I'm aware that joints are not as they used to be and if the knee gave way on landing.....well you get the picture.

Three and a half hours later I entered top lock number 1. 

 

The 24 hour mooring was free, good place to stop for the night and to finally give FS a good clean. Must be a good 6 weeks since she last saw a sponge on her paintwork. 

When we arrived, on the towpath side had been two moored boats. By the time we had finished washing FS all had gone. This led is into a dilemma. Do we stay and be sitting ducks for any mischievous youths that might come across us or do we move on. Time was now 2.30 pm. 

We moved. Both of us were not happy about being by ourselves but now we had the worry of finding a mooring. Not easy in this part of Wolverhampton. First we called in at the services. Water points are not numerous around these parts either and would have been silly of us not to have filled when we had the opportunity. The facilities are off the main line and through a bridge. We drove forward into the arm but it did then mean a reverse out.

A reverse to get back to the main line.

After 30 minutes of travel and no suitable mooring spot I was beginning to worry. The water was clear enough to see if it was possible to get into the side, and nowhere had enough depth. At one spot I thought was a possibility, put FS in reverse and the tiller suddenly juddered and the engine note changed. Blast something was around the prop. The only place to stop was a bridge hole, here Ian donned his shoulder length rubber glove and down the weed hatch he went!

Just got going and finally the water revealed depth and not shallow silt. Breaks went on and FS was brought very slowly toward the bank. And yea....we were in! No cladding to fix our cladding pins to. Instead Ian crossed pinned the mooring stakes and  hoped for slow passing boats!

Later we were joined. Another boater looking for a mooring, I rushed out to help bring them in. Turns out they too are going to the Campaign cruise. In fact, it is one of the organisers and we may tag along with them tomorrow as they know where we can moor. I did mention we were not early starters!

And wildlife