It was a fairly early start, 4 locks to do before we reached the bottom lock, and we wanted to be ready to descend for the 10 am opening. By 9.20 am, we were waiting for the volunteer to arrive and unlock the chain. The day was calm and the colours of the leaves this time of year were stunning.
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| Waiting for the volunteer |
I took myself to the lock, noticed it was half full. Hmm, the volunteer now had a choice, lock us down first or bring up the two boats waiting at the bottom, it could go either way.
A lady volunteer arrived dead on 10 am, unlocked the padlock holding the chains together, then came back to us, "Oh dear", she said. "Are you in any hurry because I feel I should get the two boats up first. It's 50/50 who has the lock". It was agreed that the lock was to be emptied for those boats.
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| Unlocking the padlock |
Once we got going, it was a 2-hour steady cruise to Cosgrove. And yet again another cruiser slowly heading for the depths
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| Coming into Cosgrove is Bridge 65 also called Ornamental Bridge. It's grade 11 listed |
Crikey, it's a good job we didn't want to stop at Cosgrove because the moorings above Cosgrove lock were chock-a-block, not a space to be had. Water and loo emptying required, so onto the services we went. OMG that tap....how slow? After 20 minutes enough was enough even though the water tank was nowhere near full.
Cosgrove lock had a boat just coming out. I could see them, they didn't see me and started to close the gate. Wow, Ian can turn a bit of speed when he needs to and with a loud hail plus hand gestures, they kept them open.
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| Below lock moorings at Cosgrove. |
Took forever to reach Gifford Park. I can't remember the last time so many boats were moored along the 8-mile stretch, Ian even got shouted at by two dubious looking characters on equally dubious looking breasted up boats. Said their pins were being pulled out. Well if they knew how to secure the boats properly it would have helped and as for Ian speeding, a snail could go faster than him!
At Gifford Park, a space very near to the facilities was grabbed. It's 7-day mooring, and it's the perfect place for us to meet up with Jen and Mat, they come for a visit tomorrow late afternoon.
And seen on the way
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| Looks like part of the wall collapsed. |
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| Why do this to such an iconic steam train mural? Even the locomotive has been wiped out! |
2 comments:
Oh no, I loved that transport mural. How mindless to destroy something so iconic. It is good to see you have made such a good recovery, Irene and are back boating. Enjoy your time with the family.
Thank you, Jennie. I will never understand why youths do this to such a great piece of artwork. I hope one day they get a taste of their own medicine.
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