With our day of rest completed, we were up early-ish and off by 0830, past the Saltisford arm and under the bridge to the first of the 21 locks of the infamous Hatton Flight. All was quiet and no sign of any other boater – so we waited for a bit . . . always wise to share locks – not only for the stability of having two boats in these wide locks but also for the chat & help! Not too long and Dave & Marilyn arrived on their boat Deolali Tapp (look that one up!). And we cheerfully sailed up all 21 locks in about 3 and a half hours – pretty good! Very grateful for all their help.
Under and then In, the first lock.
We waited and then in the distance – a boat!
A gentle bimble – Viv did the first few locks, then we changed around
Viv drove very well:
We’ve already done about eight locks and then you round the corner to see this huge flight up ahead – woe! With the four us working together, we really did quite enjoy it and the weather was a lot cooler too. All this effort to raise the boats nearly 150 feet up!
I even think Viv was enjoying it!
Near the top was a pond with a sculpture:
And gongoozlers, of course . . . nearly there
Nice pic of Dave on his boat
The final lock, where we said Cheerio to DeolaliTapp.
Only an hour further to tie up for the night . . . first Shrewley Tunnel and some pterodactyl activity up ahead?
A tired but happy Steve
Heritage bling – an old iron rubbing post for the horse-drawn barges
Turner’s Wood – time to stop. Seven miles and 21 locks, 5.8 engine hours.
And, oh look, there’s a pub! The “Tom O’ the Wood”. Time for a beer then
With heavy & continuous rain forecast for tomorrow, we may just stay put – back to the pub for lunch then?