Best laid plans and all that!

We left Rowington this morning, after saying our goodbyes to Dave & Ang, (actually they left before us!) Our plan was to cruise to Kingswood and turn onto the South Stratford Canal.  The Grand Union was low, a boat in front of us got grounded on a bend and we did slightly whilst passing another boat.  We arrived at Kingswood Junction, there were two boats waiting for the first lock going down, by the time we had used the services, the second boat had entered the lock, unfortunately they were unable to get out of the lock.  Everything was tried, flushing more water through, people stood on the boat, rocking, using ropes and poles but it was well and truly stuck.  A BW guy appeared, he tried, but also said that this was happening on a number of locks due to low water, he disappeared and re-appeared with a pole with a steel plate on the bottom, but that wasn't working either.  We got chatting to a chap who said he had just walked up the first 10 locks and there were boats stuck all over, and lots were having problems getting out of the locks.  We had a look at the map and made a decision to change our plans.  Deep joy, ascending the Lapworth flight was hard work, 19 locks, on probably the hottest day of the year, but we moved with ease.  There was a lot of water coming down the by-washes and the level of the water seemed to be high so we do think they were feeding the flight, to improve the levels further down, by the time we reached the top lock the levels seemed to be normal.   We can now be found moored in a reasonable depth of water at Warings Green, ready for a quick, early dash through Kings Norton and onto the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in the morning now heading for Worcester.

Kingswood Junction

Lapworth Flight

7.5 miles 19 locks

The Hatton Flight (21 Locks) in 3 1/4 hours

We left at 8 am this morning after shuffling out of the moorings as we were breasted up with another boat, they reversed down the arm a little further and we pulled out and they moved into our mooring as they were staying a few days.  We waited at the bottom of the Hatton Flight hoping another boat would appear, however nothing!  A boat came down so we decided to make our way up as the locks would be in our favour, however the boat told us they had been moored in one of the pounds so only a few were.  We made good progress, opening one gate and paddle, after about three locks we realised there was two boats behind us but they were sharing so onwards and upwards!  We only passed 3 boats upto the last two locks which both had two boats coming down.  We did share the last two locks with one of the two from behind us, as whilst we were waiting for the boats coming down they continued to come up, made interesting gongoozling 5 boats in one pound!  We stopped after the last lock and walked back to the Hatton Locks Cafe for a well deserved lunch.  We then continued through Shrewley Tunnel (433 yards) to Rowington where we have moored for today.  We have met a lovely couple who we have chatted, shared stories, viewed boats and they kindly beer & wined us from NB Lady Esther, it was great to meet you Dave & Ang, hopefully we will meet again sometime, and thanks very much Ang for the pin covers (made from carrier bags, mine are posh ones M&S!)   

The start of the Hatton Flight

This duck shared 4 locks with us swimming in just as the gates were closed and hopping onto the top gate as the lock filled then swimming into the next!

Looking back over Warwick

The end is in sight!

Shrewley Tunnel

The view from our moorings

 Dave & Ang (NB Lady Esther)

Pin covers made by Ang

5.5 miles 21 locks

Onto Warwick - Monday 1st August

We left Fosse Wharf after using the services below the first lock.  We continued towards Warwick passing through Royal Leamington Spar, as John had previous encountered trouble here, we decided to try and get through early.  It was 15 years ago and John said it was unrecognisable now, there is a lot of new housing along the canal, although there is a lot of rubbish in the canal, it is a lot better than he remembered.  With the last two locks done we turned down the Saltisford Arm.  The Saltisford Arm is a section of restored canal which dates back to 1799, it provides visitor moorings only 10 minutes away from the centre of Warwick.  After mooring we went for a walk around Warwick, it is a lovely town, we visited all the usual tourist stops,  the Lord Leycester Hospital and garden, although we were unable to go inside as it is closed on a Monday,  St Mary's Collegiate Church, The Mill Garden, The Riverside and of course a walk along the river,  although we would of liked to visit the castle we did think the entrance fee of £29 each a bit steep, there was an offer on of £21 each, it was 2:15 pm, you can no longer buy a ticket to just visit the castle grounds, so we gave it a miss, and I have to say so were a lot of other people!

Leaving our overnight moorings and heading for the first lock

The Mill Garden

Warwick Castle

Lord Leycester Hospital

and the rear

Bear & staff 

 (emblem has been linked to the earls of Warwick since the 14^th century)

Saltisford Arm moorings

7 miles 6 locks