“Home”

Just a short cruise down the 5 Claydon locks and the next three to the marina. We had thought they they would be set for us, but not long after six o’clock a boat came past so we had to turn them all.  

Claydon top lock

A fairly leisurely chug to Napton, up the locks then along the summit pound. The Napton flight was busy with boats coming down,  which helped us as we were going up. At the top Marston Doles lock there was a CRT volunteer, but unlike others we have met, this one knew what he was doing.

Braunston

It started off a bit cold, but now (16:15) it’s 26°C in the shade. Only three locks today. The flight at Hillmorton is paired and there were several boats coming down, but only us going up. So at each of the three locks we went straight in. We arrived at Braunston at about one thirty,

Ansty

The last boat yesterday was down, so we thought the locks would be in our favour this morning. But while we were having breakfast at 6:45 a boat came up behind us. So we had to follow them all the way up. They were very slow and even though we had to turn each lock,

Atherstone

An easy day today, only four locks. I was surprised by how much new housing has been built alongside the Coventry on the Fradley to Fazeley stretch. A small queue built up at Glascote Locks and we followed a slow boat for a while, so it was nearly 3:30 by the time we stopped just

Fradley Junction

Another really warm day today. As usual we were on our way by 7:30, dropped through Haywood lock and Colwich lock then on to the long pound through Rugeley and Armitage. Quite a few boats about, but almost all private ones, very few hire boats. A trip to Morrisons in Rugeley then on to Fradley.

Great Haywood

A day of mostly queueing at locks. Very pleasant day though, we spent quite a bit of time chatting to other boaters. As usual we set off about half past seven. We caught up with a very slow boat at the Meaford Locks. They kindly let us go ahead of them on the way into

Barleston

A very full day today. We started off at 7:30 in order to arrive at Harecastle Tunnel when they open at 8:00. However the first run through of the day was north bound, so we had to wait until 10 to 9. The time was filled by cooking and consuming bacon sandwichs. An easy trip

Red Bull

We have done the “Cheshire locks” or Heartbreak Hill today, 25 locks spread out over 8 miles. It’s been very busy with boats. A the Lawton locks quite a queue built up. There are four locks close together. Three of them are doubled, but one isn’t. (There were all doubled in the past). This leads

Wheelock

The day started really cold and windy, but finished really warm and sunny. A 7:30 start again. Quite a few boats about and by the time we reached Wardle lock we were in a queue of four. While Heddi looked after the boat I walked along to Middlewich Narrowboats to have a word with Sandra.