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,
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
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.
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
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
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
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.
To avoid the queues that build up at Grindley Brook we set off early to reach there by 7:30. There was no one about, the lockie hadn’t come on duty yet, so we went through unimpeded. A fairly uneventful run down to Hurleston. Except when Heddi had stern words with a hireboat crew who untied
Only about an hour’s travelling today. The day started with with a cooked full English, not easy for six in the limited space. A slow chug back to the Whitchurch Arm where we unloaded all the Downs family stuff into their car and waved them goodbye. We cycled into the town to do a bit