This morning’s forecast light rain never materialised, which was good. We set off about 8, went through the diminutive Curdworth Tunnel, and then arrived at the top lock. This was relocated and rebuilt when the M6 Toll was built. I always look out for it from the motorway.
It’s a very pretty flight, and the locks all seem easy to work.
We met a couple of boats coming up, which also helped. Alongside one of the locks there’s another HS2 site. One of the things I like about the Waterway Routes map is that the route of the new line is shown, so you can see where it will impact the canal.
We stopped for water at the point below Lock 9, which neither of us had any recollection of. We thought it might take a while, as we haven’t topped up the tank since Thursday, and we were putting the washing machine on. But it was a decent pressure, and the tank was soon full. Just as we were getting ready to push off, Alchemy came by — I’d been following their blog so knew we’d pass at some point today. I was on my way across the bridge to the towpath side, and once I was over there we had a brief chat as Mike and Christine manoeuvred onto the water point themselves.
We completed the remaining two locks in the flight. We’d taken two and a half hours including the water stop, so not bad going. The next section includes the Drayton footbridge, which it’s obligatory to take a photo of.
The mill at Fazeley is under scaffolding, and is being converted into apartments. Very smart they look too.
The mill is very close to Fazeley Junction.
We were turning right here onto the Coventry Canal. I was glad I was going slowly, because as we reached the bridge a boat was coming through. I backed off to let them through; the steerer said he couldn’t sound his horn, because he was holding a sandwich! I’ve not heard that one before. At Glascote Locks, there were three boats waiting to go up in front of us — the first queue we’ve had all trip. Adrian went up to help, and although it all took a while, at least there was constant movement and everyone helped everyone else. As I rose in the top lock, the first downhill boat arrived. Adrian headed off to the Co-op at the next bridge while I finished up the lock, and by the time I got to the bridge he was there waiting to step on board. I always find the back gardens of Amington less than inspiring, but at least we were having lunch on the move as we passed them. Past Alvecote, I caught the briefest glimpse of the top of the gold leaf sculpture on the hill.
In spite of travelling this section of canal dozens of times, we’ve never stopped in Polesworth, so we thought we’d correct that today. There was a space which turned out to be just big enough for us on the moorings, and we had a walk into the village, finding the abbey and the bridge over the River Anker.
The forecast for tomorrow is not good, so it looks as though we’ll be doing Atherstone Locks in the rain.
12 miles, 13 locks. (207 miles, 235 locks)
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