A day of changing plans and good company today. We'd arranged to meet people at about midday at the top of the Hatton Flight; but there was rain overnight and this morning was very drizzly.
We nearly changed plans at that point, but decided to set off at about 8.15 as the rain wasn't heavy at all. We got the five Knowle Locks done in just a light drizzle.
At the bottom of the locks we continued for a few miles and the rain became heavier and heavier -- not good weather for the Hatton flight. When we got to Kingswood Junction we decided to stop, and contacted our visitors to ask them to divert to our new location. My father's cousin, Horace, arrived first, then an hour or so later Bob and June who used to have Autumn Myst arrived; they'd been planning to lend a hand down the Hatton Locks. We had lunch together, by which time the weather had brightened up considerably, so a new plan was hatched. Bob and June would pop hoke to get their dog, then go to Hatton; we'd go by boat. Horace came for a bit of boating, then jumped ship to walk back to his car to go home.
En route to Hatton we passed another Braidbar boat, Burnt Oak, who were just about to moor up. However, the news that we were going down the locks with extra hands convinced them to change their minds and come with us. We got to the top of the locks just after 3pm, and a good rhythm was set up. Bob and June were setting ahead, the helmsmen closed the top gates, and the lock crew worked the bottom paddles and gates. With every lock set, there wasn't a moment when the boats weren't either going forward or down. Martina and John from Burnt Oak were excellent locking companions.
We got to the bottom in almost exactly two hours -- remarkable for 21 big locks. We stopped at the bottom for much needed tea and cake. It had been a great to see Bob and June, and their help was incredible. When they had set off back to their car, we moved around the corner away from the road to the Cape, where there was a suitable space. As it was gone 6.30pm we couldn't be bothered to cook, and went to the Cape of Good Hope pub for dinner.
12 miles, 26 locks. (366 miles, 249 locks)
1 comment:
Hi Both
It was great to meet up with you again and get our canal fix. June and Astra were pretty shattered after the locks but really enjoyed it. Thanks again for lunch and the delicious Lemon Cake, we enjoyed the last of it with tea this afternoon.
I understand that C & RT are after you for exceeding the 4 mph speed limit as you covered 22.5 lock miles in 2 hours.
Best wishes for the rest of your cruise, hope to catch up with soon
Bob, June, Astra and Gareth
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