And decided what we would do while contemplating the scenery
We decided that 1st off we would take full advantage of the facilities on offer and mains electricity to the boat. We both washed our hair, shaved etc, using heaps of hot water. I then did two loads of washing and drying GBP1.00 per wash and .50p per 15 minute dry, best value yet, a comfy seat provided, lovely view of the canal out the window, two bookshelves of books to peruse and the premises and machines kept very clean by Ian. Lovely
While I had the arduous task of tending to the washing Lawrence did a water fill, washed and mopped the front deck, cleaned all the channels around the boards over the engine bay, disposed of the rubbish AND vacuumed the boat. A vacuum is supplied with this boat, which is a bit of a problem because one feels obliged to use it on a regular basis.
Aqualife, Lawrence and I and our clothes were squeaky clean by 11.30 so we decided to tackle the Hatton Flight. We had a pump out on the way out and we were at the bottom of the locks by 12.30ish.
The lock cottage at Hatton Bottom Lock
There was no-one waiting and no-one behind us. It looked as though we would have to tackle the flight alone. So to avoid having a heart attack halfway up, I only used one paddle to drain the lock, so it took awhile. I was shutting the gate behind Lawrence as he exited the lock and glanced back to see another boat approaching the bottom of the lock. Thank you Lock God. I yelled down to them that we would wait for them in the pound - I didn't want them to moor up and wait for another boat to turn up.
Presently they joined us in the second lock. They were a couple with two dogs and two little girls. We locked up the next 5 locks together and then, like manna from heaven, the Mother and I looked up, and there up above us at the next lock were two volunteer lock keepers readying the next lock for us. When we got up to them I asked if they were going up or down. 'down' they said. Quick as a flash Mother said 'what would it take to get you to turn around', 'a cup of tea' they said. Mother and I went weak at the knees with relief, because by now we could see what lay ahead of us
So with Peter and Brian's help we flew up the next 6 locks. Mother had the tea ready by then so we had a little tea party with a biscuit or three on the sterns of our boats while floating in the full lock before continuing on to tackle the final nine.
Looking back down from the top of the flight.
Our saviours, Peter and Brian with Mother and dogs. Thanks to them I'm still alive to write this blog.
The 21 locks are spread over two miles and have a combined rise of 150'. To quote the canal guide:
"If the flight is visibly daunting, it is physically no less of a challenge; with heavy mitred gates at the head and tail of each chamber, and paddle gear [which is heavy and takes 25 full revolutions to open and 25 to shut] which offers few shortcuts in operation." We are now 379' above sea level.
A little further on we had the Shrewley Tunnel, opened in 1799, a toddler at 443 yards. Out the tunnel we come
And out Lawrence comes
The tunnel goes under the village of Shrewley. There was no room in the tunnel for a towpath for the horses, so the horses were led over the hilltop and across the village street and through their own short tunnel to regain the boats. And that is what the little tunnel opening is.
A renovators delight, they are both for sale
And same again just after 9.00pm in the evening light
I forgot to tell you that last week Ireland had a referendum on same sex marriage and the overwhelming response was yes. Who'd a thought!
Lawrence's tablet got the Wobblies again this afternoon, all that locking was to much for it. So unfortunately he has lost all the cumulative statistics that he'd been keeping.
6 miles, 21 locks, 5 1/2 hours
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