Stop rain, lets play!

We had gone the extra mile yesterday as we knew the weather forecast for today was not good. It had started raining by about 0830 and it wasn't to let up until much later in the day. We set off with high hopes that we may be lucky with a few breaks.

Once underway, as we were lock free for about 90 minutes, Helen and Amy were able to stay inside but Amy decided to stay out with me on the back end. I think this is the yard at Copt Heath Wharf where there are these old lock gates and furniture sitting awaiting their fate.

This heron had the right idea as he was fishing under the M42 Motorway bridge. Why get wet until you need to?

We were soon at the top of Knowle Locks, as can be seen through this tunnel/bridge 71 and Goldsborough Boats. We stopped for water at the top to see if anybody would happen along to pen down with us. There is a terrible smell from the service block though. As we had passed nobody facing out way, and knowing that the next lot of boats would have left Birmingham that morning we didn't expect anybody to come along, and we were right.

Knowle Locks are quite a nice situation, even in the rain. Wide open spaces means that the wind is influential. The fact that the double locks are built next to the old single locks means that there is something to look at as well as the views, even on a rainy day.

It looks like they are clearing at least some of the side pounds and here you can see that they are brick lined with a waterproof biyumen inside the lining course. The sump is nice and clear. I wonder if they will bring them back into use to save water, or just be an educational/visual exhibit?

Near the bottom there is another side pound on the left that is still to be excavated. It is nice to see the added 'Knowle' sign.

It seemed to be raining even harder once down and the girls retreated inside to dry off as we had about 8.5 miles lock free miles to go. Roughly half way there is the Lapworth Link that connects with the Stratford Canal. We passed three moving boats all day. I think that the arm of the sign post that should be pointing towards Birmingham needs replacing soonest as it is iconic and much photographed.

Shrewley Tunnel came as a bit of a respite as for once it was drier in the tunnel than outside. One day I will stop and walk through the horse tunnel and over the top, but today was not the day. It was just a matter of getting there, and tied up. We arrived at the top of Hatton Locks and found a spot close to the top lock. Once moored up we had some lunch. Just as we were washing up we noticed it had stopped raining. We were hanging loose to decide whether to go down the locks if and when it stopped raining. It was about 1530 and we decided to go for it as it could well be mayhem in the morning, and just to help make our minds up to go was two boats appearing at the top lock, meaning all the locks would be our way, barring leakages. As we were letting go another boat had had the same idea and the Rawlings Family from Devon on 'Rowan' from Anglo Welsh passed. Great somebody to help speed us both down the flight.

Straight away it was clear that they were up for heading through the locks as a loose pair and each of the family had a turn steering togther between the locks and did a great job.

We were soon ticking the 21 locks off at a great speed. It certainly speeds things up not having to hang baout whilst one boat gets in then settles on one side before heading in your self. The paddle gear is okay once you have cracked the first one and the level in the locks drops a little

The lens was a lttle steamed up but you can see Dad Mike coming out of the double locks with the old single lock being used as bye wash and the 1930's reinforced concrete bridge that if not already Listed will be one day I'm sure as they all start to disappear. 

By the time we were getting towards the bottom the team work was working well with very little waiting around for the next lock to be prepared and opened and being able to enter as a pair of windlass wheelers went ahead all the time.

We did really well and we were leaving the bottom lock in 2 hours 15 minutes. My two Paddle Patsy's were very happy with their days work. I thanked the Rawlings with a jar of our Cheery Jam made from fruit picked outside the Jack Mytton pub on the Llangollen earlier in the year. That was until I told them there were still the Cape Locks, Warwick, to do! 

Our lock companions decided not to head down the Saltisford Arm for moorings so we were able to reprise our cooperation once again and we were soon both moored up before Kate Boats. This was a long day for us but it meant that we had a full day in Warwick as Amy is heading back to London later this evening.

Once again a big thanks you to the Rawlings as the trip down the flight was easily an hour quicker than it might have been and we had pleasant company to boot.