The next day was not so good, and I think it rained the whole day. But luckily there was only one flight of locks to navigate in the day
We were soon at the top of the Knowle flight of five locks that are nicely situated with a good view and an interesting bend in them too. We stooped at the top to fill up with water and to see if a lock buddy arrived, but nobody came, so then I rousted the girls out and we were heading downwards, on our own.
One of the side pounds had been cleaned out so I don't know whether they are intending to use them to save water, or just to show what they are like. I suppose that with the increasing number of voluntary lock keepers they will be able to manage them, but watching some folk they have no idea how a normal lock works, never mind a staircase or a side pound lock.
This flight of locks must have a good group of volunteers as they are well tended and smart, but nobody today of course.
Once at the bottom the rain seemed to set in in earnest so the girls retreated inside and occasional mugs of coffee with some added spirit, and occasional biscuit were pocked through the door, and were most welcome. Shrewley Tunnel's 443 yards gave me a short period of dry. Obviously by the time we arrived at the top of the Hatton Locks the rain had stopped. I was tempted to continue, but we didn't.
When we woke it was still raining, but the forecast was for it to stop at 1000. I gambled on the Met. Office and we got ready, and yes it did cease right on cue. Even better, just as we were letting go a hire boat with two older teenagers arrived too, so we had extra hands to speed us on our way. There was plenty of water too.
We sped down with enough hands to move on to the next lock and crew of the other boat were able to pair up on the way into the locks which also speeds things along.
I think the mistiness was just steam from the over heated lock wheelers but we are well down now, over half way
This must be about lock 30 and each paddle has a body on it. This is the way to travel. I could watch them all day!
If I remember rightly it was about 2hours and fifteen minuets that we were at the bottom of the 21 locks. These two look very pleased with themselves, and so they should.
We made the sharp left turn to avoid the moorings down the Saltisford Arm and headed down the two Cape Locks to moor just before Kate Boats
The New Bowling Green pub in St. Nicholas Church Street is a 15th Century building and was originally called the 'Game of Bowls'. The first recorded use of the 'New Bowling Green' was in 1804. There is no bowling green at the pub now, but the beer garden may well have been used as one in those days. It used to be a Bass House but was sold to Charles Wells, from Bedford.
They had a few beers on, but seemed to have few staff and were very busy. We were going to eat but realised that it would take a long time so settled on a drink instead. I saw that they had a cooperative beer om. No not the shop Co-op but Charles Wells, and a few other larger breweries are collaborating with new breweries, to come up with a joint beer. The other brewery was the Bedlam Brewery of Brighton. Charles Wells started in 1876 by a sea captain of that name that wanted to marry a girl, whose father said not until he came ashore and got a proper job. (Story of my life!). Co in that year he bought a brewery and 32 pubs for £16000. In 1902 he sank a well to access his own water, and also another one to provide clean water for the town of Bedford. They moved into their modern brewery in 1976. Bedlam have just moved into their own purpose built new brewery too.
The Rendezbrew was a 3.9% pale ale and I liked it. I was ready for a drink too. It was pale, almost lemon in colour with a great clean white head. It filled the mouth with a thick taste of fruit and hops, and certainly hit the spot. Shame it is a limited edition.
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