Hatton again.

 Tuesday 18th July 2023, Wednesday 19th July 2023

We returned to the boat to find that the water pump had been left on and the water tank was empty. An inspection of the bilge showed that this was dry. So the contents of the tank must have gone to the canal.

Looking at the guide found the nearest water point was above Cape Locks so we got ready and turned at Saltisford Arm and headed to the locks. When we got there we discovered a working boat moored outside The Cape of Good Hope and a Napton hire boat moored on the water point making it very necessary to turn round. No problem! A very good job we do not have a 72 footer. Our 57 ft turned ok and we managed to get close to the tap. While the water was running the Best Mate prepared a meal of chicken and chips with strawberries and cream to follow. Dinner over, we headed back toward Hatton Flight and moored under the A46 bridge at the lock mooring of lock 26.

2 miles 0 locks 1 hour.

After a broken night, caused by the road overhead, the heat and the bright road lights we were still only half awake when nbHeron passed by. The skipper went out to ask them to wait at the second lock if they wanted to share. They did and we shared with Trudy, Chris and their dog right to the Top Lock. The volunteer lock keepers prepared all the locks a head of us enabling us to achieve what is a record for us. Bottom to top in 2.1/2 hours. With gates open all the way there was absolutely no hold up! 

nbHeron stopped to dispose of rubbish and take breakfast at the Hatton Top Lock cafe. We were tempted by the chalkboard

but headed on to moor opposite Mid Warwickshire Yacht Club where we were to moor temporarily on our friends of nb Faithfull’s vacated mooring. 

After another beautiful boat cooked bacon and egg brunch I took the opportunity to put 20 litres of HVO into the tank. Just after 2pm we crossed the canal and were very pleased and grateful to be offered a lift back to the car near the bottom of the locks. On the way we realised our hist had shared Stockton locks with Alex and I in June 2021 when we did our sunrise to sunset cruise.

3 miles, 22 locks. 3.1/2hours

Wigram's Turn to Warwick

Tuesday 27 June 2023

With new crew of a friend from way back we left the safe haven of Wigram's  Turn Waterside and Marina. We thanked Aquavista for their hospitality and hoped that their ebgineer hsd tightened our alternator drive belt. Their duty engineer said his colleague had said he would do it, so it should be done. It screamed when we started up so maybe or maybe not.

We only went to The Boat at the top of Stockton locks. Only the 3 Calcutt locks to work and we had company for these. Our friend took the tiller all the way. 3 miles, 3 locks   2 hours.

Friday 6th July 2023

This time with a crew of three we worked down Stockton Locks. The first one was shared with a Kate Boats crew that were under  training. “Let them do it” we were told. So we did. But after this we were on our own because they turned to learn how to go up a lock.

All was ok until lock 4 where I failed to notice the last crew had left a bottom paddle open. I left a pound behind a little low. After the Blue Lias pub, we were joined by Ripple Effect. They partnered us to the Long Ichington bottom lock where we moored on the side of The Two Boats and they chose the Cuttle Inn. 

After basket meals an a drink we were ready for bed.   3 miles, 10 locks, 2 hours.

Saturday 7th July 2023. 

We were up before 7 and noticed nb Rhapsody pass by. We quickly got our thing together and set off after them. They had already set off down Bascote staircase when we arrived but agreed to wait for us for locks 3 and 4. We partnered John and Sue and their two labradoodles all the way to Radford Semele bottom lock. We stopped for water at bridge 32 while they emptied elsans. They stopped in Royal Leamington Spa and we carried on, with one rain break,  to moor just past Saltisford junction.

7 miles, 12 locks  6 hours