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
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
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