Wednesday 10th April Day 263
Today was a bit of a challenging day due to the weather. We wanted to crank it through this area as we haven’t read many good things about it as it skirts Birmingham and what moorings there, are not advised so we knew it would be a long day – if fact the most miles we have done in a day on The Plot!
The cruise was really nice with some beautiful views and we soon arrived at the Minworth flight of 3 locks which we ended up catching up with another boat so we had to re-fill them but no matter just takes a bit longer. At the third lock there was a water point which we didn’t need but the other boat was using so we cruised past and into the lock. Then we realised there was an Elsan so emptied the toilet once we’d got through the lock and that’s when the rain started and didn’t stop! ALL DAY ((Peachy was wet to her pants and it wasn’t because of old age!)) OI rude!
The next locks also require the anti-vandal key so that tells you the problems they have in this area sometimes and that’s why boaters don’t want to linger. As we turned off the Birmingham and Fazeley canal and onto the Grand Union we moored up at Starlight pontoons which are near an entertainment complex with cinemas etc and had lunch. The rain was set in earnest at this point and we nearly decided to stay put but we were wet anyway so cranked it.
I stayed in the boat sorting some of the YouTube vlogs out ((I bet you did!)) but it was soon time to accept the drenching as we tackled the next ten locks. It was a challenge to say the least. I feel like I want to rush through the locks due to the weather bu that can be dangerous at the best of times so when visibility isn’t great and everywhere is slippery and once you’re wet, you’re wet so I take my time.
Some of the locks are the most challenging yet as we come to a lock which has no sensible place to moor the boat whilst doing the lock and so we end up on this perilous concrete ledge, whilst I climb some steps and hoist myself over a concrete slab to get to the lock. Turns out the lock landing is under the bridge and along the canal we came from but there is no warning of this and no option other than reversing the boat. We ended up chatting to another boater about this later on in the week who had the same problem but he was on his own – nightmare.
Some of the locks on this section are ready to be replaced and felt like one turn away from breaking. We met some hire boaters who were braving the weather and cracking on and having a good time one of the pounds was very low and we were grinding out as we got into the final lock of the day after we’d done a bit of lock shifting our boat out and their boat in. Then it was a long cruise where we both ended up taking it in turns to get changed into warm clothes as Chris was shivering at one point.
It was one of those days, which reminded us of the first time we hired a canal boat and it was similar weather. It was hard, we did it and it will stayed fixed in the memory. It all adds to the adventure and tomorrow the weather is kind to us after our labours today. Day definitely done and with what we discover tomorrow we are thankful we cranked it!
Cruising : 15 miles / 14 locks
London bound totals: Cruising: 57/198 Locks: 48/174 tunnels : 3 (not sure how many!)
C.L. Peache 