Feeling a little warmer today so one less layer at the start of our gradual decent into Leamington Spa. Once again despite lingering we have no company through the locks, which come at regular intervals along this stretch of the Grand Union. They are all set against us, no surprise, as we keep catching glimpses of a blue boat up ahead.
It was very disappointing to find the Elsan disposal facility out of use by bridge 32 so we just pressed on. However, Sid was more concerned as we reached Radford Bottom Lock when he noticed the header tank was empty! He nursed Hunters Moon through the lock then we moored to investigate. He found a small crack in the engine water tank cap and as luck would have it he had a spare in his toolbox! A top up of water and off we go, after lunch, of course.
Two stops in Leamington followed. One at Morrisons for much needed provisions and one at Lidl for other provisions! Then on to our planned overnight mooring at the top of the Cape locks. It is just a little way from Lidl but hampered by rain that decided to cime along and at the end of a long day we were less than happy. Then, no TV signal! Never mind a cosy boat and a good book brought the day to a close.
Tomorrow The Hatton Flight!
More signs of spring
Who is this little chap hitching a ride?
Thursday 2nd May
An overcast morning greets us as we set out for our ascent of the 21 locks of the Hatton Flight. Two boats had set out ahead of us a so we were guessing we might have another lonely morning, since we hadn't been aware of anything behind us a for days!
At the bottom lock we could see a narrowboat just exiting the lock ahead of us. Where had the other boat gone? Possibly down the Saltisford Arm! Not our worry now, more important, has the boat ahead seen us? The answer was yes. Hooray! They kindly waited at the next lock for us where we were to discover they had two friends coming to join them. With two crew setting the locks and two crew working the locks we made smooth and sociable progress up the 21 locks and covered bottom to top in 2 hours 40 minutes. It was a great help to Jenny's leg, she was not relishing the idea of working all the locks on her own. So, a big thank you to Barry and Jan on nb Narrow Escape and their friends Paul and Sandra. Oh, and not forgetting Ruby, their never tiring Spaniel (sorry not sure what type! - fairly small!).
Stairway to Heaven
Sid holds on tight
And so to Hatten Top Lock
Catching up with your blog. Sounds like changeable weather but we know HM will be cosy. What's up with your leg, Jenny? Xx
ReplyDeletePete says he's surprised Sid didn't have a whole spare header tank being as he is so prepared always! Xx
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