Just a bit further than planned

Friday 30^th September; Radford Semele to Hatton flight above lock 29

With rain forecast for this afternoon, we didn’t want to hang about this morning.  At 9 o’clock it was cold enough for woolly hats and fleeces, and gloves for me.  We waited while NB Easy Going went past then set off for Leamington Spa.  Dave saw a heron drop down into the canal to grab a fish, then we saw it with its catch – quite a large fish, probably a roach – in the field.

You’ll have to take my word for it!

There wasn’t much going on along the canal on this grey and chilly day.  The graffiti art around Leamington college is still bright and cheerful though.

And we were delighted to see the cat, a little cross-eyed, is still watching you go by.  Has it seen the mouse?

There was no-one moored at Emscote bridge so we nabbed the bollards for a quick shop in Tesco.  It was still only about 11.30 when we were back with the shopping.  Should we moor above Cape locks as was the plan?  Or should we go on up the first four of the Hatton flight?  The Cape moorings can be very gloomy on a dull day, so we gambled on beating the rain and carried on.  Cape top lock is very leaky, both top and bottom.

Bottom gates

and top

I’m not keen on the first few Hatton locks – they are deep, heavy and noisy from the A-road crossing the canal.  But a boat was just emerging from the first of the flight, and our spirits rose, but then the second was against us.  We must be behind another boat, but fortunately Easy Going waited for us in the lock above.  There were just a few spots of rain as the boats ascended, enough for the crews to get their waterproofs!  Lucky, as by the time we had reached the fourth lock it was raining steadily – not hard, but enough to make you wet.  We had planned to moor above the fourth (lock 29) anyway, and they decided to join us.

It still wasn’t quite 2 o’clock, so we were pleased with our progress – less to do tomorrow!  We had lunch as the rain got steadily heavier.  The wind was blowing the rain into the side, so I took the photo from the cratch.

Lock 30 in the distance.

During the afternoon I made a crumble with some apples and the blackberries I had picked yesterday.  Another boat arrived and moored in the pound ahead of us.  They must have got very wet.  We lit the fire for the first time tonight – it drew well and we were very cosy on a cold wet evening.

6 miles 6 locks