Heavy Hatton

Monday 24^th April; Kingswood Junction to Hatton flight, above lock 4

We knew we had a heavy day ahead of us, so we weren’t up too late.  We saw our first ducklings of the year by our mooring.

Close formation

There were a few drops of rain earlier, but that had cleared by the time we left at 9.20, past the workboats which were doing some piling work along near the railway bridge, so we hope this will be extending the mooring opportunities.

The weather was cloudy and very cold, especially as the wind was in our faces.  It took around an hour and a half to cruise through Rowington, past the goat farm where the goats love standing on tables

and through the soggy Shrewley tunnel.  Today it was not just the northern end which was running with water – hoods up!

We started down the flight at about 11, snacks at the ready.  Apart from the first lock, they were against us to start with, with no volunteer in sight until we were in the fourth lock, where we got the message John was on his way.  He was setting the next lock, the one by the CRT yard.  I was heartily thankful as the paddle gear is a nightmare at the moment – has the grease gone solid in the cold weather, or is it just my lack of locking fitness after the winter?  Part way down, John went off for some lunch and Ron took his place.

Between locks with Ron

Ron had a bike so was invaluable setting ahead.  He told us that two pounds, around the middle of the flight, have started losing water overnight, but at the moment they don’t know why, and obviously can’t drain the pounds to investigate as boat numbers are now increasing.  The middle lock has a new sign saying Hatton Middle lock, but we were already over half-way for today as we intended to moor above the fourth lock where there is a longer pound.  It was well before 2, so we had made good time.  The rain started just as we moored, not heavy but persistent, so we were glad we hadn’t continued to Cape.  Two boats did though, passing at great speed at about 5 pm.  Meg still needed a walk, so Dave got fully togged up and off they went while I got on with some cleaning – mostly bits of towpath, tree and dog fur from the floor.  It was a cold and dank evening, but with the fire we were fine.  The internet signal was very slow tonight, so blog posting will have to wait. I really need to update my phone too – it is so old that it didn’t have the capability to receive the government’s test alarm call at the weekend.

6½ miles, 17 locks, Shrewley tunnel.