Back into the fray

Wednesday 23^rd April; Hockley Heath to Rowington

Another bright and sunny morning with a freezing easterly wind.  Guess which direction we were travelling – yes, right into it.  Oh well I thought, plenty of work to be done today so I will soon warm up – and I did.  After the first lift bridge (windlass operated, 26 turns up, 20 down, easy) I changed from my thickest fleece to an ordinary one, then at the second (50 up, 40-ish down, very hard) I was forced to discard my woolly hat while winding, and once back on the boat had to dig out my lightweight trousers. 

The first windlass-operated bridge.  Dave is already in shortsleeves, but then he is tougher than I am.

The Lapworth flight came next.  The first lock is numbered 2, even though it is the first working lock on the canal – number 1 is the guillotine lock at King’s Norton, now permanently open.  We have been through it so many times it didn’t occur to me to take another photo!  It’s all plastered in graffiti anyway.  Anyway, it’s a long, long pound and its floating logs often seem to end up here, sodden and getting in the way of the top gate.  A local boater had seen us passing, probably noted the decrepit aging couple at the stern and walked down to help with the top gate which he said was so difficult it took three people to open it the other day.  He very kindly opened it for me but I have to say it didn’t feel that bad as I gave him a hand.  But I had to hook a large log out of the way before the gate would open fully, and it did take two of us to get that out, so we were glad he’d come along.

Not one for you Jess

The first four locks of the flight are in pairs, far enough apart for the crew to get back on the boat.  At the second pair the brickwork below needs a bit of attention, but at the moment is providing a foothold (roothold?) for some cuckoo flower, the foodplant of the Orange Tip butterfly.

Cuckoo flower, aka milkmaids.  Pinker than the photo shows.

We have seen loads of orange tips on this trip, and luckily there have been lots of cuckoo flowers for them to lay their eggs on, as well as Jack-by-the-hedge, which they also use.  Then the real work started – 15 locks, fairly close together, but it’s such an attractive flight and the locks are so easy (well, fairly easy) that it’s really enjoyable.

Cherry blossom at lock 7

This is the first of the pretty split bridges which are characteristic of the Stratford canal.  The split half-way across the deck was to allow the passage of the towrope where the towpath does not go under the bridge,  unlike on many canals.  You can still see the cotton reel/spindle affair which was to help keep the tow-rope moving freely as the towpath – and horse – changed sides.  We were following a boat down, but there were two coming up to make our descent easier.  I had to dive into the boat about half-way down to change my thermal vest and warm shirt for a t-shirt which three ladies sitting on a bench thought was a hoot.  We moored on the long pound above lock 15 for lunch, then walked back to the little garden centre place next to lock13 where I bought a plant I have been after for some time (a Sanguisorba, since you ask, quite cheap too) but Dave preferred a Magnum from the freezer.  A little further down the flight we stopped for water, and I walked down to the CRT yard to dispose of rubbish and recycling, and I was pleased to see a food waste bin too so I made another trip – more of these bins are at last appearing around the network and this one seemed to be well used by the local permanent moorers.  We turned off the Stratford canal, dropping down the lock at Kingswood Junction to take the short route to the Grand Union, where we turned right – south-east – towards Warwick.  Right into the wind and it soon got very cold indeed as the wind got stronger and stronger.  Warm clothes soon went back on.  

The lambs didn't seem too bothered

By the time we got to the embankment at Rowington the wind was strong enough to pin us to the bank which is quite helpful when you have to bash in pins to moor. 

We should have used spring lines as that Braidbar loosened our stakes

A couple of boats went by, their crew well wrapped up against the wind.  One, a smart Braidbar, was travelling far too fast and the steerer was far too close to us.  The wind would have made steering a little tricky, but if he had taken care to stay further out – it’s a very wide stretch – he wouldn’t have clouted our bow as he went by, shouting 'Sorry!' at the cratch cover.  We had a lovely open view, but even though the windows were all shut tight, the gusts were still finding their way through.  The fire drew very well that evening!

5 miles, 19 locks, 2 lift bridges.