The Hatton 21

Thursday 23^rd April; Rowington to The Cape

Last night the wind battered the boat till we fell asleep, but had abated somewhat by the morning.  However, it was still in our faces and we were fully togged up in lined trousers, thermals, etc as we cruised the 4 or so miles to Hatton Top lock.  It was freezing and we wished now we had gone at least as far as Shrewley to be closer to the flight.  There are some very sheltered spots along the way where we would have been a lot warmer though without a view.

Narrow towpath but swarming with cowslips

Shrewley tunnel was wet all the way through.  We met no boats on the way to Hatton, though two going towards the flight had passed us before we left and were already on their way down.  The top lock of course was empty, but wonderfully a boat was floating about in the next pound while the crew went to fill the second lock, with the other boats not far ahead.  I hot-footed it down – would they like a partner?  Thankfully they would.  It was the boat that had biffed us yesterday but we didn’t say a word, and we don’t think they noticed who they had hit anyway.  They had had the boat a couple of years and were new to the concept of locking ahead, but they were pleasant locking partners and we got on well.  A few locks more and we met a lockie on his way to see if boats were coming down, so we had his help, and that of another lockie, for quite a while.

Hatton flight below ‘the thick’ - the locks are a little more spaced out after lock 37.  It is a classic view and you often see it in articles about the flight.

The other steerer wasn’t confident enough to cruise as a pair between the locks (his boat is very shiny and he was nervous about his paintwork), but when it works it is a joy to watch – Dave has done it many times.

Halfway at last – 11 down, 10 to go

At Ugly bridge there is a handy garage so I nipped across to buy milk, the paper and some lunch – I had foolishly failed to make any sandwiches before we started and granola bars were not cutting it for me.  I was hoping for nice pasties or pies which are easier to eat on the move than sandwiches, but no luck.  The sandwiches were fine though.  If we had been on our own we would probably have stopped for a break four locks from the bottom where there is a long mooring, but our partners were going on and we still had a lockie so we didn’t.

Not far now

We took the first mooring at the Cape of Good Hope – furthest from the locks and the pub, but quiet and with good sunshine too.  I was pretty tired – none of the gates beat me but they were heavy and so was some of the paddle gear.  We went to the pub to eat.  Dave had Hooky* battered fish and chips which was excellent – my veggie pie had a nice filling but my pastry is a lot better than theirs and my veg better cooked too, though I didn’t leave any.  I had enough room left to pinch a bit of Dave’s batter – delicious!  Definitely one to have next time we are here.  I drank Grand Union ale which I really enjoyed – Dave had Hooky.

I’m glad we came through Shirley drawbridge when we did.  Late yesterday afternoon it was disabled by a vehicle trying to rush through and hitting a gate.  I hope the culprit is made to pay up – he (probably a he, am I allowed to say that?😁) can hardly say he didn’t realise as there is plenty of warning before the gates actually come down.   The notification to say it had been mended came through at 9.14 this morning, 6 minutes after it had been opened again.  Well done CRT.

21 locks, 6¼ miles, Shrewley tunnel

*If you are not a Real Ale drinker you may not be aware of the Hook Norton Brewery – Hooky is what is written on the pumps.