Penkridge to Gailey.
3 Miles and 7 Locks.
We had a late start today after spending a pleasant weekend moored at Penkridge. As we rose in Penkridge lock fellow blogger Shell Bell was waiting to descend and told us a CaRT maintenance crew were about to close the next lock to carry out repairs.
It only took 5 minutes to get there where we saw the boat in front waving us into the side as the lock was already closed.
Last night a boat had rammed into the top gate of Filance lock and damaged the wooden plank which you use to cross the gate, why a steerer would try and enter the lock with the gate closed is strange although a couple of boats, including a hireboat did come past us on Sunday evening when it was almost dark.
The plank was broken, the two half's only being held together by the metal strap around the edge and, the wood looked rotten, I was asked not to take a picture by one of the maintenance crew, he may have been camera shy or under orders from his boss to discourage anything negative (I have a suspicious mind).
Queueing below Filance Lock, we're out of sight around the corner.
We were held up about an hour and then went through the lock, top gate minus the crossing plank which had been removed rather that risk someone using it and falling in.
The weather today has been warm and sunny, it's forecast to stay like it all week.
Sunken Cruiser outside Otherton Boat Haven, on the side
it say's "Hit by a Hireboat".
Romantic Canal Boaters at Brick Kiln Lock.
We stopped at the services above Gailey Lock to top up the water tank and dispose of the rubbish. I also risked emptying the Cassettes hoping that the facilities had improved since I used them last in 2008, unfortunately they haven't, made a note in the guide book "Only use Gailey Elsan facility in Emergency".
We are now moored on 48hr visitor moorings at Gailey, our helpful Indesit washing machine has done a load of washing for us which is now drying in the cratch, tomorrow the Shroppie.
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