Hockley Heath to Lapworth.
4 Miles, 19 Locks and 2 Lift Bridges.
First off a picture of the car showroom opposite the Wharf Tavern where we ate last night, not just any car showroom but one full of very expensive McLaren cars.
Rybrook McLaren, if you need to
ask the price don't go in.
First obstacles today were 2 lift bridges, the first was quite easy but the second was hard work, strangely it seemed harder to lower it than to raise it.
We past Swallow Cruisers at Hockley Heath where we bought our
Glass Fibre Cruiser in 1978, it was called Holwills Boatyard then.
Second delay was caused by a Narrowboat drifting across the canal, the rear rope had become detached, we squeezed past, I made a phone call as I recognised the boat but it turned out the owner was working on a cottage close by and had just been told.
We knew who the owner was and he really
should know how to tie a boat up.
After this we headed off down the Lapworth Locks, the first 4 spaced out before 9 close together, at lock 10 or 11 we met our last obstacle in the form of Oak and Ash a pair of hotel boats operated by Reed Boats, the motor came through ok but the butty took ages, there seem to be enough crew but I think the guests wanted to help as well.
Waiting for the unpowered butty to be manhauled
out of the lock so we can go in.
We got going again after this delay and were doing well but being caught by a hireboat with 6 crew so after lock 14 we moored up for lunch and let them past, I think they needed to be back at the hirebase at Wootton Wawen tomorrow morning.
Looking back up the lock flight from lock 14
After lunch we set off down the remaining 6 locks and at the junction took the left fork onto the Lapworth Link where we're moored tonight.
That's where we're going.
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