Stockton Top Marina to Itchington Bottom Lock
1 mile 0 furlongs 10 locks
David preparing to steer Shadow out of the marina (Will helpfully pointing the way to go)
After a long drive from Norwich at speeds rarely exceeding 50 mph, and getting a bit lost around Northampton - the signs to Daventry disappeared; roads were re-numbered; and a new road built from a new junction (15A) on the M1 missing from my map - I made it to Stockton Top Marina. This is where many OwnerShips boats are moored: at the top of the Stockton flight on the Grand Union in Warwickshire. Our boat, Shadow, will be based here until the new marina at Tattenhall on the Shroppie opens next year.
David and Will arrived from London a few minutes after me. We quickly loaded, then got under way at 1400. We descended the Stockton flight efficiently, and, at 1600, moored by the Two Boats Inn below Itchington Bottom Lock. I'm sure there used to be a sign here with those three words on it: no longer. Shame! Over a pint of Adnams Broadside (not between us, you understand) we perused the menu. Then we crossed the bridge and checked out The Castle. This was in the middle of being refurbished, and had no food. So we returned to the boat for oven-heated lasagne, followed by apple crumble and custard. Thankfully there was some coal on board, so we stayed cosy.
On subsequent days I took rather more photos!
edited to amend number of locks - thanks Adam!
edited again to correct method of heating the lasagne - thanks David!
2 comments:
If you were below Itchington Bottom Lock, then you'd done ten locks, not nine.
You're right, of course. Canalplan is not infallible. Actually, it probably is, but I should have checked. I think when Canalplan gives a lockage to a specific lock it assumes you're not going through it. The next day's lockage shoul be correct, though, as it's from a specific lock to another specific lock.
Post a Comment