November cruise - day 3

Sunday 23rd November 2008

Hatton Top Lock to Hockley Heath

7 miles 7.75 furlongs 19 locks

Cumulative: 21 miles 2.25 furlongs 62 locks


ascending the Lapworth Flight, Stratford Canal

Today was the shortest cruising day of our week, so we had a lie-in, getting under way at 0830. I was up much earlier, of course, lighting the fire at 0730. We entered Shrewley Tunnel at just after 0900. This was probably not the best time to add another load of coal: when we emerged great billows of smoke came out with us, and you could hardly see the other end! It rained gently in the morning, but this cleared up during the day.

We reached Kingswood Junction at 1030, from where I phoned former colleagues Ruth and Ian. They moved from Norwich to Lapworth about three years ago, and had made us promise to call in when we passed their way. Ruth said she'd made a chocolate cake to welcome us with. Excellent! She would meet us on the Lapworth flight.

So now we were on the Stratford Canal working our way up the narrow locks. Here we encountered "leaf soup", a suspension of leaves in the water which somehow reduces the drive from the prop. There was so much in the locks that the usual remedy of blasting in reverse had little effect. The original horse-boats wouldn't have had this problem!


leaves on the line


leaf soup

Ruth met us with just a short way to go before their house, near Lock 4. With her were her dog Celtie, her friend Janet, and former colleague Ewan. Ewan steered enthusiastically, explaining that he used to be a cox.



OK, that's David steering, not Ewan, but that was the better picture. While we ate cake and drank tea chez Ruth and Ian, Ian arrived with the children. Then, after a quick tour of Ruth's art studio, we were back on board for the final push to Hockley Heath. This time Ian and his daughter came with us, all posing for a team photo at the end of a most enjoyable day's cruise (well, I wasn't the one breathing in smoke through Shrewley Tunnel!)


adults, left to right: David, me, Ewan, Ian, Will, Ruth

At 1500 we tied up by the Wharf Tavern where we enjoyed a really good carvery. Here the waitress served everything - meat, veg and gravy - herself. We said we were hungry, and got plates heaped with food. When we'd finished we were complimented on our "nice clean plates"! For £5.75 this was the best value meal of the week (puddings at £3.25 were good too). Back on board we decided against another marathon Trivial Pursuit and played cribbage and read instead.