Competition for Charity Dock?

As we neared Stockton Locks this morning a boat pulled out in front of us. It turned out to be Bywyd Arall with a BCF couple on board; they made efficient locking partners. They stopped at Long Itchington while we carried on to Leamington Spa.

At Bridge 34 it seems someone has taken inspiration from Charity Dock on the Coventry Canal.

We made good time down the locks, meeting boats coming uphill at frequent intervals. We found that, if the top gates had been shut for even a very short time, there was so much leakage from the bottom gates that a top paddle had to be raised to refill the lock.

There is some striking artwork/graffiti in Leamington Spa.

From the canal you get the merest glimpse of the station; I went back to get a proper look at the wonderful art deco building.