Locks, locks, and even more locks.

After being stuck in Warwick for over a week, the lock we had been waiting for was unlocked a week earlier than expected.

We nipped to Sainsbury’s to get our final supplies ready for the next day. We were up early as we had 23 locks to complete today. The Hatton flight beckoned us. These locks we had been told were a killer, oh the joys.

It was a bright morning, and we were both looking forward to the challenge. We put Mexi’s harness on, and I went to open the lock whilst Steve bought Never Two Late in. The two locks out of Warwick went smoothly for us. I had to report to CRT that the newly fitted ladders were loose and anyone using them could be seriously injured. Not good, as these had only been completed the day before.

It was only about 20 minutes later that we came to the Hatton flight; for some reason, I had thought these would be staircase locks, naïve, I know. The downside is that they are big bulbous heavy locks. Which takes much winding up. Sadly, no lockies could be seen, and no other boaters were tackling these today. We got into a routine, and after about 4 hours, we were nearly at the summit; the best thing was the café that made amazing hot chocolates at the top, which we treated ourselves to once we had moored up and sorted the boat out for the evening. That evening we ate an excellent meal at the pub on the hill overlooking the canal, which we felt we deserved after doing 23 locks for the day.

We awoke to a much greyer day, but it didn’t stop us from cruising as we were on a mission to see friends. Today we were heading to the Stratford canal. I cooked breakfast once we had left our mooring and put some washing on as we were filling up with water too.

Steve did an impressive turn onto the Stratford canal, and we headed down the narrow locks. After the first couple of locks, I decided to give these locks a go. I was extremely apprehensive as I had only done a couple of locks previously. However, it went smoothly, apart from a few scrapes and the loss of most of the side fenders. Steve and Mexi did a great job of operating the locks, but the towpaths were very muddy, so that night, Mexi had to have a shower as her fur was all mudded up.

Our final push into Stratford found us doing another 17 locks the next day. Steve took the helm this time, as I like doing the locks, and I don’t think we have enough paint for another day of me doing locks. It’s also much more fun, and the locks on the Stratford are pretty straightforward. The good thing was that the towpaths were not too bad today, and the final flight before going into Stratford was tarmac. We only saw one other boat moving, and that was when we were nearly at the end of the flight into Stratford Upon Avon.

Coming into Stratford’s final locks, we met some young girls outside McDonald’s who thought it would be fun to swear and throw things at me, I just ignored them, and we quickly wet on our way, apart from a swan trying to stop Steve going into the final lock the trip went very smoothly.

We went under the road bridge and were in Stratford basin; It was empty of private boats, just the usual café boat and the trip boat was in there. We moored up on one of the pontoons and thoroughly enjoyed having a few days in Stratford, wandering around the beautiful town, checking out the various markets and meeting friends. We highly recommend this trip as the canal was pretty and is a very safe, fun mooring.