Lapworth Flight

We set off around nine on a bright, sunny morning (too good to be true, as we found out later!) We were kept to a fairly slow pace by the same boat which had preceeded us up Hatton yesterday.



The main canal feature along this stretch is Shrewley Tunnel - OK so we took a photo last year but forgot this time! The tunnel is noted for the fact that there is a separate tunnel entrance for the horses!

Alas, the boat ahead turned off the Main Line at Kingswood Junction. It might have been a bit naughty, be we took the alternative route (cutting across to the Stratford and the lock on that line. (If interested, look it up on a canal map - it is a bit difficult to describe the layout) In any case, we emerged well ahead of the other boat and continued up the Lapworth flight. At first we made good speed until we met several boats coming down and a Swiss crew going up who were determined to 'do it slow'. With so much traffic it can be quite interesting to pass a boat coming the other way as the pounds are often little more than a boat's length.



Before long the rain arrived, despite the weather forecast promising a sunny day! By the time we arrived at Lock 6 the rain was falling very heavily so, with a longer pound, we pulled in for a lunch break. Time for bacon butties!



As we completed the last four locks, Mike spotted a timber yard alongside the next-to-top lock (No 3) and asked if they stocked long poles. It seemed that they did so as soon as we had completed the top lock we moored temporarily to take a closer look. Indeed they did - the owner said that they sell several each year to passing boats - and would we pass on the message! Consider it done! (and what is more it only cost £11!)



The rest of the afternoon (now sunny but cool) was uneventful - except for two unexpected lift bridges. The first was quite stiff, despite having an hydraulic mechanism. We eventually moored up just beyond Lady Lane wharf.