Lapworth and Hatton

Christine and Andrew were pressing on, to meet up with Mike again in the evening from a suitable train station. Mike's first proposal was to meet at the bottom of Lapworth - but Christine and Andrew were going to be there by lunchtime. Here we were going to join the Grand Union for the journey further south. Andrew suggested that we went on to the top of the Hatton Locks, near the previous Hatton Station - and that was what Mike went off expecting.

This morning Andrew began suggesting going down those locks - with Mike to join us from Warwick Parkway.

We set off. It was a very misty morning with limited visibility. All the boats, trees, canal side vegetation were draped with the misty cobwebs so beautiful, so amazing, so surprising since they are not otherwise unless picked out by the misty droplets.

After 10 minutes we were at the first Lapworth Lock, with 18 before the junction. There was now just a glimmer of sun through the mist. By lock 4 however, the mist had cleared and there was a blue sky - and sun!

Most of these locks are very close together and Christine who was steering felt glad that she was only in charge of a 60ft not a 70ft boat. As it was, some of the boats coming in the opposite direction didn't seem to understand that the metal box which is the narrow boat does not bend in the middle! Other boats didn't seem to understand the need to respond to hand signals, and get out of the way so that the manoeuvre round each other can be achieved successfully!

However, it was good to see a group of young guides enjoying themselves so much as they operated the locks. Andrew also ensured that the children of families on a Sunday morning walk had a chance to raise the paddles and push the gates. Lapworth is certainly a very pretty set of locks.

At the junction there was chance to use the services, then moor for lunch. As they came out of the last lock a working pair from Ellesmere that had been down to London for the summer, was ready to start up the locks.

Lunch was delicious Pork Pie, fantastic Soda bread bought from the Bakery shop yesterday. Um!!! Great!

On then with a right turn down the Grand Union. By just before 3, we were at the top of Hatton Locks. Andrew will seek to blame Christine for the decision to press on down the locks. Rather Christine thought that a decision to stop so early would be unpopular with him!

At the first four locks there were lots of gongoozlers enjoying the afternoon sun. The cafe by the first lock was doing an amazing trade.

By lock 6 we had caught up another boat and agreed to share the locks with them. It is so much easier controlling the boat going into the locks alongside another and in the lock itself. (Andrew prevented a boat sinking when he hastily dropped the bottom paddle and opened a top. The other boat had forgotten to undo one rope which had been fastened up while we joined them!)

A text was sent to Mike to tell him to get off at Warwick Parkway station yet earlier. Finally the boat moored up above the fourth lock up. Just those four of the 21 to do tomorrow.

After a lovely day, it soon began to feel cooler. Andrew lit the fire, while Christine set about preparing Roast Lamb for dinner.

Andrew went off with torches to meet Mike just after 7.30.

The meal might have been ready, but for the discovery that the gas bottle had given out during cooking. As a result, the meal was later than planned but that certainly didn't diminish the appetites!

8.8 miles - 25 locks