Up the Stairway to Heaven

Quiz question: "What's the connection between Led Zeppelin and the Grand Union Canal?"

Answer, the Hatton 21 is known as the Stairway to Heaven. In particular, the upper half of the flight, which comes into view as you emerge from Lock 36, just climbs up the hill away from you in an awe inspiring ladder.

After an early morning trip to Sainsbury's for the paper, we set off at around 7.45, arriving at the bottom of the flight at ten past eight. Sheila had skilfully winded Sanity Again by reversing out of the arm (since we were at the very end of it) and using the junction to turn.

We hung around for twenty minutes in the hope that someone else would show up to share the locks, but no one appeared, so we went up by ourselves. After the hassles of the Kennet and Avon last year, these were very well behaved locks indeed. Once in the lock, the steerer went up to the bow and held the bow line which the lock wheeler had dropped round the forward bollard.

Drawing the paddle on the same side meant that the boat was held neatly against the wall on that side, as the flow of water into the lock passes under the bow, reflects off the lock wall on the other side and returns across the surface.

There w as very little traffic all round, and we only passed five boats altogether coming the other way. It was a case of 'go steady but keep going'. Changing round every five locks meant that the work was evenly spread, and we arrived at the top at about half twelve, mooring for lunch on the first spare mooring we found.

After rest and refreshment, off we went again, passing through Shrewley Tunnel (wet as ever) to tie on some handy Armco just before Bridge 60. We'd not long tied when we were accosted by Bones and friends, who were walking from Lapworth to meet up with Alnwick which was following us up the flight, apparently.

We had just time for a quick chat with Boots (Sally will be sorry to have missed him) before they set off again, and we retreated inside the cabin for well earned R&R.