Early start, late finish

I'd forgotten when I posted yesterday that there was a half day stoppage at Glascote Locks this morning, firstly to do a water flow meter calibration and then to unblock a paddle culvert.

Nonetheless we set off at half seven as planned and motored round to Peel's Wharf where we filled the water tank. I left Sheila overseeing that whilst I nipped round to post some letters and buy a paper in the middle of the village, if that's the right word for Fazeley.

Tank full(ish), Sheila steered round the junction and down to Fazeley Mill. It was the usual hassle getting reversed onto the service wharf but we made it eventually, just ten minutes or so before they were due to open at nine. The cut is not well dredged on the offside so the bow tends to swing away when you go into reverse instead of carrying on turning.

Jackie showed up almost as soon as we were tied and gave us a good pumping out for £15.50.

Back then to the junction we went and on to the foot of Glascote where we were number six in a queue which eventually had a dozen boats in it. CRT were hard at work; the intermediate pound was drained and the bottom lock nearly so.

We had a look at the sights then went back to the boat, made a cup of coffee and put the chairs out on the towpath. Sadly the weather deteriorated quite quickly and by the time we'd finished the coffee we had to retreat in doors.

Some pottering on the net and an early lunch helped to pass the time and by one o'clock there were signs that the job was nearly done. By half one the queue was moving steadily onwards and upwards. As usual, some of us went up to the locks and helped the boats in front of us get going, whilst others waited until their boat was next to move.

At twenty to three we were clear of the top lock and chugging through Amington in drizzly rain. About fifty minutes later we arrived at Alvecote and found a mooring on the towpath before the Narrowcraft yard. I think I'll need to light the stove soon as the damp makes it feel a bit clammy inside the boat.

Never mind, I'm sure we'll have a warm welcome in the Samuel Barlow…

/wahaha