Hatton Locks.
Cape of Good Hope pub.
Hatton locks. These are double width locks and somewhat leaky thus hard work.
We set out at 8.20 and reached Hatton top lock at 10.15. We did them on our own as there was no one going in our direction. Even on the 2 occasions we came across boats going in the opposite direction that only helped for 1 lock as by the next lock it needed filling to set it right.
The water flow once the paddles were up was rapid. At the top lock Rachel noticed a baby moorhen frantically paddling while being sucked into the channel by the mouth of the lock at the top. I managed to get it out and put it on the bank. It scurried off tweeting for its mum into the bushes.
There were 2 CRT volunteers by a hut between 43-44 who were cleaning off a blackboard and preparing to write on it but not helping us! Rachel said she was obviously struggling closing a gate after I'd taken the boat and the man just watched. Later we did have a CRT man help us. He had the usual inflatable life jacket while the others didn't so I suspect the other weren't supposed to help.
It was lovely and sunny and therefore hot. I got increasingly exhausted.
We stopped for lunch between locks 30-29 at 13.10 and set off again at 14.00. The last 4 locks Rachel stayed driving the boat as her back was hurting.
We moored for the night just after bridge 50 in Warwick at 15.05. We had a 15 minute walk to Sainsbury's for provisions- including 14 ice lollies! We had supper at the Cape of Good Hope pub on non tow path side at the lock of the next lock. It was lively and we sat outside in the warm sunshine.
7.5 miles and 21 locks = 29.5 lock miles.
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