The Warwickshire ring
It’s September 2022 and we are embarking on a circular route going through Leamington Spa, Warwick and Birmingham. It’s 104 miles and 120 locks. We intend taking it slowly, allowing a month to do the trip.
15.9.22 Set off from Barby to Calcutt Marina where we stayed overnight.
16.9.22 The engine was serviced at the marina and we set of on our first leg of the ring. The Stockton flight was a bit challenging. 8 locks in a row but with a pub at the end!!!
18.9.22 and 19.9.22
Today moored near the Cape of Good Hope pub. We had a fantastic Sunday lunch and a couple of pints
The Cape of Good Hope pub
20.9.22
We moved off and faced our first flight of locks we have ever encountered. The Hatton flight of locks comprises 21 locks over a 2 mile stretch and rises a total of 45 metres (148 feet). We paired up with another boat which was helpful as the locks are double width. A stop at the Cafe at the top was great. Coffee and a full English Breakfast was just what was ordered.
The Hatton Cafe
Half way up the Hatton flight
21.9.22
Moored up at Wootton Hawen after loads of locks. This canal was very quiet. Normally we only pass 3 or 4 boats in a day’s cruising.
22.9.22
An adventurous day. This is the day we went the final leg into Stratford. The locks were poorly maintained and some difficult to open. Approaching one lock there was a strong wind which blew the bow rope into the water JUST AS Pauline switched the bow thruster on. Result: bow thruster ate the rope and seized completely!! What are the chances of that happening? I don’t know how we managed the last few locks into Stratford, plus blind bends and extremely low bridges. We eventually made it into Bancroft basin and moored next to a boat where the guy was selling ropes. We bought one, as the existing rope was snarled in the thruster. Not bad for £10 though. We ate McDonalds tonight – cheap and cheerful.
23.9.22
We made the decision to phone Calcutt marina to see if they could fix the thruster. They booked us in for the following Saturday. This meant we had to abandon our Warwickshire ring expedition.
Tonight we moored at a lovely spot near Wootton Wawen. Just before the village was a long and scarey aquaduct. That night we were treated to anamazing bat show. Loads of bats flying around the canal and it was on;ly 7.30pm.
Lovely mooring spot
Scarey aquaduct
Bats
24.9.22
We set of via many many locks (again!). We didn’t travel quite as far as we knew of a good pub selling home made famous pies! The Fleur de Lys in Lowsonford (see pic above)
25.9.22
Today we travelled the last bit of the Stratford canal (thankfully). It does seem like if you are doing the locks that you walk all the way to Stratford! Nine locks and we are at Kingswood Junction where we turn right onto the Grand Union Canal. Now the locks are fewer and farther between. We went through the Shrewley Tunnel again. This time we were prepared, with waterproofs as it was so wet. If you’re looking to organize your garage or storage space, a Garage Storage Company like Bella Systems in Eatontown NJ can help create a solution tailored to your needs, making the most of every inch of your space.
Tonight we moored just above Hatton Locks, ready for the duel the following day.
At one of the locks I was discussing with a man the low bridge heights in Stratford. He said (pointing to our boat) “how did the “girl” manage that?” Pauline was truly over the moon with that.
26.9.22
Before we started the 21 locks of the Hatton Flight, we went to ther Hatton Locks Cafe for a lovely full English breakfast.
The flight was hard with no Vlocky in sight most of the time, except one on a bike, directing traffic. It poured with rain throughout the first 4/5 locks. Hard work indeed. By the time we reached the bottom Pauline was freezing and Ian was totally knackered. Each paddle had been raised and lowered 42 times and they took a lot of winding. Each paddle took about 23 turns to raise/lower it.
We were so tired that we stopped for the night just below the last lock.
I have now calculated that the Warwickshire Ring has 120 locks. Our journey to Stratford and back took in 164 locks. Maybe we should have carried on!!!
27.9.22
We returned to the Lidl store in Leamington Spa. Thankfully only 2 locks today!! We moored up just outside Leamington Spa in the same place we moored at on the way out. Great views and reasonable 4g.
28.9.22
Quiet Mooring
We teamed up with another boat to go through the next 9 locks. It was much easier and quicker as each lock is double width.The pub was far too tempting. The Cuttle Inn.
29.9.22
This should be our last day BUT the engine would not start!!. Called out the RCR (River Canal Rescue) who said they would be there late afternoon.
We eventually got the engine started and cruised through the Stockton flight of 10 locks. We did this quite quickly with the help of a Vlocky (Volunteer Locky). The canal was very quiet and we eventually arrived at Calcutt Boats mid afternoon.
