3rd-5th August - Grand Union

So I ploughed on and didn't really take that many photos on the grand union so I thought I'd do a bit of an amalgamation!

Lock Stats

3rd

Today: 22 locks
Grand total: 177 locks

To go: 102 locks

Today I had a member of crew joining me for a couple of days, my Dad again, he's getting to be a proper pro at this now.  We were a great team, even if I do say so myself! :)

In at the deep end we we pushed on and quickly got the Stockton locks out of the way, stopping at the top we found a handy shop not far from the top to grab a bit of food for lunch.

Heading on to Bascote locks we had the only staircase lock of the trip, where you exit straight from one lock in to another.

Next we moved on to Royal Leamington Spa which felt very urban, passing under bridges I would throttle back the engine incase we should run in to anything that had been thrown off the bridge.  Luckily only once was there any obvious tell tale lump as we ran over something dumped in the canal.  Crossing the aqueduct over the River Avon marked the boundary between Leamington Spa and Warwick.  This area felt surprisingly unpopulated and within no time we had reached the cape which had a good selection of moorings and set us up well to face the Hatton Flight tomorrow.

4th

Today: 21 locks
Grand total: 198 locks

To go: 81 locks

All twenty once locks today were the Hatton Flight that raises the boat just over 146 feet.  Reaching the flight there was a hire boat just ahead of us that was heading up the flight, they saw us coming and waited for us so we could double up the flight.  Luckily there was a large crew and although hire boaters they knew their stuff.  The crews of the Heather and the hire boat worked the locks efficiently and we shot up the flight.  As we reached the summit the heavens opened so exiting the last lock it was time to take shelter in the boat and have some lunch.

Pushing on we entered only the second major tunnel of the journey so far, Shrewley Tunel at 314 meters.  The day ended at Turners Green with some really good visitor moorings and a kind offer of a lift for my crew from my uncle.

5th

Today: 19 locks
Grand total: 217 locks

To go: 62 locks

There was only a short time left on the Grand Union having left Turner's Green.  In no time at all I reached the Lapworth Link which would take me to the Stratford Canal.

Lapworth Link

Having completed a flight of locks yesterday there was no let up and it was now on to the Lapwood flight.  Completing this flight was going to lift me through 19 locks which would take me up to a level pound that would set me up for a days cruising with no locks the next day, well worth the effort.

I stopped the night at Hockley Heath village which had a fab fish and chip shop that I wasn't able to resist!