A frustrating set of locks today

Sunday 22nd May 2022

We set off from our Stone mooring at 09:00 and made our way up to the water point below Star lock to fill the tank. Whilst this was happening, the crew mutinied to the adjacent play park for a photo opportunity. 

 

Once the tank was full we passed through Star lock just in time to see another boat leave the lock landing and enter Yard lock ahead of us. They must have been moored overnight on the lock landing because no-one has come past at all this morning and Star lock was in our favour.

Graham walked up to yard lock to find the young lad (grandson apparently) sitting with the gate paddle partly cracked open but the ground paddle closed. He pointed out that the ground paddle should be opened first but the lad said that he already had too much water entering the lock from the gate paddle. Graham explained how the paddles worked and then had a word with the steerer who said “ I do not know what he’s doing “. At this point Graham noticed that the boat was a time-share.

The new Stone’s tap house development looks good, must pay it a visit on our return trip to see if it’s any good.

 

When we arrived at Newcastle road lock, the Time-share boat was on the sani-station moorings and so Graham asked the lady if they were using the facilities or entering the lock. She said they were staying there but before we could get Jannock to the empty lock, it started being turned by the next boat coming down. Having stopped that by letting them know there was another boat down below waiting to come up, they ceased the turn and reset the lock. At this point, time-share Cap’n appeared out of the toilet and they went into the lock. Whilst waiting, Brenda chatted to the bloke off the previous boat that had just come down. He was fuming because he was unable to exit the lock due to time-share boat having his bows blocking the bridge-hole.

The pound above Newcastle road lock was very low and as we exited Lime Kiln lock we had to pull over to clear a load of rubbish from our prop. We then made our way to the Meaford flight for a very slow ascent there with southbound boats at every lock.

 

Today is the first time we have ever passed under Siddall’s bridge when there has been no car accident damage – but you can see where it’s been repaired recently.

Once clear of the Meaford locks we cruised through Barlaston to Trentham lock where we passed through with relative ease. Onto Trentham village where we have moored for the night as we fancy a carvery roast dinner tonight.

G&B