Llangollen trip day#3

Monday 15th May 2023

The day started bright and sunny but with a brisk cold wind. We thought that the recent warmth slowly creeping is was a bit too good to last. Having set off at 9am we reached Atherstone top lock at 9:30 and were marked up as the first boat of the day to descend through it. There were 3 volunteer lockies doing locking down the top five locks and a fourth went out litter picking. With only one boat coming up, we flew down to the first long pound.

For the second half of the flight – sans lockies – we met a further 3 boats heading south which meant a relatively smooth passage down those as well. On past Grendon sani-station without stopping for a pleasant cruise through quiet waters, the weekenders have obviously all gone home.

 I wonder what sort of licence you need for a raft made of 5 gallon drums?

Through Polesworth and Alvecote to Glascote locks where we were just as fortunate, a young solo lass with her newly bought small narrowboat was ascending the top lock when we arrived. Chatting with G she said she wanted to get to London in one week, he replied “it might be do-able with long days but don’t get caught up in the Ricky festival" next weekend”. Another boat was ascending the bottom lock as well and so we passed them in the short pound. Magic!

 

Past Fazely junction and up to Hopwas where we spotted Lord Toulouse moored on the schoolhouse moorings. Graham told the lady on board that we were taking a picture to send to Andrew, and she asked if we were friends with him and Wendy, he was tempted to answer no!. Seeing the boat reminded us of enjoyable past cruises and rally memories when we frequently met up with like minded mates.

 

As we passed through Whittington there was a spectacular red Azalea bankside which looked magnificent. On the Huddlesford where we decided to call it a day and moor up after 9 hours of travelling. Brenda managed to drop the ‘control panel’ padlock overboard when locking up and no amount of fishing with the sea-searcher managed to retrieve it – luckily we have a spare!

G&B