FreeSpirit : Nearly ran out of water.

Friday 11 October 2013

Nearly ran out of water.

First let me say that the internet in the Warwick area (as found out from previous years) can be abysmal. Yesterday I couldn't get any signal at all so blogging was out of the question. What I did find frustrating was a very smug Roger who said that he got a good internet signal even though we were both on the same 3 network . The only difference that I could see was his mooring had a more open aspect where as we were surrounded by houses and work units. So today you will notice I have done two posts, the first having been very quickly thrown together while we were traveling between locks and a signal was good, and this one done equally as quickly while we are moored long enough for Ian to cut the wood. TV is an issue here so we will probably move on after he has finished and who knows if I will get internet again. So post number 2 had been put on a scheduled time for later in the day.

Having taken Jade out for her early morning constitutional and noticing another photo opportunity, I very cheekily stepped onto a C&RT moored butty to get the this photo.

Rogers and Pats boat The Cat's Whiskers

And from the back of our boat looking toward their bow.

Having had our towpath talk at 9am again both Roger and Ian discussed the plan for today. Roger and Pat were off to Leamington Spa to moor and meet friends and as Ian wanted to saw some of the wood we had collected into manageable lengths, he decided that we would part company after the bottom lock at Radford. The first locks of the day ( the Bascote staircase ) was reached within 30 minutes although it was pretty slow going because of the lack of water! In fact at one point we drove over a submerged object which lifted us clean out of the water. Thank goodness we had enough momentum to get over it. The idea of being stuck in the middle of the canal didn't bear thinking about!

Roger following behind. The far bank shows just how low the pound was.

Bascote Staircase

Pat getting the next lock ready

Ian and Roger never stopped nattering! They had to be told several times that the gates were open and they could now move out. And they reckon us women are bad!!!

From then on and right through the rest of the locks we had to contend with the lack of water. This picture shows us creating a wash and that was on tickover!

From leaving our mooring this morning and stopping at the bottom of Radford lock we have done 4 miles and 10 locks in 4 hours. It was so very very slow going and not helped by slow boats locking down in front of us. We said our farewells to Roger and Pat at Radford bottom and expect to meet up again in Birmingham next week.

This time it was Pat nattering to....

me!

This made me laugh. A lone boater had entered the lock, got off his boat and Pat closed the bottom gate for him We fully expected him to open the top paddles. But no! He did no more then stand by and watch while both of us struggled to wind the paddle gear. Theres equality for you!