Hatton Flight

Hatton Flight, a climb of 21 locks in 2 1/2 miles known locally as the stairway to heaven. Luckily for us we met up with John and Wendy on their boat Kwenda Kulala, Swahili for Going to Sleep.

Once again the captain decided that it was her day on the boat and a good day she had of it.

Off she goes.

I don't often get this view of the boat coming into the lock.

You may have noticed that we are only using one gate to get in and out of the locks. John has this theory that if one person closes one paddle and one gate and the other person goes to the next lock and opens one paddle and one gate, and so on, then everything goes much quicker. And I must confess that he's right. We certainly kept up with the two boats ahead, even though we were emptying the lock that they had just left.

Here she comes.

Looking back over what we have done.

Looking forward to what's to come.

Must admit that they have big dragonflies up here.

Nearly at the top of the flight looking back at the old BWB yard.

Just thought I'd show you the white (in this case very posh) indicator showing that the paddle is open.

Phew, we're there, we've made it after 4 hours nonstop hard work.

As a reward, a late lunch in the café. Now back to the boat for a cup of tea and a bit of a rest. May stop here for the night and, who knows, perhaps breakfast in the café tomorrow? Fingers crossed.