4 miles & 14 locks

Now, you might not think that 4 miles isn't much to do in a day, however, it's the 14 locks that make all the difference. When planning a route you reckon on making 4 miles per hour at most. Each lock will, on average, take 15 minutes to get through. This works out as 4 locks in an hour. So, 4 miles and 14 locks should, on paper, take 4½ hours. We managed it in 3½ hours - not bad eh?

Most of the locks are paired locks so that you could have two-way traffic through them. That's OK in theory but it doesn't always work out that way in practice. Also, one or two locks were either permanently closed or awaiting repair.

So here's the captain bringing the boat into the lock. It was my privilege to work the locks today, I was chosen for the task by the captain herself. (No, she just wanted a rest!)

But look at the scenery we're now going through.

And the lock settings are very pretty.

Even the new houses fit in with the style of the canal.

Yet another lock and here she comes.

And here we are again, the M6 at a standstill while we plod on at 4mph. As per usual I wave to the drivers and passengers as they watch us speeding on our way.

Another lovely old cottage at Rode Heath.

We are stopping here for the night so that we get our timing right for our arrival at Harecastle Tunnel. The tunnel only operates until midday and there are 12 locks & 3 miles to go before we get there.

So we had a little walk around Rode Heath and found this decorated road sign.

And on the grass just behind, 3 (I believe) Muscovy ducks.

And another knitted pillar box! But, best of all, outside the village shop where we were able to pick up some much needed bread and milk.

And lastly, a picture of our mooring for the night.