Atherstone to Polesworth

Today we will have to negotiate the 11 locks of the Atherstone flight which lowers the canal by 80' overall.

This view is from the road bridge at the top of the locks when we crossed the canal to get some milk. 

Looking back under the same bridge is the old hatters mill, all looking rather forlorn.

And next to the lock, old storage sheds. But behind them is a totally new housing development.

And yet another former canal building but in better condition than the others. Possibly still in use by the volunteers.

It would be fascinating to see the canals in their heyday.

Anyway, gates of the first lock about to be opened and they're off.

Poetry in motion as the captain starts opening the bottom paddle. 

Previously I have been the one to work these locks because I can step across the bottom gates which makes our passage speedier. But today there were quite a few volunteers on duty and plenty of boats going up and down and the captain said she wanted a walk.

When talking to passersby I point out that we don't need to pay gym fees, we get all our exercise in the locks.

And that's the lot. Just under 3 hours to go in at the top and out at the bottom. We have done it in 2 hours before now but there were some delays due to fewer boats coming up than going down and waiting for them to clear a couple of locks first in order to save water overall. Conservation of water is a high priority for canal users. 

On some of the locks, when helpers weren't available, I would open the gate on my side of the lock, move the boat forward and then nip up the steps (seen on the right above) and close the gate so that Brigid didn't have to walk all round the lock to do it. Mind you, there was always the niggle at the back of my mind that the boat would drift away from the gates and leave us both stranded! Needless to say, precautions were taken. 

Now passing Grendon Dock, the house on the site is getting more rundown each time we pass but the workshop is state of the art - well, in canal terms it is. 

We arrived in good time at Polesworth and, surprisingly, found a good mooring. Each day we've said 'hope we can find a mooring' and each day we've been surprised at how empty the moorings have been. Don't misunderstand us, we're not complaining, just pleasantly surprised.