Thursday 1st June
Up a little after half past seven. There was quite a gusty wind blowing last night, which rocked us into the bank quite a lot — so most of us enjoyed what you might call a 'fitful slumber'. Before negotiating the locks, we took advantage of the water point to refill the tank. Off and into the locks by ten to eight. These were double locks, going down. I was 'volunteered' to steer, as it was a bit tricky and no one was all that keen. I'm used to looking a fool, so I don't mind!
I managed quite nicely at the first lock, going in on one side only of the double gates, with the other gate still shut. I got my come-uppance, however, at the second lock. I completely messed up the approach by going too slowly and allowing the boat to be caught by the cross-wind. I had to go back a little way and make a second approach. To make matters worse, I didn't notice that one of the ropes was becoming trapped in a crack between two of the lock-side stones until it was wedged so firmly that it took Alan and Nick quite a few minutes of tugging and heaving to get it out again. We were out of the locks by twenty five past eight.
The Grand Union was proving rather uninteresting at this point. One of the interesting moments was provided when we went past a moored boat with the name SHALWEORNOT. As we went past, we saw the words painted on the stern: WE DID IT!
We chugged steadily, for some considerable time, through attractive countryside, but the cruising itself was becoming rather monotonous — especially after we'd become so used to taking large flights of locks in our stride. I think this lulled all of us into a collective state of ennui, since none of us were bothering to check the map. I noticed a little side turning on our right. Too small to be a canal junction surely. Then, too late, I saw a sign pointing to the Stratford Canal, but our momentum had carried us well past the junction. By the time we'd come to a halt it would have been possible, though difficult, to reverse into position to take the turn.
We decided to carry on in the hope of finding a place to turn, though the next proper winding point was a few miles further along. As it happened, although the canal is quite wide, it was never both wide and deep enough to turn, though I did try a couple of times. No choice, then, but to carry on. Looking again at the guides, we changed our plans as regards food and pubs — and it may work out quite well after all. We were planning to sup at a pub near the junction on our way back this evening. Now we'll be there on the way down, in time for lunch.
On through the Shrewley Tunnel (very wet!) and on to the winding point, which we reached at five to eleven. Back through the tunnel. Nick, Penny and Maddie disembarked to follow the footpath over the hill while the boat went through the tunnel. Maddie jumped a little early — scrabble, scrabble, scrabble — splash! — then a good exhibition of doggy-paddle. I must say Maddie kept her head remarkably well — very little panic. Nick grabbed her by the collar and hauled her out safely.
After this excitement, things were fairly uneventful. We carried on steadily till we reached the junction again, mooring at half past twelve. Lunch consisted of massive Baltis at The Navigation in Lapworth. They had a good choice of beers and ciders as well. Under way again by twenty to three, suffering from bulging stomachs — at least in my case!
The Navigation,
Lapworth
We negotiated the junction and headed off in the direction of King's Norton, up the Lapworth Flight, entering the locks by five to three. Ice creams all round, from the shop at the bottom lock. Most of the locks were set in our favour, though we were slowed up a bit by having to wait for boats coming down. Cross-checking the map and the Catholic Directory, it looks as though there will be a church within reach this evening, though it's a fair old walk at about 2 or 3 miles. I phoned to check the Mass times, since my Directory is a few years old. We reached the top of the Lapworth Flight by ten past five. Some rather picturesque cottages on the way up.
From there it was a fairly easy run to the place where I needed to leave the boat to get to the church. This was quite straightforward, though it was perhaps nearer to four miles as it turned out. The route took me through a small village, along a road going across the M42, along some rather busy country roads, and into a village called Dorridge. The church there is quite modern and rather attractive, and the Mass quite well attended. The people were quite friendly, which is more than I can say for the general population of the area. Unusually, for this part of the country, the people I met on the way were very unresponsive to any attempted greeting. Most of them just walked on without a glance, staring fixedly in front of them. All rather sad for them, I thought. At least there were a few exceptions.
As I walked back, I phoned Alan, to find that the cider house they'd been planning to meet in was a washout, and they were going on to a nearby pub. Twenty minutes later he phoned me, to say that the pub was pretty useless too, and that they were going back to the boat. That suited me well, as the boat is easier to find, given that one knows where the canal is! The others had eaten a very unsatisfactory supper at the pub, so in rustling up an omlette I ended up doing rather better, as it happened. Nick and Penny reported a good number of bats sighted a little earlier in the evening, flying up and down the canal in the twilight. We've seen quite a few of these at various times during the week, including the Shrewley Tunnel earlier today. A glass of sherry before turning in brought a rather mixed day to a good conclusion.