Sunday 2 June
The best laid plans . . . I had hoped for an early start today so that I could get back to base in good time. As it was, I overslept and was not able to get away much before 6.00am.
I did, however, make good time and caught up with some other early birds as they started their ascent of the Atherstone flight. It soon became apparent that there was a singular lack of water in some of the pounds and this was not helped by us going up. By the time I was waiting to go into the bottom of lock 7 I had ground to a halt.
There was no way I would get to the side so stuck my nose into the gates as far as I could go, and that enabled me to walk the gunwale and get off up the steps at the front. Then a problem appeared round the corner from lock 6 in the form of a boat heading for the full lock!
I explained my predicament to the steerer of said boat and asked if he would mind me letting down a lock-full of water to assist movement in the pound. He was, however, not keen on this idea, unless his boat went down with it.
I had no alternative but to get back on Chyandour and endeavour to move backwards in the centre of the pound. With the extra water from the emptying lock it was just about possible but, when the descending boat came out of the lock I was pushed onto the mud and got stuck.
Fortunately I remembered a trick or two from those who taught me years ago and was able to free myself. Once in this lock water levels improved because of the extra held in Baddesley Wharf Marina.
I continued without further incident up the flight and, with the help of the Volunteer Lock-keepers, reached the top just after 11.00am.
It was coffee o'clock so I moored briefly on the Visitor Moorings for second breakfast!
After this refreshment it was easy going and I was able to ring Gwyn at Hawkesbury about 2.15pm to warn her of my imminent arrival. I had arrived and moored up in Wyken by 3.00pm.
What a trip! What next, I wonder?
Locks 12 Miles 15.9 Total Locks 221 Total Miles 330.25
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