Lazy Otter Hopwas

The day started misty but we were in no rush to get away as again it was a short day.

At Glascote locks we had a couple of boats ahead but some assistance from a lady who was waiting for her boat to arrive. We thought it strange that she had no windlass but it transpired she had taken the car home, returned by train and was waiting for two elderly boats from Alvecote heading to the Tipton Rally. We did meet one boat coming up, but that didn’t really help us. Much more traffic going down.
The old Spon Dredger that use to be at Rose Narrowboats is still moored outside the entrance to Glascote Basin, it seams a bit vulnerable there, last time we passed there was a group of youngsters sat on it, so I took the trouble to explain what it was, hoping that would be more effective than telling them to get off.

The basin as usual looks rammed full of boats.

Some time ago the lock cottage at Glascote Bottom Lock changed hands and work has been ongoing inside. Today a new roof is going on, I think that would have been one of my first jobs.

We stopped for water at Fazeley junction, unfortunately when we arrived there was already a boat filling up so we dropped in behind them. it was an hour and a half later when we left, I am sure the tap didn’t use to be this slow. While we were there I managed to get photographs of the two boats following us, one with the lady in pink who helped at the locks

When we were finally filled with water, also time for lunch and a cup of tea we set off again, by now the weather was quite warm. The sunken boat by the A5 road bridge is still there, now with a couple of bollards on the towpath to show where it is.

We chugged slowly on to just before Dixons Bridge to moor for the night. Since we have been here there has been a steady flow of boats in each direction, some slower than others, but not a problem.

Today’s Journey 4¼ miles, 2 locks in 3¼ hours