It stared dry and very dull, to add to the problems the stove was not performing, I have never seen it so coked up. I was going to sort it before we left but it was still far to hot, so shut it down and then we stopped in the lock flight for an hour and quarter to de coke it. Bit of a mucky job but meant it was up and running in time for lunch.
As the day progressed the weather detreated and was at its worse just below Marston Doles lock by which time it was raining, however just as we arrived the rain stopped. We had considered mooring at the top of the locks, but that was full so we continued another ¼ mile to moor for the night.
We have not been up the flight for some time and found all the levels in the pounds good but some locks were for us, some against and some half way. All the paddles worked except the Napton Top lock where the paddle gear is wrapped in a builders sack. Not having been this way we hadn’t seen this just above the first lock.
The trees that grow in the area are called Crack Willow for a very good reason, that is why I don’t moor near them.
The bottom lock of the Marston Doles pair has had a substantial brace fitted to its top gate, lets hope it lasts until a new gate is made.
Above the Marston Doles locks there is a water point, I am not sure why CRT thought such tall posts were called for, perhaps they are planning to fit another signs to them below the water point ones. The normal hight is the same as the Winter Mooring signs.
We actually met one boat today just as we were about to moor he was leaving.
Todays Journey
2½ miles, 9 locks in 2 hours
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