Brownsover

Our journey to the boat was slightly different today as we called in at Brinklow Marina to meet some one. As  it was lunchtime we then stopped in Newbold at The Barley Mow for a snack. I had sausage and onion baguette where as Diana had the Chicken Club Sandwiches, I had to give her a hand with them.

   We then carried on to Barby Moorings and made ready to move off. Again there was a good breeze from the south. beam on to me reversing out and then swinging into it. Today id was quite gusty, so watching the flags and washing I was able to slide out during a lull in the blow, picking Diana up after the bridge was not so easy.
Out on the canal it was turn right towards Hillmorton, As we left the marina I snapped a shot of the pristine, new stop plank groves, I hope they are not needed.

At Hillmorton the back pumps were running which seems a bit pointless as the pound is on weir and its running straight back down the flight.

CRT have locked the towpath side locks leaving just the offside operational. They have tape on all the handrails which is silly, as a boat crew walking down the towpath have to cross a tapped off lock to reach an operational one.

All three nearside locks are like this. At the bottom lock someone has painted a horse looking out of the top half of the door.

Our plan at this point was to moor a short way before Houlton Road bridge, but as the weather was good and there were already lots of boats there we carried on to Brownsover. All the hire boats were double moored outside Clifton Cruisers, not a problem, however a boat moored on the towpath side on the bend was a different matter. The owner shouted apologies from the boatyard saying he pulled up as he had a problem. His urgency would suggest he didn’t think I would get through. It was close. The café at the yard looked inviting with all the lights on.

We pushed on to the mooring rings at Brownsover and moored not far passed Boughton Road Bridge at quarter to five.

Todays Journey

5 miles with 3 locks in 2¼ Hours