When we got up this morning we had bit of a list on as the pound had dropped, not sure if it was just leakage or if someone had replenished the pound between the Beeston Iron and Stone locks. We timed it quite well as it turned out two boats were coming up the Stone lock behind us. By the time we had drained Tilstone Lock one of the boats had caught us up. It was the pizza baked onboard boat but said he would wait for the following boat who he had been sharing with earlier. So we went up slowly alone, the top paddle is still out of action but I think CRT may be working on it. The boat sharing with the pizza boat was a hire boat with three couples all dressed as what they thought was typical French.
About half way between Beeston and Tilstone locks across the field is this hotel. it looks in a poorly state now.
Just above Tilstone Lock the boat we had been sharing with the day before yesterday was moored up so they slipped away and followed us to Bunbury Staircase lock. Here we waited beside the hire boats while one boat went up the locks and one came down. We had both only just entered the bottom chamber and closed the gates when the two boats behind arrived, so once the boat ahead had gone we were mob handed to work the locks, there was even one waiting to go down when we left. We both stopped at Calveley Services to top up with water before going our separate ways, we turned left at Barbridge Junction and they carried on to Hurleston junction. This is a slightly better photograph of the thatched extension to a house, how they got planning consent I don’t have a clue as its the only thatch for miles around, so not in keeping with the property.
We decided to moor for the night at the visitor moorings just above Cholmondeston Lock. I must say all this passing traffic comes as bit of a surprise, probably had more boats go by than we have seen in a week.
Today’s Journey
5½ miles with 3 locks in 3½ hours
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