Today has been full of locks, locks, locks. I feel like I've climbed a mountain. With tired arms, legs and hands plus a dazed stare I sit and write this post.
We left our mooring at 9am for Kings Lock 38 - the beginning of the water restricted locks. We were advised by notice that due to the lack of water in the reservoir we should share locks and wait for another boat to come through if the lock is not in our favour. So, we shared this leg with a family on a holiday boat and fortunately didn't have to wait long for passing boats coming down the locks. It was very noticeable in some areas exactly how low the canal was - by up to 1.5 foot lower in water level. This meant it was important to stay in the main channel of the canal so as not to get stuck - fortunately we didn't have to struggle with oncoming craft through the worst of it.
However with all our thrift, behind us was a family on a boat who bluntly ignored all notices and verbal communications about the water shortage and proceeded to drain every lock after us so they could come through on their own. It is a real shame to encounter this selfish behaviour because this seemingly small thing could have a huge impact on the ability for cruising along the route for all other boaters.
We continued until early afternoon by which point we were both hungry and exhausted. We had reached Kilby Lock 30, had travelled 6 miles and completed 8 locks.
After mooring, we went for a pub meal (and wouldn't return there any time soon) and had a well deserved cat nap. We decided to call it a day and enjoy the mooring.
On our route today we passed this brilliant bike on the back of a boat. They had built a custom channel for the wheels to sit in. The guy steering the boat said it can be a bit hairy in locks with it on the back. I think it is brilliant - a real inspiration!
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