Nottingham to London day 9

Today we set off at 9am. I booked us in with the BW lock keepers who have a system of listing boats wishing to use the flight and arrange who can go next etc. It was a short wait and we were soon enough following another boat up the flight. I planned to work the paddles and gates and Leigh would work the tiller.




These are narrow locks so only one boat can use them at a time. It meant the gates were lighter too - handy for me.


The rules of the locks in relation to the paddles are that you 'wind the red before the white and you'll be alright', if you 'wind white before red and you'll be dead!'



We were instructed up the first few locks by the lock keepers and then left to our own. As we stepped up each time the view on the horizon became more and more magnificent. Shame it was a little hazy but still, it was very atmospheric.


It was interesting to see how the simple engineering of the locks worked. As one boat entered the lock, the red paddles allowed the lock to fill with water from the pounds (small reservoirs opposite the locks.) The white paddles filled up the lost water from the reservoir, draining the lock above. This would set the next lock ready for the boat coming up. In this way you are able to directly follow a boat going up, which is what we did.


It took us about an hour to reach the top lock, where the BW guy gave us another helping hand.



We decided to carry on along the GUC, passing this lovely statue,


reminding of the days when horses would be used to pull boats from along the towpath.

This stretch was very picturesque, with rolling hills and leafy woods lining the canal edge.



We have done well and now it was a straight run for 5 miles without any locks!

Then we were on the approach to Husbands Bosworth Tunnel, 1166yards long.



I got prepared with my rain mac - so as not to get dripped on and set the headlight on. With a toot! of the horn we started going through.


This time, we had a boat following us from behind with a brighter than bright headlight.


It took about 12minutes to pass through. I tried hard to keep to the centre-right of the tunnel (as it is possible to pass another boat coming from infront) yet I did wriggle from side to side somewhat as it is rather tricky in the dark to work out where you are. I managed well though and think I am improving at navigating tunnels.


We left the tunnel and cruised for another mile, passed North Kilworth Wharf and found a lovely mooring just before Welford Junction. We moored for the night and did some well needed jobs about the boat - Leigh did a fabulous job at giving the chimney a good sweep!

Now we are settled for the night, we are making plans for me to get to Nottingham next week for a couple of days of work. As we are often in the middle of the countryside and I need to access some public transport to get there, I've got to consider how to do this. Leigh suggested a slight de-tour to Rugby where I can then get the train.

As I write this, our cabin lights are bright as buttons, with the 12volt battery fully charged by running the engine today. Leigh just pointed out how amazing it is that we live all our electrical needs off of one 12volt battery. Quite.