Regretfully leaving the home town of the aforementioned Mr William Shakespeare and the historic delights of Stratford-upon-Avon we re-joined the canal system and headed northwards towards the Grand Union on the Stratford-on-Avon canal.
Leaving Stratford basin we had been warned about some very low bridges - they were right!!!!! Chimney and Satellite dish were taken down, but we decided to leave the flowers where they were, surely they cannot be THAT low.....oh, yes they were!!!!!!! Poor flowers were squashed back to their troughs, but thankfully they all sprang back in defiance and original glory after we had passed through.
Stratford-on-Avon canal is heavily locked with some 35 locks on the thirteen miles before we could leave to join the Grand Union at Kingswood. One of the first locks out of Stratford had been show-horned next to a bridge and the lock-beam bent in a 'V' shape because of the lack of room making it very difficult to move. A lot of gasps and cusses from Denise and eventually
"Bloody impossible, it will NOT move !!!!!!"
So I started for the wall ladder to climb out of the lock.
"Leave it ......thanks, I have managed it !!" she gasped
Next few locks were not quite so bad, but awkward just the same - more than awkward even a little spiteful perhaps with the rear gate springing opening again as you walk to the front ones, but that's locks for you. Perhaps I take them a little too personally......
"Infamy, Infamy !.. they all have it in for me !" as the corny gag used to go in the old 'Carry On' film series.........
We had been told of a Tesco supermarket near the next lock........
"Not too far really, about five minutes walk" proclaimed our informant.
Why do people say things like that?? I seemed to walk for miles with the 'Granny' shopping trolley which I hate with a passion, because it is spiteful just like the locks and has a habit of turning upside down when being dragged full of shopping.
Shopping trip completed, it was time to do a few more locks as we reached the Wilmcote flight with a total of eleven to grapple with. Blue shirt and life-jackets could be seen at the first lock - a volunteer lock-keeper. Nice one Canal & River Trust !!!!!
In fact there were TWO volunteer lock-keepers and they were very welcome indeed, as this made the work just that bit easier. These are friendly guys who give up their time to help people up and down the locks during the busy holiday period. Like most boaters we don,t take their help for granted and take our fair share of the work. It is a worrying development we were told that with the introduction of volunteer lock-keepers one or two boat crews just leave everything to the volunteers!!!! That is NOT the idea - they are there to help, not to do everything for you.
After completing the Wilmcote flight we had a relaxing few miles before crossing the impressive iron-trough Edstone aqueduct. As the day was growing older we decided to moor for the night near the wonderfully named village of Wootton Wawen. A few more old English names floated by the following morning - Preston Bagot and Lowsonford for example.
Lowsonford had a canal-side pub called the Fleur-de-Lys, so we decided not to float by, as there was a handy water point for the boat and a beer point for us. What more can you want out of life ?? The 'Fleur-de-Lys' was apparently famous for selling home-made pies many years ago with people queuing out of the door to buy. How things change.
Access bridges on this canal were certainly designed to keep the boat steerer's attention from wandering. They were made just a fraction wider than the boat and you really have concentrate as you shoe-horn the boat through. I think the bridge architect all those years ago had a wicked sense of humour and decided he would keep the boat crews on their toes. I am sure a couple of inches wider would not have compromised the structural strength !!
They were also designed with 'slots' in the bridge to throw the rope through .......
Following morning brought yet another spiteful lock. Denise had decided to drive the boat on this stretch of canal - I wonder why? This horror (lock not Denise) was sulking menacingly in the shadow of the M40 motorway. I opened the lock-gate - boat went in - could I close it???? No!!!!!!!
Huffed and puffed, strained until I nearly had a double hernia. This lady was not for closing.
Just like the 5th Cavalry a guy walking his dog came to help.......
"Been like this for years...they should do something. It is impossible to do on your own" He stated in a knowledgeable way borne out of helping others with this awkward gate.
I gasped my heartfelt thanks....and, yes do something Canal and River Trust before somebody really has a groin strain or heart attack trying to close the bl**** thing !!!!!!!!!!!!
A few more locks brought us to the end of our journey on the Stratford-on-Avon canal and our exit point through the Lapworth 'Link' onto the Grand Union canal heading north towards Birmingham.
Leaving Stratford basin we had been warned about some very low bridges - they were right!!!!! Chimney and Satellite dish were taken down, but we decided to leave the flowers where they were, surely they cannot be THAT low.....oh, yes they were!!!!!!! Poor flowers were squashed back to their troughs, but thankfully they all sprang back in defiance and original glory after we had passed through.
Stratford-on-Avon canal is heavily locked with some 35 locks on the thirteen miles before we could leave to join the Grand Union at Kingswood. One of the first locks out of Stratford had been show-horned next to a bridge and the lock-beam bent in a 'V' shape because of the lack of room making it very difficult to move. A lot of gasps and cusses from Denise and eventually
"Bloody impossible, it will NOT move !!!!!!"
So I started for the wall ladder to climb out of the lock.
"Leave it ......thanks, I have managed it !!" she gasped
Next few locks were not quite so bad, but awkward just the same - more than awkward even a little spiteful perhaps with the rear gate springing opening again as you walk to the front ones, but that's locks for you. Perhaps I take them a little too personally......
"Infamy, Infamy !.. they all have it in for me !" as the corny gag used to go in the old 'Carry On' film series.........
We had been told of a Tesco supermarket near the next lock........
"Not too far really, about five minutes walk" proclaimed our informant.
Why do people say things like that?? I seemed to walk for miles with the 'Granny' shopping trolley which I hate with a passion, because it is spiteful just like the locks and has a habit of turning upside down when being dragged full of shopping.
Shopping trip completed, it was time to do a few more locks as we reached the Wilmcote flight with a total of eleven to grapple with. Blue shirt and life-jackets could be seen at the first lock - a volunteer lock-keeper. Nice one Canal & River Trust !!!!!
 |
| Volunteer lock-keepers on the Wilmcote lock flight. Stratford-on-Avon canal |
In fact there were TWO volunteer lock-keepers and they were very welcome indeed, as this made the work just that bit easier. These are friendly guys who give up their time to help people up and down the locks during the busy holiday period. Like most boaters we don,t take their help for granted and take our fair share of the work. It is a worrying development we were told that with the introduction of volunteer lock-keepers one or two boat crews just leave everything to the volunteers!!!! That is NOT the idea - they are there to help, not to do everything for you.
After completing the Wilmcote flight we had a relaxing few miles before crossing the impressive iron-trough Edstone aqueduct. As the day was growing older we decided to moor for the night near the wonderfully named village of Wootton Wawen. A few more old English names floated by the following morning - Preston Bagot and Lowsonford for example.
 |
| Crossing the Edstone aqueduct. Stratford-on-Avon canal |
 |
| Iron trough of the Edstone aqueduct . Stratford-on-Avon canal |
Lowsonford had a canal-side pub called the Fleur-de-Lys, so we decided not to float by, as there was a handy water point for the boat and a beer point for us. What more can you want out of life ?? The 'Fleur-de-Lys' was apparently famous for selling home-made pies many years ago with people queuing out of the door to buy. How things change.
Access bridges on this canal were certainly designed to keep the boat steerer's attention from wandering. They were made just a fraction wider than the boat and you really have concentrate as you shoe-horn the boat through. I think the bridge architect all those years ago had a wicked sense of humour and decided he would keep the boat crews on their toes. I am sure a couple of inches wider would not have compromised the structural strength !!
They were also designed with 'slots' in the bridge to throw the rope through .......
 |
| Never mind the quality feel the width..... tight squeeze through these access bridges on the Stratford-on-Avon canal. |
 | |
| Preston Bagot lock cottage. One of several superb eccentrically designed lock-keeper's cottages on the Stratfor-on-Avon canal. All lovingly looked after in private ownership now, with this being one of the best. |
Following morning brought yet another spiteful lock. Denise had decided to drive the boat on this stretch of canal - I wonder why? This horror (lock not Denise) was sulking menacingly in the shadow of the M40 motorway. I opened the lock-gate - boat went in - could I close it???? No!!!!!!!
Huffed and puffed, strained until I nearly had a double hernia. This lady was not for closing.
Just like the 5th Cavalry a guy walking his dog came to help.......
"Been like this for years...they should do something. It is impossible to do on your own" He stated in a knowledgeable way borne out of helping others with this awkward gate.
I gasped my heartfelt thanks....and, yes do something Canal and River Trust before somebody really has a groin strain or heart attack trying to close the bl**** thing !!!!!!!!!!!!
A few more locks brought us to the end of our journey on the Stratford-on-Avon canal and our exit point through the Lapworth 'Link' onto the Grand Union canal heading north towards Birmingham.
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