We awoke as usual (for this time of year) around 7 and, without rushing, had breakfast and were ready to set off just before half past eight. Although we were just along from a busy pub with extensive outdoor facilities, we were not in anyway disturbed.
We had been promised sunshine 'tomorrow' for most of this week but once again the day started rather grey - and for quite a bit of the afternoon there was light drizzle, occasionally heavier.
We quickly adopted our usual rhythm and were looking to reach the top of Tardebigge by late lunchtime.
At the second lock we had quite a crowd of onlookers. Later in the flight the numbers were similar but human!
After the fifth lock we were greeted by quite a gang of volunteer lockies. One at first (a former army colonel!) soon joined by another two and finally a fourth. (There was even a fifth later who was helping a boat coming down)
Although they did not take over, they were quite keen on doing as much as possible. In our first hour we completed seven locks but with the lockies help our rate rose to close on 11 locks an hour for the middle two quarters of the flight. And some people even managed to take advantage of ringside seats!
The locks, apart from the top lock, are all close together and there was not a lot of new things to photograph. 'Doing Tardebigge' is more about the physical achievement than the scenery!
boats
Half way and one of the lockies joined up with the fifth to escort the boat coming down - we only passed two boats in the entire flight. The lockies were somewhat disappointed that there was not more traffic for them.
Two of the former lock cottages have substantial radio antennae - do they talk to each other?
We knew that we were not far from the top when we arrived at the reservoir - the level looked down but perhaps that is 'the New Normal' since there has been little boat passage and quite a lot of rain in this season so far.
One of the locks has recently had an emergency repair to the top balance beam. Se think that this is the third we have seen this year using this technique. Becoming the latest fashion? Better than an extended closure anyway.
We finally arrived at the top - bidding farewell to the volunteers - and emerged into the pound above three hours and 33 minutes after entering the bottom lock. Possible the fastest we have ever done it, but still way off any records!
A short distance to the wharf and the services. We only had disposal as the water tank was still quite full. When finished we moved across to the visitor mooring on the other bank - alas no rings or bollards so it was out with the hammer and pins!
A slightly longer lunch break followed during which we pondered our options and communicated with Windsor. Joanna is bringing Jess up by car to stay with us for the next week. In the end we opted to look first for a mooring at Alvechurch which is just a few minutes from a motorway junction.
But first we had two medium length tunnels to negotiate. In fact they are almost motorway standard for canals - very straight and with two way working, not that we met anything in either of them. The information board at each entrance gave a transit time of 20 minutes but we were through in about eight.
Our guide map notes two visitor moorings at Alvechurch, either side of the road bridge. The first was empty - but only room for one 60ft boat and opposite the marina, but the other longer one was occupied with boats that looked as if they did not really understand what 48 hours meant! Guess where we tied up!
No newspaper at the marina so Mike walked down into the village - rather further than he bargained for and the last part is a noticeable hill. The usual 'why are they here' shops (such as a wedding dress shop, and an insurance broker), two or three cafes, a pharmacy and a Co-Op. We only needed blue top milk for Jess as well as the paper. Not long to pick them from the shelves but at least a five minute queue to get in - one in one out was the operation.
5.3 Miles - 30 Locks
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