The high point mid afternoon today is forecast to reach 31°C - far too hot for us to be cruising! So, we agreed last night to get away as early as we could - well we were finally off by just before 7:30. Before leaving Mike tried to pay for our overnight bankside mooring using the QR code on the signs. This took us to a web page, alas, and would not even accept our input on the first step - date of stay. Firstly it did not like yesterday and even with today it went in circles asking the same question! We have tried phoning but with as yet no response.
The first lock was only 25m on from our mooring and we were initially baffled by finding it full with the gate down - the opposite of standard instructions.
After setting the lock and bringing the boat in, Mike then spotted a notice giving us special details.
We surmise that this is a result of having a rather bad leak via the top doors' cill. Unusual for EA. (Should really have walked back a but further to take this photo!)
As we left, the inside level had already risen quite a bit.
The road bridge just below the lock is quite utilitarian, especially in comparison with the one of the bywash channel.
The river now opened out a little but the flow rate dropped and this we encountered rather more weed growth which slowed us down considerably, After the next lock the flow improved very much.
The EA do not seem to go for very large direction signs and several have been engulfed by vegetation. This one is not so easily missed, standing with its pole in splendid isolation!
We have seen very few bridges across the river, other than at a some locks and in towns. This one is more like the accommodation bridges seen on canals, just to meet the needs of the local farmer.
And so to our fifth and hopefully final lock for today, Upper Wellingborough. But look - no bottom guillotine just two sets of pointing doors.
Just around the corner is the length of town moorings where we had hoped to be able to moor - not a boat it was only 11 o'clock. Not only did we want to stop before dehydration set in, Mike has a Teams meeting this evening and wanted to be sure of a reasonable mobile signal.
4.7 Miles - 5 Locks°
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