Lazy cruising

 

Canal art behind on line moorings

Shobnal Fields

The hot weather is back but accompanied by some cloud cover and a welcome breeze. We cruised to the last wide lock at Stensen a few minutes behind yesterday’s companions, but they were ascending as we arrived. Paul went up to help work the lock while I made coffee and took it up to him. By the time the lock was ready another boat had joined us making the 12 foot ascent easier as the boats don’t move around much. We let them go first as Paul had to walk Lottie all the way round the lock to get back on the boat. He helped the boater behind raise the paddles and we left the last of the wide locks behind us. By the time we reached the next lock they were on their way up but another boat had pulled out between us. I worked the lock and a keen miniature cyclist helped open the gate with his dad. We stopped midday at Shobnal fields which had lovely shady trees and Paul sought out provisions while I wrote this blog.

Looking back at Tatenhill Lock

We moved on in lovely weather. At the first lock we came to a hire boat was ascending as we arrived. I was amazed how slowly it disappeared. We had emptied and entered the lock before it went round the corner. I had thought we were one of the slower boats on the cut as Paul hates creating a wash, but we caught them up in a mile. At the next lock they hadn’t even dropped the crew off as we arrived. Paul decided it would take hours following such a slow boat at 2 lock miles per hour and moored up at the visitor mooring in sight of the lock. It took them half an hour to disappear so the decision was wise. We have some road noise here but it isn’t took disturbing. Tomorrow we will reach our base if we don’t end up behind a super slow crew.