The Watch Tower

rising in Gailey lock

The morning was sunny and felt as if it would be hot later. While starting the engine three boats passed in quick succession and another passed as the Captain got ready to cast off. He cruised slowly to the first lock expecting a long queue but by the time we got there only one boat was waiting to ascend. By the time we were in the lock another boat had arrived behind us.

pleasant moorings

We were rising in the second lock when I realised the two boats ahead of us were moored at the Chandler’s at the top of the lock. The skipper of the boat ahead of us rushed out with a bundle under his arm.

“That didn’t take long,” I said.

“No,” he replied. “I’ll be on my way before you leave the lock.” Unfortunately for him a long narrowboat appeared round the corner and hovered next to his boat as he prepared to move off. We left the lock and glided by as he couldn’t move and we had to vacate the lock for the waiting boat. By the time he caught us up we were rising in the next lock.

heading to buy ice-creams

Our longest wait at a lock was when the boat ahead exited and we waited for a boat to come down. Many hire boaters are expert in their boat handling but this chap hadn’t a clue. Worryingly (from his boats logo) he had been out for the bulk of his holiday as he was nearly back at the boat’s base without being able to steer into a lock. After several bumps and help from crew pushing the boat squeezed into the lock. Thank goodness it was made of steel. Lottie passed the time by sunbathing on the grass. A couple of years ago she would have been straining to move on but she was content to relax at our lunch stop as well.

the toll keeper's watch tower.

Gailey Wharf on the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal had an interesting round tower beside it which was the toll keeper’s watch tower. I can’t remember any other canal needing a watch tower- were they watching to make sure the boaters queued politely or were they frightened some rogues would evade paying the toll?

 

By 3.25 it was hot so we moored in the shade at a visitor mooring near a handy shop selling ice cream. The Captain emerged licking his favourite ice-cream with a wide brimmed cowboy shaped sun hat perched on his head at a jaunty angle.

After over an hour’s break we moved off again to find a quieter mooring away from the industry nearer to Autherley junction