Beating the rain

in Bumblehole Lock

Although rain had been forecast for later in the day it was a clear bright morning. We woke early, had a speedy breakfast and set off to get a few hours cruising before the expected heavy rain hit us.
 

I walked to the first lock which was waiting empty, nice to start on a good note. It was lovely and warm with fluffy clouds. Only a few privateers were around so early.
 



middle lock at The Bratch

The second lock was full but I didn’t mind as the Captain was working that one. As he worked it a ewe and two lambs popped out of the field through a gap in the fence.

“Woof!” said Lottie. Instead of retreating into the field they ran past her. Fortunately the Captain had grabbed her collar. They stopped below the lock but an approaching jogger sent them trotting further from their field. Why didn’t they go back where it was safe? Perhaps they wanted an adventure. I pity their farmer when he does the role count. The last farmer we met on the tow path was herding three calves that had travelled several miles.
 

The staircase lock was set for me when I arrived with the bottom lock empty and the top one full. All I had to do was open the gates. As the boat rose in the first lock children from a boat moored at the top came along and helped. In under an hour we had done four locks and the sun was still shining.


Bratch Toll house

The Captain worked Bumblehole lock swiftly with help from boaters who arrived just after us and we cruised on. I’d love to know how Bumblehole lock got its name.
 

We arrived at the Bratch locks and I surprised the lock keeper at his desk reading his paper. Well it was only 9.30 but he had been on duty since 8.00. Again we ascended swiftly with his help tackling several more locks.

At one lock the water beneath the lock surround whistled then shot a cold fountain up through the grill by the ground paddle while the Captain was working it. At the next Lottie Lurcher was standing over the grill when the water exploded upwards. She shot across the surround dripping, her dignity dented.
 

We moored at Wightwick for an early lunch with the wind picking up as the Captain was peckish. Although we only stopped an hour for refuelling the weather was on the change as we set off.
 



rising in the middle lock

At the first lock was a hoard of picnickers with food on blankets by the chamber. Lottie Lurcher got excited by the food but fortunately all she got was some spilt crisps before I shortened the lead. Several adults were telling the children how the lock worked and they pushed the gates open and shut for us. It was just as well they helped as the hound had her eyes on the blankets and wasn’t co-operating with me.

As we left the second lock of the afternoon it started to rain. By the time we had reached a nice mooring the rain was falling steadily.

Gates between top and middle lock

Within half an hour it became heavy so that was the end of our day’s cruise though various boats passed us in varying wet states. One hire boat with soggy crew pulled up and moored in front of us, clearly fed up with the rain.
 

The Captain took the hound out during a lighter bout but it grew heavier while they were out. Lottie Lurcher returned wet but happy having found a path across the fields to explore. Having been towelled dry she scoffed her dinner and spread out on the sofa for her after dinner sleep.