intrepid pony: Vicious side washes

working boats moored near the water point

It was a peaceful night. The sky was blue when we set off in the morning but it clouded over quickly. As we left the second of the Hack Green Locks it started to rain so we moored up at Coole Pilate moorings for an early lunch rather than head into a 15 lock flight.

We set off again in full sunshine but clouds blew in from nowhere and we donned our waterproofs as rain fell while climbing the first Audlem lock.

working boat arriving

By the time we stopped for water after the third lock it was far too hot for waterproofs so we reverted to shorts (him) and a skirt (me). There was nowhere to stop around Audlem as the moorings were all reserved for working boats, many of which had arrived.

Nobody dining outside on this damp day

We admired the working boats as we passed on tick-over and continued out of Audlem. However getting into the locks became increasingly difficult due to the strong flow pouring into the canal from the side-washes. The sequence went aim the boat for the side-wash which threw the boat sideways and try to wriggle into the lock without crashing into the far wall. We had a few scrapes and three big bangs. I edged towards one lock too slowly and the boat became pinned against the piling opposite the side-wash.

We had showers of varying strengths as we climbed up the flight but it never rained for long. Lottie went paddling in a side wash half way up the flight soaking her bandage. She gained her objective – the bandage came off but she was put on the lead to stop her running off and removing the now healthy looking scab.

the restored mill

After working a few locks to help me, the Captain retired to drive the boat as his back was painful but he took the hound with him so I could work the locks unencumbered. Thankfully we met a boat at each lock so gates were left open halving my work. The Captain tried everything but struggled more and more as the side wash became increasingly violent.

"I don't understand why they are so vicious," the Captain complained to another boater.

"Well we have had several days of heavy rain," The boater replied.

Somehow we missed three days of torrential rain which had swelled the canal to overflowing.