Friday 7 August 2015

Down the Bratch

Today was another easier paced day. Our new water heater gave us a warning that the gas cylinder needs changing, but then the new cooker happily boiled the kettle. Hmm. We will have to change a cylinder soon, another first for us. 

At today's first lock, the bridge was done in an ornamental style, we are not sure why but it does look nice. 


We had decided to take off the chimney today and we're really pleased as some of the bridges would have removed it if we didn't. It is worrying when it is on the canal side of the boat as any slip would be either a quick bath or a lost chimney, but so far so good. 

Next it was the Bratch locks with their lovely toll house and friendly lock keeper. 


There are three locks, each separated by three feet. Therefore you cannot pass and have to do all three before a boat can come the other way. 


The instructions are quite complicated, we sought regular reassurance before doing anything. 


Colour coded padels help. 


We were successful traversing the locks and were making good progress towards Sainsburys when we passed the candy boat. 

There was a mutiny in the crew and I was forced to stop. 


We also did a staircase lock today, which was interesting and luckily nobody was coming the other way so we didn't feel under pressure when doing it. 


Finally we arrived at our mooring point. This picture doesn't do it justice, the sign on the left says the start of the visitor moorings, yet there are boats moored across on the offside so you cannot moor as the canal would not be passable. As you can see we moored further down but visitor moorings are there for a reason and should be respected 


We are now at The Navigation, which is by the lock where we first met Martin and Margaret on Erin Mae. 


Happy memories. 

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