Warwick

This morning it was time to tackle the 21 locks down into Warwick. We got ourselves organised and moved down to the lock moorings to wait for another boat to share the locks with. We didn't have to wait long before being joined by Mike and Sue aboard Ta Jo. They moor on the Stratford canal and I remembered seeing their boat because of it's unusual name.

We soon established a pattern, as Sue has a bike she was cycling ahead to prepare the next lock while I let the boats out and closed up. It worked really well. The two boats coming down behind us caught up with us but that wasn't surprising as they had four crew in addition to their steerers. Once the caught up their crew were kindly closing up behind us allow me to walk on, making it quicker for all of us. We then caught up with the two boats that were ahead of us, who were very slow. We made it down the flight it just over three hours, which isn't bad.

We then parted company with Ta Jo as we had decided to moor in Saltisford Basin and they were going on to the Cape about a mile further along the cut. The basin was very crowded and we breasted up next to Phoenix, who we had met yesterday, very carefully as they have a new paint job which is still a little soft two weeks after completion. No exploring today as I feel exhausted!

Tomorrow it will be time to explore Warwick, probably just wandering as I remember the castle is prohibitively expensive. We might move on on Sunday or maybe Monday.

Today's journey 2.1 miles and 21 locks

So far this year we have travelled 364.4 miles, 333 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1095.1 miles, 980 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels.