Sorry folks no blog for a few days.  My only excuse is a touch of lethargy and internet failure yesterday when I had almost completed but not saved my post.  Not a happy bunny!

Well to try and catch up:

The weather forecast for Saturday was a bit grim so we decided to have a short day and moved from the mooring and up Stoke Locks, a flight of six.  This took us about an hour and a half and we moored up at the bottom of Tardebigge Flight ready to go up on Sunday, weather permitting.  Took the dogs for a walk up the locks and watched several boats going through. It was still dry but we could hear a lot of thunder rumbling around and by the time we got back to the boat the first drops were beginning to fall.  It threw it down for the rest of the afternoon and all evening.

Row of cottages at Stoke Locks

Sunday morning it had stopped raining so after walking the dog we set out to tackle the fearsome Tardebigge Flight.  A good day, although we met no boats coming down the flight most of the locks were empty which meant we could open the gates and go straight in.  Did 29 locks in less than four hours and then stopped for lunch before completing the top lock, where we stopped for water.  Then carried on and moored up for the evening in Hopwood.  Went to the Hopwood House Inn for a meal, very enjoyable.

Tardebigge Flight

The forecast for Monday was not good but as it wasn't raining we decided to set out and see how it went.  Stayed mainly fine with a few drops of rain but not enough to stop play.  A nice easy day with no locks, but three lift bridges once we had turned onto the Stratford Canal at King's Norton Junction.  The first of these at Shirley is electronically operated and when we arrived a boat was coming through in the opposite direction.  When I got to the control panel the guy there was struggling to remove his key.  Although he had lowered the bridge he hadn't completed the operation and the barriers were still down.  He was so concerned with getting his key out that he hadn't noticed all the irate car drivers still waiting to cross the bridge.  Moored for the evening at the top of Lapworth Locks.

Toll House at Kings Norton Junction

Guillotine stop lock at Kings Norton Junction (not operational now)

 Tuesday morning overslept and so had a late start.  No point rushing though as loads of boats going down the flight so likely to be a long day.  Took 41/2 hours to descend 20 locks.  Although we are eventually going to join the Grand Union Canal here at Kingswood Junction, we have come down a couple of extra locks and moored on the Stratford Canal and will go back up when we are ready to move.  Tomorrow is going to be a day spent moored up and taking it easy.

There are some lovely properties around here!

The bridges on this part of the Stratford Canal are split to allow the towing rope to pass through

Plenty of boats around on Lapworth Flight

Wednesday spent walking the dogs and doing some jobs.  Also sorted out the yarn and needles at last and am now sock knitting.  Also stayed still on Thursday as we had visitors.  Good to catch up with Colin and Jill and Emily and have a lovely lunch at the Navigation together!