We are moored up for the night at the top of Lapworth Flight on the Stratford Canal.  We came up 21 locks narrow beam locks today which took 31/2 hours.  In spite of the forecast being for rain, we have had a lovely sunny day.

On Wednesday we had a lazy day following the hard work of ascending Hatton Flight on Tuesday.  We stayed moored up for the day and did some jobs on the boat.  It was a lovely sunny warm day and was brilliant just lazing around all day.  Was such a nice day we decided to let the fire go out overnight as didn't think we would need it.

Thursday morning felt cold when we got up, only 12 degrees inside, but had breakfast and walked the dogs thinking it would soon warm up.  Decided today to move along to Kingswood junction and turn onto the Stratford Canal.  The plan is to go down one lock of Lapworth flight and then moor for the day.  Not a good trip it is cold and damp and by the time we get to Kingswood junction we are both cold and fed up.  Filled up with water and emptied the toilet and then moored up for the day.  Lit the fire and felt much happier as we warmed up.  We are moored just in front of a boat selling canal ware and I have bought a small shovel for £3 to replace the plastic beach spade that got lost.  The forecast for Friday is for rain so we may not move.

Got up early Friday morning leaving Graham in bed, and took the dogs for a long walk along the towpath.  A lovely morning, bit damp but warm.  Fed the dogs when I got back and found a frog sitting in the front deck, not sure how it got in, but when I went out to move it, it had disappeared.  Not sure if it is still on the boat or has left.  Later found two more sitting in the bottom of the tyres that we use for fenders.  As it is a better day than the forecast suggested we have decided to move on and get to the top of Lapworth Flight today.  Graham had to reverse into the first lock and then turn the boat before continuing up the flight.

Saw a pair of swans nesting in one of the lower pounds.  I just hope that there is less rain this year so that the waterbirds nests don't get flooded out like last year.

Leaving the mooring

Reversing into the lock

Barrel roofed cottage, a feature of the Stratford Canal

The split bridge is designed to allow the tow rope through on a  horse drawn boat

Passing in one of the pounds