9-11 March. High and low water.

We realised that our walk was definitely off when we woke to water up to the top of the bank. Robin was adjusting ropes in the early hours. When he and Scooby went for their morning walk they saw this empty boat tied tightly by its centre rope and leaning dangerously. Robin loosened the rope and got it back upright again.

You can see the water is almost level with the top of the bank. 

And the towpath is one long puddle!

Back upright again.

By the next day they must have opened a sluice somewhere because the water level had gone right down to much lower that usual. We decided to stay put until it all settled down a bit. We pottered about and explored as much of the surrounding countryside as we could. It seemed like there was water everywhere and for a while a lot of the towpath was impassable. Everything got extremely muddy and we feel fortunate to have a washing machine on board.

 



One of the canal overflows which would normally be dry pouring water from the canal into nearby fields.

By Friday all looked well and the sun had come out, if hazily.

 

One of the many little hills around here, in the hazy morning sunshine.

We set off to turn around and head back to the junction which would take us towards Warwick.

The signpost to Warwick.

Looking back after the turn to the canal we have spend so much time on this winter.

As the day went on the sun got stronger and by the time we got to Calcutt marina to fill up with water our coats were off.

The first of the Calcutt locks. Back to double width now (you can see the old single one next to it that was replaced
when the canal was widened in the 1930s) and the candlestick mechanisms.

We easily got through the 3 locks, just working one side to save Jo crossing the high gates, and moored a little further on in a sunny spot.

 

 

Harold moored. With the birdfeeders up and the daffodils out, he looks very homely :)

Robin got his paddleboard out and discovered the challenges of staying aboard when a boat comes past creating and interesting wash....

 

We'll continue on tomorrow towards the Stockton locks which should be opened by the end of today after their 3 month closure.