March 23rd 2016. Many a lock and Anthony Gormley.

We worked our way towards Stratford. Its slow progress; 14 locks in just 3 miles (all but one against us). However, the countryside is nice and, apart from the hire boat following us, we only met one other boat on the move and just a handful of walkers and cyclists. Standing around at locks gives ample opportunity for watching the many sheep and lambs in the fields around.

 

Some of the locks have bridges, a particular design with a gap across the middle for the horse's rope when the canal was first built. It does bring home yet again how old this technology is!  

A bridge with a gap for the rope to pass through - to save having to untie it each time the towpath changes sides.

At lock 31, Lowonsford, is an Anthony Gormley statue, standing looking down into the lock.

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We moored a little way beyond the last lock. Tomorrow, the first few miles will be virtually lock free (ah! lovely!) before another long flight on the way into Stratford itself.