Whoever knew the Hatton Flight could be enjoyable?

Reader,  the last two posts have got themselves around the wrong way, nothing to do with me you understand.....

We had a nice day in Leamington Spa, a bit of loitering, relaxing and taking Amanda out to lunch at Bills as a bit of a thank you for her sterling efforts coming down the Stockton Flight and to encourage her for what's coming tomorrow... 
After we had shopped at the canal side Lidil and in the late afternoon and done the last two locks, we moored up outside the Cape of Good Hope, about another 90 mins from the centre of town.  We didn't go into the pub this trip but from the reviews online rather wished we had.
Amanda's delightful husband arrived late in the evening.

Lunch in Bills was a vegetarian mezze and calamari for starters then a Halloumi berger with tomato hummus  salad and chips.  Way way to stuffed for sticky toffee pudding, phew.



So the next morning there was a small amount of the game we play, hot car shuffle,three cars in the equation today!  

Then when all players were back in position, untied the ropes and off we go.  Amanda and I to the kitchen to cook egg & bacon for the rolls for energy.  As we did so the heavens opened and down the unforecasted rain came.  Then it stopped and David nipped out with his windlass to secure the first lock in the Hatton Flight, this was in case two boats appeared from behind us and nabbed the empty lock.  I followed him out, roll in hand munching and went to the next lock to prep it.  
This pattern continued, most locks were actually full.  I lost sight of WaL but carried on, I got pretty lonely......

On my own I took this snap of the flight, this is one of the few places to get a good shot as the locks are spread out initially from the bottom up.

At about half way, the Lockies had asked WaL to wait for a boat coming up behind us, I came back to the boat while we did so, the two men were a bit fed up as the second boat was further back than they had suggested, BUT RESULT, it was a male only boat with five strong young men.  They flew about in all directions and whizzed paddles up and down like a Whore's Drawers if that isn't too un PC to use today?

My David in red working hard, he loves doing locks but gets little opportunity.

Doing that keep together thing, Amanda having a well earned rest on board.

WaL with NB Dovedale and super crew.

Lots of spectators but very few boats

Modern art in a pond at the cafe.

Today's pretties, I have no idea what it is.

Me, good angle by Amanda

Took ages queuing for ice-creams then it poured and this man put up a brolly, without invitation I took cover, last lock.

After a short recovery period we walked down and sat in the sun....

Our mooring for the night.

The young guys were excellent, their boat is moored at Kingswood Junction which means that they have been up and down this flight many times.  I think I would change moorings but that's just me.  

An excellent day, the sun shone for the most of it and I enjoyed my day tremendously, thank you to the Fine Company.

Supper was a chilli, with guacamole, sour cream and grated cheese and cheesecake with blueberries and raspberries to follow.

Sadly after supper the Fine Company departed, that is David taking his wife away with him.  
Until next time then Bestie....