Prairie Adventure : Fradley Junction to Handsacre

Monday 2nd July

Another scorcher! 😎
We didn't have an early start today, John walked Dex to fetch the car and parked it further along and then walked back to the boat. We had a swing bridge and 3 locks to do today so made sense to be together when we set off. My turn to be lock keeper today!
Dex and I soon reached the swing bridge which thankfully was very easy to open.

At the first lock another boat was coming down. It was an elderly man on his own. I admired the floral displays on his roof, a lot of work keeping watered in this weather!

Locks are quite tricky when you're travelling alone as you have to leave the boat via the centre ladder to operate the gates and paddles and this can be quite slippery.

John had been waiting further back for this boat to pass. When he got in the lock I closed one gate then went round to close the other. I had just arrived around the other side when the closed gate swung open again on it's own. Very annoying. Went back round and the second gate swung open. I wasn't up for playing this game in the heat so had to open one paddle a little which helped keep them closed with the water pressure.

At the second lock there were a few people already helping with the gates as 2 boats were queueing to come down. As John tried to get in the lock he got stuck as the gate wouldn't open fully as there was a piece of wood jammed behind it. He had to reverse back and I went down and lifted the fenders out to make more room. In the meantime one of the ladies had got a boat hook and removed the wood. Most people are really helpful and do everything possible to assist you.

After that we went through without any problems.

This next part of the journey was lovely and shady which was a pleasant relief from the heat.

This looked like an idyllic mooring spot.

The last lock of the day. Such a pretty spot.

Dex managed to find a shady place to wait.

The gates at this lock were really unusual as because the lock was so close to the bridge they had to be angled rather than straight. It made them harder to open.

On our way again and we passed a dredger.

I liked this boat called Ali's dream.

We passed this very cute marina which was up for sale. When John was walking back earlier he met a young couple who were hoping to buy it and run it as a business. Hopefully they can make it a success!