Getting Soaked on the Hatton Flight

As I said in the previous blog, Rachael's cousin mentioned he would like to come down and visit us for a few days, we thought Stratford would be a great place to meet. We didn't leave ourselves a lot of flexibility with the weather and so when we got to the first lock on the Hatton Flight near Warwick we thought we'd be fine, right until we cruised into the second lock. First some light rain but that didn't last long before giving way to consistent heavy rain for most of the way.

Enjoying the wet trip up the flight of locks with us was Nigel, Pat and Mike on NB Grey Ghost. Rachael spent most of her time on the boat and learnt a few new tricks operating with two boats in broad locks.

Not far to go and the sun finally came out.

Looking back down the hill, note the mechanical screw (worm drive) paddle gear.

Always a good sight coming up the flight is the cafe next to the top lock. The food smells coming out of there were fantastic.
 

Once we were moored up, showered and changed it was time for a late lunch at the Hatton Arms Hotel with the Grey Ghost crew. I guess you would call the Hatton Arms a gastro pub.

Just a little exhibit that CRT have set up in the park near the top of the flight demonstrating the progression of canal building. This is an old piling boat and in front, the old wooden pilings driven in by a steam driven ram.