Tardebigge

We had a very relaxing day on Wednesday covering just 1 1/2 miles and 5 locks. It was an early night in preperation for the Tardebigge flight of locks. With 30 locks to cover it was going to be a very testing day.

    Carolyn in action.(only 29 to go)

 

All was going well until lock 32. I was at the front of the boat helping Carolyn do the lock paddles when she screamed "Hamish has fallen in the lock". I ran and jumped across the boat to find Hamish jammed between the lock wall and the boat. I pushed the boat with all my strength away from the wall and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and pulled him out.Apart from being very shaken he came out without a scratch on him. Both dogs are now secured in the boat or on a lead on all locks

 

             Hamish was wedged down this gap

 

 Hamish feeling a bit sorry for himself.

 

 

Carolyn on the tiller. Which means i did do a few locks

 

Nearly there, look at those muscles. Only one lock left. This is the old pump house in the back ground.

 

 

We did it in just over 4 hours

 

Just after the top lock there was a water point and refuge station so Carolyn filled the water tank while Gary did the waste.We then went through the Tardegigge and Shortwood tunnels arriving at Alvechurch at 4 o clock . Just after arriving a boat pulled in behind to moor. The man got off his boat and walked to the front of the boat. He stepped onto the bow to get his rope but as he did the front of the boat swung out .Not realising this he stepped back and SPLASH in he went. Did we laugh ?

In the evening we decided to eat out at at The crown in Alvechurch..What a disappointment, it was not good , bit of a shame as we don't eat out that often.

The guide book says that the Tardebigge locks represents a boater's rite of passage. so it was back to Inca and a couple of glasses to celebrate a very good and enjoyable days boating.