After a couple of days in London I am back on Hallamrk for a good stretch till bank holiday........ five days in all.
On my way along the canal from the bus I stopped at Cropredy General Stores for some provisons.
Better than carrying them from London!
The Cheese Boat was moored by Bridge 153.
I resisted getting any of their specials... especially the chutney.
I arrived back at Hallmark in heavy rain.
It looked set for the rest of the day.
Inside it was heavy on the roof. It poured and poured.
I had wanted to do just three locks (Broadmoor, Varney's and Ekington) today.
My plan was then to tackle the Claydon Five and on to Fenny Compton the next day.
With the constant rain the afternoon run at three locks did not look hopeful.
The suddenly the rain stopped the clouds cleared and the sky went blue. The sun was shining.
Hallmark was off .............no stoping.
The boats above are owned by Ian Staples, the artist with a studio at Broadmoor Lock
The three locks were soon done and encouraged by the change in the weather I decided to press on up the Claydon locks.
As I finished the first there was thunder and lightening and down came the rain.
There was no stopping now!
I quickly got on my wet weather gear and pressed on.
At times the rain was torrential and the sky so threatening.
There was even thunder!
Despite the weather the flight was soon finished.
It is further from the Claydon Top Lock to Fenny than I remember.
It is a good hour and a half and no locks
At times the canal is very very narrow.
This is because there is a long straight narrow section which was Fenny Tunnel but disappear years ago when it collasped and they took the top off.
I am not sure what you do if you met a boat coming the other way.
I passed Feeny Marina on the way in.
It was closed of course at gone 7.00pm. Diesel was a pretty good price. Am I going to regret getting some!.
After putting on the dry and warm clothes I went down The Wharf Inn for supper.
A great chillie
Back at the boat I lit the woodburning stove which was initially difficult as the kindling had got soaked in the storm.
Soon got very hot and the damp clothes were soon dry.
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