Grand Union:Blue Lias

Pat returns home today.  Just the Cape Locks to do first and a short cruise to Leamington Spa for Pat and Alfie to get the train home.  Baby sitting duties call!  There were plenty of moorings on rings at Leamington just after the road bridge leading nearest to the station.    Once they were ticketed and waiting for the train I walked on to the Co-op store through the alley at the end of the moorings.   Then off on the final part of our 2014 cruise to our new moorings at Brinklow.   At Radford bottom lock I came up behind a boat just about to exit the lock going up.   I delayed by checking the weed hatch and took my time, but on reaching the lower Fosse Lock they were in the lock and offering to wait at the next lock.   The skipper kindly raised the offside paddle before I was secured causing Nuggler to go all over the place.    They were indeed waiting at the middle lock and we continued together until Wood Lock where a singleton was waiting and I dropped behind to be joined by a short narrowboat which worked out quite well.    It had been solid blue skies all morning and feeling the need to quench my thirst I stopped at The "Two Boats" for lunch and a pint and then moved on my own to the Blue Lias for the night (and another pint.   Thirsty work!)    At the last lock a family of swans moved in before I could get out and shut the gate.    Not a good idea to leave them in the lock, but a slice of bread did the trick and they all motored out leaving me to shut the gate, whereupon the other gate opened.    Did the swans know something I didn't?