Another sunny day in prospect and no ice for a change. Shortly after leaving our mooring we passed a line of moored boats in a popular overnight spot and then after, the construction site for HS2 which will have to cross the canal in due course. To the south east a cutting through the hillside is being excavated and a massive spoil heap being built up. No real sign of the final line although it does run very close to a 180 degree turn in the canal before ultimately crossing it on a viaduct near Willison’s Bridge. No sign of that work yet. Eventually we reached Marston Doles and were pleased to find no queue. This was an illusion. We dropped down in the top lock only to find no water below. An investigation revealed one boat badly listing and another stuck trying to get into the lock below. A CRT team was shortly on hand and some water let down to get the boats moving, however the real problem was revealed as a broken ground paddle in Lock 15. When the lock was drained the flow through the broken paddle culvert created “suction” at the rear of the boat making exit possible only with rope assistance. We were the last through and the lock is now out of use indefinitely until repair work assessed and completed. Quite a big job I suspect. We have stopped for the night just after Wigram’s Turn. It will be the remains of last night casserole and a Cabernet Sauvignon. (Poor signal here:photos to follow)
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