Tardebigge Flight and some musings

Passing another boat on the Tardebigge flight

Today was the big one. We did the 30 locks in the Tardebigge flight, the longest in the country, in 4 hours this morning - more than 7 locks/hour which is really hard work. Despite its length the Tardebigge is easier than many flights in that all the locks operate smoothly and are closely and regularly spaced so that Denise could walk to the next lock and prepare it whilst the boat was descending in the current lock. This saved much time as most of the locks required filling before Densie could enter.

The pub at the bottom of the locks

Luckily (or sensibly) there is a pub, the Queens Head Inn, just after the last lock and so we were really ready for a lunch time drink or two, not something we normally do. I can report the local small brewery beer was superb. After the pub and lunch on board we decided to stay put for the rest of the day. There are another 27 locks or so until Worcester but these can wait another til tomorrow.

On the new alternator front (see yesterday), our domestic batteries which power the fridge, lighting, radio, water pump and toilet were fully charged in 2/3 the time it took previously. This could mean a saving of an hour a day running the engine. The reduction in noise, vibration and hassle certainly justifies the cost of the replacement.

Most people have never heard of Tardebigge, a small Worcestershire village not far from Birmingham. This applies to many other locations, for example Braunston, Stoke Bruerne and Napton which are renowned in the world of the canals but virtually unknown beyond. Conversely much of the "real world" is unavailable to boaters. Being on the canals for an extended period is almost like going through the back of the wardrobe into Narnia. The places, the rules of behaviour, and the important things in life are all different.