Whether the weather will or whether it won't

Sunday, 11 September 2011 10:21

Ha - those forecasters got it wrong again! But, just in case, I took this proof of blue sky this morning!

Leaving our mooring

So how far down the Stort Navigation would we get before it rained ......?

I remembered the low bridge at Spellbrook Lock that we had managed to get under on the way up; had the river levels changed at all?

Spellbrook Lock and bridge

Maybe it had dropped a little - we had enough room 

We really enjoyed our cruise today - this part of the Stort is lovely. It feels like a river, the locks were set for us and there was only a teazy breeze. We met a narrowboat coming up at Tednambury Lock, one from Bingley we had seen before on the Lee.

Tednambury Lock ahead

It was tempting to moor above the lock, as there is room before the lock landing and it is a pleasant view across to Little Hallingbury Mill. However we carried on towards Sawbridgeworth.

Sawbridgeworth Lock

Those cottages may have been converted form the maltings that were here. (I mentioned them on the way up). If you have a look at this photo and then compare the buildings in the next two of mine you can see what I mean. The chimney has gone, but the brickwork and gable end on the downstream buildings look similar.

Possible old maltings

Looking upstream at the cottages

Sheering Mill Lock was set for us - we noticed that the "private no mooring" section at the new development is called "Lawrence Moorings" - how ironic.

"Private no mooring" and bollard

John became fascinated by the construction of Sheering Lock. Not only does it have electrically operated lower gates and paddles, but the way the water enters and leaves the lock is visible in the lock sides.

Arched water inlet

The brickwork is exemplary - the water flow enables boaters to use the water to control the boat in the lock, or could do if the paddles were opened slowly! Epiphany surged forward as John demonstrated the superfast paddle gear!

On the map an "Osier Bed" is marked and I guessed, rightly, that it was something to do with willow trees. It is a place where they are grown for basket making. So here is a photo of the one south of Sawbridgeworth.

Osier Bed

Arriving at the isolated Feakes Lock it was set against us. But above the lock landing was an ideal spot to moor. We were able to use our mooring hooks in the piling - no "rough mooring" today, but a very "civilised" one!

Moored above Feakes Lock

After a bit of fiddling we have a TV signal (Grand Prix practice today and the actual thing tomorrow) and if (ha ha) the wind and rain arrives we are fairly sheltered.  

The sun shone too this afternoon - summer is back, albeit briefly and I was almost tempted to get out the chairs and sit in our "garden". 

Stort Navigation, Matchstick Footbridge to Theakes Lock
2 hours 14 minutes, 3.94 miles, 4 locks