Hatton's "Stairway to Heaven" went by in a "flash"

Wednesday, 04 January 2012 17:24

Finally we got to the much anticipated "Stairway to Heaven" that is the Hatton Lock flight on the Grand Union Canal. Apparently it is given the nickname as the old boaters were so relieved to get to the top of the lock flight that it was like getting to heaven. So we hoped a good feeling and maybe an angel or two once we got to the top!

Hatton Bottom Lock is beyond the large A46 Bridge

We certainly had an angel with us as Carolyn crewed for us and lock wheeled with John very effectively ......

It was a perfect day for locking up such a famous flight; it was Jan 2nd and looked like summer! I was on the tiller and a little breeze occasionally made an appearance, but not enough to trouble me too much. So here is our Hatton story in pictures - 

In Hatton bottom lock - BW warn of an £120 release fee to open the car park here after 4pm

Above the lock were BW work boats ready for the work on lock 27 as from the 4th January. We noted the absence of stoppage notices on the flight - nothing at the bottom lock or the top lock. Oops.

There were definitely no stoppage notices at Lock 27

The pounds between these lower locks are a bit longer than further up. One or two were a little low but I dredged them for BW!

I waited below Lock 29

Another long pound after Lock 29

There are three bridges across the flight, the first one above Lock 31 is dubbed "Ugly Bridge". Someone has tried to pretty it up as it is a bit ugly and carries a minor road of the same name.

Busy bee at Lock 31

From Lock 33 there is good view of the "stairway" as the locks get closer together

The last of the longer pounds

Hatton Lock House is below Lock 34. Here we encountered a large walking group. There were lots of walkers on the flight - many of them stopped to watch us at the locks and some even chatted happily. One couple said it was their favourite walk and seeing narrowboats come through made the walk even better - canals are for navigation, not just pretty walks!

From Lock 34 - a CRT collecting tin would not have gone amiss - but I am not volunteering!

Actually we are volunteers already - as are all boaters if they report problems as they navigate and promote the canals by using them. A bridge marks the middle of the flight - of course it is called Middle Lock Bridge (53), leading to Middle Lock Lane and a footpath towards the railway. Phew, we had reached the middle: only another 11 locks to go (Locks 36 to 46)!

Epiphany in Middle Lock 36 - the bridge is below the lock

More of the stairway from Lock 36

On we went - neither of the lock wheelers seemed to tire and apart from a banana each they asked for no sustenance! It was home made Cornish pasties for lunch once we got to our final destination and John L joined us.

The view down from Lock 41 was impressive - can you spot the church?

John was familiar with Lock 42, as he has been here for meetings with BW management. Beside the lock is BW's Hatton Yard and an impressive building.

BW Hatton offices beside Lock 42

The third bridge is number 54, carrying Canal Road to the yard. Above the bridge the canal became a hive of activity again as walkers and gongoozlers abounded. On a sunny day this must be a favourite outing as the four remaining locks are picturesque and there is a cafe and shop below the top lock. There were lots of families and John and Carolyn managed to engage some of the children and encourage them to help with opening and closing the gates.

Waiting for the top lock

I have mentioned the old narrow locks elsewhere on a blog and below the top lock is the remains of one of them. It has been well preserved and you can spot where the bottom gate was or it might even be the slots for the stop planks, I am not sure.

Old Lock wall. The top of the lock is now just a by-wash.

We had arrived! Not in Heaven, but we did have our angel

Our stats for the flight are very good and are mainly due to the efficient way the team worked! We only opened the paddles on the same side as Epiphany, and the two lock wheelers operated every other lock respectively. The flight stretches over 2 miles with 21 locks, It took us 2 hours 49 minutes. That is (once John had done the maths!), 6 minutes/lock and 8.7 lock miles/hour. Amazing, but true!

Those deserved Cornish pasties awaited us - but John L had to wait for his a bit longer, as we had a bit more cruising to do before we met up ......