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Judith's and John's Lunch Run
The run today started from a lay-by that is known in the section
as Les's lay-by. The late Les Ravenhill lived nearby and was well known to
many section members. Two of the bikes that Les owned are still seen at
Coventry Section meetings and by chance Lance Ravenhill (son of Les) was riding
by on his Suzuki and pulled in to say hello.
John and Judith in the BSA three-wheeler led nine bikes to the coffee stop at
Hatton Locks. The flight of twenty one locks is an impressive sight.
This stretch of canal was originally opened in 1799 when it would have been busy
carrying coal and Black Country wares. The locks were upgraded in the
1930's and made 14 feet wide so that they could take two narrow boats at a time.
We parked our vehicles and walked up the flight of locks to the café at the
top. Blessed by warm sunshine we took our refreshments outside and were
able to watch two narrow boats going through the locks. We used the
drop-off system for the next part of the run passing through a busy Charlecote
on our way to the village of Newbold on Stour. Newbold, a quiet village
with many original buildings in honey gold Cotswold limestone, has two
pubs. We ate in the Bird in Hand where I enjoyed a refreshing pint of Hook
Norton Harvest Ale while we waited for our meals.
We made our separate ways home, Gloria and I going to Halford first where we
picked up the Fosse Way. The conditions were perfect for riding and we
ambled along at a comfortable pace towards Hinckley and home.
Riding your motor-cycle in pleasant surroundings and spending time with like
minded individuals is a simple and satisfying recipe for for a good day out. Thanks
to Judith and John for cooking another another helping of fun and entertainment.
Eddy.
Lance Ravenhill talking to some of the group.
Two narrow boats exit the top lock.
The two boats entering the second lock.
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This photograph is taken looking down
towards the bottom of the flight of locks. The two barges are sitting snugly
in the second lock with the lock gates closed behind them ready for the
water to be let out. In the bottom right hand corner of the picture you
can just see a hand on the rope ready to let out some slack as the boats
gradually sink lower into the lock. A slow process with the water
and gravity doing most of the work. |
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Coffee time.
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