Bottom of Wilmcote Flight of Locks to Bancroft Basin (Stratford Canal)

Saturday 6th June

We decided to start off early today, 8.20am! We wanted to get into Stratford in the morning so that hopefully we get a space in the basin.  We needed to get water, so we set off first under the bridge and the water point was there.  We filled up with water.  Pat and Patrick came past and went on to the first lock.  We followed shortly after.  

Working down locks to Stratford

Through the first lock, then on down the canal, past the hire boat yard where there is services but all their hire boats were blocking it, so impossible to get in, good job we didn’t need to use it!

Last lock before Stratford, Nearly There!

Along there, then there are three locks down into Stratford.  The second lock has an unusual gate on the lock beam and the gate is extremely heavy, but I was very lucky in that a CRT guy came up to the lock to clear out the gulleys and he did the lock for me, how good was that!  I told him we were coming back up in a few days times and perhaps he could meet us there, he just laughed!!

On down through the last lock and under a really low bridge, just got under, under one more bridge and then we were in Bancroft basin.  There were lots of moorings, so we moored by Pat and Patrick.

Coming into Bancroft Basin

Stratford Upon Avon

My sister Helen bought us a Gourmet Society Dining Card for Christmas which gives us money off and deals in various pubs and restaurants.  There is a place by the river called The View, it is a Fish and Chip Restaurant and with the card you got 50% off food, so we all decided to go there for lunch.

It was really good, Patrick, me and Kev had fish and chips and Pat had fish pie, really good value.  Suitably full, we wandered back to the boats, then Kev and I had a wander around the town.  It was very busy with lots of tourists. It was a lovely sunny afternoon and evening, windy though.  We are staying here until Monday or Tuesday, not decided yet.

Moored in Bancroft Basin with Diligent Too