Hatton Locks

Today’s the day ........................ to go up

What goes down in the canal world, generally ends up having to come up and the climb out of the Avon Valley, after yesterday’s gentle descent, began today with the two Cape Locks.  Here, the Cape of Good Hope pub serves a locally-brewed ale called Two Locks.

A pint or two of that will be necessary to fortify you for the next set of locks – the Hatton Locks – the first sight of which are intimidating to put it mildly.  As Michael Pearson puts it in his very entertaining ‘Canal Companion’ - In the central, most concentrated section, it has the look of an aquatic ski slope, an appearance emphasised by the slalom-like verticals of the encased paddle mechanisms.

There’s nothing for it but to take courage in both hands and get on with it ......................