Knowle Locks, Kingswood Junction & Lowsonford Village Show

Wednesday 31 July - Moored just after footbridge no 72a and a short walk over the bridge takes you to the centre of Knowle. What a great place it is, plenty of restaurants, independent shops, cafes, bars and a  Tesco where we stocked up on provisions. 

Knowle (Church 1402)

Thursday 1 August - had a short cruise through to Knowle Locks.  At the top of the locks there are CRT facilities   There are five locks in total.  These were updated in the 1930's from narrow locks to broad locks. They give a taste of what to expect at the ever looming Hatton 21 Lock flight!

Approaching Knowle Locks (Stephen Goldsbrough Boats)

The locks are in good working order and we descended quickly. We were on our own but it quickly became apparent that working just one set of paddles is just fine.

Friday 2 August -  Left our overnight moorings at bridge 68 and after a short cruise arrived at Kingswood Junction where the Stratford on Avon Canal meets with the Grand Union.

Kingswood Junction

 We had a lovely walk on the Stratford on Avon Canal to the bottom of Lapworth Locks and had a cuppa and a cake at the Canal Shop/cafe (great friendly place and good prices). The famous Hatton 21 Locks are now even nearer and so narrow boaters start looking around for a suitable partner! Look - too many kids, no - they look too old. He looks to be single handed. She's good looking, what about her!?

 
Saturday 3 August - A 6 mile circular walk from Bridge 62, Rowington took us to a lovely small village called Lowsonford where they were holding their 73rd Annual Village Show at the Fleur de Lys pub just next to the Stratford and Avon Canal.

Marquee with arts, cakes and flower displays - Lowsonford Village Show

 It was really good, with several events on including a marquee filled with displays and exhibits of flowers, cakes, art etc and also a great band 'Acorn Antiques' who were terrific and kept everybody entertained, donating to Acorns - a children's hospice.  A great afternoon.

Fleur de Lys pub - Lowsonford Village Show 

When we returned to Coventina we moved up further towards the Hatton flight, mooring at bridge 58 after Shrewley Tunnel for an early start.