Knowle and Hatton

To Knowle today for a boat test. It was a lovely sunny day, and I was reminded what a nice stretch of canal this is. Knowle locks are very attractive, and when we made the journey at about this time last year, we were pleasantly surprised by the whole run into Birmingham Yet most people opt to use the North Stratford instead. In the few hours we were there, only three boats went by. It's a shame the northern end of the Grand Union isn't used more. It deserves to be.

We seemed to get this test done very efficiently, so I was already heading home by lunchtime. Consequently, I couldn't help but stop at the cafe at the Hatton Locks, as it was on my route. There were plenty of people about, but surprisingly few boats: just one going down, and one moored in a lock pound while the owners had lunch at a picnic table.