Now that we are well out of the main cruising season, there are more stoppages on the waterways. The Canal and River Trust announce the winter works program well in advance so we have a chance to plan our routes and timings. Yesterday’s plan was modified to avoid works a mile or two further down the canal. An electrically operated swing bridge is being removed for repairs so there were delays for boaters during the preparatory work. Today the navigation was closed to allow the bridge to be lifted out completely.
We walked down the towpath in the morning as I was curious to see what was happening. As we approached we could see the boom of a large mobile crane, but no obvious activity.
By the time we reached the site, it was clear that we had missed all the action. The bridge deck was sitting on a lorry nearby with workers adjusting chains to hold it down. The canal was clear of obstructions and probably safe to use. There is a fixed footbridge over the canal at this point too. I spoke to the worker who was standing on it who said things had gone very well. I hadn’t anticipated any trouble passing here in the next day or two, but it was good to get that confirmed.
We walked back along the towpath and over another footbridge. I had found a different route back taking in Sutton Reservoir, part of the water supply for the canal. I was surprised at how low the water level was in the reservoir. After recent flooding events and poorer weather in the last few weeks I was expecting it to be quite full. A small group of hardy women clearly believed there was still enough water, they had obviously just been for a swim – rather them than me!
By the time we got back to the boat we were both ready for lunch. There were signs on the towpath advertising the beer and home cooked food at a nearby pub. We went to investigate and were soon sitting down to a Sunday roast each. The food was very good (and plentiful). Returning the long way back through the village of Sutton wasn’t enough to walk off the entire meal.