A different alarm wake up this morning, with boats heading down the flight a bit too quickly and us bouncing off the side. First boat at 6.25, and then another one ten mins later – that second boat must be gutted to be following the other.

One lock and then a quick water stop with this tap more than the previous trickles. Four tunnels today, first two I steered and no boats (yey!), Toby steered in the third one with was quite long and took 40 mins, we didn’t mind as it was lovely to be in the cool and shade.

The last tunnel didn’t go so well. We entered the tunnel as we have the others, and the boat coming the other way beeps his horn and starts shouting. I go up to the bow and ask if they’re a widebeam (silly really as it’s narrow locks, just not too familiar with the canal here). He states it’s one way and we’re in the wrong, we state it’s two way traffic, he’s adamant and won’t move.  So Toby did an awesome job reversing out, as did the boat behind us who had just entered the lock. The sign by the entrance had a lot of graffiti on, and I read the instructions when we were back out stating one way, what I hadn’t realised is that referred to non-powered traffic. I apologised and off he went, Toby then pointed out we were in the right, I’m kicking myself as he’s gone off thinking he was in the right. I can only hope he’s doing the Avon Ring like us, and had another three tunnels to follow – let’s hope there were LOTS of boats coming the other way!

Lots of opportunities to see Heron’s today, we must have seen half a dozen – or was it the same one?

One electric swing bridge, and the power to stop the traffic. Slightly delayed with a boat just finishing the swing bridge and their key stuck, they’s set the swing bridge going a couple of times trying to get it out. I walked up and said could I have a go, I turned the key and out it came!

Finally moored up at 4.15, we’ve got a nice shady spot.