Lownsford to the Grand Union

This cottage, in Lowsonford, was built in 1812 for the worker who maintained that stretch of canal.  It is one of 200 properties renovated by the Landmark Trust, a charity that restores at-risk buildings and lets them out for holidays.

The 2 metre high statue by "Angel of the North"( also did the Iron Men on Crosby beach) sculptor Anthony Gormley is one of 5 installed for 12 months around the U.K. in a new work called Land.The sculptures are being made to mark the 50th anniversary of the Landmark Trust.

The artist said he deliberately chose locations "on the edge" and where "a particular human body once stood and anyone could stand"  He said that being positioned next to the lengthmans cottage, the sculpture would "look down at the water in the lock and consider the use of water for transport"

Hmmmmmm......

Evidence of the National Trusts original restoration  project.

Today it is in the custody of Canal and River Trust.

Can only assume that this is likely to turn into something..

like this... 

Woods border the canal, birdsong fill the air and the scent of wildflowers intoxicating.

Lining up for one of of the days 9 locks.

Kingswood Junction and time for us to say goodbye to the Stratford and take the connecting arm onto the Grand Union.

The narrowest turn.....

and short in length.

Its Warwick for us.

Two old working boats in desperate need of rescuing.

Approaching Shrewley Tunnel

Here the canal builders were forced to tunnel beneath the village, and in doing so provided a bore wide enough for oncoming narrowboats to pass inside.  There was, however, no room for a towpath, so the boat horses were led over the hilltop and across the village street, passing through their own short tunnel in the process.

The towpath tunnel

Inside the boat tunnel.

Moored above Hatton flight -  21 locks, spread over just 2 miles and have a combined rise of almost 150 feet.
Now as it is forecast to rain all day Sunday we are keeping that challenge for Monday........

7 miles 9 locks - 35 locks in total since leaving Stratford last Monday.