Having stopped below the lock, we were now faced with 3 locks to get to to our next destination, the town of Sallins. Also, the first lock was a double. The cafe at the Lyons Estate opened at 9:30, so we planned an 8:00 start so we could get through the lock before going to breakfast. We roped the boats into the first chamber and began filling it. This was our first lock on our own, and we took it easy, letting it fill slowly.
Video: David Hoctor
Flyover of our boats
The dogs were out and running around while we worked. Dagny kept crossing the walkways to the other side of the canal, mostly because it sent Payton into fits of barking. I kept retrieving her, and she kept straying. Then, while we were filling the second lock, there was a splash, and we saw Dagny in the water above the lock! The surface was covered with weeds that had been recently mowed, and she was struggling to swim. Payton immediately jumped in to help her, and just as quickly realized that it was a mistake. I fished him out and finally managed to get Dagny out as well. I ended up soaked, but at least Dagny stuck closer after that.
By 9:30 we were above the lock and ready for a bite to eat. Andrea was napping, so I stayed aboard while Sarah joined David and Lisa at the cafe. When the baby woke, I bundled him up and joined the others. I found them eating and drinking mimosas. Not a bad reward for the morning's work. After a walk around the lovely grounds and a game of chess on an oversized board, we headed out around 12:30.
There were fewer problems with overheating on this leg of the journey. We did stop fairly often to clear the water intake, but it wasn't bad. The two remaining locks turned out to be pretty easy to negotiate.
A Bridge On the Way to Sallins
The Former Lock-Keeper's Cottage at Lock 14
Payton Relaxes on Deck as We Cruise
When we arrived in Sallins it was pouring rain. The canal is parked up on both sides in the town, and we were pressed for a space to tie up. Since we are a bit deeper than typical canal boats, we were worried about getting close enough to a soft bank. We decided to tie up in the turn around area until the rain eased. Shortly afterward a nice young man named Derek stopped by to let us know that we were in the turning circle. He offered to help me move the boat, so in the pouring rain, he grabbed the bow line and climbed onto the boat in front of us. Together we walked the boat up to a free spot on the soft bank.
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