Tapster Valley Tour 39

In Leamington for a couple of days so out with Graham for a ride round.   Called round for him at 9 and decided to go to the Tapster Valley, near Lapworth, as we haven't been that way for a couple of years at least.

Another road closure!

Went out from Leamington towards Kenilworth and headed towards Lapworth through Leek Wootton and Chadwick End.  Good riding conditions apart from trying to cross the busy A452 Kenilworth Road.  Came across this closure on the road from Lowsonford to Lapworth. Water mains works but nothing there to impede us.

Ahoy there shipmates!

Heading back towards Warwick via Shrewdly, just had to call in at the cafe at Hatton Top Locks.  Tea and toast went down well as we sat outside in the sunshine.  There was a sudden influx of pirates around the place and it turned out two barges, making their way down the flight of 21 locks, had decided to have a theme day and dress up as pirates.  Fair play to them.  There wasn't a wooden leg or parrot between them which was disappointing.  Heading back to Tunbridge Wells, we wished them well.

Going past the cafe, the captain steers towards the second lock with the rest of the crew scurrying about making sure they were open for him.

Returned back to base via Warwick and Leamington with a total of 39 miles covered.