Beware the Hanwell Flight - GU

Whato All,

June 24th

Our intention was to get up and lave early.  Well best laid plans and all
that. By the time we had breakfasted, I walked into Bretford for a wonder
and get some shopping, it was 11.30pm before we left in warm sunshine.
Brentford Basin is excellent for mooring, although it is under the Heathrow
flight plan and does get a bit noisy at times. Out of the basin we went and
our first lock for a long time was presented. Here we go again, heavy gates
and stiff paddles. The locks are fairly close together but not walk able, so
I decided to get the Di Blasi folding bike out and Wendy steered LT. All
went well and I cycled the towpath, dodging the showers as I went. 

We soon reached the Hanwell lock flight of 6 and the bottom one was already
empty so I opened the gate ready for Wendy to bring LT straight in. We had
walkie talkie communication so she was aware of the situation. I went onto
the next lock and made that ready too. LT arrived and up she came without
problem. Lock number 3 had volunteers working on it. They were painting. I
lifted the very, very heavy paddles as this lock was full and needed
emptying. At this point the rain came down, monsoon time and everyone ran
for cover, including me. I could see LT in the lock below, seemed sensible
to stay put under the tree for the time being. After a few minutes the rain
eased. During the downpour, I had stepped back and got the bottom of my
jeans covered in paint, a pot and brush had been left against the wall,
which I had not seen. I had overheard them saying the paint was water based,
so got on the bike and rode back to LT. I stood the bike, on it's stand, on
the towpath, next to LT and went inside to change my jeans and put the
painted ones in water.