The Witham Navigable Drains

West Fen Catchwater Drain
Things started off well - wide and weed free. Here's bridge number 1:-

The local wildlife was clearly not used to intrusions by powered craft and we startled a few nesting birds so we slowed right down and kept to the middle. Our first major obstacle was the footbridge at Stickney Grange. This bridge nearly broke off the mount for our Viewmax aerial. We backed up and removed the mount - we made it under the bridge with an inch to spare!

With Hagnaby Lock in sight, we hit heavy weed growth, both floating and submerged. However, we were now on a mission and we weren't about to let a bit of weed stop us. Finally, when we were having to clear the prop every 10 yards or so, we gave up and took to bow hauling and using the pole. Fortunately, we didn't QUITE have to resort to African Queen tactics (I didn't fancy the leeches), and we arrived at the lock and, as the chamber was fairly weed free, went through under power. In this picture, taken on the return trip, Angie is at the pointy end with the pole - just in case!

In the chamber of Hagnaby Lock - West Fen Catchwater Drain

We made it!!

In the foreground, the overgrown chamber of Hagnaby Lock. Little Mo is tied up at the gauging station and, in the background, are the Lincolnshire Wolds.

Incidentally, in case anyone is wondering, Hagnaby Lock is no longer in use because the levels of the drains have been changed and there is now clear passage on the level. It is possible to progress a little further, though a recce by car revealed a scour at Sheriff's Farm which would slow things down a bit. Even if you were to get the spade out, you would not be able to reach Revesby Bridge because of a fixed sluice about half a mile before it.

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