Said goodbye to Dave and Pauline after lunch in the Barge Inn at Seend Cleeve. Travelled through Semington, took on diesel at Hilperton and moored at Bradford on Avon. Walked into the medieval town centre to see the Saxon church, Tithe Barn and the 14th century bridge with a chapel on it.
Bradford Lock
16th Century building, now a Victorian tea room
The Shambles, Bradford on Avon
Cotton Mill
14th century Bridge
Inside and outside views of the 14th century Tithe Barn
Woke up to blue skies and sunshine for our epic lock day. Only 29 down hill locks to do today. Thanks to additional crew Dave & Pauline we managed to complete them in 3 hrs 38 mins. Which left us plenty of time for bbq and drinks to finish the day off nicely.
Proof that I do help with locks and not glued to the tiller (as some people think)
Half way down, Dave & Pauline have a well earned tea break
Not that we have time to chat !!!!
Looking back, only 7 more to go.
Last lock on the flight
Friends Dave and Pauline arrived at Pewsey, one to celebrate Ian’s birthday, but the main reason being to help us through Caen Hill flight. Had a lovely rural cruise to Devises with views of the white horses on the hillside.
Outside the Kennet & Avon Trust/museum
Caen Hill flight, looking down
Caen Hill flight, looking up
After a pleasant stay in Hungerford, we finally got on our way again. Passing through Hungerford Marsh lock, which was another first for us, as it had a swing bridge over the lock chamber. We did plan on mooring at Great Bedwyn, but difficulties still continue as moorings were all full and nowhere else in between before the next place along, being Crofton. Unfortunately it meant another 4 locks, which were additional to the previous 10 that day. Good moorings though opposite the pumping station, which we will have to visit on the way back. From Crofton we then climbed to the summit of the canal, through Bruce tunnel, all locks from here are now down hill. Moored at Pewsey after completing 10 locks today.
Cobblers Lock
Part of the offending tree which caused the hold ups
Reaching the summit, 450 ft above sea level
Approaching Bruce tunnel, 502 yds long
Inside Bruce tunnel
Due to a rainy start we waited until after lunch before setting off to Kintbury, mooring there for the night. Set off next morning for Hungerford, slow going for a short way, dodging home made boats out for the bank holiday charity boat race from Hungerford to Newbury. Due to the lock closure at Hungerford we will be staying another night, as there has been a fallen oak tree which needs to be removed.
Horse drawn trip boat
Back into open countryside
Moored at Hungerford
Rog’s catch of the day
Looking back at Hungerford High Street
The locks are now coming thick and fast, 9 completed today in the short distance to Newbury. Although we do have help this weekend as Pip & Rog’s son and fiancée are staying over. We must be getting used to the river a little bit more, we still had strong currents and sluices to contend with and some tricky locks, but we handled them okay. From Newbury it is now canal, until we get to Bath.
Newbury Wharf
Through Newbury, approaching the lock against the very strong current
Waiting for the lock
Town Bridge,1770 – Griffins butchers, famous for Newbury sausages
The Kennet & Avon is certainly treating us to new experiences. The first being the turf sided locks, there are only 2 surviving out of the original 21. We also went through 2 scalloped locks and 6 electric bridges (5 swing and 1 lift). Our hearts were certainly beating fast getting into Woolhampton lock, the current runs very strong. The lock has to be set ready before opening the electric bridge, as you need a good hard run to get past the flow of the joining river, even then it was a bit hairy.
Sheffield scalloped Lock
Tyle Mill electric swing bridge
The Rowbarge, Woolhampton – circa 1730
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