Semington to Devises

Left Semington to wait for our visitors Lisa and Jonathan at Seend Cleeve. Cruised a little further along to Sells Green, where we moored for the night and visited the Three Magpies for dinner. Time to rest before a short distance to the start of Caen Hill locks. We certainly appreciated our additional crew as the return journey of 29 locks were all uphill and the weather was very hot, it took 5 1/2 hours to complete them. Lisa and Jonathan left us in Devises as they were going to visit Bath. We stayed an extra day to visit Devises and the Wadworth Brewery.

Leaving Semington, a new aqueduct built in 2006 over the A350

Lisa and Jonathan with windlasses ready

Serenity and Windsong heading back up the flight

 

  The Wadworth Dray and Shire Horses

Wadworth Brewery

Hilperton to Semington

Engine fully serviced at the Boatyard, Hilperton. Victoria and Spencer made us very welcome and can be highly recommended for anyone who requires any boat services. Moored at Semington, where we have had the hottest day yet, and another bbq.

Couldn’t ask for a better back garden.

Semington Lock

Nor a better front garden

Return journey to Reading

Only going to have a few pictures on the return journey, most were covered on the way. Although we are trying to stop at a few different places. The first being Bathampton where we visited the George Inn, a very old pub predating the canal. As the weather was still glorious we couldn’t resist mooring at Dundas again for a bbq. The bank holiday weekend was upon us, we thought it might be busy so we holed up at Bradford on Avon. Unfortunately the weather changed, typical rain for a bank holiday. Leaving later today for Hilperton, where we are booked in for an engine service Tuesday morning at the Boat Yard.

The George Inn, Bathampton

Bath

After an exhausting day in the scorching heat, time for a cold drink and rest before we went out for our evening meal. Where we found a very nice authentic Italian restaurant called Vitos finishing the day off watching the second half of the England game in the pub garden on the way back to the boat.

Pulteney Bridge at night

Time to leave

Bath

We spent the morning visiting the Thermae Bath Spa, it is a combination of the old and the new, bathing in naturally warm, mineral rich waters. The open air rooftop pool gives spectacular views over the city of Bath and the surrounding hills. There was also the thermal Minerva Bath, with grand columns and flowing curves and the steam rooms all adding to a very enjoyable visit.

Thermal Spa

In the afternoon we visited the Roman Baths. The remains of one of the finest spas of the ancient world and ruins of the temple of Minerva. Where people bathed nearly 2000 years ago.

 

Claire and Jason

  Then strolling around Bath we took pictures of the Abbey, The Circus and the Royal Crescent.

Bath Abbey

The Circus

The Royal Crescent

Hanham Lock to Bath

Left the mooring at Hanham Lock in beautiful sunshine to get to Bath to meet Claire and Jason, who were visiting for a few days. The moorings at Pulteney Bridge couldn’t have been better and was well worth spending £16 for two nights as they were so central for visiting Bath and all the tourist haunts.

Preparing to leave moorings, looks like another scorcher of a day

Heading towards Bath

Moorings at Pulteney Bridge, Bath

 

Serenity and Windsong moored at Pulteney Bridge. What a fantastic view.

Bristol to Hanham Lock

Seemed a shame to have to leave Bristol, but we are now on our return journey of the K & A.

  Netham Lock, leaving Bristol – waved goodbye to the very helpful lock-keeper

Hanham lock – No.1 – only another 106 back to Reading

 

Moorings, but which pub to choose, The Old Lock & Weir or The Chequers? May have to try both

Thatchers ‘slush’ cider, going down nicely – empty glasses, time for a refill.