LOVE IT OR HATE IT.

And I mean the Kennet and Avon canal The jury is out at the moment as we have only been on it a couple of days, and only done 7 out of the 98 locks and one swing bridge. But up to now I am quite enjoying it.

First back to our final days on the Thames, Thursday, and we had an early bath as the Captain decided we were a little a head of schedule. We found a lovely place to moor and settled down for the afternoon.

Next day however turned out to be a rather long day, we wanted to get to Reading and do shopping there at the Tesco by the river. We had heard many horror stories of the mooring being full with boats that did not move, but we set off with hope in our heart.

We met up again with Old Badger whilst filling up with water, luckily there were 2 taps but they were extremely slow so it took ages. It gave me chance to chat to the crew off Badger, and I discovered their names were Pete and Julie, they hadn’t been together long and it was her first trip out on the boat and she was having a great time.

Both tanks full and we headed into the lock together. It was their last day on the river, they were heading home next day so they moored up to make the most of the lovely weather and we went on our way.

We passed NB Escapology who also write a blog and publish it on Facebook. According to their blog they hadn’t had the best of time on the K&A, but we knew we had to find out for ourselves.

https://www.facebook.com/N.B.escapology

And of course the hot weather brings out the exhibitionist, as a naked man strolling along the towpath smiled and waved, you see it all, and I mean all by boat.

The horror stories about mooring at Tesco turned out to be just that, stories, and we found a spot no problem. So topped up with the essential, beer wine and of course food, then we set off to moor at Sonning just before the lock.

As we pulled in a gentleman offered to help, but I made a complete hash of throwing him our centre line to pull us in. the Captains says I need lessons, and tbh I agree, after 12yrs boating I should be an expert by now.

The gentleman was off a large yogurt pot moored in front of us called Gin Sling II, and we had a chat with him and his good lady before retiring for a well earned beer. We did think about going to the Bull Inn, but although the mind was willing but the body not.

The Kennet and Avon canal is 87miles long, and connects Bristol to Reading and the Thames. It is a combination of river and canal. The canal part links the River Kennet and the River Avon. It has 105 locks. Built between 1794 and 1810 it remained in operation until the Second World War, when a number of pill boxes were built as part of the GHQ blue line, and can still be seen today. After the war the canal continued to decline, until the use of pleasure boats forced its restoration starting in 1962.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennet_and_Avon_Canal

The most spectacular feature is the Caen Hill flight of 29 locks, which raises the canal 237ft over 2miles

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caen_Hill_Locks

Our adventures on the K&A started next day. Firstly the part through Reading, the EA and town is really missing a trick, as there is no mooring all the way through the town centre which looks lovely, with shops, bars and restaurants lining the route. Of course being Saturday and lovely weather, every man and his dog was out. So I got to practice my wave for when we get to London.

Its a rather strange one way system in Reading as parts are quite narrow. Its a bit like using a pedestrian crossing, you have to push the button and wait for the light to turn green. At the end of the one way system was our first canal lock, so back to using my trusty windlass for me.

After 4 locks we managed to moor near the Cunning Man, a highly recommended canalside pub. But I can’t say we were impressed at all. Firstly they have nailed the gate directly on to the towpath shut so you have to traipse through the car park. Then at the first door into the pub there was sign that said ‘garden exit only’. Well that got ignored, and we went up to the bar only to be told the bar was for app ordered drinks only, and we would need to get our drinks from the garden bar. Now we always go up to the bar because as most of you know the Captain has a particular taste in beer, and we like to look what’s on offer, and if there is nothing on the pumps check out the chillers to see what bottled beer they have on offer. So after being told off like naughty children, we went to the garden bar to discover that they only had 3 lagers and cider on tap, and anything else would have to be fetched by the barman from the pub. What a crazy system. I felt sorry for the young barman and did wonder how he managed if it got busy if he had to keep fetching drinks from the pub. The Captain decided on Doom Bar, which of course had to be fetched, I am shaking my head whilst I type still not understanding the logic behind it all. The beer was ok and the Captain ordered the second round on the app. The garden and surrounding are lovely, but we never saw inside the pub and I didn‘t get to look at a menu, so I cant comment on the food.

https://www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/south-east/thecunningmanburghfieldbridge#/

Our plan next day was to do 3 locks and 1 swing bridge, and then find somewhere in the shade to moor, as the temperature was due to rise into the high 30’s over the next 2 days. Much too hot to be cruising. There were a lot of hire boats on the move, they definitely picked a good week for their holidays afloat.

We found good mooring through Sheffield swing bridge and a short walk to the Fox and Hounds pub.

We didn’t try the pub that night but took a walk the next afternoon, its a nice country pub, a little on the pricey side for us northerners, but it was nice to sit inside were it was cool.

https://butcombe.com/the-fox-hounds-berkshire/

That’s all for now folks.