WINDMILLS AND BEAM ENGINES.

 

                                   

We stayed a couple of days in Hungerford, there is a great pub by the canal called The John O’Gaunt and it had 2 dark ale on for the Captain, a black pepper porter from INNFormal, their own brewery, and a coffee milk stout, so he was happy. The menu looked interesting, and when the main kitchen is closed they have a Tiki snack bar in the lovely outdoor terrace serving burritos, quesadillas and the like.

https://www.john-o-gaunt-hungerford.co.uk/

We had a walk round the town next day, there is a plethora of antique shops and we spent a happy ½ hour perusing the wares of one of them. There is also a large Tesco within walking distance of the canal.

After 6 miles and10 locks, one with a swing bridge in the middle, and a short spell on the River Dunn, we moored up for the night just before Crofton.

Now at Crofton there is the oldest steam powered beam engine in England, and the Captain had discovered it was in steam that weekend, and then as a bonus the local windmill at Wilton was having an open day on the Saturday to celebrate its bicentennial.

It was only a short hop to Crofton and we moored up just before lunch. Then it was time to walk to the windmill, I knew it was a bit of a trek but set out with enthusiasm. Unfortunately this didn’t last, I don’t mind walking, but I hate hills, and the route we took was up a bloody great hill, well what did I expect, windmills tend to be on top of hills. I whinged and whined but kept going, and I was so glad I did, it was a wonderful afternoon. The event was well attended by the locals and there was plenty to see and do. Punch and Judy and a magician for the kids, various stalls, a beer tent, hot food and cakes and entertainment for the adults. And the Captain promised me an easier walk back calling in the Swan in the village on the way.

https://www.wiltonwindmill.co.uk/

https://theswanwilton.com/

We were glad the weather held for the windmills celebration as next day it rained, but it didn’t put us off visiting the Beam Engine. Another interesting find on our journey.

https://www.croftonbeamengines.org/

 The afternoon was spent watching the footy, and unless you are a hermit and live in a case, you will know the Lionesses beat Germany to become European champions, and it was well deserved.

8 locks and Bruce tunnel next day to Wootton Rivers. The tunnel is only 502yrds long and 14ft wide, you can see the light at the end too, the ceiling is also quite high so the Captain wasn’t to concerned about his precious cratch covers.

We moored just before the last lock, and that’s when it got interesting, the locks close at 3.30pm (water saving measure). So any boats who arrived after that had to find somewhere to moor. So we ended up with a wide beam on the lock landing, a hire boat behind him, NB Victoria brested up against us, and NB Jack and Janner behind us all, very cosy.

And of course we had to try the Royal Oak pub in the village, we walked through the pretty village of Wootton Rivers only to find the pub didn’t open for about an hour, so rather than walk back and then return later we sat in the beer garden to wait. After a short time the landlord came out and saw us and asked if we wanted a drink, it was very welcome as it was hot and sunny. We sat outside with a pint until the pub opened and then went inside, its a lovely old building, and the girl behind the bar was great. The menu looked good too,, so we might call again on our way back.

https://royaloakwiltshire.co.uk/

Next morning and the water level had dropped quite a bit. The Adrian and Val of NB Jack and Janner were worried about the situation but still waited to go down the lock with us. This was the last lock for 14miles so a rest for me.

We moored the night near Honeystreet and the Barge Inn pub, the moorings here are meant to be 24hrs, but we were pretty sure some of the boats had been there a lot longer. The mooring spot we found wasn’t ideal, and the plank had to come into play for getting off and on the boat. Once again my desire to go to the pub out weighed my fear of the plank. The Barge is what I would call a proper boaters pub and we struck up conversation with other boaters before to long. It also has a camp and caravan site and does food.

https://thebargeinnhoneystreet.uk/

It was a very enjoyable time and if we can moor we shall be back.

Devizes was our next port of call.