AND BACK WE GO.

 

We were stuck at Wotton Rivers for a couple of days. On the first day I suggested the Captain may like to fit the new back boiler for our stoves whilst I went out of the way, sat on the bed catching up with the blog.

As expected the back boiler didn’t got to plan at all, and the Captain discovered that the stove itself had a big crack in the back plate, and a couple of other issues that needed attention. The crack was a major set back, and we are not yet sure if it will mean a new stove, or fingers crossed, a gentleman on Facebook who specialises in repairing stoves and the like, will be able to work a miracle. The Captain has contacted him and we are waiting for a reply. But the blog went well and I stayed put out of the way.

The second day, and we decided to take a walk up the towpath (for a bit of exercise), and we managed to pick a good quantity of blackberries and sloes. We also had a chat with a very nice lady from NB Pirin Perch. The Captain went all the way up to the summit pound and found some volunteers painting the lock beams. He came back with the good news that we would be moving next day, although this still needed to be confirmed by CRT next morning.

Conformation came at 9.34am and we were off. After 11 locks and numerous kingfishers spotted we managed to moor at Great Bedwyn.

After such a long day we had a walk to the 3 Tuns for tea, the food was wonderful and the staff friendly.

https://tunsfreehouse.com/

9 locks next day, (there are lots of locks on the K&A) and we reached Hungerford, of course we had to call in at the John O’Gaunt, one of the best real ale pubs we have found on this canal.

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

11 locks and a day later we were back in Newbury outside the wharf once again. We walked up to Lidl to do our shopping only to find it shut, and a new one open about 10mins further away, so we went to Aldi. There is good news though, the new Lidl is on the same site as Tesco, and you can moor right outside here to do your shopping.

We spent the next day in Newbury and found the artisan market in full swing, and also a great real ale pub The Spare Wheel, so the Captain was a happy bunny.

https://www.thesparewheel.com/

As we had been unable to moor in Reading at the start of our journey on the K&A (there are no moorings in the town), we decided to stop at Thatcham and catch the train. At £13.40 return for both of us it was a bargain.

After we had moored up a hire boat turned up and needed to moor (they were off to the pub) but there was no room, so the Captain invited them to brest up against us for the night. Our good deed for the day.

We really enjoyed Reading, the Abbey is very interesting with plenty of information boards, unfortunately we didn’t get to look round the Minister as it is only open 11am -2pm, and it was well past this when we got there.

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

We tried a couple of pubs, The Ale house and the Castle Tap were great finds. However The Boundary, we walked out of as there were no prices displayed, not even for their food, and when we enquired about a stout that was on their website, the barmaid knew nothing about it. When we asked about the lack of information she said she could check the till for the prices. I really think this is illegal and told her so.

https://untappd.com/v/the-alehouse/63230

https://thecastletap.co.uk/

But to the best bit, Cosmo’s the all you can eat world buffet. After the one in Coventry closed down suddenly about 5yrs ago we have not been to one of these since. The price had increased significantly to £18.99, but it was well worth it, the food was amazing, plenty of choice and very tasty. The décor was up market and the staff friendly. And they do sushi mmmmmmmmmmm.

https://www.cosmo-restaurants.co.uk/restaurants/reading

We chatted to the manager as we paid, and he told us they are reopening the one in Coventry at some point in the near future.

6 locks next day to work off the previous nights meal, and a quiet night moored at Aldermaston.

6 Locks and 5 swing bridges next day, and we were joined in them by a small boat called Topsy and her Slovenian Captain, crew and ginger cat. We stopped near the Cunning Man once again and headed for the pub, before going we had a long chat with Steve and Chris on a widebeam, but I cant remember the boats name. They were lovely to chat too. I would like to say my impression of the pub had improved but unfortunately not. It tells you to wait to be seated, so wait we did but no one approached so we seated ourselves. After 1 pint we headed home.

The final 4 locks and the one way system through Reading and we were back on the Thames, we stopped and did some shopping at Tesco and moored the night at Sonning, we were met up with Topsy once again.

I must say, after our initial miss givings about the Kennet and Avon Canal we have loved it. Yes some of the locks are hard work, but no harder than others on the system, mooring can be a challenge but we never really had a problem. It is a pretty canal with stunning views. Reading Newbury and Bath are all well worth a visit, as are many of the little villages along the way. Plenty of good pubs doing good food close to the canal. The downside for the Captain, very little in the way of dark ales, but hey ho its not the end of the world.

Turf Sided Lock

Would we do it again, definitely, would we encourage others to do it, definitely. Don’t believe the nay sayers try it for yourself.

AND WE ARE STUCK AGAIN.

 

A pump failure has closed the Crofton Locks and we are now stuck at Wootton Rivers.

I love this canal, but we have more than had our fair share of hold ups.

But now I must backtrack a few days.

We left Bath on Sunday and the Captain wanted to moor near one of the aqueducts we had crossed on our journey to Bath. He wanted to have a better look at the architecture and fabulous views.

At the Dundass aqueduct we could not find decent moorings, in fact we couldn’t get into the side at all. So on we went. Luckily at Avoncliffe there were a couple of decent visitor moorings free so we decided to stay the night. We had entertainment when a widebeam turned up in the evening and tried to moor, it was better than an old ‘Carry On’ film but they managed eventually. They headed off to the pub, The Crossed Guns, only to find that it closed at 8pm on a Sunday. I did feel sorry for them.

Next day and we took a walk to see the aqueduct up close and personnel, and on the way met Adrian and Val off NB Jack and Janner once again. They are heading to Bristol for a wedding but had time to kill so were just pootling along, we had a great chat and hope to see them again.

After admiring the views from the aqueduct I scrumped a few more apples to go with the blackberries we had picked. I had already made a pie, and these were for a crumble I was making. Yummy.

Our next port of call was back at Bradford on Avon and we moored before the lock as the town centre is more accessible from here. A large black widebeam with a beautiful kingerfisher painted on the side passed us. This is Lynne Gull’s boat and I knew her from facebook. I gave her a shout from the side hatch and she waved back. Ships passing in the night basically.

The walk into Bradford on Avon from these moorings takes you through a lovely park by the river, and the old tithe barn which has been restored by a local group.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradford-on-Avon_Tithe_Barn

The town itself is very pretty, with beautiful old buildings but very narrow roads and pavements.

We were just heading for the pub, The Swan, when I spotted the Catholic church was open, always worth a look round. Although not as ornate as most it had an interesting barrel roof, and a more interesting history. Its it time it had been the Town Hall, a police station, a cinema and a bank before being acquired by the church in 1955.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Thomas_More_Roman_Catholic_Church,_Bradford-on-Avon

We then discovered there were 2 more interesting churches nearby so went to take a look.

St Laurence, a Saxon church dating from 1120, although an early church was though tot have stood here prior to 700AD

https://saxonchurch.org.uk/

And Holy Trinity built around 1150

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Trinity_Church,_Bradford-on-Avon

We tried a couple of pubs, the Swan was first, not overly impressed, but we did like the Three Horseshoes, a very quirky pub with clientele to match.

3 locks and 4 swing bridges next day. We stopped at Hilperton Boatyard for diesel and was happy to see the price coming down, from £1.49 to £1.21 per litre. We also got a new back boiler as ours has been leaking for the last few years. The Captain will fit this at some point before the weather turns.

https://store.ukboatyard.uk/about_us-chandlery-boatyard-hilperton-trowbridge

The Captain took me out for tea. The Barge at Seend Cleeve is a lovely canal side pub with friendly staff and great food, we had the Henry burgers, very tasty indeed.

https://www.bargeinnseend.co.uk/

Next day and we planned to get to the bottom of the Carn Hill flight of 16 locks. This meant 12 locks and 2 swing bridges to do. It looked like we would have company as we waited for a hire boat to join us in the lock, but they were exceedingly slow, and then after only 2 locks decided to moor up, very frustrating. So we went on alone and made good time reaching the bottom of the locks at teatime. As we moored a group of French students approached and explained to improve their English could they ask us some questions. The Captain was very patient with them and explained about living and travelling by boat, showing them on the map were we had been and were we were going. A very enjoyable meeting.

As luck would have it, just as we were about to start the locks next day NB Moby Dick turned up with a large and willing crew on board. There were also 2 lockees going ahead and setting the locks for us, so the whole flight of 22 locks only took us 3hrs and 10mins. Very good going and we only met 3 other boats coming down. The lockees complimented us on having 2 excellent and experienced steerers onboard making the job even easier.

We moored at Devizes for the night and headed for a couple of pints, first one in The Pelican, before heading for the Vaults, were they had an excellent chocolate stout on for the Captain which was well deserved after a busy day.

https://thevaultsdevizes.com/

We took a steady cruise next day and I only had 2 swing bridges to do. We passed NB Olive and I shouted hello to Diane Taylor, we are friends on facebook and her and her crew have a YouTube page called Taylors Aboard which the Captain watches now and again

https://www.youtube.com/c/taylorsaboard

After a night on good moorings we set off for Pewsey, we didn’t stop here on the way to Bath so thought we would give it a try, but it was not to be, the moorings were full and of a couple of boats had left proper git gaps so we couldn’t get in. If they had moored with more consideration there would have been plenty of room.

So we decided to make for Wotton Rivers and go up the first lock of the Crofton flight, these close at 3.30pm and we made it just in time. A boat coming down the lock helped us lock up, and then we returned the favour and locked him down. Then the guy from CRT locked the paddles and stopped the leaks by using ash. He did tell us that the pumps which pump water into the system had failed, but hopefully it wouldn’t be a problem, but it was, and so we are stuck once again.

BEAUTIFUL BATH

 I must admit the beautiful city of Bath has made the journey along the K&A worth all the hard work.

Our final part of the journey took us a couple of days. First the Captain received the exciting news that his cousin John and family from South Africa were coming to England in September, so plans are being put in place to meet up with them.

We spent a night at Bradford on Avon, we didn’t go into the town itself, but tried a couple of pints at the Lock Inn and The Barge Inn. We weren’t to impressed with the Lock Inn as on their menu they had a Cornish stout, but when we asked for it unfortunately they only had Guinness. Now the Captain is a bit fussy when it comes to Guinness, so rather than risk a bad pint he opted for lager. It was table service and some how they took our drinks to the wrong table. So only one in there before heading for the Barge Inn. Much better, and we sat in the beer garden at the side of the canal and enjoyed a couple of pints.

Before heading down the lock the next day we moored up, put water in, and got rid of the rubbish. There were boaters toilets too which require a BW key to access them. I spotted a lady and child trying the door and said ‘you need a key’, rather rudely she replied ’I can see that’ and walked off. If she had engaged politely with me I would have offered to lend her our key. Her loss.

This part of the K&A is very busy with hire and private boats, so the going was slow. Which was great, as on the stretch between Bradford and Bath the views are absolutely stunning, so it gave us more time to admire them, well me, as the Captain had to concentrate on steering with so many boats moving.

Along this stretch there are 2 aqueducts, Avoncliffe and Dundass, both have a sharp turn to get on them, but the Captain managed no problem.

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

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

During these last few days of travels I had been wondering were all the bird and wild life had disappeared to. We had see the usual mallards, moorhens, swans and wood pigeons, but nothing unusual. Then a rustling in the undergrowth and a snapping of twigs and a tiny Muncjac deer appeared, it looked startled to see us cruising by, and with a flip of its little white tail it was gone. Then a few seconds later a grey squirrel collecting nuts in the trees above our head.

The blackberries are now ripening at apace, and I have picked enough to make a pie and a crumble using the apples I scrumped in Newbury.

We moored up just a short distance from Bath, and planned to get there around lunch time the next day, the theory being, like in Newbury people staying just a night or a couple of days would be gone, and others would still be travelling. And it worked kind of.

We arrived at our preferred mooring and found a spot which was about 2ft to short, but the Captain was happy to let the nose stick out a little until one of the boats moved. I was hanging on to the centre line as usual when I noticed a boat a couple of spaces ahead untying. I sent the Captain down to enquire if he was in fact leaving and he was, yippee. It was just the right length for us and we moored up. Behind us were 2 boats brested up and the guy off them came out to give us a hand. His name was Tony and his partner had recently given birth to a little boy called Ruddy. He was concerned about us running our engine (because of fumes going into his boat) which some boats do to heat water and charge batteries. We assured him we had no need to do this because of our solar panels.

After a rest we had a walk to Bath Abbey, a beautiful 16C church with fantastic fan vaulted ceilings

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

We then had a little walk round the town which is full of amazing buildings and things to see.

Of course we had to try a pint, first the Bath Brew House and although they had a great selection of ales on not one dark, so the Captain made do with a bitter.

https://www.thebathbrewhouse.com/

Then the Wetherspoons, The Silk Mercer, again no dark ales so Singha, a Thai lager the he actually quite likes.

After a hot tiring day we returned to the boat and made plans for the next day.

The plan was to take a steady walk to the Royal Crescent and go out for tea. It was quite a long walk (for us) and we stopped and had some lovely ice cream, then taking our time walking through the centre looking at the buildings. Of course we stopped and had a pint in the Raven, and praise be they had 2 dark ales on so the Captain was spoiled for choice.

The walk to the Crescent was well worth it. It is a stunning sight, and being a big Jane Austin fan it really brings the regency period to life.

Then off to Wetherspoons for tea. Now the Captain has been talking about trying their cocktail pitchers for a while, and today was the day. He chose to try Zombie, a rum based cocktail, whilst I had Ginberry Fizz. At £12.95 for 2 they container 100mil of spirit which is 4 singles, so really good value for money, and they were very refreshing. I have to admit I actually preferred his to mine.

After tea a very steady walk back to the boat and another hot night.

It was time to leave Bath next day, and after filling up with water and getting a few bits a Tesco, which is right be the bridge, we set off hoping to be able to wind (turn round) just before the lock, but we were about 6” too long so we had to go down one lock to do it. Tony came and gave me a hand with the lock and wished us well for the rest of our journey.

I appear to have become the returner of lost things, during this journey I have reunited 2 windlasses with their owners and a wallet dropped by a gongoozler.

That’s all for now folks.

OUR BELOVED QUEEN ELIZABETH II

RIP Your Majesty

HEART BREAK HILL.

 

Although our plan was to go to Devizes the next day, the Captain took the decision to stop just short of the town mid afternoon. His thinking was we were more likely to get decent moorings if we got there about lunch time, and it worked. We ended up moored opposite the little theatre and only a short walk from the town centre.

We decided to spend a couple of days in the town and tackle the infamous Caen Hill locks on the Saturday.

Shopping was the first thing on the agenda and a short walk found us in Morrisons, there is also a Sainsburys. We got all the essentials, and after putting everything a way decided to take a better look at the town its self.

There are 2 12C churches, St Johns and St Marys, and the town grew up round the 11C castle.

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

It has a good selection of shops and quite a few pubs. It also has its own brewery, Wadsworths which was founded in 1875. It has over 500 listed buildings, which is quite a lot for a town of this size.

It has a Wetherspoons, The Silk Mercer, so after walking round admiring the architecture we had to try it. There was Bishops Finger on which is a dark bitter, so the Captain gave that a try but it wasn’t really to his taste, so we moved on to The Pelican were he had the Wadsworth 6X, again a bitter but more palatable, they have a lovely seating area at the back so we made the most of the sun. On the way back to the boat we tried a little micro pub called the Snuffbox, and the Captain found a very nice stout called Juxt Affogato from Unity brewery.

http://www.thesnuffbox.co.uk/

https://unitybrewingco.com/products/juxt-affogato-stout-5-4

Then back to the boat for pizza.

After a late start next day we headed back into town for another look round, and a final few bits from the shops. We were also intending to eat out or get a takeaway to give me a break from cooking. A place we had wanted to try the day previous but had been closed was the Vaults, so that is were we headed first, the Captain was not disappointed, with another fine dark ale on for him to try. City of Cake, a choc fudge cake stout by Hammerton Brewery.

https://www.facebook.com/thevaultsdevizes/

https://www.hammertonbrewery.co.uk/site/house-of-hammerton/

Then off to Wetherspoons for tea.

On the way back to the boat the Captain spotted Muck and Dunder, a rum cocktail bar and dragged me inside. He is rather partial to a spiced rum, so as a treat we finished the night with a cocktail, I had a Tiki Time and he had a Dark and Stormy

https://www.facebook.com/MuckandDunder/

Next day and the time had come to tackle the Caen Hill locks, the whole of the 29 locks are actually called the Devizes flight with Caen Hill being the 16 in the middle. It was a little daunting but we set off in good spirit, and quite early for us.

At the first lock there were already 2 boats going down so I jumped off to help, then we were joined by Adrian and Val off NB Jack and Janner, we have been bridge jumping with them for most of our journey on the K&A. First 6 locks completed and we both stopped at the services to fill with water and get rid of rubbish. It was then we discovered that they had friends on NB Box Full of Frogs coming to join them, and they would be buddying up with them for the rest of the day. Bummer, but hey ho we could wait for the next boat to join up with. And it didn’t take long, we were joined by Honeysuckle, a boat from Honeystreet boat hire with a crew of 4 onboard, including 2 strapping and willing teenage lads.

https://www.honeystreetboats.co.uk/

The 16 locks of the Caen Hill flight only have a short pound between each lock, and with so many helpers it meant I was able to go ahead and set the next lock whilst they locked the 2 boats through. All the traffic seemed to be going our way and it was a while before we met a boat coming up the locks. The flight of 16 is only open between 10am and 4pm with the last entry to the flight at 1pm, this is to conserve water. We could have moored at the bottom of the flight, but decided to push on and do the last 7 locks to reach Sells Green, Honeysuckle joined us as they had a meal booked at the 3 Magpies. When we got to Sells Green there was just enough room for us at the end of the visitors moorings, but the nose of the boat over hung the solid bank side by about 4ft. Not a problem well not then anyway.

Honeysuckle needed to moor so the Captain invited them to brest up against us for the night, and it was whilst securing their boat to ours disaster struck.

I was at the stern of the boat trying to keep the 2 boats level whilst the Captain was on the bow tying the boats together, after doing this he took a step back forgetting that the nose of the boat was not level with the solid bankside, and splash in he fell. Luckily the water only came up to the top of his legs, but not so lucky he banged his thigh and hand as he fell. I made light of it but was really concerned tbh. He got out no problem and disappeared inside to take a shower. I made sure the hire boat was secured, and assured the worried holiday makers he would be fine before going below to check on him. He was lay on the bed, wet shorts on the floor in a state of shock. I checked his thigh and could see a few grazes and the same with his hand, but there didn’t appear to be anything more serious. After a shower and a generous amount of germoline we took a walk to the pub, The Three Magpies. A nice pub with a good menu but no darks on.

https://www.threemagpies.co.uk/index

Next day the poor Captain didn’t feel like moving so we stayed put and had an easy day.

The hot weather was with us again, and after 7 locks and 5 swing bridges we moored up at Semmington. The Captain still didn’t feel 100%, so I did my best to jolly him along and do as much as I could to help.

It was very hot so we took a slow walk to The Somerset Arms in the village. Nothing on for the Captain, so he made do with a cold lager. The heat put me off cooking, so we had burgers at the pub, and they were very good. They also have a Pantry Shop, which carries things like milk bread and eggs, handy to know.

https://www.somersetarms.co.uk/

On to Bath next.