Newbury to Hungerford

We had moored in the centre of Newbury so that we could go to the Post Office with the control panel to be returned to the manufacturer. Andrew and Mike set off to do this first thing and called also at Sainsbury for some more milk and to replace some of the boat's mugs which have been broken since they were originally bought. A different range of colours but matching ones were found. They also returned with some hot cross buns!

Although it was a greyer day, for the most part, it was also relatively warm. We continued the climb through an unceasing succession of locks. The first part from our mooring, under Newbury Bridge to Newbury Lock was rather a challenge to our engine which had to work flat out to make progress against the stream in a narrow channel. At one point it seemed as if we would have had a forced stop at a canal-side coffee shop!

The stretch up to Hungerford is constantly changing from canal to river with some of the locks having strong cross current at the entrances. Never a dull moment!

The canal was a strategic defence line during the last war and former pill boxes are still to be seen at frequent intervals.

We spotted a good visitor mooring in the centre of Hungerford and opted to take it - then we went for a walk along the town's main street. It is still possible to see how it was once an important coaching town, although today most of the shops are selling antiques or designer clothes!