Thatcham

Canal today : Kennet and Avon

Before we set off Mike was instructed to pack up the non-finctional laptop, but he did conclude that it is probably repairable - if you know what you are doing, which he clearly does not!

While he was doing that the other three walked back to the lock and bridge to dispose of the latest rubbish bag. They discovered that they last boat through was held up because they bridge would not close properly and release their key. At least it was shut enough to walk over. We later received a stoppage email confirming that out would take all day to fix.

The weather today was much better that the past couple of days and remained sunny and warm throughout. In places there was a sharp wind but by lunch time extra layers obf clothes were discarded.

Our cruise today was a long success in of locks and swing bridges with rarely more than a few minutes between each. The first swing bridge was not far and Mike and the girls walked, passing through some delightful meadows with lots of different flowers.

Most of the bridges are mechanized so Alice was able to work several of them. Just a couple were manual. The second was well maintained and Jess could do most of the opening and shutting as well removing and replacing the large screw and chain qused to restrain the bridge in place.

We called at the ABC base at Aldermaston Wharf where we replaced our empty gas cylinder.

The bridge just after the wharf is a lift design and carries a lot of traffic. Even today we held up about 30 cars in each direction!

We shared most locks today mostly with a boat that was on its way to Pewsey - it had been bought in the autumn in Tamworth.

Just before Froud's Bridge we managed to moor for lunch. It is not easy to find casual mooring spots on this navigation.

The swing bridge and lock at Woolhampton is always quite a challenge as a fast flowing river joins immediately below the lock and creates a difficult cross current. Boats coming upstream have to moor just below the bridge and to set the the lock before opening the bridge. Once there is a clear run a to the lock it is best to make forward at best speed, turning into the lock just at the last moment. Can be quite hairy and scary for the inexperienced. Not sure what the hire boats make of it!

Monkey Marsh Lock is the other of the old turf locks but is better adapted than the one we encountered yesterday, with two access platforms on each side.

Just above this lock we moored. Not ideal as we had to deploy the gangplank to get between bank and boat. Not often that we have to do this.

Time soon for the roast dinner which Mike and Jess had been working on through the last few locks and bridges.

Xx miles - 8 locks