Caen Hill and back to Devizes

Today's Canal : Kennet and Avon

Today's blog is largely summarised very briefly: Caen Hill! Having done seven locks of the flight last night, we had only(!) 22 to complete today.

The staircase to heaven (Devizes)

The first lock today

 One of the advantages of mooring overnight below the main flight is that, provided a suitably early start is made and no-one comes through first, all the locks are emptied overnight with a bottom paddle left up. We were off by 9:14 - the other boat moored at the bottom showed no sign of life so we began on our own.

The huge side ponds maintain water levels

 Almost immediately a volunteer lock keeper arrived to help us and he stayed with us all through the main section. It was almost half way up before we met any boats coming down.

Christine spotted some beautiful wild orchids lock-side

We settled into a steady rhythm and progressed at about 10 minutes a lock although the walking to and fro, climbing up lock ladders to secure the boat in a lock was an extensive workout for both of us!

And another - in the unmown grass close to a lock

 

Despite a bit of delay at one lock with two boats not sure how to pass in the very short pounds between locks, we were out of the Sixteen by 12 o'clock. Too early to tie up for lunch so we continued to complete the remaining six lock in the flight. Part way our friendly lock keeper re-appeared after having disappeared at the top of the Sixteen to have lunch. perhaps one of the best volunteers we have so far experienced.

Only three more after this

The last six are a bit more spaced out so progress was a little slower; even so we arrived at Devizes Wharf around 13:40 having worked 22 locks in 4.4 hours.

That's the lot!

We easily found mooring with only a couple of boats already there. Lunch was very welcome!

Whilst Christine began the usual task of cleaning and sorting out the packing ready for the journey home, Mike walked into town as he needed to replace his watch strap which had come adrift a couple of days ago. Yes, he does still use a watch despite being told a few weeks ago that 'nobody uses a watch these days, they have their mobile with them at all times instead'. Old habits die hard . . .

We had been invited to eat with Andrew tonight which was rather convenient as neither of us would have had much energy to cook! As the rubbish disposal facility at the wharf has been removed because it was abused by local people, we carried a black plastic bag with us as we walked along the towpath to Andrew's house - fortunately tomorrow is his bin day.

After the meal, and some time slumped in front of the tv, we took our car and checked out possible mooring spots for the next few days whilst we return home.

1.7 miles - 22 locks