Great Bedwyn

Today's Canal : Kennet and Avon

We were off in good time - still no mobile signal so no distractions! The day started almost bright - just a hint of sun. However, by the time we reached the locks at Wootton Rivers the promised rain had arrived.

Stowell Parek Suspension Bridge

Stowell Park Bridge is an unusual miniature suspension bridge, built in 1845 to a patent design from James Dredge, an engineer in Devizes. The suspension uses wrought iron chains rather than wire ropes. It provides access from one part of the private Stowell Park to the another.

Pewsey Wharf

Not far ahead was Pewsey Wharf where we stopped for a short while to complete the usual servicing. A fast tap meant that our tank was quickly filled.

A little further on we had to proceed slowly as we could see a workboat manoeuvring. This length has a lot of signs asking boats not to moor as the bank repairs are incomplete. here they were finishing off the towpath surface.

Just after bridge 110 we had our first sight of the railway line that will follow the canal closely from here to just outside Reading. at first we thought that it was not very busy but later there was rather more, including a number of long trains of aggregate wagons.

Wootton Rivers Bottom Lock

Next came the Wootton River flight of four locks. Some really heavy rain came whilst were at the third lock up. A boat had arrived at the previous lock and Mike had asked it they were coming through. Based on what appeared to be the affirmative, he waited at the next lock with the opposite gate open and ready for them.

Rain at third lock

After a fairly long wait - in pouring rain - they appeared around the corner: with a second boat! There was no way they would be parted and seemed a little miffed that we had waited. It seems that the two fingers that had been waved at me were meant to indicate this . . .

Burbage Wharf Crane

Burbage Wharf is now in private hands and provides no access or facilities for boaters. The timber wharf crane has been reconstructed as it is the last remaining example of what was quite a frequent sight along this canal.

Bruce Tunnel Portal

Shortly before Bruce Tunnel we managed to find a piece of bank where we could pull in for lunch, still needed the gang plank.



Crofton Top Lock

On again and after the tunnel we completed the summit pound and began the descent that will eventually take us to the Thames is a few days time. Today, we planned only to go down the Crofton Flight as we were planning to meet up with Andrew at Great Bedwyn. Not only will he help with the car shuffle (which otherwise would have been difficult as Horton Bridge is not on any useful bus route) but has also elected to accompany us over the weekend.

Sunshine

Most of the afternoon was pleasant weather with the occasional patch of blue sky.

Descending the locks was straightforward although all of them are marked as leave empty which means we had to fill each one. Since boats are also asked to leave bottom paddles open, most of the gates had drifted open and had to be closed before we could even start to fill the lock!



Crofton Bottom Lock

It was then not far to the lock at Great Bedwyn. We discovered on the way up that this is likely to be the nearest mooring to the road and the canal car park. So we moored up and Christine walked down to meet Andrew who arrived at much the same time. Meanwhile, Mike was completing the preparation of tonight's fish pie.

After a cup of tea, Mike set off with Andrew to collect our car4r and he then brought it back to Great Bedwyn, collecting a paper at the third attempt. Even Tesco had sold out.

10.0 miles - 12 locks