'orrible Knowle locks

We had moored last night at Kixley Bridge in order to go to the 9:30 Family Service in Knowle Parish Church which we had looked up on 'A Church Near You' web site before we left home. It was a lively occasion with perhaps 2 to 3 hundred in the congregation, ranging from very small children, through teenagers and students to the wrinkly generation. This was the one Sunday in the month when it was a non-eucharistic service. The music group were especially proficient, leading seven songs altogether during the service. Even with so many people attending, it was good to note that the Welcome Team easily spotted the strangers and made us feel welcome.



We picked up milk and a paper from one of the village shops before walking back to the boat and a leisurely mug of 'proper' coffee before eventually setting of just before noon. Soon we arrived at Knowle top lock where we used the disposal facilities before tackling what we knew to be about the worst locks in the canal system! Of course these are broad locks but it is the viscious eddy that the waters draining from a lock make in the short pound below. Even on a still day it is difficult to steer into the next lock, but with added strong winds . . . Boats have been known to make a complete 360 degree turn before lining up for the lock gates! Despite this we cleared the flight of five locks in under an hour.

At the bottom lock we took on water, followed by a long lunch break. We continued to follow the Grand Union Canal, passing Kingswood Junction where we arrived last year after coming down the Lapwood flight in pouring rain. At least this year we have had generally fair weather. Our 'cold weather' clothing is proving up to the task so far.



A short distance beyond the junction we moored again to make a start on sanding down the side hatch doors, using the new belt sander - as recommended by Andrew! (We stopped here, just past Turnover Bridge, as the towpath was now on the correct side to tackle this task. Since Camp Hill it had been on the other side all the way) Not an easy task but we are beginning to make a difference. The problem is that the veneer has become quite stained and sanding down runs the risk of removing it down to the base layer. Still, it looks as if it will 'do' for now, especially when we have applied a few more layers of varnish.



The afternoon was fast coming to an end so we only cruised a little further to a spot which is as far away from the motorway as we can find tonight - even so it makes quite a noise despite being half a mile away. Time now to set about preparing the conventional Sunday roast - this week boned and rolled lamb from Russell at Gary Dutton's butcher shop back in Wadebridge.