Still Steaming

Moved onto Wooten Rivers on Thursday 24th lovely moorings and walked up to The Royal Oak with Mick and had a disappointing pint of 6X she'd have complained but did send Wadworths Brewery an email telling them how much we enjoyed the tour,but could they keep an eye on Pubs selling their beer! No TV signal can not watch The Commonwealth Games bit disappointing.

Friday made our way to Crofton as we wanted to see The Crofton Pump in full steam which would happen on Saturday. Still no TV signal. Walked into Great Bedwyn to get the train to Hungerford as I had an appointment at Doctors to have my ears suringed. Then had  a lovely eve with  nb Moonshadow more Aussies we meet up on The Oxford talking about all our travels.

Saturday 26th went on the tour of The Pumping Station very interesting although abit smelly!

Went onto Great Bedwyn for midday as Gill & Mick where joining us for the weekend. Had lunch and a walk round village and a ice cream then a beer.

Still very hot an humid so sat out till 10ish.

Sunday 27th had an early start as we wanted to get to Hungerford for early pm to secure a good mooring. Got a lovely spot at Top Lock.  Gill ,Mick and I went for a walk in town leaving Baz to desperately get a T V signal to watch the Gran Prix. No joy could not get BBC!

Enjoyed a game of cards in the eve

Monday 28th  Gill and Mick got the train,eventually, back to their car at Bedwyn they are off to Glasgow to watch some of The Commonwealth Games.

Said Goodbye to nb Smile and Wave who have been great cruising buddies for the last 6 weeks or so. Thanks for your company a Heather and Mick lets hope we meet up again.

Baz had a day using his Bus Pass to get back to Devizes to give blood, drink Guiness, have a Cream Tea and a Haircut. Whilst I had a day on my own cleaning and chatting to a very nice fisherman!

Laughs, Locks and Liquor

After shopping at Sainsbugs Thursday morning Pete and Dizzy arrived about 6ish. The day had been very hot and storms were forecasted. We had dinner and decided on a walk round the town. Getting back to the boat we had a game of cards and waited for the fireworks to begin. We were not disappointed at all we had the biggest, loudest and most spectacular lightening we have seen for a long time,and boy did it rain.

Friday 18th started a little grey but turned out to be another glorious day and we finished in Seend Cleeve opposit a lovely pub The Barge Inn. Went for a walk up to the small village, then back for dinner and cards, Pete did not seem to win much, unusual for Pete, and Baz did his usual at Uno lost!

Sat morning again a little cloudy but thought we ought to get out for a walk so walked to Sells Green had a pint in The Three Magpies, then set off back. We got caught in another huge thunder storm thunder and lightening that made us jump! After drying ourselves off and having lunch the clouds cleared and we chugged off down to Foxhanger, at the bottom of Caen Hill Flight. The locks we have planned to do Sunday.

Sunday got started to leave for 9am, but already about 5 boats went passed us. We set off, in hindsight we possibly should have waited about half hour or so because we caught them all up after the first 6 and the Lock keeper asked us to wait as nothing coming down. Hard work for us all, and alot of hanging about for Captain Bazza. Nearly got to the top when the lady on the boat in front of us fell in the lock. She was ok just abit shaken and bruised ribs a Boater for over 20 years and had never gone in until then. So we all helped that boat get to top. We where all knackered on arriving in Devizes. But after a few beers normal service was resumed! Early night though!!

Monday  21st July I had booked for us to go on the Wadworth Brewery Tour. And very good it was, tasting several beers at the end. 

A wander around Devizes and then back to boat for a late lunch before saying Goodbye to our fabulous friends. I think they enjoyed their stay even though we made them work their passage!

Tuesday 22nd July. We decided to explore the countryside around Devizes so caught a bus to Avebury. We saw the Stone circles very much like Stonehenge but on a smaller scale. 

Then went onto Marlborough for lunch by the river Kennett. A very classy town and prices reflect!

Buses where few and far between back to Avebury so got the 70 to Swindon, had a cuppa there and back on the 49  to Devizes.  Did not get back till about 7pm so picked up a delicious curry from The Taste of Bengal, one of the best we have had.

Wednesday after filling and emptying the boat with water etc left Devizes about 10. Slow going as we seem to have hire boats popping out in front of us on every bend! Moored up at Honey Street not our favorite place so many 'travellers' here. Our nice clean boat does not really fit in here!! Still haho off tomorrow.

Bradford on Avon again!

Thurs 10th July we left Bristol hoping to get to Bitton where we know there were good moorings. The swing bridge out of the harbour looked so low on a big river we just got under brushing our flowers,don't think our old T V Ariel would have made it!

There was just the one spot at Bitton so we breasted up with nb  S & W on the bank side so the dogs could get off. Watched loads of teenagers climb up the buttresses of the railway bridge and sit on the struts, the folly of youth! Then more youngsters along with Mum and Dad all came down for a swim. I guess the river is a lot cleaner than the canals.

Friday 11th July moored up at the bottom of Bath as Faye and family spent the weekend with us. There are only 48 hours moorings, so we could moved up to the top on Sunday.

Lovely eve chatting to nb Yesdear who have home moorings at Etruria near Stoke, and had a fab lamb roast from Waitrose.

Sat 12th July  Faye, Ryan, Chayse and Zelda all arrived about 1pm had lunch then walked into town. Watched a great street act then back to boat for a curry. Again care of Waitrose!

Whilst having breakfast we watched a Heron catching and eating a whole fish.

Sunday we chugged up to top of Bath and had a lovely day walking back into town to the Royal Cresent. Faye found Anthrapology, a shop she lovedi in New York. Spent a good hour looking at all the things we do not need! Weather was hot again so found a pub The Pig and Fiddle for a pint and live Sunday pm music.

Back to the boat  Chayse enjoys the old game of plastic beads in a mosaic board we have kept. 

Had Pizza and fresh fruit before we watched the final of the World Cup. We had a sweep stake running with S & W involved, Chayse was the only one to have Argentina to win. Well I won the dosh!

Monday 14th went into town for supplies. Fridge empty and Pete & Dizzy coming Thursday. Had coffee in town centre, got back and had a tidy up.

Tuesday left Bath and had a glorious morning chugging to Dundas Aquaduct. Went for an afternoon stroll for a nice cream, after painting the chimney collar.

Wednesday 16th back at Bradford on Avon. After the second attempt have got great moorings for a couple of nights. It is such a shame there are so many rubbish boats moored along the canal on this section, no wonder the K & A always features in The Towpath when it comes to 'Continuous Moorers'.where RCT have allocated Permit or Long Term Mooring it seems the Derge boats do not want to pay for anything.

 

Bristol

Monday 7th July 

Bit of a grey day so decided to go on the SS Great Britain. Had a wonderful time it was so interesting and well done to all who restored her a fantastic job.

Brunell had such vision,fancy building a huge ship out of iron! And the enormous prop with the rudder positioned yards up on the shaft so the water flowed in both directions making it easier to turn the wheel.

The decks have all been lovingly restored, dining room laid out. You could always climb the rigging but we chickened out

Justine arrived soon after 4pm and after a cuppa went back to their house for tea. Lovely to see them all the girls are so grown up now.

Tuesday walked into the Town Centre huge shopping area called the Cabot Centre brought some new Crocs,flip flops as mine are now sooo thin. Stopped at The V Shed good old Wetherspoons and had a very late lunch. Enjoyed a bottle of the red stuff with Heather & Mick in the eve.

Wednesday caught the bus up to the Clifton suspension bridge walked over and back again, then walked through Clifton village back to Bristol Catherdral. Then home for a cuppa.

This is the glass globe outside the Aquarium

Leaving Bristol tomorrow so spent the eve using as much electric as possible. Heh Mick, got the Hoover out!

Leaving Bath to Bristol

Friday 4th July. Had a lovely day in town. Went to The Abbey and a wander round the Indoor Market, and other shops. Brought some bits in Waitrose/John Lewis, fab store. Back to boat for a late lunch,made some sausage rolls as Cathy and Martin coming round tonight for drinks and nibbles.

Had a very enjoyable eve played cards and chatted lots.

Sat 5th started out after FaceTiming with Mick & Elly in Australia. Great to keep in touch, keeping up with all the gossip. 

Was a little drizzly at first but cleared up by the time we had done a couple of locks.

Joined the river Avon,always seem so big going on rivers compared to the canals.

Moored up at Bitton,walked up to the village to the Avon Valley Steam Engine railway station, had tea and cake.  

With just 2 more locks to go before we get to Bristol. that will be 107 Locks from Reading. Then we turn round and go all the way back!

Sunday July 6th left Bitten about 8.45 to get to Bristol so the lads could watch the Gran Prix! So much wider on the river,plenty of wide beams moored all over the place.saw a couple of Kingfishers whizing from branch to branch. Never have my camera handy enough to capture them.

Checked in at lock 1 Hanham Lock to let the Harbour Master know we are on our way and entering the Bristol Channel waters.  Then stopped at Netham stop lock to pay our passage. We did a deal £48 for 5 nights bargain! Should be £27 per night. He told us quite quiet this week as festival starts Friday so plenty of places to moor.

We entered passing under several grand bridges hoping to moor overlooking the SS. Great Britain. Well with a cross wind nb Smile & Wave squeezed into one space, the sailing boat next to them offered to move over so we brilliantly reversed onto the jetty next to them. Spectators applauded a rather anxious Baz! 

All took longer than we expected but the Gran Prix was delayed so all good.

The view from here is great we can see the SS Great Britain, and in a nice sun trap of a inlet. Tesco 2 mins up the road,water and electric on the pontoon. Heaven!

Went for a walk to end of harbour had a beer in The Pump House.

Justine phoned so seeing her family tomorrow.

Bath

Tuesday 1st July we arrived in Bradford on Avon, after stopping at Hipperton for fuel, only 80p per litre,and how strange we had used the exact amount of fuel as we put in at Lower Heyford on The Oxford, 108.65 litres 

Got good moorings again, our own little wooden platform! Lots more hire boats about now so it seems CRT have accomadated for this.

Lovely town but the traffic is awful. Just to get over the bridge into the The Canal Pub was risky. But we made it!

 Wednesday spent the morning in town on a wander. Had my hair cut, nice guy went to Roehampton Uni, same as Kate so plenty to chat about. Then hit Sainsbugs in the afternoon and decided to try the Indian in the eve. Have not had a curry in ages and Heather and Mick joined us as they had received an offer on their old boat which has been up for sale for a while,so a good excuse to celebrate.

Thursday 3rd July moved on first thing, Elly you would be impressed away by 8.30!

Went through some beautiful countryside,at one point we thought we where going down hill! Pulled a boat out from the side bank he had got totally stuck,only picked up the boat 2 days ago. Stopped at Dundas Aquaduct for water just lovely there.

Passed nb Moriarty at Bathampton,but no one in, left a text. Moored up on again fab moorings over looking Bath at Sydney Gardens. Just finished lunch and Cathy &  Martin appeared from nb Moriarty. Lovely to catch up, they had come down the G U to London and along The Thames,onto the K & A at Reading. In typical boaters style always ends up talking electrics!

Walked into town through park and Museum,only 15 mins or so.

 Piece of Artwork to challenge Baz!

 Had a wander,brought 2 Portmereon dinner plates in TKMax, such a random shop!