Jenny has real technological problems hence very intermittent communication! Or you can just put it down to age!
Not sure where we were last time but now back in Devizes having ascended the 29 lock Caen Hill flight today in the company of a hire boat crewed by a lovely family. Although hot and long the climb through the locks was a pleasant experience and with three young and eager 20somethings ( 2 girls and a fine young chap) it was made enjoyable and fairly easy. It took just over 5 hours which we were delighted with.
Sid was glad to get back to Devizes so that he could revisit the brewery in order to stock up on beer!
Since Bristol we have had brief stops in Bath and Bradford-on-Avon and Jenny has had a Mrs Moaner day having followed some annoying youngsters on a hire boat who left every lock without closing the top gates and leaving swing bridges open. Poor Sid.
We have also noticed even more dirty dog owners not clearing up after their dogs. It makes mooring and walking between locks quite unpleasant! Some of the pavements in towns also seem more fouled now. Moan over!
Monday, 29 June 2015
Wednesday, 24 June 2015
Back in Bristol
Whistle stop trip back to Chi - a train from the amazing Bristol Temple Meads station, it must be one of the most striking looking stations, which took us straight to Chi in just under 3 hours. We then drove from Chi to Reading to collect 'the red car' from the Thames and Kennet Marina and managed a quick visit to catch up with Janice, Emily and Oliver on our way back. Then Sid had his bloods taken on Tuesday morning and then our main reason for returning home was a funeral late on Tuesday morning. We then dropped home to change and catch our train back to Bristol. This got us into Bristol at 18.00. We were exhausted so after checking Hunters Moon was ok we went to have a bite to eat and a beer. Sadly, the beer was not great and the steak was very tough and ever so, ever so over cooked! After expressiing our disappointment we were given two complimentary beers. Better than nothing I suppose.
This morning we had one of those small world moments. We were getting ready to leave the boat when I realised Sid had disappeared for some time!
A Canal Club boat was moored behind us and Sid had got talking to the inhabitants who happened to be Helen Laurie, an old friend of Sids, with her partner Peter, her sister Stephanie and her husband Rodney.
We then spent the day being tourists. A visit to the SS Great Britain was brilliant. We thought it was one of our best visits to an historical site. With the help of some amazing 'props' the ship was bought alive and the setting was awesome. To be able to have access to the dry dock was great and Sid found it fascinating.
We then went over Matthew a replica of the 15th century merchant ship built by John Cabot. This replica has crossed the Atlantic and still sails around the UK.
The M Shed - the Bristol museum was our next port of call. A fantastic building houses this local history trip.
Another day in Bristol tomorrow before we start our homeward journey.
This morning we had one of those small world moments. We were getting ready to leave the boat when I realised Sid had disappeared for some time!
A Canal Club boat was moored behind us and Sid had got talking to the inhabitants who happened to be Helen Laurie, an old friend of Sids, with her partner Peter, her sister Stephanie and her husband Rodney.
We then spent the day being tourists. A visit to the SS Great Britain was brilliant. We thought it was one of our best visits to an historical site. With the help of some amazing 'props' the ship was bought alive and the setting was awesome. To be able to have access to the dry dock was great and Sid found it fascinating.
We then went over Matthew a replica of the 15th century merchant ship built by John Cabot. This replica has crossed the Atlantic and still sails around the UK.
The M Shed - the Bristol museum was our next port of call. A fantastic building houses this local history trip.
Another day in Bristol tomorrow before we start our homeward journey.
Sunday, 21 June 2015
Photos
Newbury
Lucky!
'Dragons Teeth' - a WWII defence in case the Germans invaded.
Pill boxes and these defences on bridges abound along the canal.
Crofton Pumping Station
Sadly, closed!
(Only open on special steaming days)
It just came off in my hand!
New thatch on The Royal Oak in Wootten Rivers.
Unusual clock face on St Andrews Church, Wootton Rivers
A step back in time at the Pewsey Railway Station Waiting Room
Bristol
Wow! After weeks of tranquility we emerged onto the Floating Harbour on a buzzing Saturday afternoon. The noise of young people enjoying a Saturday summers afternoon in and around the harbour was an enjoyable shock to the system. We are looking forward to seeing some of the sights that Bristol has to offer including the SS Great Britain.
Since we left Bradford on Avon we have enjoyed a BBQ on the banks at Claverton on a lovely balmy evening and we have got foot weary whilst exploring the delights of beautiful Bath.
Since we left Bradford on Avon we have enjoyed a BBQ on the banks at Claverton on a lovely balmy evening and we have got foot weary whilst exploring the delights of beautiful Bath.
Monday, 15 June 2015
Bradford-on-Avon
We have just spent a most enjoyable time with Jenny's brother Chris and his wife Pauline at this delightful little town.
Sid was also able to get his blood test done at the local Health Centre this afternoon. The staff at the health centre were so helpful and the appointments receptionist was also so understanding and very efficient. We have always been thoroughly satisfied with our surgery and hospital in Chi but this was efficiency above and beyond anything we are used to. The temporary patient form was issued and completed in about 5 minutes. The form then had to go to the admin office for Sids details to be put on their system which took less than5 mins. Sid was then able to go to theappointments desk where he was offered an appointment for the afternoon. When he arrived t the health centre he was seen bang on time and in less than 5 mins he had had his blood taken, tested and been given the results. We were both very impressed and of course it saved Sid spending Tuesday travelling to Chi and back. So onward toward Bath and Bristol tomorrow!
Sid was also able to get his blood test done at the local Health Centre this afternoon. The staff at the health centre were so helpful and the appointments receptionist was also so understanding and very efficient. We have always been thoroughly satisfied with our surgery and hospital in Chi but this was efficiency above and beyond anything we are used to. The temporary patient form was issued and completed in about 5 minutes. The form then had to go to the admin office for Sids details to be put on their system which took less than5 mins. Sid was then able to go to theappointments desk where he was offered an appointment for the afternoon. When he arrived t the health centre he was seen bang on time and in less than 5 mins he had had his blood taken, tested and been given the results. We were both very impressed and of course it saved Sid spending Tuesday travelling to Chi and back. So onward toward Bath and Bristol tomorrow!
Saturday, 13 June 2015
Semington
Well, we did it! The Caen Hill flight! We descended the 29 locks with Richard and Simon( not our Richard and Simon) on Clara Pay in just under 6 hours. They drop the canal 237 feet in just over 2 miles. It was a wonderful experience, if somewhat of an endurance test, and the sun shone with a stiff breeze at times, the company was good and we look forward to the return journey! At the top lock of the main flight we came across Bob, the real deal when it comes to CRT help. He gave us a few pointers and sent us on our way. The flight was suffering from too much water so we ha to be cautious of not trapping the boat in front of us in the lock by letting our water out too soon. The views and the sight of Hunters Moon and Clara Pay going into and out of locks side by side in perfect harmony is one that will live with me for years to come!
Having emerged from the last lock with legs and arms aching we moored at the nearest spot then relaxed in the glorious late afternoon sun and enjoyed a few drinks and a BBQ. We felt very pleased with ourselves!
Next day we decided to have a non boating day. We got the bikes out and cycled up the flight back to Devizes ( they are electric so the route uphill was a doddle for two oldies!). Our destination was the Wadsworth Brewery Tour. It was brilliant! DAC, our guide, was entertaining and informative and after the 2 hour tour then delighted us with a beer tasting session. We were in seventh heaven!
A brilliant couple of days!
Now at Semington after a short journey today under overcast skies.
Bradford-on-Avon next but maybe a visit to Lidl for Sid tomorrow!
Having emerged from the last lock with legs and arms aching we moored at the nearest spot then relaxed in the glorious late afternoon sun and enjoyed a few drinks and a BBQ. We felt very pleased with ourselves!
Next day we decided to have a non boating day. We got the bikes out and cycled up the flight back to Devizes ( they are electric so the route uphill was a doddle for two oldies!). Our destination was the Wadsworth Brewery Tour. It was brilliant! DAC, our guide, was entertaining and informative and after the 2 hour tour then delighted us with a beer tasting session. We were in seventh heaven!
A brilliant couple of days!
Now at Semington after a short journey today under overcast skies.
Bradford-on-Avon next but maybe a visit to Lidl for Sid tomorrow!
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
Devizes
Well, here we are moored just a few yards from the first lock of the Caen Hill Flight, one of the wonders of the waterways.
It was a relief today to do a stretch of the canal with no locks. We'll be making up for it tomorrow (or Friday).
Where has summer gone? For the past few days the weather has been more March than June!
Today, although we were optimistic and started out in shorts, we both ended up in long trousers, several layers and gloves. Some boaters even had woolly hats on. It was freezing! And the wind! Oh, the wind!
The countryside that we passed through today was really stunning. We saw a couple of the white horses that the area is renowned for and also passed an isolated camping field, which we parked our motorhome in when we were searching for a narrowboat.
Lots of locks ahead of us tomorrow so we are girding our loins for our journey downhill by having a pint in The Silk Mercer in Devizes.
It was a relief today to do a stretch of the canal with no locks. We'll be making up for it tomorrow (or Friday).
Where has summer gone? For the past few days the weather has been more March than June!
Today, although we were optimistic and started out in shorts, we both ended up in long trousers, several layers and gloves. Some boaters even had woolly hats on. It was freezing! And the wind! Oh, the wind!
The countryside that we passed through today was really stunning. We saw a couple of the white horses that the area is renowned for and also passed an isolated camping field, which we parked our motorhome in when we were searching for a narrowboat.
Lots of locks ahead of us tomorrow so we are girding our loins for our journey downhill by having a pint in The Silk Mercer in Devizes.
Friday, 5 June 2015
Crofton
Sadly the pumping station is closed so we decided to walk to find the windmill at Wilton. However, before we got to the windmill we found a pub, The Swan so guess where we re now? A sleepy afternoon now ahead of us! The beer is straight from the cask and beautiful!!!
Still trying to add photos for previous posts. Sorry!
Still trying to add photos for previous posts. Sorry!
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
Hungerford
Jenny is amazed to get a signal on board! She is perched at the corner of the galley with fingers crossed that she can stay connected long enough to finish!
We remained in Thatcham an extra dày after an early phone call from Janice and Dave who fancied a run out to find us! After an excellent Sunday Roast in the Swan we enjoyed a walk followed by tea and cake on board. Oliver was a really good boy and Emily enjoyed feeding the ducks and eating fruit cake! Dave had a little shut eye and Janice oversaw events. It was so good to see them all.
We had a very long day on Monday. We began the day sharing locks with Andy and Richard in their boat Carpe Diem. It is always so much nicer to have some company and it definitely eases the load. We said goodbye at Newbury but our paths will no doubt cross again. We ventured on with the aim of getting to Hungerford. However, the wind grew all afternoon and the rain started so called it a day at Kintbury. Jenny was much relieved because the locks seemed to be getting harder and heavier as time went on. Tireness and weakness set in! Hope it's not a sign of getting old!!
We left early this morning in very blustery conditions to get to Hungerford for Sid to get his train back to Chi for his weekly blood tests.
The wind is due to ease and we are forecast to get a spell of summer over the next few days.
We remained in Thatcham an extra dày after an early phone call from Janice and Dave who fancied a run out to find us! After an excellent Sunday Roast in the Swan we enjoyed a walk followed by tea and cake on board. Oliver was a really good boy and Emily enjoyed feeding the ducks and eating fruit cake! Dave had a little shut eye and Janice oversaw events. It was so good to see them all.
We had a very long day on Monday. We began the day sharing locks with Andy and Richard in their boat Carpe Diem. It is always so much nicer to have some company and it definitely eases the load. We said goodbye at Newbury but our paths will no doubt cross again. We ventured on with the aim of getting to Hungerford. However, the wind grew all afternoon and the rain started so called it a day at Kintbury. Jenny was much relieved because the locks seemed to be getting harder and heavier as time went on. Tireness and weakness set in! Hope it's not a sign of getting old!!
We left early this morning in very blustery conditions to get to Hungerford for Sid to get his train back to Chi for his weekly blood tests.
The wind is due to ease and we are forecast to get a spell of summer over the next few days.
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