Rust, Planters And Passing Boats

Now I know what it felt to be the Tin Man - he was looking for a heart I think - I am looking for the oil. Yes I am being really cryptic tonight. I am referring (of course) to that stuff falling from the sky. I am rusting, I hope the boat isn't rusting and I am sure that the euphemistic phrase "liquid sunshine" will just "p" everyone off!

However we did get out of the boat today. This afternoon we took a walk down to the top of the Caen flight, just one lonely boat descending. They all came and went this morning, leaving us with a considerable list. We missed seeing Gypsy Rover this morning - we were having a lie in! Thanks for the mention guys! We can't all be early birds! Maybe see them tomorrow on our way back. (Reserve us a mooring at the wharf if you are planning to move on!).

We crossed the road to a garden centre for some small plants for my cat on the roof. Not a real cat, boo hoo, but a ceramic planter. We have been looking for a garden centre for a while. We have driven past it countless times but it takes a boat cruise of 2 miles to find it opposite our mooring! I then took countless photos of 2 very obliging swans who inhabit this pound. Photos when we get back to broadband land.

On Granny Buttons' blog Andrew includes the name of our boat in his comment "..... Epiphany. The canals are full - to - brimming of boats with lofty and aspirational names". Still at least he gave us a mention! John is the lofty one - not the name of the boat! Aspirational? I am not so sure!

Haven't we done well today for mentions - only fair to reciprocate. If you are wondering I did get my fix of F1 practice and Dr Who too. What a brilliant end.

From Wharf To Pub In The Dry

We had a very quiet night at the Wharf, there were quite a few boats moored when we looked out in the morning. The early morning was a little showery so we stayed put. John continued some jobs on the boat and I did some necessary housework! As we were right by the winding hole we had a grandstand view of boats winding – about three or four. Devizes Is a bit of a canal decision time as once you are committed to the Caen flight after The Cave lock – number 45, 6 locks later – and the winding hole below, there is no turning back for a while!

By noon it was time to move – before or after lunch! We grabbed a snack and set off, as we decided we could moor up for lunch when we got to the Black Horse pub. We were the only boat going down then. Through Kennet Lock (50), under the bridge immediately below known as the Town Bridge, it became more windy and blowy. As many of you know the paddle gear on these locks take a lot of effort, both bottom and top gates on some locks. Letting the ratchet down is awkward as you wind the windlass with one hand whilst reaching over the beam to hold the safety catch up. Yes I know some people cheat and just let it run down. This is only possible if they run freely, but not a good idea as it adds to the wear and tear.

Back to our mini cruise. The sun was shining and the clouds were white and fluffy, not dark and threatening. The next lock is Maton lock, no problems here except there was a boat in front so all the locks were set against us. The wind blew us to Trust lock, which was named to mark the 21st anniversary of the K & A Trust in 1983. Here we waited for the boat behind to catch up. One of them had walked down to ask us as they thought they would have a partner for the flight. I think they may have been disappointed when we said we were mooring below!

We moored opposite the pub on the towpath side, lots of nettles on the bank but we avoided being stung! We spent a very pleasant afternoon, cratch cover up; side doors open, watching tennis. The phone signal is not too good so Johns mobile was in the porthole (best place for a signal!) so he could get onto the web. When it rang it fell off and cut off the call from our son – so out into the cratch to sit on the gunnels for a lovely chat. He went up to the Lakes yesterday and was extolling the beautiful scenery. Fortunately the floods, unlike Sheffield, did not affect Lancaster.

So now, once I have finished this we will wander over to the Black Horse for a drink and to check it out. Last time we were there was about 5 years ago. We were with our friends on a hire boat and met some other friends there for a meal. We have just realised that we have never been down the flight just up it twice, but no we are not doing it this weekend – definitely! By the way we have only travelled 2 miles – what a long blog about a journey that takes 10 – 15 minutes max in the car from the marina!

Going Going Gone Green

Devizes Market Day. There are advantages to being here on the Wharf on a Thursday. The market is in walking distance. We are not using a car to go to it so maybe doing our bit to reduce our carbon footprint. We are also supporting the local economy, not the multi nationals, and the food is fresh = no food miles.

I think my train of thought is being influenced by the TV programme running in the background - The Money Programme on Supermarkets and Banks going "green". One day we hope to reduce our emissions by getting rid of the cars. At the moment I need one for work and we are waiting to get confirmation of John's retirement status before we sell the other. At least we have reduced our high fuel consumption when we lived in a four bedroom house! Hot water can be a by product of the engine running as can electricity. The stove can burn some rubbish in small quantities and waste wood to provide heat.

Household cleaners etc have alternatives like lemon juice, white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. Ecover products can also be very useful and are in most supermarkets now. We reuse all our plastic bags as much as possible and take our own bags shopping. Kennet is very good at providing recycling facilities. Near the marina is a very big recycling centre that takes everything from compost to engine oil and household waste to building materials. Most car parks and all supermarkets have recycling bins. They appear in all sorts of odd places and even at some canal wharfs.

To Go Down Or Not To Go Down

We have moved! Out of the marina and onto the cut. We decided to forget the potential weather and its forecasts. I was working in Devizes today so John brought Epiphany down to the Wharf and we are moored on the 72 hour moorings just above Kennet lock (Lock 50), just before Town Bridge.

It was great to walk home after work! As I drove to work we have the car here so I can go to work at my other office (sounds good, my work is in the Kennet area so I work at two offices depending which end of the District I need to be!). Then we will probably move down the next 3 locks on Friday.

That takes us to Manifold lock (mentioned in yesterdays blog). After that it is Caen flight and I am not sure we fancy doing a down and back to the Wharf in 2 days! We could do it, it would be good exercise, but I do like to relax and be a bit lazy at the weekends! However if a miracle happens and we have some really good weather I could be tempted to think about it!

I think Derek and Dot on "Gipsy Rover" may be coming back up the flight this weekend - so if you are reading this - we hope to see you sometime!

Still Here with A New Laptop

I have neglected our blog as John has been transferring everything from my laptop to a "new" (to me) laptop that is faster and a bit newer. The keyboard mouse/touch pad works properly, so I no longer have to use an optical mouse. My emails are now on Google Thunderbird, so I have a new system to get used to. I am beginning to get the hang of it.

So we had a brief view on the K & A and the Caen Hill flight on David Dimbleby's "How we built Britain" programme on Sunday. I took this ubiquitous photo at Easter this year.

We brought "Epiphany" (on the right below) up the flight on her Maiden Voyage. We shared the locks with "Salix Alpha", then owned by James and Fiona. She is also a Bath Narrowboats/owner fit out. It was a very cold, frosty day in November.

The large barge seen going through the locks on the programme was "Unity" a replica of one built years ago. "Unity" is seen below after passing under Prison Bridge in Devizes just as "Epiphany" (in the distance) and "Salix Alpha" prepare to go under the bridge and into Lock 47 - Manifold Lock.

There is a model of the original "Unity" in the Kennet & Avon Trust Museum on Devizes Wharf. Adrian Softley and his wife, Nikki are understandably very proud of their boat "Unity".

We heard that David D was offered a new yellow hard hat at Crofton but refused as he wanted one that had been worn already - cosmetic effect for the cameras?

What a shame that Saul Festival has been cancelled. We did think about going by car but are glad we decided not to. I think we have got away very lightly in this area. On Monday the roads were awash and the drains struggled. However there didn't seem to be any real problems.

We are trying to decide if we will take Epiphany out this weekend or not. We shall keep an eye on Metcheck and then decide.

Worth Watching And Worth Visiting

Sometimes TV programmes actually reflect our real interests. An example of this is "How We Built Britain" with David Dimbleby on Sunday evenings at 9pm. Tonight he is in The West. The programme is entitled "Putting on the Style". It apparently shows how Georgian design transformed our lives.

Even more interesting he travels to Bath and Bristol and to quote the Radio Times - "Particularly impressive are the canals and locks that linked these new centres of leisure and commerce with London."


Bizarrely it also goes on to describe his impersonation of a water-pumping station (Crofton we assume) as "a rather freaky moment".


I shall be interested to see how one does this! The photography in the series has been mixed - lots of shots of his Landrover from the air, interspersed with some lovely scenic shots.

To add to our delectation next Sunday Countryfile goes to the Oxford Canal, 11am on BBC1. Our more recent memories of the Oxford are of fields and fields of rape seed oil, so much so that the air was heavy with the scent (?).


I know that some find this unpleasant, especially if they are sensitive or have an allergy. However the scenery, villages and canal make up for it. Here are a few more photos of our trip on the Oxford with Twelfth Night in May 2004. During this three weeks the weather was glorious. We met up with our good friends (and John's cousins) Steven and Ellen at Cropredy and had a day cruise with them. We also had my very long standing best friend Ray (now living in Canada) with us for two weeks. It was a wonderful holiday!

Beer O'Clock

Yesterday we popped down to Sells Green to Bath Narrowboats' workshop - or Epiphany's "womb"!

They are fitting out 2 boats, one for a New Zealand couple and one for someone who originally came from Cornwall. It is a small world as the next shell to arrive will also be a fit out for someone from Cornwall. Both owners were there finalising details and keeping Jon Langley busy.

Derek and Dot on "Gypsy Rover" told us that they see at least one "Kiwi" boat each day on their travels. We too have seen a fair number! It looks as if the Cornish too are becoming more prevalent! Keep flying the flag guys!

Bath Narrowboats had a successful Crick Show and have some real interest for some more fit outs, which is great. We joined them at "beer o'clock" at the local pub for a drink and cheesy chips. This is a Friday Institution and is a great way to finish off the week for them (and us when we can make it!)

Today we are going on a wood for stools hunt. John has cleared the cratch, all the wood is now on the roof in boxes, and now we want to build/find 2 stools to act as storage/steps/stools to sit on. We are just getting a bit of a tennis fix, watching the women's final from Eastbourne. Wimbledon next week - whoopee!

Boaters Unite - Again

I think BW want us to do this, but they have thought of a new method for us to think seriously about how, when and where we moor. I am sure you are aware of BW's plans to auction/tender moorings. If you are against this, please sign the new online petition. For details of the "crazy" scheme see the Waterscape website.

The IWA press release of 20th June encourages boaters to sign the petition and a conduct a "mass action of direct correspondence". Written complaints should go to Sally Ash at BW HQ - Willow Grange, Church Road, Watford, Herts. WD17 4QA. The IWA are also encouraging letters to local MPs.

We feel putting moorings out to tender is a very discriminatory method and many boaters will not benefit from this. Not everyone has access to the internet, either by choice or lack of interest. Why should they be charged extra to use the postal system.

"Market Value" is driven by those who can afford to, not those who cannot. Many people on the waterways cannot afford to compete. It discriminates against those boaters who have been on mooring waiting lists, patiently waiting for their name to get to the top only to be "gazumped" by an auction bidder.

The scheme is yet another way of penalising the very people who keep the waterways alive. BW seem to have forgotten the value of the enthusiasts who by their hard work played a huge part in restoring the waterways system to it's current health. These boaters, many now pensioners, still want to add value to BW's assets. They have enthusiasm but unfortunately not financial resources.

John's not an imaginary entity

Over to John tonight - I've had a busy day at work and have other things to do this evening. He's keen to get in the top 100 boating sites: it doesn't matter to me. So if you want to keep him happy, please let as many other people as possible know about the blog on our website!....

The enthusiasm of the people who faithfully "stuff" The Butty into "envelopes" for each edition is so obvious, they all deserve recognition in the Queen's Honours List. However, there were a few too many on holiday, so a mayday went out to local Boat Club Members - we are members of the Devizes and Pewsey Wharf clubs - to help the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust with this edition's mailing. John volunteered to help (no pressure); so a morning spent inserting The Butty and an address sheet into polythene envelopes, then bagging them up by postcode area with a pre-printed Royal Mail address sheet attached to the sack's plastic tie, was well rewarded by a wonderful lunch.

So if you are a member of the K&A Canal Trust you might find his DNA on it in the next few days :-) And if you aren't a member, but have any interest in keeping this wonderful stretch of waterway open, why not join? The Butty is by any standard a professionally produced magazine, with lots to read (40 pages - all free to members) and boating-relevant advertisements. You also get FREE entry to Crofton and Claverton Pumping Stations and the Canal Museum at Devizes wharf, whenever they are open. And the Trust is actively working to improve the canal's cruising, visitor and natural assets. Superb value!!!!

NHS And Summer Solstice

One of the concerns about living aboard is Links to Health Services. There has been quite a lot of discussion on prescriptions on Canal World Forum.

Living in a marina gives us a postal address so registering with a GP is straightforward. Our GP surgery uses an on-line service (the link gives an example, not ours!) for appointments with a GP and even more useful the system can be used for ordering repeat prescriptions. You can either have the prescription posted to you or collect the medicines at a local chemist or supermarket.

An extension of this would be having everything on line and "virtual surgeries". A visit to a GP for review could be arranged with the surgery you are registered at, regardless of whether you have a postal address or not.

Dare I say it? When the NHS eventually puts all the records on a secure on-line service, GPs, hospitals and patients would be able to communicate as necessary and the Doctors could update health records for other professionals to see. Meanwhile it might be worth trying NHS Choices to search for local services.

On a completely different subject the Summer Solstice is on Thursday. Avebury is very near here, but we are not tempted as the roads will be very congested and there is very limited parking available.

Part of the circle of stones at Avebury.
We did a quick "drive through" on the road through the stones back in the Spring. However we will return to visit properly sometime.

All Types Of Narrowboats

As I promised on Friday here is a picture of Derek and Dot, "Gypsy Rover" and us. It was taken by "Kalimira", moored ahead of them at Devizes Wharf.


A friend from the States emailed me today to say that her Father saw "Tywardreath" at Foxton Locks in May 2004. I am not sure if this helps our dispute (see yesterdays blog) but Foxton is on the Leicester Section of the Grand Union. It all depends on when in May, as Braunston is about 27 miles away on the GU Main Line!

I thought I would let you see some of the photos we took of the variety of moored boats on our short trip from Devizes to Honey Street last weekend.

The ubiquitous BW working boat moored, just beyond the visitor moorings - for a change

Is this an original blue mini or just a Butty?

A rather smart Narrowboat with an extended bow cockpit, giving a "Tug Front" look.
A huge cruiser stern, made for outdoor living I think.


A residential wide beam with a bit of a list due to the shallow edge of the Kennet and Avon Canal. Even shallow drafted craft have problems in some places. We slept with our feet down hill last weekend!

Cornish Boats Cruising The K and A

As it is Sunday that means a late wake up, breakfast and casting off! The weather forecast is dry but cloudy. We finally set off about midday and cruised to All Cannings for lunch. We passed the usual boats moored up, again many in different places – adhering to the rules. I remembered to take photos of “Angels Payment”
and “Skylarking”

– the Bath Narrowboat flotilla! It was minus “Blake” which was just outside the marina as we left.

Just before All Cannings we caught up with a wide beam barge with a wheelhouse and large steering wheel. It looked very new and smart but was very slow as it filled the canal. Passing other boats we were struggling to keep behind as our tick over was obviously faster than his! He kindly pulled over to let us past.

However it was not long before he passed us as we moored!

As we moored at All Cannings I noticed a familiar flag – The Cornish Flag – on the swan neck of the boat in front. The boat was also familiar it was “Tywardreath”.

We last saw them in May 2004, when we were on Twelfth Night. John and I are in dispute as to where! I think it was at the top of Braunston Locks, John thinks it was on the Leicester section. Unfortunately I do not have a photo so cannot prove it either way. Tywardreath is a village outside St Austell, Cornwall. The railway crossing there was on one of our regular routes out of Cornwall, either to the A30 or up to the A38 via Lostwithiel for Plymouth.

After lunch we cast off and made for Honey Street and the winding hole at bridge 123. We hung around as a boat backed up to this and winded, making rather heavy weather of it. The Bruce Trust’s “Diana” waited in the bridge hole whilst he completed his manoeuvre and went past them and then also whilst we winded.

We then cruised back to the marina and arrived in time to watch the last 17 laps of the F1 GP. Is Lewis Hamilton going to continue his incredible form for the rest of the season? I hope so. I then caught up on Dr Who. I knew Derek Jacobi would be The Master, but it was still brilliant. John Sim looks as mad as David Tennant so the rest of the series is going to be good! John Barrowman is the icing on the cake!

Ah well a good couple of days, the weather was kind – it is raining now. Back to work tomorrow for 4 days and then maybe we will be out on the cut again. I like this life!

268 miles 108 locks since 31st October 2006

An Evening Cruise and Boats for Hobbits

We decided that we would try and get out of the marina this evening when I got back from the Tea Party I was attending as part of work. We moved out onto the canal about 6.45pm and tootled up to the Bridge Inn at Horton.

What a strange craft moored near the Marina. This either takes a Hobbit or Elf for a night time cruise when all are slumbering; or maybe a very small Builder?!

There had been showers during the day but it was a dry twenty-five minute cruise! We just squeezed in on the pub moorings, had a meal on board and a drink in the pub. We had a convivial chat with the Landlord Sue, and some of her friends from Devizes who have just taken over the Florists there.

It is very quiet and as I write this we can hear birdsong all around us. There is no satellite signal here so the TV does not tempt us.

John has just worked out that we have cruised for 44 days since Epiphany was launched, running the engine for an average of 3.7 hours per day over those 44 days.

Bloggers on Bloggers

What did we do on my day off? Firstly we had a bit of a lie in. Then a bit of boat maintenance/cleaning. We then got into our other vehicle - a comparitive gas guzzler but necessary for work! Oh - its just a car. Our destination was Swindon, not one of my favourite places but a good shopping venue. We went to the Western Outlet which is a discount outlet for some of the more upmarket shops like Jager, Austin Reed, and more ordinary shops liks M&S, Next, Clarkes and Lilly & Skinner. It also has a good "Home" section.

We came home with, new jeans, trousers and shorts for me courtesy of part of my leaving present from my last job - M & S vouchers. For the boat a pair of weighing scales for the galley and some weighing scales for us (!) and a hand held mixer, whizzer thing for smoothies, soups, chopping and whisking. No excuse now for whoever is cooking as we have some gadgets!

If you have been following Derek and Dot on "Gypsy Rover" you will know they are in Devizes and we planned to meet up. They are moored on the 72 hour mooring down by Devizes Wharf. We had to call in to Bath Narrrowboats and the Wharf is on our way home. We parked and went to find them - having warned them in advance! The moorings there are full, it is strange, as last weekend it was much quieter and there was lots of space. If everyone decides to go down the Caen flight at the same time there will be a long queue!

Of course we exchanged photos. These were taken on my phone by John. Dot and Derek and "Gypsy Rover"


Me chatting to Derek.


I only had my work camera as I forgot my own and so the ones I took will have to be downloaded on Monday. If they are good I will put them up then. Kalimira - the boat they have been locking with was next door and we asked them to take photos of the foursome - the lady kindly did so, it was beyond her "call of duty" so many thanks!

It was great to meet them and hear about their travels and a bit of the history of "Gipsy Rover". We find it a real pleasure to meet with fellow bloggers and narrowboaters as straight away we have something in common. Everyone is so friendly and we enjoy comparing notes and learning from all we meet.

Photos And Update

As we now have broadband, being back in the marina, I have up loaded a small selection of photos from our cruise. They are in chronological order.


Crofton Pumping Station on our way down. Taken from the bottom of the flight.


Some very pretty cottages spotted on our wander around Kintbury.


You can just see Epiphany moored in the distance (on the right) in this photo taken from the top floor of the pumping house. We are now on our way back.


The beam of the beam engine made by Harveys of Hayle, Cornwall.


Glamour Girl - I think not - in the wilderness at Crofton!


The "Up train" at Crofton, taken on the lockside. Who left that rubbish there, it is in the way of my photo!


Mixed messages or what? Hopefully the "Down trains" take notice! I am not so sure of the people who cross though. "Do we risk it or not?" Some choice - between being fined or getting mown down?

Ah memories, but back to more mundane things.

Wednesday already! I am obviously back in the swing of work now! Latest "news": TV for the bedroom bid for on eBay and won by John. Delivered today, not working so another to be delivered next week. Hey Ho.

We saw the model in Currys and this was a reconditioned one. Our TV in the saloon is an eBay success so we thought we would have another go. It sounds a little decadent to have a TV in the bedroom but we like our little luxuries.

Finally the heavy showers promised have materialised, fortunately after I got home. We were thinking of taking Epiphany out this weekend but are not sure now if the weather is going to be conducive to a quick cruise.

It is very humid and at night we are leaving portholes open or even taking the glass out. I suppose the heat inside the boat in the evenings and nights is a reflection of the level of insulation. When it is very hot in the day we can keep the boat cool too with this and lots of ventilation.

Summer must really be here - John has dug his shorts and sandals out. I am not sure whether he is enjoying being a "boat husband", I hope so. Anyway I do not work Fridays so we will have to decide what to do for the weekend soon.

Dot and Derek on "Gypsy Rover" will probably make Devizes at the weekend according to their email today. It would be good to be around to meet them as I have enjoyed reading their blog.

From Town Mooring to Countryside Marina Village

It was a quiet night on Devizes Wharf. There are limited 48-hour moorings here. On the towpath side opposite it is 72-hour moorings and they were nearly full overnight.

In the morning there were ducks asleep at the bows and fishermen active on the towpath. We had a late start to the day. Most of the hireboats opposite moved off about 10. Others replaced them at lunchtime.

We decided to get some jobs done on the boat.

My 4 Seasons cat plates have gone up in the saloon, the magnifying mirror in the bathroom and most important, the Carbon Monoxide monitor in the bedroom.

We were seduced by the French Open after lunch, rooting for Roger Federer, not Nadal. Nadal is so difficult to beat on clay and neither played their best. Never mind Roger – Wimbledon is not too far off!

However we cast off in time to get back to the Marina for the Grand Prix! Only about a half an hour cruise and we were back home! John hooked up the BT line – back on broadband now, and the electric too. The post box was very full. Some of the post was my birthday cards.

We settled down for the GP. Guess what – another thundery shower put paid to the satellite signal again and we missed the start. It came back at about lap 13 and we watched with hope as Lewis Hamilton coped with the Safety Car again and again. There was a nasty accident, bumps and breakdowns. However he won. Wonderful to see and hear the National Anthem and played only once! It is great to see a Brit winning at last!

We have had a great cruise, relaxing and with good weather. I am back to work tomorrow and John will begin to get used to living on Epiphany as home. Thanks to those of you who have been following my blog, I hope you have found it interesting. Keep coming back and we love to hear from you either by “comments” or email. John has started revamping the web site so keep a look out for the “Launch”. My blog will continue even when “home”. We are bows in now so this is the view from the stern deck!

Readers, Friends and Acquaintances on Narrowboats

We had a good evening at Pewsey. After a meal we went for a drink at the Waterfront Bar. Graham was welcoming as usual. The usual customers were there. It was good to relax with a beer or two (John) and a whiskey and coffee (me!).

We set off this morning in familiar territory, passing boats from Devizes Boat Club on their treasure hunt to Wilcot. One or two remarked we were going in the wrong direction! The sun became hotter as the day passed. A few clouds cooled things down sometimes.

As “Tickly Too” from Stroudwater (Rose and Baz) passed us, Rose called out that she reads our website. It was good to meet a reader on the go! Thanks Rose – keep reading! “Angels Payment” (Dave and Angie) was moored at Allington Swing Bridge. Both of them were hard at work touching up the paintwork. I asked if they would do Epiphany next! I think Dave has already done his best work on Epiphany – he was/is one of the carpenters at Bath Narrowboats – so we carry his work with us in our saloon.

Our links with the staff there continued as we passed “Skylarking” and shouted “hello” to John the other carpenter who worked on Epiphany! They are just about to begin an extended cruise. To complete the set “Blake” was moored just outside Devizes Marina – Chris had just started at Bath Narrowboats when Epiphany arrived in the workshop. Debbie works in the Chandlery at the marina.

We continued on down to Devizes Wharf and moored. A five-minute walk into the centre meant we could shop and go into Specsavers. We arrived back to see a couple taking great interest in our boat; hopefully they were admiring her. Someone else came along as we unpacked the shopping. He took a few photos!

It has been good to receive compliments about Epiphany this cruise. Here is small selection: “That’s a Rolls Royce of a narrowboat”. “One of the nicest narrowboats I have seen for a long time”. “If we were judging the smartest boat yours would win first prize”. We thank people gracefully and think they must have great taste! She is what we designed and planned for so of course we are very biased.

Tomorrow is our last day out. So we will possibly go down further – maybe the two locks. It depends on the weather. At this moment we are in the middle of a thundery shower, trying to watch F1 Practice but the satellite signal is a bit temperamental because of the weather!

Crofton, Wootton Rivers to Pewsey. Homeward Bound

BW men were strimming the lock banks when we got up. They came to do the moorings and very kindly missed our bit so we did not have grass on the side of the boat or any stones thrown up against the paintwork! It was a sunny morning so we got going up the locks before 11. We were able to thank the strimmers at the next lock as they were working there by the time we arrived.

John started on the boat but took over the locking at lock 58. I think he thought he needed the exercise after our lazy day yesterday. The sun got hotter and hotter so I finally put my shorts on, plenty of factor 30 and enjoyed the warmth.

There was a Heron before Bruce Tunnel – out came the camera, off went the engine and I got a couple of shots. Once through the tunnel he appeared again and I finally got a good shot – it doesn’t like being reduced for the web though! At least I succeeded with a Heron before it flew off this time. If you look carefully he has some companions too!

The crane at Burbage Wharf has been dismantled, was it by the men on Kennet 11? Or was it on the lorry on the bridge! Kennet 11 was the BW boat we saw on its way to repair Lock 51 on our way up. I hope the crane did not waylay them – and let’s hope they had got to the lock!

We waited for a boat at Wootton Rivers Top Cadley Lock; they were planning to moor before the bottom lock so we locked through together until then. Lock 51 is repaired successfully. Thankfully.

It was very pleasant sitting in the bows between Wootton Rivers and Pewsey. As the moorings came in sight they looked full. However we spotted a broad beam moving off and we managed to moor fairly near what we call “our usual mooring”. This is just before the permit moorings. A satellite signal means John is happily listening to cricket whilst catching up on emails. Tomorrow we make for Devizes, either the Marina or Wharf, depending on how we feel, as we need to visit Specsavers. One of the arms on John’s glasses broke this morning. Good job we are on our way back.

A Rest Day For Some

We woke to a really grey, windy day and neither of us was in a hurry to get up! We changed our minds about going up the Crofton Flight and decided we would have a “rest day”. For me this meant doing a bit of cleaning, not much, just the necessary; a sweep through, a clean of the bathroom and a quick tidy of the saloon. For John it meant a day on the laptop working on the revamp of www.nbepiphany.co.uk to be launched later on.

One or two boats were on the move. About midday “Dreamcatcher” came down the lock and moored below us.

On board were Tony Haynes; his faithful dog Sophie and crew.

Tony is the Vice Chair of NABO (National Association of Boat Owners). We had read his article about his “escaping the Basingstoke Canal” after 6 years and his idea of an epic journey from Godalming, Surrey to the outer reaches of the system. This journey is aptly named “The two year NABO Vice Chairman’s Retirement Windlass, Walking Stick and Warfarin Ten Point Cruise in aid of Save Our Waterways”. See the May edition of NABO News, page 12.

John went and had a chat with Tony, exchanging news and no doubt SOW interests. Sadly Tony’s legs do not share his enthusiasm for the cause. However in his heart he is determined to tick off one of the northern points if at all possible. The return journey on the Kennet and Avon Canal could be called an epic voyage for anyone - with all the locks, different paddle gear and heavy gates!

This afternoon is my rest time. Hence the blog update and then I have a good book waiting for me. “With Love from Ma Maguire” by Ruth Hamilton. A Lancashire Lass, born in Bolton, writing about the Cotton Mills of Bolton and the hardship of the workers there. She weaves a story around two families, and how love and conflict can affect the generations. Ruth Hamilton has written many books, a TV series and for children’s’ programmes. You may gather I like historical, romantic novels!

Listing, Pasties and Cornish Engines

It was a bit overcast when we woke but by the time we had breakfast and prepared to walk into Great Bedwyn the sun was shining. However there was a keen east wind blowing in at the stern. We were thoroughly aground and listing well to starboard so it was interesting in the shower as the pump could not pump out the last of the water due to the list! It is good job the cross bed makes up with our heads to port otherwise we would have had too much blood in the brains, or too little in feet by the time we woke up! Hopefully our healthy hearts would have coped. No funny comments please.

We crossed Bedwyn Wharf Bridge and turned left towards the small PO and bakery. The bakery has excellent pasties though not Cornish, they are to recommended, as is their lardy cake apparently. We bought two pasties but resisted the lardy cake! The PO sells milk, bacon and Ecover! It also has a large selection of cat and dog food but little else. Strange, maybe there are lots of cats and dogs in Bedwyn!

We had a look at the Stone Masons – remembered well from our last visit. It has some very funny headstones, with legends that I think are not genuine! A price list outside is “priceless”, in the amusing sense. There are a couple of pubs, one of which we ate in last time, but anno domini means we cannot remember which!

After a call at the sanitary station just past the bridge for elsan, water and rubbish we were on our way again. Plan for today was locks 64 to the bottom of the Crofton flight, lock 60 and then a visit to Crofton Pumping Station.

We were eventually caught up by an Alvechurch boat and waited for them in lock 61. I think they thought they would have a companion for the flight, but no. They were making for Honey Street and “The Barge” this evening. Anyway they had a huge crew “celebrating Mother’s 50th”.

The antics above were on Wilton Water, adjacent to our mooring at Crofton Bottom Lock. The Pumping Station is very interesting and the new Manager has recently remodelled the café and shop. It is very light and airy and she is very friendly. We did the tour of the Beam Engines, particularly taken with the fact that they were based on Cornish Engines and one was made by Harveys of Hayle, Cornwall.

The other is a Boulton and Watt of Birmingham. They have slight differences, the Harvey being a force pump and the Boulton and Watt is a lift pump (discharging water on the power stoke as opposed to the Harvey on the return stroke of the engine). That is about as technical as I get!

It was also interesting to see the Honey Street Clock, removed from the boat yard there when it was demolished. We watched it chime 4 pm on the bell at the side. It is an amazing piece of clock making and John was fascinated.

The bright red boiler is from Lancashire. It takes 1.25 tons of coal per day to produce 20 pounds per square inch of pressure. The insides can be seen from Engineman’s Rest café and shop, using a second Lancashire boiler.

The engines will be in steam in July and there is a Bicentenary Celebration on 7^th and 8^th July. Phil Harding of Time team is opening it and one attraction for John will be the beer tent. I shall enjoy the food and music! We have yet to decide if we bring Epiphany down or come by car. Moorings will be at a premium I expect.

So tomorrow we ascend the Crofton Flight and then we are back on really familiar territory.