The March Lion Marches Out. Devizes to Pewsey

11.14 miles, 5hrs 51m, 1.90 lock/mph

Sunday was a glorious sunny day, no wind so we were able to wind! We set off about 10.00, waving to various acquaintances on boats as we went.

We called in at Devizes Marina to have a chat, pick up outstanding post, pay outstanding electric bill and return the gate opener and letterbox key. They have a number of new boats arriving in April to replace those leaving and are full again!

Spring is well on its way with the blossom evident along the canal.


We filled up with diesel at Gibson Boat Services at Honey Street.



We really needed it as we were low and George is fairly reasonably priced for the K & A at 78pence/litre. George and his wife are always ready for a chat and we had a discussion about diesel prices and the problems that face boaters and retailers alike, over the new regulations.

His dog is always welcoming too!

After Honey Street we began to see many more boats on the move, mainly private. The warm sun had stirred the blood I think! We passed our friends from Bath Narrowboats, Dave and Ange. In two weeks they are off on an extended 9-month cruise around the system. If you see them on Nb Angels Payment do give them a wave! Lucky ducks!

Rather than going all the way past Pewsey Wharf to wind at Milkhouse Water winding hole – about a mile away, John decided to wind before the Pewsey Boat Club moorings. He then reversed expertly back to the wharf in front of some of the club members who were sunning themselves by the pavilion there! It is about a quarter of a mile so he was rather pleased with himself!

We weren't sure if this was the source of rumours that a bomb had been found at the Wharf or if it was an early April Fool from someone in the Boat Club.



After consulting with a fellow boating friend in the Waterfront Pub he came back with a possible answer to our Webasto problem – it could be that the exhaust was clogged up. He suggested John should turn off the diesel and run it for a few cycles until the smoke disappears. Then repeat as necessary. John tried this today and lo and behold we now have a fully functioning Webasto again.

Isn’t it great when other boaters share their experiences and advice? That is what boating should all be about, not fussing about politics and rules and regulations! Kindness and respect would be wonderful if we all practised it religiously!

Today it was fabulous to arrive home, in the sun and spend a good number of hours without needing the stove blasting out and in daylight. As I washed our evening meal up I could see a couple of rabbits chasing each other on the opposite bank. The wonderful thing is we have this outlook to look forward to for the next few months and I always feel so much happier once January, February and March have passed.

A Quiet Day

Latest Photos - the album of our Easter cruise is now available here.

No cruising today. We decided to stay put, as we needed to do a bit of food shopping, take my library books back and find a battery alarm clock with a light. I like to know the time at night!

We wandered into the town, via Town Bridge and did all we had to do and I found a small travel alarm that fits the bill I think. Right at the time Metcheck foretold it started raining. However the time they said it would stop – 3 pm was wrong as it is still raining!

Boats have gone, some down the flight, which is only open between 8 and 1pm. As from 1^st April it is 8 – 5. Boats have come, some possibly going on, others to stay for a few days. The boat behind us has had problems – his diesel was siphoned out and he has had to replace all his filters etc as well as getting more fuel. He saw our padlocked filler cap and is now thinking of doing the same. Diesel is rather expensive on the K & A so we recommend any of you coming down this way fill up to the brim first!

Our Webasto boiler packed up this morning – 2 things to check, diesel level and then whether it is coked up – again. We suspect it is the latter and John will have to spend a bit of time on it next week. Meanwhile we have the Morso stove for warmth and the engine for hot water.

We seem to have got the idea of when and how long we need to charge the batteries now and are able to keep things well topped up.

So tomorrow whatever the weather we have to cruise back to the car in Pewsey so I can go to work on Monday. Just a few days out seems like a bit of a holiday and refreshes me for the next week.

A reminder to set your clocks and watches to EST. What! Europe is even taking over the time now!

Against The Wind To Devizes

9.81 miles, 3 hrs 36 mins, 2 swing bridges, 2.55 lm/hr

We had quite a bit of rain this morning, which was fortunate as John had some work to do for the SOW AGM. 4 or 5 boats passed us their crew all dressed in wet weather gear. However at lunch time the sun broke through and although a little blustery it was good cruising weather.

We set off at about 1.15, passing the swan’s nest in the same place as last year.



As we travelled the wind got stronger and much of the journey was into a strong head wind! Bridge 122 has some interesting “tank traps”, remnants from the war defences as are the pill boxes scattered along this stretch.

There were a fair few boats moored including this one...

and its butty:

If I remember rightly from the summer there is a full size bath in the bows under the Perspex.

The two swing bridges on this stretch were fun. The wind was so strong that we took a rope ashore both before and after the bridges. Allington swing bridge (129) opened by wind power once I had undone the padlock and I had to look sharp to get on the bridge otherwise I would have been left behind and unable to help once Epiphany was through!

Bishops Cannings swing bridge (133) is a wide bridge and much heavier – John had to open and close it whilst I looked after the boat on the ropes.

We were on very familiar territory and debated whether to stop and moor at The Bridge Inn, Horton but carried on past the moorings and a short towpath closure under the bridge (134).


Passing the marina we came to Devizes and there were lots of boats moored at the wharf and on the 72-hour moorings. This meant we had to moor past the winding hole, and there was space on what is known locally as Town Wharf, just before Town bridge (141) . This is just before the first of the Devizes locks, Kennet lock (50), which include the Caen Hill flight.

So we are settled for the night, two more boats managed to get in front of us – just so there are now no moorings left for late comers! The boat is being moved around a fair bit by the wind, not that that bothers us. I just hope it drops as tomorrow we will have to reverse to the winding hole to turn around and that will definitely be fun if the wind is up!

From Pewsey Going The Other Way

1.95 miles, 44 mins, 2.67 lm/hr

We are off again! On our way down to Devizes. It is the weekend (for me from 5pm) and we decided to leave as soon as I got back from work. The sun was shining, birds singing and all was well in our world!

We made for Wide Water, you may remember it is a widened stretch of the canal just West of bridge 120 Lady’s Bridge. Due to the whims of Lady Susannah Wroughton who owned this stretch in 1793, an ornate bridge was built (1880, attributed to John Rennie) and landscaping of the marshland took place. £500 was also given to appease her objections to the canal. I hope the lady was well pleased!

Her capitulation has given us boaters a mini Tixal Wide and a tranquil place to moor. There is plenty of wildlife and at the moment, a nesting swan pair. Of course the potential dad is a bit territorial and inspects all the visitors to his piece of canal. Tonight there are 3 other boats here too but we are well spaced so no one will be a nuisance!

We are now replete after a meal of chicken fajitas expertly cooked by John, a glass of red wine and some dark chocolate. We are very happy bunnies!

Enjoying The Cut?- We Are

Only two days back at work and I am ready for the weekend already! Still that is only one day away as my weekends include Fridays!

This is great as we can cruise over the the 3 day weekend and plan to go down to Devizes to tie up a few loose ends with Devizes Marina.

The weather forecast looks foul, but as we have discovered this area can sometimes have totally different weather to the forecast! Maybe it is something to do with the Salisbury Plain! So we will go "out" nevertheless.

Nb Dragonwyck passed us this evening - she is owned by the manager of the marina and her husband. Trevor shouted out "enjoying being out of the Marina?" John replied "very definitely!".

I am especially enjoying watching the boats go by, which we missed in the Marina; also the boat movement is more pronounced. So all in all it was a good move to the Pewsey area!

Boat movements have definitely increased, so it looks as if people are taking holidays this week instead of last week like us. I suppose they will only increase now although this area is sort of "no man's land". By which I mean that it is a good 2 weeks cruise for Reading Marine Boats and so also for hire boats from Bath. Foxhangers Boats and Alvechurch are a bit nearer but the Caen Flight and the rest of the Devizes locks are a bit of a barrier for some.

So are Spring and Summer really on their way? Well certainly around the corner we hope

The Joys Of Weed Hatches, Wootton Rivers to Pewsey

2.5 miles, 48 mins, 1 lock, 4.33 lm/hr

There were a number of boats on the move again today – a Sally Boat hire boat and Hannah one of The Bruce Trust’s boats. A couple of private boats too. We looked at the local weather forecast, which predicted rain in the morning, but clearing up after lunch so decided to stay put until then.

Unfortunately as we moved off from the mooring we became entangled with some BW netting – supposedly to stop bank erosion we think.

When I say tangled it was enough to stall the engine. One look down the weed hatch and John’s heart sank! We had netting and posts thoroughly tangled around the prop.

It took scissors, a freezer knife, lots of patience and perseverance and an hour later we were free.

He's smiling now!

John then tried to tidy up the remaining netting, securing it with one of the posts but another unwary boater could easily do the same, as it is not obvious that it is loose.

What was left before John secured it

The same appears to be happening the lock end of the moorings before the lock landing. So if you are ever there - beware.

After that we had a pleasant cruise back to Pewsey. The sun shone all the way and despite the cold wind we enjoyed the final leg of our cruise.

Looking back towards Wootton Rivers Bottom lock (51) through Bridge 109

It has been an eventful 10 days or so! Becoming stranded in a lock, experiencing flooded towpaths and locks, a fast flowing River Kennet in the Newbury area, canoeists on the Devizes to Westminster race and finally today’s episode. All part of the rich life on the cut that means each day is different and has it’s own challenges.

So now it is back to “normality” for a few days as I return to work and John catches up on boat jobs, weather permitting. The sky is as clear as a bell tonight. The stars are showing their glory and we have just returned from a meal with a fellow boater followed by a quick drink in the Waterfront – perfik!

Strange Noises In The Night, Then Crofton To Wootton Rivers

4.25 miles, 2 hrs 57 mins, 9 locks, 4.5 lm/hr

There was some strange goings on last night at Crofton!

Nothing to do with the full moon I think!

Actually truth to tell we know what was going on – as it got darker and for the rest of the evening and well into the night we were passed by canoes on the water, canoes being carried along the towpath and various calls and shouts.



There were calls of “where are we?” “Is that another lock?” “Can we portage?” According to John this went on until 3 am. He was awake but I was definitely not! Lets hope they all got safely to Westminster today.

We woke early to watch the Grand Prix – a bit disappointing for Lewis Hamilton but it is very early in the season yet. When we looked out of the porthole after the race it was snowing.


Not much but enough to lay on the towpath a bit. This is our second experience of snow at Easter on a boat. The last time was about 35 years ago – on an Anglo Welsh hire boat on the Stratford and Avon canal. This canal was in better shape then by the sound of Derek and Dot’s experiences recently on Gypsy Rover.

However the snow was gone by the time we loosed the ropes and continued up the Crofton flight. Then the sun shone for the rest of the day! At lock 59 Nb Red & Gold waited for us and we doubled up the rest of the flight. They were fairly new to the experience having only bought the boat in September but us ladies did a really good job on the boats whilst the men did the locks!

As we exited the penultimate lock we met Nb Apollo.

They moored on the other side of the pontoon from us in Devizes Marina. It was good to have a quick chat, as we haven’t seen them since before we left the marina.

We left Nb Red and Gold at the top lock and continued towards Wootton Rivers.



The canal is busier and we must have seen about 6 boats on the move today, 2 Ownerships boats and the rest private. We waited for quite a while at Cadley lock (54) for one of the Ownerships to lock up through!

This is looking back towards Burbage Wharf as they went on their merry way!

We met another boat coming up at Brimslade lock (53), the girl at the lock said they were novices and had only just bought their boat so she opened the other bottom gate too.

We moored just above Wootton Rivers bottom lock (51) with our bows just on the moorings as there was not a big enough space left by the tree boats already there – a winter mooring is rather badly placed and should really be nearer the end and then we could have done it!

I am still trying to get the hang of baking cakes by calor gas and have just taken out another “disaster” that looks bad but tastes good. It seems the oven needs to be set at nearly 2 degrees above the recipe if it is less than mark 9! I have sussed bread and muffins but don’t think I will try a Victoria sponge just yet!

Boating In Extreme Weather, Great Bedwyn To Crofton

1.62 miles, 1 hr 49 mins, 4 locks, 3.09 lm/hr

It was a windy night - again! However we managed to sleep despite one of the fenders regularly banging against the side.





We wanted to cruise this morning so got up in reasonable time. John went to the shop in Great Bedwyn to get some milk and a bag of coal. By the time he returned it was sleeting. However we had our thermals and wet weather gear on so off we set.

First stop the wharf for water and elsan. There was a boat moored there so we had to stick the bow in and leave the stern under the bridge – no passage for other boats. The other boater “woke up” eventually and pulled alongside one of the Bruce Trust boats so we were able to moor on the wharf. I think we were pretty empty, as we seemed to take an age to fill. Meanwhile the sleet continued – at times horizontal!

We had four locks ahead of us as our planned stop was at Crofton Pumping Station. Jon Langley from Bath Narrowboats was meeting us to test the Victron. We have had problems with charging the batteries (they are OK, we checked them). Even on the go it is taking a long time for the charge to come to “float”. Our electricity demand is not high as we are no longer running the freezer and do not watch much TV when cruising. 2 laptops, but run on their batteries as much as possible, fridge and lights are the main usage.

We managed to negotiate the locks without too much trouble despite the weather, using the mid rope at bottom and top lock landings prevented the boat from going astray! John was locking again and we are quicker through then as he can climb lock gates more easily than I can.

So now we are moored where we planned, just above Crofton Crossing Lock (61) as we can get a satellite signal here and managed to be here in time to watch Quali for F1. There are about 4 other boats and also we have been passed both ways by some intrepid boaters! I say intrepid as the weather has performed extremes since we have been here.


One minute it is brilliant sunshine and the next violent hail storms with the wind blowing all the time. One shower the hailstones were coming in the stern door vents and also the mushrooms on the roof!


I pity the poor canoeists, the 24 hour race starts from Devizes about 4 pm so I expect they will reach us sometime around 6pm. Most of the night will be spent paddling on the Kennet and Avon canal, as they are not allowed on the Thames at night because it is running so fast. A bit spooky in places if you are on your own I would think!

The Pumping Station is in steam this weekend so we rely on them to keep the water levels during the day – the electric pumps are turned off and back on again over night. I think this weather will put off a lot of visitors, which is a real shame.

A P.S.
Since I wrote the above Jon has been to check the Victron - all OK. He gave us a couple of ideas to improve the charging of the batteries such as running the engine at higher revs and turning up the limiter. He checked the Aqua Drive too as one of their boats had a problem - the shell builders install these. Our is OK

The first canoeists came through at about 6.05! The first 3 teams were carrying their canoes down this flight! One was actually a RIB, without the outboard of course! As darkness fell we could see them coming with their headlamps (literally head lamps!).



The weather has calmed somewhat now – no wind but the temperature has dropped to 1 degree and our weather station is warning of ice. Rather them than me!

Froxfield To Great Bedwyn Avoiding Canoes

2.22 miles, 1 hour 33 mins, 5 locks, 4.65 lm/hr

Yesterday I pulled a back muscle doing the paddles on Hungerford lock. After a rather disturbed night I thought I would be pretty useless today and John would have to single hand. Anyway I managed to get up and dressed and took some paracetamol, sat with a hot water bottle at my back and by lunch time the pain was rather less!

It was pretty windy and also today we knew we would encounter lots of canoeists, as it is the first day of the Devizes to Westminster canoe race, 60 years anniversary this year. The competitors come from schools, colleges, canoe clubs and individuals who are challenging themselves in the endurance race. Those leaving from Devizes today are doing the race in stages. The Saturday/Sunday race is the one that the Army, Police and other serious competitors take part in – a one-day, overnight race.

The first contestants passed us at just after 12 noon.



We decided to set out after lunch – by then I was able to steer providing John did the locks! So we proceeded avoiding the canoeists! It was windy again but sunny and cold.



I admired those who were using Kayaks, as it seemed much harder work.


Some were double crew and some were single.



The supporters caught up with them at strategic points on the canal where roads came near. They provided the contestants with drinks and I even saw one man being fed pieces of banana as he got into his canoe at a lock landing!

When we got to Oakhill Down lock (68) there was quite a crowd as there is room for lots of cars to park. It was like Stoke Bruerne on a summer Sunday!


We were gongoozled and photos taken of us as we locked through!

The best way to control the boat and avoid the canoes on exiting locks (all going up) was to use the middle rope to tie to the convenient posts at the mouth of the lock, thus keeping the length of the boat away from the lock landings, which were being used for portage around the locks. Fortunately most of the locks were set for us, as the bottom paddles on this stretch are left up and the locks empty. In fact of the 5 locks 4 had their gates open! So the windy conditions did not really become a problem and my vision of crushing a canoe and its occupant with the boat was thankfully not fulfilled!

Just as we exited the last lock before Great Bedwyn it began to sleet. We were so hoping that there would be a mooring for us. There was – despite some lads playing around in coracles “supervised” by an adult male. We had to ask them to get out of the way – they did not seem to understand that we were 57 foot long and needed all the space to moor!

Once moored, the heavens opened and the winds blew but the lads continued to muck around bumping into us and using us to fend themselves off – complaining about the wind. I politely suggested through one of our windows that they would be better to get out of the boats than complain!

However Dad or whoever he was continued to encourage them. Finally they got the message and moved under the bridge above us! Then the sun came out and it is still shining and the wind has dropped too.

So now it is back to my hot water bottle, catch up on the blog, emails etc and then a relaxing evening – the chef is cooking tonight!

A Windy Trip

2.36 miles, 2 hrs 16 mins, 5 locks, 2 swing bridges, 3.25 lm/hr

The weather forecast for today was not brilliant. It was going to get colder, maybe a bit of rain.

We had some persistent ducks in the night that were tapping away on the side of the boat eating the algae! Then this morning the lady from the Granary restaurant just by the moorings came out and was feeding them with loads of bread. They certainly have a good life in Hungerford – it is no wonder there are so many ducks, drakes, swans and geese there!

Hungerford is good for shopping too. There is a Somerfield and a Co-Op, Post Office and lots of interesting little shops. We only needed to top up the larder so went to the Co-Op although I was tempted into the kitchen shop to have a look around! I came out without anything – this time.

As usual we set off after lunch and by then quite a wind had sprung up (not forecast). It was hard going through the next few locks as we were headed into the wind. Some skilful helmsmanship was called for at lock landings! The swing bridge at Hungerford that gave us a lot of trouble on the way down was much easier but the one over Hungerford Marsh lock (73) was still extremely heavy!

By the time we got to Froxfield Bottom lock (70) we were ready to moor! This lock was slow as only one upper paddle was working but fortunately there are some moorings just below the next lock – Froxfield Middle lock (69) so here we are, moored using the hooks as there is some piling and being buffeted by the wind still! However it is peaceful, surrounded by trees and the odd train passing by.

I have not uploaded any photos tonight as we were too busy to take any and anyway in this weather the canal is not at its best!

Kintbury To Hungerford - A Really Pretty Stretch, Now

2.99 miles, 1hr 46mins, 3 locks, 3.37 lm/hr

We woke to glorious sunshine. We both slept in as I had had a bad night – something I ate I think! It didn’t stay down!

After a lazy breakfast in bed I began to pick up. John did a bit of undercoat on the stern where they were some bad scratches caused when trying to wind in too small a space! We now have a white starboard band instead of cream!

Next it was time for a polish – all the starboard coachwork. She looks a treat on this side now – so much so that we had 2 compliments today. “What a beautiful boat” said one lady; another man commented “What a nice boat”. It does make one proud – but not too proud as you know what the saying is!

So after lunch we set off for Hungerford – it was chilly but sunny. All the trauma we had coming down on this stretch was erased as it is such a pretty stretch without the floods!

The 3 locks were all straightforward and the weirs well behaved!

Brunsden Lock 77

Wire Lock 76 - compare photos

The weir at the top of Dunmill lock 75 was clear and the water at least a foot lower!

Compare this photo with the ones below!

So we arrived at Hungerford. Moored behind the trip boat, disturbing the sleeping ducks whilst we did so!



For some reason they all congregate on the off side and then go to the opposite side by the bridge for food from the humans!

Newbury To Kintbury

5.5 miles, 7 locks, 2 swing bridges, 3.36 hrs, 3.49lm/hr

Today was decision day. Do we turn round or not? We looked at the canal below Newbury lock yesterday.


This is where the River Kennet joins the canal again, in a narrow channel between buildings and under the low bridge that carries the pedestrianised high street.



The river was running very fast and we thought we would check it again today. John wandered down to below the lock and decided that whilst we could probably get through going with the current he was not prepared to risk trying to come up stream on our return until the flow was much less. Knowing the volume of water around this could take more time than we had.

Fortunately there is a winding hole above Newbury lock once you are through the swing bridge.



Only problem was that there was a wide beam barge moored blocking some of the winding hole and no one aboard when he knocked. It was not only moored with ropes but chained as well.

He considered the options and thought he had it sussed! His plan was to tie the bows in the winding hole and let the current take the stern around, hoping that there was enough room. If not we were stuck and we would ring BW to get them to move the barge if there was still no one on board.

He chatted to another boat that had arrived and was moored nearer the bridge and they said they were waiting to see if another boat was going through to watch! They had only just bought the boat a couple of days ago from Great Bedwyn. They offered to help if we needed it.

So we had an early lunch and then I walked to open the swing bridge – 2 barriers closed by windlass and an electric control for the bridge.


With careful use of the throttle against the current John brought the boat alongside the winding hole and we secured her to the posts there.

The guy from the barge emerged and offered to move back – we accepted and waited for him to do so. He said his engine was knackered from the trip against the stream through Newbury yesterday!? However it was not exactly a good place to moor we felt. Then loosing the stern and keeping the bow rope tight she turned with the current and we were able to secure her again facing the opposite way to wait for the swing bridge again.

So we were now on our return journey, first stop Kintbury. All went smoothly as we locked through, there was definitely a little less water around but the canal was still full and currents were still there. John made an impressive entrance to Copse lock (80) at full throttle through one gate to avoid being swept away by the weir at the tail of the lock!

Arriving at Kintbury there were more spaces and we were able to moor up so we can get a satellite signal. Sad as it is, Tuesday night is my one evening when I watch Holby City and Hotel Babylon – the first as sometimes the story lines are pretty good and the second because it makes me laugh.

Kintbury To Newbury

5.21 miles, 4hrs 25mins, locks 7, 2.75 lock/mph

What a difference a day makes. This morning was bright and we even had some sunshine! We moved down to the top of Kintbury lock to water up and get rid of the rubbish. The boat was a bit muddy so we spent the time cleaning her up a bit – she now needs a polish on the next good polishing day we have!

We entered the lock (78) at 11.20am, so we were off at about what seems to be our normal time! All the next few locks top gates had the canal flowing over them and were set for us, unless the bottom paddles had been left open as in one case.

The pound to the next look is about a mile and a half and the GPS on the laptop showed our speed as 3.9 m/hr! The canal was really full and the towpath underwater at some points.


You may need to click on the photo to see the screen better.

Once at Dreweat’s lock (79) they came in fairly quick succession. After Copse lock (80) the River Kennet enters the canal making a very strong current from the left. Approaching the lock landing which is after this is difficult as I found out! Full throttle, aim the bows left and hope for the best! John did get back on the boat I promise!






At Hamstead lock, (81) above, the river is on the right as it leaves again about 5 minutes later before the next winding hole. However it crosses again about half way to Benham lock (82). Here there is a large weir and sluice.




The 1st Battle of Newbury took place in 1643, (apparently one of the worst battles in the Civil War) and the next two locks are named for troop commanders in the battle – Guyer’s lock and Higg’s lock. Of course the canal was not built then, it was about 150 years later!

You can see from this photo of Higg’s lock (83) that the water is over the top gates and the A34 is in the background.



Soon after Guyer’s lock (84) the outskirts of Newbury begin.




We moored a West Mills, just before the swing bridge, went for a walk along the towpath towards the lock. We walked to Newbury Wharf and the K & A Trust shop and café situated in The Stone Building.


We then returned to do some shopping in the main street at Tescos Metro.

A meal, glass of wine and a rest was very welcome. The view from our bows as the sun set was glorious.


I have lots of photos of Newbury and will upload them to Picasa web together with the rest of our cruise. So when that is done I will put a link on here!

Hungerford To Kintbury

3.13 miles, 3 hours 13 mins, 4 locks, 2.21 lm/hr

This morning it was tipping it down, had been all night! We both woke fairly early for us and so John was able to get to the 8.00 service at church in Hungerford, just by the swing bridge mentioned yesterday.

After lunch the rain eased off so we decided to see how far we could get before it started again. The water was pouring over the top of Hungerford lock gates, but we got in the lock OK.


The lady moored below on the permanent moorings helped. She was very worried about the level of water as her boat was almost to the level of the pontoon. She then went back to her boat to phone BW.

There was a woman from the Town council taking photos of the volume of water. Apparently they are in dispute with BW about the water levels and she wanted evidence.

We continued down to the Elsan, rubbish and water point just below the next bridge. We did not water up as we know that the tap here is very very slow, but did all the other necessary!

There was definitely a lot of water in the canal and when we got to the next lock, Dunmill (or Dun Mill depending on who you believe!) it was again pouring over the top gates. We went in, closed the gates and opened the bottom paddles. The boat went down and then it stopped half way.



There was so much water coming in it was just replacing the water that was going out. So what to do now? We were stuck in the lock and no amount of bouncing the bottom gates helped!

John then had a thought, got the boat hook and went to the top weir to start clearing the rubbish.


I checked the outlet below the lock and there were only a few bubbles. Somewhere it was blocked. As John cleared as much as he could Nb Barling and Nb Saxon arrived on the lock landing.


The 2 men came to help. Nb Barling was from the Oxford (single handing) and Nb Saxon from Northampton and both were returning.

Finally the guy from Nb Barling rang BW and told them the situation. The said they would ring back. They did – the call out crew was at Newbury but would be with us in about an hour. So John continued clearing. Even between the bottom gates where he found this!


After about another three quarters of an hour the 3 men managed to open the gate. Guess what, BW arrived at the same time! They continued to clear the weir, which was flowing much better thanks to John’s efforts. We were in that lock about 1 hour and 20 minutes, but it seemed much longer!

The next lock, Weir Lock (76) was a repeat, although BW had beaten us to it and were just finishing clearing the weir.


The lock sides were under water when we arrived, but at least we were able to lock through with John and the 2 guys from Barling and Saxon using all their strength to open the bottom gate.

One more lock to go, also flooding over the top gates but easier to use. We arrived at Kintbury hoping that there was a mooring as we were both exhausted and ready for food and a rest!


Yes, one mooring slot big enough for Epiphany and another short boat – Nb Saxon took that, whilst Nb Barling continued on alone.

What a day – a bit of an adventure! That is what boating is all about, finding the unexpected, not stressing about problems, looking for solutions, being patient and having a laugh and sharing with other boaters. We certainly enjoyed the company of the single hander from Nb Barling and the husband from Nb Saxon!

PS - our Vodafone USB modem is working a treat! We have 3G+ tonight and yesterday it was 3G. It makes blogging a pleasure and tonight it is very fast so there are a number of photos! An added refinement is John has set up internet sharing so we can both be on line at the same time.