A Tour Of Great Bedwyn

Last weekend we moored at Great Bedwyn. Well known by Great Western travellers as a small station on the main line. It was famous for a while in 1999 as the terminus of the train in the fatal Paddington rail crash.

We were on the K & A at the time on a hire boat from Anglo Welsh called "Silver Dove".


I may have blogged about this before. Silver Dove was in the Bath fleet, run by Bath Narrowboats at Sydney Wharf, until recently. We heard about the crash from a passing boater as we exited lock 60 on the Crofton flight. Strange how life creates coincidences.

Some sort of settlement has been here since the 11th century.


The present church is 12th Century, but one may have stood in the 10th century.


The two pubs are all 19th century and some of the houses are 17th century. One or two of the cottages may even be 15th century. It is reputed that the discoverer of diabetes mellitus, Thomas Willis (1621-75) was born in the village. He also founded the Royal Society.

In St Mary's Church there are some interesting sights. As mentioned in a previous blog - the tomb of Jane Seymour's father, Thomas Seymour.


There are several lovely stained glass windows.


An interesting wall hanging depicts the church.

How about this as a tomb stone?


We saw this at the stone masons in the village. His price list is a bit bazaar!



A Jubilee Cross stands in the centre of the village and further up the road an interesting juxtaposition of cars!


I drove past the turning to Bedwyn on the A4 this week - it was a strange feeling to think that we had been there a couple of days ago on holiday! I certainly prefer the slow approach on the canal.

PS. More videos

Videos to View

It is back to normal life again. Well what we call normal! John has started touching up the paintwork, I have gone back to work and lo and behold it is now Thursday. Where did that week go?

I am gradually uploading the videos I took at Crofton Pumping Station so keep an eye on the blog if you want to have a look at them. They only give a flavour of the experience but if you love steam, history or machines Crofton is worth a visit. Check out the videos to see why.

Still to come are videos of the beams, pumps, leat and well. The history of the Pumping Station and other information about the Kennet and Avon Canal can be found on the K & A Trust website. Happy viewing.

How To Get A 57ft Narrowboat Into A 50ft Mooring

We are moored at Pewsey, where the car is so I can go to work tomorrow - boo hoo! The moorings are very full. As we passed nb Wild Jasmine they called out that we could moor against them. So we stopped and reversed back. They told us they are another of our readers. Great to meet you and thanks for your help!

There was a 50ft gap behind them so John decided to reverse into it and leave the bows against them. As we completed the manoeuvre the crew from the boat at our stern (nb Nanshe) took the rope and then offered to move forward - which they did. Still 4 ft adrift, the boat in front of them (Challenger 17, nb Valour) then realised he could move forward! So we managed to get in with a bit to spare. Thanks one and all.

Last night at Crofton was another quiet calm night with a "lovely moon out there".


This morning we heard a bang on the roof - looked out and Milly M passed us. Bones had a chat with John - apologies for his "morning designer look"! They were mooring up and going over to see the steaming. We were planning to too as we also wanted to see the amateur radio set up there. John and Craig were radio hams a long time ago.

Although there was still fire "in the belly", unfortunately they were having problems and had to shut both engines down.


It could have been a blocked inlet, something stuck or else ..... they were scratching their heads - it is unusual for both engines to fail at the same time.

The leat was dry - no water going to the top of the locks, the electric pumps were off. How long before the canal ran dry?


We met Maffi and his crew leaving and had a quick chat. They were going on. We stayed to see if they could get the number one pump going again, Harry Willis (Chairman of the Crofton Branch of the K & A Canal Trust and an experienced "driver") tried to get her going, but no joy. So they will need to investigate thoroughly. Such a shame for all the visitors today.

So it was back to the electric pump and Robert from BW went across the lock to turn it on.


We came up the locks with nb L'escargot who were unable to go astern. A problem with the drive shaft. They are nursing the engine to the nearest boat yard which is Devizes as they will need to take her out of the water.

John will take Epiphany back to Devizes sometime tomorrow and hopes to take advantage of the good weather to do some more touching up of paintwork.

The Sun Shines On The Righteous!

It was a very quiet night at Great Bedwyn. This was the evening down train.


We did not hear any trains. We got up fairly early (for us on holiday!) as we wanted to attend the 9.30 service at St Mary's church - the one we visited yesterday. Hence the title! As we crossed the canal and railway bridges we saw why there were no trains - engineering on the line. Men and machines. Hard luck if you wanted to travel to the West Country today.

The service had a very small congregation, 4 men and 11 ladies and 1 Vicar - yes I counted when my attention wandered! We made our escape and wandered back to the boat with a fellow boater also attending the service. This time we went from the church over the railway and walked along the towpath. Nb Owl is moored here between above the lock and I remember it from our 2001 hire boat holiday and always looked for it when we flashed past on the train going up to London. (The boat with the windmill)



After a slap up roast - cooked by yours truly, and a lemon meringue pie, we watched the Grand Prix. Never mind - Lewis came 5th due to a puncture; he can't have it his own way all the time! I have to say though that Massa is a brilliant driver too - at least he doesn't talk in a mumbled monotone. Know who I mean!

When the sun had cooled a little (it was very hot by lunch time) we reversed to the water point, or rather John did - and an excellent job. We watered up, did the the necessary and reversed into the winding hole to turn - perfik!

As we slowed for lock 61 someone on the bank called "John?" We looked up as he called "we read your blog". He had been taking photos of Epiphany, and John had a bit of a chat. They are having a boat built and are at shell stage. They found us from No Problem's blog! The boat is to be called "Time Will Tell". John didn't have time to catch your names so if you are reading this do contact us from the website or blog.

4 locks back to Crofton - would there be a mooring spot? Yup, just as we exited lock 61 a boat pulled out and we were able to moor in what is becoming our normal spot. We have moored just before the lock landing again!


The moorings behind are full.


Right back to lock 61.


I will be able to watch the Proms tonight, as this mooring gives us a satellite signal - Michael Ball is starring. (....Oh! I just realised that's tomorrow night!)

Since we moored there have been at least 8 boats descending lock 60. We will be going up tomorrow so if the same happens again we will meet a few boats. If not the locks should be set as the bottom paddles should be left open.

Just along from us is a boat called "Arcadia", no not you Sarah and Andy - even you could not get down here so quickly by boat!

Steaming Away

We had a lazy morning first thing - tell me something new?! It was a glorious sunny day. Crofton Pumping Station started steaming at 10 am, black smoke coming from the chimney.

That meant that the electric pump was off and the Kennet and Avon canal was relying on steam to keep the water levels up. Just like the old days, although it was taking more manpower today - 9 staff/volunteers to steam and 6 restaurant staff.

Ray Knowles, the most knowledgeable person about the beam engines and Site Manager for the day, was telling us the story of when there was just one man operating it, in the days before electric pumps. He spent most of his time reading a newspaper outside, only checking the beam engine when he heard a warning hiss of steam. He then went and added more coal, checked the gauges and went back to his newspaper! Now it is all H & S, keeping an eye on the visitors and making sure the engines will last into the next century.


Ray (seen above chatting and explaining the Honey Street clock to another visitor) kindly spent time with us explaining the way the two pumps work - talking to him really made it come alive for us. We took lots of pictures and also some videos. Both of which I shall upload in the coming week - so come back to our blog to check if you would like to see the engines in steam.

It was a very interesting morning and we would recommend visiting on a steaming day or weekend.


We returned to Epiphany for lunch and checked the F1 results. Lewis 2nd on the grid - go for it boy, get past that pesky red car tomorrow!

So saying goodbye to Tickly Too,

off we set down the last 3 locks of the Crofton flight and on through Bedwyn Church lock, mooring below Bridge 95 which gives access to Great Bedwyn.

We wandered into Great Bedwyn to shop at the local store opposite the Cross Keys pub, explored the village a bit and also the church. The church has some interesting stained glass windows and the tomb of Jane Seymour's father (of Henry IV fame). Outside there is a Preaching Cross so if they didn't get you converted inside they could try outside! Either that or the Vicar's sermons were so long the congregation left before the end and he stood on the cross steps finishing it before they escaped out of the gate!


Great Bedwyn is a pretty village with some interesting houses and a stone mason with a sense of humour. Again come back for more photos! The only drawback of the mooring is the railway line and station but we quite enjoy the trains and do not get disturbed at night as there are so few, if any trains then.

I am still within my work area but really feel as if I am on holiday as approaching the villages and towns from the canal is so different and to date I have not bumped into anyone I know through work!

Wootton And Beyond

We finally set off from Pewsey at 11.20 precisely! It was a little cloudy, but the forecast was for warm sunny weather. The plan was to go up the Wootton River Locks (4 locks)

and then down the Crofton flight to the pumping station at lock 60. This will be “in steam” at the weekend and we would like to see it actually working.

The canal is surprisingly quiet with very few hire boats, in fact we only saw 2 today, one Anglo welsh and one Reading Marine. I wonder why – maybe people have cancelled because of the bad weather, maybe this week is one of the expensive weeks. Perhaps there will be more around after Saturday.

Anyway we went through all the locks on our own and only met boats coming towards us up the Crofton flight at two locks.

The sun certainly shone and at times it was hot. We are now moored at the bottom of lock 60 and it is what they call a balmy evening. A familiar mooring as we moored here on our way back from Kintbury in May.

Ahead of us, bow-to-bow is Tickly Too. Their home mooring is Lady’s Bridge and we have seen them before. I had a good chat with Rose as she has read our blog. Barry was watching cricket. They are very good friends of Mike and Liz on Snecklifter and saw a link to us on their website. I am sure we will see them again on our travels and Rose may pick John’s brains on mobile internet! Once again the cut proves to be a linear village with mutual links!

Did this Kitty have a night out on the tiles last night? Or overdosed on Whiskas?

Cruising Again, Bikes, Boats And Bevvies

John brought Epiphany up to Pewsey today; he enjoyed single-handing in pretty good weather. He did the first swing bridge on his own and was watched by the crew of a Devizes marina day boat who had just gone through! The next one he was helped by the day boat so maybe they felt guilty!

At Lady’s Bridge he passed the Sustrans boat – the cycle network across the country was created by Sustrans. The whole of the Kennet and Avon canal towpath is part of the network.


This network was suggested by a Childrens’ Conference held in the early 90s in Manchester in conjunction with an international conference on the Environment and “green matters” – can’t remember the title! Craig reported on the conference for BBC Newsround as a result of winning one of their competitions. We are proud to say that he was on national TV and it was repeated in their various reviews during the year too. Of course we have the video! It was all over the local press in Cornwall too -but he just wants to forget it, particularly as he interviewed John Gummer of the burger fame!

We are moored at Pewsey, amongst a long line of boats – John took the first one, which was about 10 boats from the wharf, but they stretch into the distance the other way!




Behind us is an interesting boat too. Nb Woodbine.


A close up of the bows shows an interesting interior.


We seem to be collecting pictures of interesting boats. Maybe I shall make it my new hobby! Enough now – time for a bevy in the Waterfront pub on the wharf.

The Debate Goes On

To rescue or not, to train or not? Now what can we be debating? Maybe some of the photos I posted recently might give you a clue, here and here.

All my life I have had one. Since we have been married (all that time!) we have had one and now we are without one. Our last one died just over 2 years ago and he was very special!

His name was Bailey and he was really affectionate but on his own terms!

We have had a Smokey 2 (I had a Smokey as a child), a Chocolat (French without the e) and wonderful Bailey, still greatly missed. Craig has 2 cats and he had them as kittens.

Brandy and Took are still very photogenic but rather uncontrollable!

So now we have to decide. We have read all the letters in canal magazines, all the questions and comments on the canal forums. Hey ho - next question, could we take a cat if we go visiting on land?

I think we need a very adaptable, calm, affectionate canal cat, so we will take our time and not let our hearts rule our heads. So Friends, Boaters and Countrymen any ideas?

PS. Anyone interested in changing their car, check this out:

An Away Day And I Learn Some Canal History

We had to travel to the Uxbridge area today - hospital appointment for me. This means that we return to our towpath walks along the nearest canal!

Most of you, dear readers, will know that the nearest canal to that area is is the Grand Union Canal. We cruised this stretch in 1997 in a "fat boat" from Anglo Welsh, based in Southall. (No longer there I think). Our first and last time on a wide beam!

We called into the Tesco car park in Rickmansworth. Why? Again some of you will know - maybe you are as obsessed as we are! It is a Tesco with moorings for boat customers: very handy! As we hung over the rails, two liveaboard boats arrived to do their shopping. But Tesco is on the off side, so we jumped into the car and went on to Batchworth Locks.

Batchworth Locks (81) are 2 locks. The right one is the one that takes you up the GU.


and the left leads onto the River Chess.


The canal here was difficult to construct due to the underlying sand and gravel. The lock had to be strengthened with wooden piles. By the side of the lock is the building that houses Rickmansworth Waterway Trust and a canal centre, sadly closed when we called.

This building was originally a warehouse and stables. I found this picture of the locks in 1897.



We wandered up to the next lock. We helped a single hander close the gates here as he locked up. Along the towpath are permanent moorings; a variety of size, shape and condition provided interest and discussion.
The one above is a converted working boat, but how about this one?

Not much room for animals two by two though.

On the off side there are boats too - obviously residential. There were also houseboats - the type that never go anywhere: looking like portacabins and have no engine. I am sure they are quite pleasant to live in, but give me a real boat any time!

We spotted this cat too - wonderful flower display, you wouldn't believe where this was.
The cat and display were on the roof of a narrowboat; owner and boater seem to have made it into a perfect hidey hole!

As we finished our walk it began to rain: one of those rogue showers promised! It was good to see another canal and look forward to the time we take Epiphany up there - one day.

Oh, and by the way, all these photos were taken on John's mobile phone, even this one.
Not bad eh? (and it was alive Maffi! - sorry Bones)

Glorious

Glorious Saturday out on the Kennet and Avon canal. Fantastic weather, good company and wonderful scenery. Do we or will we ever get fed up with the same stretch of canal? So far the answer is no. Do "land dwellers" ever get fed up with their gardens?

Even since last week there have been changes. The cow parsley is dead. The canal has dropped - so the reeds and bushes have a muddy line. The signets have matured and there are even more boats!

We had a laugh when we spotted this.


It may be a hazard to navigation and we know where it came from.

We were able to push it to one side with our bows, but we wondered if someone who had had a "bit too much" might try to moor to what really is a floating pontoon!

Comings And Goings

There were lots of comings and goings at Devizes today. Lots of boat movements and an amazing number of walkers and cyclists on the towpath. The towpath is very dusty so Epiphany is very dusty too! She was inside too, until this morning, when I had a blitz clean!

nb Twelfth of Never was moored behind us.


Strangely one of JD Boats share boats had the same name. We checked with these boat-owners, knowing the JD boat may have been sold by now. But apparently there are 2 T of Ns! We didn't think it had as nice lines as Jim and David Matthias and their staff build on the Staffs and Worcs canal at Gailey.

We have had a couple of lovely evenings moored here on Devizes Wharf. The next boat along had a BBQ this evening on the towpath and we all shared the smell! Here are a few photos of the scene: last night and early evening today.


The Wharf Theatre (back of!) at night.



The same view early this evening.


Looking towards the Kennet and Avon Trust shop with the trip boat moored up.


nb Great Britain and nb Isambard (in the distance) moored opposite us tonight.

A friend sent us an email with a photo attached. It shows some guys in Ireland who had the job of installing some bollards to prevent cars being parked on the pavement. It may have already done the rounds but if you want to have a look, click here.

We are moving off tomorrow to pick up John and Carolyn for a days cruise. It looks as if it will be even hotter than today.

Latest News, Memories And Plans

We are down at Devizes Wharf for a couple of days. It means John can shop at Devizes Market which is excellent and well worth a visit. It is held in, surprise surprise, the Market Square above. We buy all our fresh vegetables, fruit and meat there and the prices are very reasonable. We also believe in supporting local suppliers and farmers so the market is an ideal place to do this.

We need to stock up as we have more friends visiting on Saturday. John and Carolyn have been involved with our dream of living on Epiphany from the start. Regular Epiphany blog readers will remember they took photos of her as she was built, were there when she was launched and on her maiden voyage!


Epiphany leaving Sydney Wharf, Bath on maiden voyage return journey back to Devizes Marina, on the Kennet and Avon canal. Big John at the helm, our friend John also at the stern! Carolyn and I are in the bow! We think this is one of the best photos of Epiphany and was taken by Richard Clarke of Bath Narrowboats.

We have begun a collection of Bath Narrowboats on the Cut. It can be found here
We hope gradually to add to it as either we spot them on our travels or owners let us have photos to put up. More details of some of the boats can be seen on the Bath Narrowboats web site. Follow boat building, past builds.