On our return from Bath we done the seven locks at Foxhangers and moored up at the bottom of the Caen flight.
Having come down the flight going back up was holding no fears for us even though the only other two boats their had teamed up and left ahead of us so every lock was against us. So we were flying solo
So I went up and drained three locks and opened the gates. After 40 minutes we were going up the 5th lock, Leonie driving and me locking, sweating as bad as someone who hadn't paid their booze account to Nucky Thompson. I then looked back and saw a NB approaching the bottom lock so we decided to wait. When they caught up we had dad and two well proportioned members of their Whanau to help with the locks......
As the sun rises early.. like 9am....
Approaching the first lock.. Caen Flight... Bring it on.....
Our locking buddies... Good people but....
The NB that had been in the family for fourty years.... Well the exhaust gases from the Lister 2 Stroke diesel motor, when we were side by side in a lock, were starting to make me question whether I was facing a Halocust....
Made the summit and spent a couple of nights at Devizes...
Now is there such a thing as the perfect mooring??...
You decide...
Moored 60 yds from the marque holding the 60 odd beer kegs, full, for the beer festival....
And it gets better...
When you have visitors on a NB it's better if they take their ablutions home with them...
Not here.. Come On Down...
Only 15 metres away...One can Crap, Pee and invite as many people to use the toilet as one wants...
Months without a pumpout....
WE moved on from the Idyllic moorings and continued toward the Thames with our forthcoming arrivals ever present in our minds and like the night before Xmas just unable to sleep....
Along the K & A their are a lot of....
War time Pillar boxes... Lucky the Huns didn't arrive and Hire a NB for a 2 week cruise, imagine being disguised as German soldiers and thinking the above was a pump out station, they would have got,n shot to bits on the first day and with no refunds they would have been Pissed.....
Moving on the Canal got.....
Narrower... but good fun.. bit like rally driving.....
Stopped for a night in Honey Street...
Went for a walk and saw....
This renovation on a really old house....
Left Honey Street....
The Barge Inn pub... goodbye....
And hit the.....
Canal early.... Like 7.15am... Whoa.....
Spent 2 nights at Crofton....
On the second afternoon NB Ruby asked if they could breast up for the night as there were no spare spaces.. No Problem...
After dinner went next door for a beer.... left at 12.15am..
Pauline and Allen.. a great night and excellent company.....more Good Guys on the cut.... Cheers....
Our guest, Kiwis from Aussie, were due to arrive by train then we'd take them on a cruise back to Paddington Basin... London...
Just like I'd seen at international airports I figured that we'd need something so we could be seen and not missed in the crowd on their arrival....
So.... Awaiting the 11.32 am at Great Bedwyn station....
My sign ready on the platform with their Surname... Anderson in bold letters.... Lucky cos there was no one else on the platform but us...
The train pulled in on time..... The doors burst open.....
Bruce and Nat arrived..... plus the other 3 passengers to alight....
A short walk and we were....
At the boat... Home for the next couple of weeks...
Across the road was....
A charming thatch....
Settled into the Honey moon suite we set off and they were soon....
Earning their passage.....
We hadn't travelled more than a half mile when Bruce asks, "have you any roundup and a knapsack sprayer?. Christ Iv'e not seen so many weeds"...
"No" we replied...
"Well then I'll use my own"..
So he did....... The countryside is better for it...
A bit more practice and Nat started Swinging....
On the Windlass like a Pro....
But that only built up a thirst so...
Pulled over and walked to the Pelican pub at Froxfield for the first of many pub pints.... I suppose...
Back on board and farther on there was....
The swing bridge over the Hungerford Marsh lock to swing... Use the best Swingers available...
The lock draining and...
The bridge back in place...
Moored at Hungerford and today.....
Off again at Sparrow Fart... 9.37am...
Bruce has had Steering lessons... Nat and Leonie walk between locks...
And before you know it he's so cool he can steer and...
Play pocket billiards with the other hand...
Checked out a village and a bridge with a famous name....in Hungerford...
And there it is... Proof I'm from noble English ancestory... the village buildings just reinforced my thoughts... Some close by suggested we'd find a housing estate....
More locks more miles in the heat of the day...
And finally...
The last lock into Newbury... stop for the night...
Tuned in the telly...
1st day of the womans British open.. Bruce spotted the flaw in Lydia Kos putting technique....
He'll ring her tomorrow...
Meanwhile.....
Nat and Leonie polished off some Bubbles....
A gooooood day....
