Can't believe it's been over 2 months since I last updated this blog. How time flies. Today I spent the morning polishing Tempranillo in an attempt to add a little protection against the extreme wintery weather that is supposed to be arriving at any time now. She had her first annual engine service recently, yes it is over a year since the launch at Crick Marina, and the marine engineer discovered a broken air box on top of the engine whilst working on it.
Oops!
The engine has a 2 year warranty and Vetus, the engine makers, were fantastic. I e-mailed them with the problem and two days later a brand new replacement part arrived at our door. No quibbles. Brilliant.
So anyway where were we two months ago....ah yes. The Cain Flight. 29 locks of pure joy!!! We were on our way to Bristol which would eventually complete our journey of the full length of The Kennet and Avon Canal. We started that journey by turning off the Thames at Reading onto the K & A back in June this year. But at my last update we were moored at Seend and had just woken up to a misty morning.
Swan in the mist.
When the mist eventually cleared we cruised on to Bradford-on-Avon. The lovely weather had brought every boater out and we had to await our turn to get through the lock.
Busy Bradford-on-Avon lock
A beautiful wooden hulled steam boat, 'Sarah Jane', passed us earlier in the day and we caught up with her at the lock. It was in perfect condition and the smell of steam was just lovely. Not sure the dogs on board were quite so happy with it though.
Next stop was Avoncliff where my sister Jill came to join us for lunch. Here the canal crosses over the River Avon and the mainline to London.
Avoncliff Aqueduct
View from the aqueduct
This was to become a trip of nostalgia and reminiscence as we welcomed family, old friends, ex-neighbours and work colleagues from years gone by to join us aboard Tempranillo. Those of you who don't know our history, we regard the West Country as our home and my first full-time job was with West of England Film Studios in Bristol back in the 1960's. ( I started work at a very young age!)
Our next overnight mooring was in Bathampton on the outskirts of Bath. Right outside a pub. The George Inn. How did that happen, I wonder?
Bathampton
The canal runs close to the River Avon for quite some distance but most of the time they are not within sight of each other as the canal is much higher and straighter than the river. To the right, as you view the picture above, is a fast and furious weir on the Avon close to a very narrow toll road linking it to Batheaston.
Bathampton Mill
The toll bridge dates back to the early 19th Century. The toll house is a rectangular shape and two stories high with a large porch. It is still used by the toll collector when on duty.
Bathampton is also the place were William Harbutt lived. He invented Plasticine and his company produced it here from 1900 until 1983.
The weather again next morning was in our favour as got closer to the centre of Bath.
Bathwick from the canal.
It is really interesting to approach a city you thought you knew so well from a different angle. Bath was the first place Sue and I lived after we got married but we never saw it from water level.
And we have never seen anything like this before.....ever....anywhere!!!
Its name is 'Murdock'.
I think it is the right way up!!! Anyway we were about to start the climb down into Bath itself through a flight that includes the second deepest lock chamber on the whole UK canal network.
Come back soon and see how we got on as we continue our nostalgia trip to Bristol.
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