Sue and I came to the decision, for many reasons with which I will not bore you, to move Tempranillo to new moorings at the foot of the infamous Caen Flight Locks. The new marina there was so inviting with all the facilities any boater could ever need. And very helpful and friendly staff. (More later.)
Here is the link to their website and is worth a look: http://www.caenhillmarina.com
So we chose Easter Sunday to do the deed. This was perfect because firstly our current mooring contract expired on the 31st March (Easter Sunday) and secondly all but one of our lovely immediate family were able to join us that day to help with the 29 locks between Devizes and Caen Hill Marina.
16 of the 29 locks
The weather was also almost perfect, considering how bad the winter had been. It began as a bright sunny day with very little wind, though the air was a little chilly and we had to break some ice at the start of our trip . The wind did increase later in the day though. So much so that I wasn't able to reverse Tempranillo into her new moorings when we arrived at the marina in the early evening.
New mooring awaits the arrival of Tempranillo.
We cast off from our old mooring in Devizes Marina Village at about 11am with grandchildren Sophie, Josh, Joe, Justin and Lucas breaking the thin ice inside the marina from the bow with barge poles and mop handles. Once out on the main canal the ice had melted earlier so we had a clear run into Devizes Wharf where we waited for a while to see if anyone else was about to take on the challenges of the 29 lock downward journey. But no-one arrived so off we set. Fortunately most of the locks were in our favour and the team, "advised" by Sue, soon got a system of working the locks under way.
Tempranillo awaits the locking crew.
The good weather had brought out lots of walkers and cyclists so we had quite an audience at many of the locks.
It wasn't too long before the workers need to be fed and watered so we tied up for a short while.
Justin, Joe and Lucas enjoy a mug of homemade soup at their improvised table and chairs.
We also stopped for an ice-cream at the lock side cafe about halfway down the flight as it was an ice-cream sort of day. First one of the year for us.
Here we are emerging from the middle 16 and about to enter our 24th lock of the day.
The Caen Flight of locks were the last to be built on the whole of the 87 mile stretch of the Kennet & Avon Canal back in 1810 and needed side ponds because of the steepness of the hills. There was not enough space to build a pond between each lock as they are all packed into a distance of 2 miles. They were designed by engineer John Rennie and are designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, much the same as that given to Stonehenge, not too far away and also in Wiltshire.
What a perfect place to live if you own a canal boat with you own mooring....and like locks!
We had a very smooth run down through the locks and did it in an amazing four and a half hours, excluding our stops for refreshment, oh and a woman overboard just before the last lock.
Emma with Sue before she fell in.
Our daughter Emma had been feeding bread to some ducks from the stern and moved down the port gunwale to brush off some crumbs from the roof when she lost her footing. Son Mark was steering and rammed Tempranillo into reverse whilst I rushed forward to get the lifebelt. Fortunately Emma is a very strong swimmer and was nowhere near the stern or, more importantly, the propeller. But by the time I got back with the belt Mark and Emma's husband Neil were pulling her out. Though Tempranillo was now close to some trees and shallow waters. As Captain, I rushed to the helm and avoided any more unfortunate incidents. Emma had a hot shower, a change of clothes and a mug of hot tea, and recovered very quickly, I'm pleased to say.
Captain and 1st Mate Mark for the day. Not that warm, note the hat and gloves.
A fun time was had by all but the wind was getting stronger and colder as we approached Caen Hill Marina later in the day but the sun shone for most of it.
Nearly There.
It took quite a bit of my manoeuvring skills to get Tempranillo into her new mooring. I was hoping to reverse in but the wind was too strong for me to position myself accordingly. Even with our bow thruster at full throttle it was impossible, so I nosed her in and turned her around a few days later in much calmer conditions.
All 11 crew Shipshape and Bristol Fashion safely moored in Caen Hill Marina at the end of a wonderful family day. Something that doesn't happen often enough as the family is spread between distant parts of the country.
Since settling in we attended a Paella Party at the Marina which I will report upon very soon.
Do come back and find out how it went.
