We've been having lazy starts for a few days now and probably more to come as there's four of us to all get sorted, and we are not in a rush anyway yet. Sunday we were moored alongside a beautiful meadow complete with sheep, so we all decided to have coffee before we set off for Woolhampton. It was only 2hours away and 3 locks and very hot so good job we didn't go too far.
We arrived about 1.15pm just in time to meet Joe who was coming to lunch with us at the Rowbarge a favourite haunt of Timothy West and Prunella Scales who cruise this canal a lot. Even though it was hot we all had a roast of the day an excellent lamb shank. It was great to see Joe and hear all about Sweden, he didn't leave until 4 ish so by that time we decided to stay put. Clive changed his engine oil while I fixed his horn and we sat out with a bottle or 3 until it was almost dark, a first this year!
On Monday we did another short trip to just beyond Thatcham as Clive had a mate he had arranged to catch up with, and on Tuesday with did the short hop into Newbury, and an appointment with Mr Tesco as we knew we could get the trolley almost to the boat.
By tomorrow I should be all back to normal as I heard today that my replacement phone is ready and have arranged for it to be delivered to the P.O. in Newbury, and I've also fired up the old computer and got that sorted. You may even get more regular blogs as I've finally got to grips with them from my iPad which seems to be much quicker. Its still a long way to go to get to Bristol having only done about 18 of the 100 miles.
The phone was still in transit by the time we left Newbury so I had to nip back there from Kintbury where we had moved to. It was only one station so I went by train rather than bike as time was tight as the Post Office closed at 5.30. We had reached Hungerford by Thursday 30th and stayed on and had a working day on the Friday. We washed the boat and polished the roof and I also had to mend the air filter, and also watched some Wimbledon. More of the same on Saturday when I refitted the seats that unexpectedly dumped me in the water.
Sunday at Great Bedwyn and Monday at Crofton where we visited the oldest working beam engine which was used to pump water up to the summit of the canal. Once a week when it is in steam it still does but the rest of the time BW use electric pumps. By Tuesday 5th July we had reached the summit after travelling uphill since Reading so now we are going down in the remaining 53 locks to Bristol.
Wednesday 6th July we had an away day and caught the bus to Avebury Ring via Marlborough and by Thursday we were at Honeystreet right outside the Barge Inn, drinks that night and a meal on Friday and heading for Devizes on Saturday in search of live music for a change. Interestingly at Honeystreet we walked to a white horse and a crop circle which had only recently appeared we think, as lots of people were there. One group were standing in the middle holding hands and chanting....whatever floats your boat!!
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