Thursday 28th 09:47 - we leave Wooton Rivers ...
... this widebeam in front of us is moored on the 24-hour visitor moorings - there are three bikes leaning against the hedge (2 of them children's) and 'Dad' has just gone off to work with his computer case - obviously not visitors of the 24-hour kind!
The first and last one for the next 15 miles - Bliss - we shared this lock with Wild Jasmine ...
... who have a mooring nearby - he mentioned that he reads my blog - hence this picci - nice to have met you both.
A helping hand for the ducks?
First Kingfisher I've managed to catch this year - there don't seem so many around this season I don't think we've seen more than 3 previously - anyone else noticed that?
Just a bit overgrown here!
Goodness me, another boat on the move - we've hardly seen any boats for days - not that I'm complaining!
I love to watch the Swallows dipping and diving - such courageous birds
A peaceful pastural scene ...
... but it gets busier every time we approach a road bridge with lines of moored boats
BW have been dredging - this willow fencing works a treat ...
What a pity - there is even a generator on the gunwale - I wonder if the owner knows? - no licence!
The approach to Pewsey - will we find a spot for Rock n Roll?
That looks a likely place ...
... great - not quite touching the bank but close enough not to have to use the plank today.
Old signs of a stop lock on the wharf ...
... and the water is low even going down from the summit.
Friday 29th we've moved down onto the wharf as we're expecting a delivery between 9 and 10 this morning ...
... and here he is - a lovely lad - first time he's delivered to a boat and he was fascinated - he's married and has a 2-year old daughter and driving is his passion - work, rest and play! He obviously drives for Tesco and drives stock cars - he told us that he is 2nd in the world champions; he was also telling us that they have recently bought a caravan and we were discussing how difficult caravans can be to manoeuvre into a tight space, but he has a remote control that does it for him - impressive or what! I hope he wasn't pulling my leg!!
It was just after 10 by the time everything was put away and we were off - it's a dull damp day today and we're travelling with the pram hood up
A private suspension footbridge was built in 1845 to cross the canal near this point by a Bath engineer, James Dredge, to his own innovative patent, and it survives; but the lane was carried alongside the canal to join the main road north of Wilcot Bridge.
(Wiltshire Council - Wiltshire Community History Get Population ... 
... still passing long lines of boats ...
... a pair of working boats - Actis (the butty) and Poshratz the motor!
We tried unsuccessfully to moor on the bank of Wide Water (created when the canal was built as the land owner Lady Susannah Wroughton didn't want the canal cutting through her land) ...
... so we passed under Lady's Bridge (also built to appease the said Lady) according the Nicholson's Guide there should be a boatyard on the left under the bridge but there wasn't
Lady's Bridge - Kennet and Avon Canal ...
Lady's Bridge - Kennet and Avon Canal ...
... in the long line of BW long-term moorings there was this unusually painted boat called Mitakuye Oyasin which appears to belong to National Cycle Network
Cygnets are nearly as big as the parent now
OS map calls this Picked Hill, Nicholson's says Pickled Hill
Nose in the bank, pins in and ropes tied - this will do us until Monday!
Saturday off for a walk -
You can clearly see the ancient terracing on Picked/Pickled/Pecked Hill
Picked Hill (Sacred Hill) | UK | The Modern Antiquarian.com
Confusing or what! This is the site that Nicholson's says is a boatyard; OS maps says is Cocklebury Farm and this is what it is today - see Kennet and Avon Canal for a picture of the 'old' farm buildings
Taken from the Cocklebury Farm site - left is Woodborough Hill 205' above sea level and right Picked hill 202' which has a trigg point on the summit
At the end of the farm track we see these stones ...
Swanborough Tump (Ancient Village / Settlement / Misc. Earthwork ...
When we visited the church in Wilcot (see below) their information leaflet has anecdotal evidence from a man living in Manningford in 1905 who recalled that he had heard in old days a court was held there (here) every year - he was present at some of the courts, but they were then held in a more convenient place.
We continue to follow the footpath past the stones into the adjoining field ...
... just look at those amazingly straight rows and there's miles of them criss-crossing the huge field ...
Spinach!!
This 'pile' faces Hare Street (Saxon for 'warpath')south of Wilcot but I can't find any more information regarding it
Same for this plant - I tried 'looking it up' last year with no joy - it looks poisonous to me - anyone know?
First sighting of Wilcot Church ...
... with Wilcot Manor close behind it - see this website for some really interesting information regarding the village and surrounding area - POTTERNE CONSERVATION AREA ...
Looking down the Nave to the Crossing and beyond at Holy Cross Church
The Choir
... and a memorial to a ..
Lovingly tapestried kneelers
Looking back down the Nave to the organ and bell tower - the organ was given to the church by the Vicar and his family in 1877
the side aisle
... thatched cottages ...
... abound ...
... as we arrive at the pub - George standing very patiently whilst I'm snap-happy
.. and the Wroughton Estate motif on the Bath stone cottages to the west of the green as we leave the village ...
... even more diverse transport - a microlight ...
... and back to RnR nestling there in the weeds!
Saturday off for a walk -
Picked Hill (Sacred Hill) | UK | The Modern Antiquarian.com
Taken from the Cocklebury Farm site - left is Woodborough Hill 205' above sea level and right Picked hill 202' which has a trigg point on the summit
When we visited the church in Wilcot (see below) their information leaflet has anecdotal evidence from a man living in Manningford in 1905 who recalled that he had heard in old days a court was held there (here) every year - he was present at some of the courts, but they were then held in a more convenient place.
We continue to follow the footpath past the stones into the adjoining field ...
... most welcoming - not only was the door unlocked there was a water bowl for thirsty dogs ... great
Notice inside the church porch
Looking down the Nave to the Crossing and beyond at Holy Cross Church
John Borwick Esq buried in 1574 and also of his daughter Anne who died in 1597 aged 56 and was married to Thomas Wroughton eldest son of Sir William Wroughton.
After the Dissolution of the Monastries, the Manor of Wilcot was granted to William Alleyne, who sold it to John Berwick 7-years later. Edward VI (1547-53) granted the church to the same John Berwick whose daughter married into the Wroughton family. Hence the Wroughtons became Patrons of the living and held this until the beginning of this century. One of the Wroughtons, Sir Giles, was a personal friend of Oliver Cromwell, who often visited Wilcot.
1085 - a Norman Church built by Edward of Salisbury, Sheriff of Wiltshire, stood on this site
The entrance to Wilcot village from the south ...
... all modes of transport are ok here
We are so glad that we stopped here - the village and surroundings are so steeped in ancient history and these two websites are a must for a more specific and fascinating insight.
Some of the information I've included in this posting has been taken from the above sites and some from the very informative leaflet provided by the Holy Cross Church and its researchers.
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