We had decided on an early(ish) start yesterday but things didn't go quite as planned; yes, we did wake up to the alarm, but didn't actually get up, and it was at 07:30 when I took this photo -
... In my blog of 7th July Will we .... or won't we ...? DSCN9306.jpg - I asked if anyone knew what the bird was - well now I know - the bird has grown a little and I can see now that it's an adolescent Moorhen!
We'd been moored in front of the BW working boat you can see in the lock here; they are going to work on the swing bridge, so we let him go ahead and he will open the bridge for us - but ...
... I had very little forward propulsion, I'd 'chucked back' several times and got rid of lots of shredded weed but obviously not all of it so I pulled back in and George went down the weed-hatch to clear it.
So it was turned 10 before I got into the first lock of the day Monkey Marsh which is a turf sided and has been listed as an ancient monument by English Heritage - Molly is hot already! George tells me that the pound above (stretch of water between 2 locks) is very shallow ...
... through the lock and I can see two boats ready to come towards me so I sit and wait. The BW men inform me that BW is letting some water down to help the situation ...
... the channel here is very overgrown only just enough room to pass, what with this ...
... and fallen trees across the canal, the water being low it was certainly slow going ...
... when I reach Widmead Lock I have to 'wellie' it to get through the overflow which is probably the water BW are letting down into the pound - but you can see from the picture that I reached the lock safely ...
... a line of Canadians are keeping me company.
Under the railway bridge and through Bull's Lock and swing bridge ...
... I can see Ham Lock - it was difficult to see if the water gushing out was from the top gates or the bottom (if it had been the bottom gates, it would have meant that boats were coming down) ...
... so I slowed right down until I realised that the lock was open - there are BW men here too, they are laying the pathway that you walk whilst opening and closing the lock gates as this is apparently the minimum health and safety requirement at all locks.
Big smile from George as he closes the bottom gate at Greenham Lock ...
... the force of the water is ferocious in this lock too.
We called into Bev & Geoff's Pit Stop at Greenham Island for water and fuel - diesel being 96p per ltr before tax with boater's declaration.
Newbury from the Lock - a lovely scene ...
... St Nicholas Church - 15th century ...
... approaching West Mill swing-bridge we pass these ...
... really pretty houses ...
... looking back towards Newbury with alms houses on the right.
Guyer's Lock and bridge ...
... and approaching Higg's Lock after which we would find a mooring spot ...
... on the bank ...
... and for the very first time out came the PLANK - I never thought I'd see the day!
... and taken at just after 10pm - SNAP ...
this is the same moon that Sue on No Problem photo'd last night too!!!
Beautiful moon Carol! Les and I stood out on the porch last night and watched the moon rise over the Palouse. Wish we were back home on the boat. Thanks for sharing your journey--great pics! Especially the one of George smiling at the lock. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jaq,
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I'm always amazed at the fact that on the other side of the world someone can be looking at the same moon or sun that I am here! Mad that I am! It wont be long before you're home and looking at them at the same time as me - I'm sure.
I appreciate the images taken by you and I like the way the descriptions are given to each picture.
ReplyDelete