Retirement with No Problem

Woolhampton to Aldermaston, Kennet & Avon Canal, 2 miles 2 locks

With the cold snap forecast for the next few days we decided to go for water before the tap froze up.  We still had a bit left, enough in fact to do us for a few more days.  That would have taken it over the 3 week mark since our last fill.  A very good exercise that was too!

The notorious exit from Woolhampton Lock waiting for Vic to open the swing bridge just round the corner.  Look at that, hardly any flow at all coming from the River Kennet on the right.  This can be hell in waiting.  Don’t move from the lock jaws into that lot until the bridge is swung as there is no stopping!  Not today though just a gentle flow.

I remember back in the 80s when we hired a boat from Reading Marine, Caen Hill I think it was, it was very different.  A raging torrent was coming out of the river.  I couldn’t stop to pick up the crew after the bridge, and they had to walk over a mile to where I had managed to stop the boat!

It was a very chilly run, but pleasant enough once we got going.  The sunshine made it very enjoyable to be honest.  Aldermaston lock is a bit different with it’s scalloped sides.  This used to be a turf sided lock years ago.  Looking across the lock and bridge there are loads of boats piled up down there by the boatyard.  In fact while we are here we will have a pump out, and on enquiring, “Yes moor up outside the third boat”.. Ho hum that will be four out from the towpath!  Glad I am not going to be doing that, will leave it to the boatyard!

A load of washing was done on our way, and our hungry water tank got it’s fill.  The shower was on for a good 20 minutes this evening for me too!

Always plenty to see along the canal.. this was a nice surprise, I am sure the family will enjoy this one!

I was on a mission this afternoon to find Tom and Jan to say hello.. Their boat was not visible on the hard standing at the yard.. well under tons of tarpaulin.. would they be in on their temporary hire boat home loaned by the yard?   Yep, and a lovely welcome from them both and a quick chat before Tom and I took the girls for a wander through the woods.

More chat followed aboard No Problem where we put The Canal and River Trust to rights along with sorting out the immigration problems in the UK and Australia around the dinette with tea and glorious ginger cake from Jan herself.

It was really nice to meet these two after their disappointment at their boat being totally trashed by Ben Harp Narrowboats.  Tom has so much energy, and his determination to get his boat rebuilt is enormous.  I have tons of respect for this guy, the problems of the past are nothing to his aspirations for the future.

We’ll hang on here tonight, there is no room further down and it wasn’t worth going back up the lock to the visitor moorings only to come down again tomorrow..

Winter Wassat?  Some were very close, but one was smack on.. Well done Phil!

It is indeed the security bolt that holds the chain that holds the swingbridge in place!  It is locked down with a windlass to stop people just undoing it and messing about with the bridge.

Trois points pour Phil!