Caen Hill Flight 1 QISMA 27 ..... 1 void

We ignored our own best advice and arrived in Devizes at lunchtime. A quick trip to M&Sfor something   Scrummy for lunch before we hit the flight - so to speak. We arrived at the top lock and it was against us. And,there, Dear Reader, the story sort of ends. With the exception of one lock which you have to leave empty, the rest of the flight was with us with all the other traffic heading up. Absolutely amazing.

It is still hard work though and no volunteer,lock keepers to assist this trip but the sun was out and there were plenty of gongoozelers to offer some assistance. Three youngster adding a windlass to their Christmas lists so they can do more! As usual we got into a  rhythm  - with the Captain making good use of downtime to get the Sunday roast on the go.

Still five hours.  

For this who like to breast up on a flight, this now not allowed on Caen Hill. It wasn't an option for us anyway.

We were just at the bottom of the main flight when a blog reader came back to say hello. We were past there boat so I don't have the name but it was lovely to chat. If you're reading it today you will spot your boat mooring up!

LJ made it to about 23 when I relented and let him back onboard.

Last lock ahead

Quiet and calm at the start of today as we head to Bradford on Avon

 Where Alistair found the Sweetie Barge impossible to resist

Our favourite pie pub on the entire network is 'temporarily' closed ... Oh no!!!!

Sadly, the patient needs surgery

A nice easy passage up onto the summit this morning and we caught up a boat at the first lock so kept on going down through Pewsey and on to All Cannings where we got the last space and tied up just two. Instead before a hire boat came along from t'other direction. Luck thankfully was with us. The boat we travelled with was heading to Pewsey after spending the winter on a 'free' mooring at Great Bedwyn. They enjoyed it so much, with water, rubbish and elsen on hand that they are planning to go back next year for more of the same. Good lock workers though!

As we went up from Crofton we saw overstayers 2. One boat, a fairly new wide beam, has almost a market garden on the roof. It's in the same spot between two locks that it was when we first went up the flight - that'd be in July 2013. To be honest, with the exception of here and Wooton Rivers, from Great Bedwyn on it's the same story. I'm told it's the K&A disease hmmmm  .It may seem like a virus but I'd say that the patient is in need of drastic surgery. Soon there will be nowhere for visitors to moor between Hungerford and ....... Your guess is as good as mine.


The lamp on display as we head for the tunnel

Which, fortunately, is not too challenging

 And the pound at the far side of Pewsey is rather fen like .... And lock free

 One of those individual paint jobbies

And we end the day in the Vale of the White Horse.

Last time we passed this way I was running around fetching and toing and froing with the car so this is my first cruise between Pewsey and Devizes.

Such a shame about Great Bedwyn

We've been out for a week tomorrow. Does that mean I'm allowed a bit,of a rant?

We set off from Hungerford about 1200. Not our usual late getting up, but waiting for some of Alistair's meds to arrive at the chemist.  The sun came out as we left and stayed with us for the 14 locks and one swing bridge up to Crofton.  A hire boat sort of day!

The house at Cobbler's Lock looks worse than ever. One day I'm sure we will hear that it's fallen down. Such a shame.

Great First Western accompany you on your journey to the summit never far away. Some places VERY close 

I always want to get a photo on the closest section but never quite do it!  Fortunately, there are only about 4 trains an hour.

I do love the colours on this.

 

I was poised as we came towards Great Bedwyn. Had there been any improvement on the mooring situation since we were there in October. Well .......

This boat HAD moved, from,the bank, about 50' feet to the 48 hour visitor moorings. Along with others ...  and above the lock. It seems the K&A commune is moving East.  Only one space on the VM. Surrounded by a mass of rubbish, furniture and dog poo everywhere. We weren't tempted.  Great Bedwyn is a lovely small village. It is beyond belief that boaters are allowed to turn it into a hovel.  End of rant. 

Speaking,of the lock, a delight to see the wonderful team from Bruce's Trust were out en masse on a training day, took over and sent me on my way. Joy.

And here we are. The summit tomorrow.

But for now, and very well deserved! 

A rare early evening cruise

Our visitors, Marion, aka Lil, arrived at lunchtime, with LJ's pal Max. Max hadn't seen the boat before but hopped on and just made himself at home. Even more impressive, LJ let him!

We had a last lunch at the Red House and decided, with the sun out, that we'd move on when they headed for home. So 5 locks later and the Kintbury water point etc and we're moored just before Wye Lock. It looks as if it's a bad choice as we're moored by a road but it is an estate road, part of the  de Walden estate and the owners also own most of  Marleybone Village!! We've seen one quad bike, with driver and two sheepdogs and don't expect any more traffic tonight.


LJ has never been in the back with Max before

And Max has never been to the pub!


All went well!

Our mooring tonight

This IS more like it!!

I set off from Wales this morning. My friend Janie had to be in London today so we travelled together as far as Reading. Nice to have her company. A quick top up of some essential provisions in Newbury and we really were on our way. I can feel myself moving from town mode to boating mode. Fab. 

One swing bridge, three locks and three miles from Newbury and we're at one of our favourite K&A moorings. Apologies to those that 'enjoy' my nonsense on the Twitter for repeating myself, but is there anything quite as wonderful as the sound of mallet on mooring pin?  Especially when it's on a mooring made for one, in a spot like this. Call anti-social if you like!

En y Va

QISMA 2014 CRUISE 

I did put the gongoozelers to work! 

1 mile 2 locks ..... pacing ourselves 

Turn right or turn left ... You chose, no you chose

Against all odds, both sections of K&A from Newbury opened today - with caveats. Only the Oracle  at Reading has a recommendation NOT to travel. This is the last mile of our route if we head for the Thames. We wouldn't be there until next weekend so it should have improved. The risks to navigation are greater if we turn right as we'd have the Severn Estuary, River Severn and River Avon ahead. The Severn and the Avon have both delayed us on precious trips. Also, one of the locks between Bath and Bristol has restricted opening and there is always a risk if the work doesn't go well it will,close for repair.

Tomorrow we will move up,to Newbury. I'll take the car to Wales and come back by train on Monday.    We can turn at Newbury so the decision making is on hold!

Dusting down alternative escape plans

Arrived back to see that the flow was looking pretty good  and thinking that our escape plan might be in action next week.  But, but, but the informed word on the cut is that there are major silting problems at Woolhampton and other problems nearer Reading and opening that section, well it's not going to happen.

 For those not familiar with the K&A Woolhampton is .... well a bit tricky going towards Reading especially. Immediately after the lock a fast flowing section of river joins the stream from the right. This pushes you hard over to the bank on the left. Some 50 yards later you have to be back across on the right to get through a road swing bridge with a sharp angle to get to it.. At this time of year it's a bit of a white knuckle ride. So any additional problems  ...... I hope you get the message.

We know CRT are putting a new notice out on the Kintbury to Reading section this week but, as we still have the car and we were driving to/from Reading anyway, we decided to come back via Woolhamoton and  take a look.

Ouch. The silting IS really bad on the towpath (Rowbarge pub) side and going into the middle of the channel. Really bad. This would, for sure, stop traffic from going up towards Newbury as it's their line of travel and where they would moor before the lock. It's hard to see across to the far, non towpath, bank, but it looked  as if it might just be possible. Hands up anyone who thinks a 'just might be possible' is going to have that bit of river opened? I thought not.

To be honest, We were surprised that the lock gates weren't padlocked.  'Our' section of the K&A has been shut since 23 December but when did that stop traffic? A single hander and a work boat went down towards Thatcham last week.  Did they get through Woolhampton???

So, hope is not really springing, and it IS looking as if our options are going to be:

A. Sit here until we CAN get safely to Reading
B.  Leave and turn right and potter the K&A until we can etc etc
C.  Leave, turn right, go to Bristol, go up the Severn Estuary and onto the G&S at Sharpness and      
      make our way east from there.

There is an fourth way, known as the nuclear option, which is to have QISMA craned out and transported to the Fens at a cost of £2K+. You will see why it's not on the list.

Hmmmm,.  We do love the G&S. Alistair has always wanted to go up the Severn Estuary,. I'm seeing Curtis Stigers at Cheltenham Jazz Festival on 5 May.   Hmmmmmm.

Decision after the next CRT notice.

Understatement of the year competition entry

Back to QISMA today. Huge improvement in the flow past us ... We are officially
hopeful that we will get out next week. Even if we can't get past Woolhampton or through Reading just yet.

LJ booked in for a haircut on Friday and I'm taking the car back to Tyruched on Saturday so come next Tuesday morning we will be poised or on our way. I'm almost certain Pete and Vicki will hear the cheers in New Zealand.

Sods Law came into play whilst we were way - two sets of friends passing through Newbury tried to find us! Sorry to have missed both of them. Actually really sorry.

At Alistair's parents this weekend.  Their garden is starting to blossom

Invited to lunch yesterday by Alistair's sister.  Lovely for June to have both her children with her on Mothering Sunday. Long time since that happened.

LJ totally disgraced himself and shamed us by cocking his leg up against some curtains within 30 seconds of arriving. Actually,against some rather fabulous and no doubt expensive, brand new curtains. I think an Alpha male thing as they have a boy terrier.. Less than five minutes after that he knocked a glass over with his tail and it smashed on a cream carpet. Fortunately, in the loosest sense,of the word, it was empty,so no 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 moment. That came later and didn't involve him!  To say he was not flavour of,the month with me is a candidate for my annual understatement,of the year contest!

Into our routine

Being in Hay is as near to baiting as we can get ashore. We've got the  fab River Wye on our doorstep - well just down the hill, we have stunning countryside and a very relaxed routine. LJ is in his element with some swimming every day. We're on the move on Friday. Down to Dorset to see Alistair's parents - our pre cruising visit. Nice that we'll be there for Mothers Day.  Then we'll be back to Newbury on Monday and get ready to go .... Not next week though. In our heads any day before the 11th April will be a bonus.  I'll be bringing the car back here at the end of next week and then and then and then .....

So the last Hay photos for a while

This is an old friend. I bought him for Janie almost 20 years ago

Hope is springing

Latest news is that County Lock - the very shallow and lock with fiendish influence that lies between us and freedom might be open in two weeks. This is good news, well it is good news anyway, but good for us as that's what we've been planning for. Believe me we will be ready. Mentally, emotionally and physically ... Did I leave anything out?

Meanwhile, enjoying what the March weather has to throw at us.

Light Tunnel At End The Of

The Canal and River Trust have sent out a missive explaining why the K&A hasn't been able to open for boating. I know it seems obvious to any of us that have sat for months watching it flow at twice it's usual rate but not everyone has had that ...... What Is the word I'm looking for?

The good news is that they promise, sort of, light at the end of the tunnel, with the prospect of opening by Easter. Pass the Pearson's and let's get calculating. 60 hours to the Northampton Arm via the Oxford.

If we can't go boating .....

Then we like to be in Wales. And you can see why ... And the Wye (ouch!)

Cabin Fever

I really do hope all of you who are out there ... boating and those getting ready to go .... boating have a fantastic time. Honestly I do. But us poor boaters stuck on the K&A, with the river section flow twice the level it was last year at this time - well, we can't go ....... boating.  Realistically we can't even think about  going .... boating.  No need to feel sorry for us. We all feel sorry for ourselves and each other!

Breaking rules

One of the reasons my friend Janie and I have remained friends for over 40 years is that we are never together for the England v Wales or Wales v England 6 Nations match. Tomorrow we are off to Tyruched for a week. Fingers crossed.

Fortunately, the opposing  supporters don't have to be in the same room. 

All quiet on the a Newbury Front

In charge at the marina at the moment. Very quickly into the routine. Not as much work as last time because there are no leaves to collect which was a seemingly never ending task.

Emma and Derek are in the Canary Islands so enjoying some sunshine. Though we have had a fantastic day today - very Spring like.

One of the advantages of  our mooring is that we're at the end of the line for foot traffic so LJ can sit outside . Though for some reason he prefers to sit by Nick's boat and not ours. Go figure.

 I got sent this lovely close up of him yesterday by his Auntie Lil. Already a favourite,