2 Miles 8 Locks It only took a couple of hours to reach the Blue Lias where the rally is to be held. We shared the 8 locks with a very competent crew on a Kate Boats hire boat. It was only their second narrowboat trip, but they were already thinking about buying a share
14 miles 8 locks A day of mixed weather fortunes, some sunshine, but also some rain. We had our usual early breakfast, but just before we set off at 7:30 another boat came down the flight, so we had to turn every one except the last one. Here there was a volunteer on duty who
15 miles 12 locks We are on the way to the Cutweb annual rally. We spent most of yesterday tidying up the boat, which largely consisted of removing hundreds (I’m not exaggerating) of spiders and their webs! When were here last for the Fairport do we prepared and primed some of the rust patches on
For the last few days we have been at Fairport’s Cropredy Convention. We stay on the boat and walk in each day. It’s been really great this year as it’s the 50th anniversary of the founding of the band. Lots of former members came back and they played together in various combinations.
10 miles 7 locks In order to beat the forecast rain we set off just after seven again. Two other boats moored near us had the same idea. So there was a convoy of three heading for King’s Sutton lock. We were number two. Soon after the first lock the leading boat caught up with
We are moored above Nells bridge lock, opposite the small campsite/smallholding/farm shop called “The Pig Place”. The forecast for today was for rain this afternoon, so we set off at around our usual time (7:05), but actually the rain didn’t materialise. There were quite a few boats around, but no delays until we got to
26 miles 13 locks A long day today, 10 hours. We started at 7:15 and didn’t stop until 17:25. We even had lunch on the move. It’s been hotter today than the last few days, particularly this afternoon. We were delayed for quite a while at Abingdon. We wanted a pumpout, but the boats in
15 miles 6 locks We had a disturbed night. Some drunks were very loud by our boat around two o’clock in the morning. It sounded like one actually went into the water. Despite the lack of sleep we were still away by 7:15. We did the first Thames locks on our own as the lockies
9 miles 10 locks ( again ) Newbury to Aldermaston today. As usual we were away by 7:00 and did the first few locks on our own. Then we caught up with a rather scruffy boat. We were a bit apprehensive, but the skipper and his crew turned out to be really charming and pleasant.