More River Kennet travels, Nearing the end of the Kennet and Avon

Saturday, 06 September 2008 16:33

When we woke this morning it was DRY!

The boat was listing slightly so obviously the River Kennet had not risen in the night, but it was flowing past us fairly quickly.

Moored behind us was tug boat Harry from Tooleys Boat Yard in Banbury. After a couple of photos we were on our way. 

Aldermaston was our first lock of the day - an interesting restored lock  that used to be turf sided.


Immediately below the lock is Aldermaston electrically operated lift bridge which cost the Council £250K, replacing a swing bridge. It carries the A340 and at rush hour the traffic is supposed to take priority! However we only stopped about 6 cars - The Power! 

We moored at the wharf below the bridge to use the "facilities" and visit Reading Marine to see if they had a 12" chimney. They did, and so we have a smart new chimney to replace our tatty one. The brass band etc is to be cleaned and then "incralaced" to try to preserve the shine. A job for tomorrow.

Locks now follow in fairly quick succession, all shapes and sizes. Some slightly wider than 14 feet so there is no need to worry about scraping the boat on the gates. Some very long and Towney lock (97) is deep - 9 foot 8 inches and metal lined.

The rain showers again happened at locks, but were mainly only light. We met boats coming up and coming through swing bridges most of the day. How about this for a figurehead


We were aiming to moor before Theale swing bridge (19) as this is the best access point to Theale. There was plenty of room left and so we are now moored far enough away from the bridge to avoid the traffic noise and boats coming through.

As tomorrow is Sunday - a rest day when we can - we will stay here for 2 nights maybe.

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