Kennet and Avon Canal, Sulhamstead Lock and Swing Bridge

Monday, 09 May 2011 18:10

Despite the windy conditions, we had decided to move on - a little! But first we visited Theale station to purchase some train tickets. No, we didn't... purchase any, I mean. The ticket office was closed, contrary to the advertised times of opening. A formal complaint to First Great Western then. After that abortive walk it was good to be "chilling out" and cruising.

Kennet and Avon Canal view in Sulhamstead area

The first part of our cruise was without incident and we passed only two other narrowboats on the go....

Fi steering out of Sulhamstead Lock

Sulhamstead Lock was first: and it was set because of the other narrowboats. I still haven't got the hang of controlling Epiphany in the wide locks with fierce top gate paddles. I am out of practice. When we lived on the K and A we were pretty good at this and did not loop the rope on bollards to keep the boat on one side. The gusty wind made it difficult too and John always (?) opens the paddles slowly and on the same side as Epiphany first. But even that does not always work. (I am experimenting with opening the opposite side paddles a bit first, before crossing to the Epiphany side. Ed.)

Gosh - how easily we forget....

Sulhamstead Swing Bridge was next: a manual bridge that is locked. John walked to the bridge from the lock so he had his windlass with him - a good job, as we had forgotten that it would be needed to unlock the bridge!

BW Bridge instructions

Spindle and chain lock on the off-side

Windlass on spindle to lock and unlock

Spindle and chain, on unlocked bridge

Once unlocked the bridge is opened by pushing the arm from the towpath side and eventually it looks like this!

Looking east towards Sulhamstead Lock with bridge open

I am not trying to teach "Grandmother to suck eggs", but thought non-boating readers and those planning a trip on the K and A might be interested in these photos.

As it was so windy, we had pulled into the lock landing and then John went back to shut the bridge and lock it. We passed the bridge over the weir at Sulhamstead and I took a different angle for the photo this time!

Sulhamstead weir and bridge

I do not like windy conditions and decided that I would let John steer Epiphany into the next one. Knowing what was coming up I figured that he could have all the fun - to be continued .....