Aldermaston by canal this time .....

Thursday, 12 May 2011 12:20

Padworth Lock was interesting ...

Restoration plaque on top gate

Like me at the previous lock, John had problems keeping the boat steady whist waiting for me to work the lock...

We had been "cursed" by a large barge ahead of us, whose crew left all the lock top gates and paddles open, making it more hard work than need be. Maybe a mere narrowboat was below their consideration?

I was really puzzled by the notice on both of the top gate beams -

BW notice

I looked around for the ground paddles to open first. There were none to be seen, so I disobeyed the notice otherwise John would still be waiting below the lock!

Above Padworth is Aldermaston Wharf and moorings. We called in at Reading Marine (now a hire base for ABC, but with very few narrowboats there) for a bottle of gas and a quick look in the chandlery - nothing we wanted as it is still being stocked!

Aldermaston Wharf moorings

Now we had to negotiate Aldermaston Lift Bridge and Aldermaston Lock, all in one go. So John went off to prepare the lock (top gates and paddles open again) and I waited outside the Kennet and Avon Trust tea room and shop. It was closed as it opens Thursday to Monday. However it is rather pretty.

K and A Trust tea room

Aldermaston Lift Bridge takes some heavy traffic and the lock really has to be ready before it can be operated, unless a boat is stopping at the BW services in the remains of the spur to the railway sidings. Goods were trans-shipped from train to boat at the goods yard at the end but the railway end was filled in at the start of WWll.

Alderrmaston Lift Bridge

The Lock is another scalloped lock. The turf lock was enlarged in the mid C18th and given the rather attractive scallops, which were further built up to towpath level during the restoration. It is now a Grade ll listed structure. When Strange's Brewery stood beside it, the lock was known as Brewhouse Lock. I bet the smell of brewing was overwhelming!

In Aldermaston Lock

As we rose in the lock the scene below looked very tranquil and attractive.

I imagine that in the days of cargo carrying it had a very different atmosphere. We hoped to moor somewhere above the lock and our Nicholson guide has a mark where we moored before near Frouds Bridge so we made for there. We are now moored in a wood; lovely bird song surrounds us!

Kennet and Avon Canal, Ufton to Frouds Bridge
3 hours 9 minutes, 2.44 miles, 3 locks