A quiet couple of days - but not idle

Friday, 20 May 2011 12:04

Although our stern was sticking out somewhat, our bows were by one of the tussocks that seem to be feature of the K and A. So we did not need our gang plank at our mooring above Benham Lock.

NABO stand 2010 at Crick - John, David (Chairman), Richard (Gen. Secretary)

Before we moved on towards Hamstead Lock, John had some work to do on NABO for the Crick Boat Show, where they will have a stand again this year (Kingfisher Marquee stand 102 - see you there? Ed.). I had a couple of days to catch up on my reading and finished two books .....

After our two days we were on the move again, towards Hamstead Lock. The River Kennet crosses the canal again here and there is a large weir. There was a fair bit of water flowing over it into the river. This photo is from 2008 - there was a moored narrowboat here today too, I wonder if it is the same one!

Large weir into River Kennet

Hamstead Lock has a bridge right over its tail - I was reminded of the Oxford Canal bridges, but of course these span the tail of wide locks! But with a wind, a weir or bywash they can be just as tricky if only one gate is open! We had passed this way a few years back when the canal was "in flood" and the water was over the lock sides, wellies were the order of the day then!

Hamstead Bridge and Lock

The next lock is aptly named. Copse Lock is overhung by trees and smells very dank. When the River Kennet is really flowing it can be difficult to control the boat below the lock as once again the river leaves/enters under the towpath bridge. This scenario is repeated along much of the length of the canal as the River and Canal combine and separate.

Copse Lock and towpath bridge below

John had decided he was walking between the locks - Hamstead, Copse and Dreweats are all about one third of a mile apart. So I tootled along, keeping behind, so the locks were all ready for me when I arrived.

Off he goes to the next lock

Dreweats Lock feels isolated and, indeed, above it on the north bank is an area called "The Wilderness". Immediately above the lock is a weir (on the north bank) and as the Kennet is flowing from Kintbury, if the water level is high after rain, unwary boaters can be caught out. Today, fortunately for us the dry spell meant that there was not much of a flow at these potential problem points.

Irish Hill from Dreweats Lock

The canal and river run parallel for a bit and glimpses can be seen of the river below the canal. In the area around Shepherd Bridge we could see the beginnings of the growth of new reeds and bulrushes. There were a number of overhanging trees too. This might worry some boaters, but having spent some time on the K and A we are used to the reeds and our experiences on the River Derwent in Yorkshire means that overhanging trees no longer phase us! Incidentally the EA have cleared much of the River Derwent this year and it is no longer "African Queen Country". I only wonder if it will revert in a year or so if boaters do not use it.

Shepherds Bridge

So we came to Kintbury - an attractive area with a lockside pub, a railway crossing, BW facilities, moorings and the village shops a short walk away .....