Where have all the boats come from?

Friday, 27 May 2011 13:40

Cobblers Lock was always a pretty lock.

Cobblers Lock in August 2008

The cottage here is now unoccupied and up for sale ....

The bridge over the tail is gated and the implication is that you are crossing onto private land to operate the lock.

Cobblers Lock footbridge

We looked to see if any more work had been done on the proposed Hungerford Marina. When we left the K and A in 2008 it was halted as the developers had run out of money. It still looked the same - if a little more overgrown!

Site of proposed Hungerford Marina

Suddenly the canal seemed to get busier - we have been surprised at how quiet the K and A is at the moment. We had to wait at Picketfield Lock for two narrowboats to come down.

Narrowboats exiting Picketfield Lock

I spotted this unusual weir above the lock - I nearly missed taking the photo so you cannot see it in all its "glory"

Round weir

Ahead of us were the three locks of Froxfield flight. The village of Froxfield is north west of the canal, strung out along the A4. The railway runs very close at this point and is right beside the bottom lock. The footbridge below the lock is the best access to Froxfield village. There are some interesting alms houses in the village: the Somerset Hospital, founded in 1694 by the Duchess of Somerset.

At Froxfield Middle Lock, we met one of The Bruce Trust's wide trip boats, Hannah. I have been on this boat twice - we took some of our clients on a trip when I was working for Age Concern Wiltshire in 2007/8.

Hannah at Froxfield Middle Lock

Our crew was obviously enjoying themselves as you can see

Angela

Chris

Froxfield top lock, or Oak Hill Down Lock, is a popular place for mooring and for walkers. There is room for cars to park by the lock too so there are always gongoozlers. However, it was not as busy as it was when we passed through in the midst of the Devizes to Westminster canoe race in March 2007!

Oak Hill Down Lock

Three more locks to Great Bedwyn - the place we planned to moor for the night. Little Bedwyn Lock, Potters Lock and Burntmill Lock came and went, and we found a spot on the visitor moorings at Great Bedwyn.

Great Bedwyn moorings from road bridge

Chris and Angela went for a wander to explore and book the Three Tuns pub for the evening meal. It was a good meal - 8/10, and the company was great!

Kennet and Avon Canal, Hungerford to Great Bedwyn
4 hours 4 minutes, 4.78 miles, 10 locks