Swing bridges and locks to Theale

Saturday, 18 June 2011 11:30

Padworth Lock is one of the "built from scratch" locks - it was completely derelict.

Padworth Lock restoration sign

Beyond it is the swing bridge beside a fenced off works ....

Padworth swing bridge was rebuilt in 1987

Padworth swing bridge from the north

The road and rail came really close to the canal as we approached Towney Lock. This is one of my least favourite locks - dark, dank and metal sides all added to the gloom as the water emptied.

In Towney Lock

Beyond is the remains of the old lock and no pick up point until after the bridge.

In Towney old lock

There is a lot of water coming out by the bridge so it can be fun picking someone up - I managed it with a fair bit of throttle to pull the stern in to pick John up.

Looking back to Towney bridge and lock

The next lock (Ufton) is non-existent - well almost. It had a fall of about 1 foot and is now de-gated and acts as a convenient waiting place for Ufton swing bridge!

In Ufton degated lock - note the remains of the gate site

Beyond the swing bridge the river rejoins the Kennet Navigation and there are the tempting rough river moorings before Tyle Mill Lock. There are a number of spots that are a delight to moor in as we discovered on our way up.

But today we were aiming for further down and so went on through Tyle Mill Lock and the swing bridge immediately beyond and continued to enjoy the river for a while longer.

River below Tyle Mill

We met another narrowboat at Sulhamstead swing bridge and they saw us through the swing bridge. This delightful stretch ended for us at the moorings just before Theale swing bridge. We moored at the end away from the bridge as there is a convenient break in the trees with a line to the TV satellite!

Theale swing bridge in the distance!

We hope for sun tomorrow as John wants to do some painting of the rubbing strakes and sides below the gunnels. This is a  very good place to do it - as the evidence of paint on the wood hard edge shows!

Kennet and Avon Canal (River Kennet Navigation) Woolhampton to Theale
3 hours 59 minutes, 5.94 miles, 6 locks