Dodging the showers, we beat the weather!

Sunday, 19 June 2011 11:55

As predicted we woke to heavy rain. It is a good job this did not happen yesterday - we now have newly painted gunnels and glossy paint below them on our starboard side.

But we needed to move ......

We waited a while and John finished preparing the front deck for its first coat of undercoat. Having dressed in all our waterproof togs I set out to open Theale swing bridge.

The sun was shining brightly by the time we left Theale!

There were still threatening clouds around though as we arrived at Sheffield Lock. The day boat from Burghfield was in the lock - a birthday party aboard.

Sheffield Lock

This is another scalloped brick lock. I think the scallops are rather attractive

Scalloped brickwork

Garston Lock remains the only original turf sided lock - I let John take Epiphany through this one too. However, two short narrowboats arrived below as I was filling the lock. They both waited on the lock landing below which is also very short.

Garston Lock

No room for John to pick me up and one look at the slippery lock ladder and I was shaking my head! I had to go across the stern of one of the waiting narrowboats. The lock sides are "in flower" and make the lock rather lovely. The section below is also rather nice - we spotted others enjoying it too.

Fisherman sheltered against the rain - or sun

This is my territory - my feeding ground and he is invading it!

I don't blame them for slowing us down - it was gorgeous as the River Kennet took a couple of tight bends before a large weir with water falling to Burghfield Mill. More to come.....