Bathampton

Today's Canal : Kennet and Avon

Mid morning we walked to the Dundas Visitor Centre for 11 o'clock where Christine was due to meet a taxi. Just as we were walking across the car park a taxi turned in and checked that this was indeed his passenger.

It was only a short drive, but up a very steep hill out of the Avon valley to Claverton Downs. Christine had a good consultation with the new doctor and now has to return in a couple of weeks to have a further MRI scan in more detail as the specialists home in on the source of the problems (we hope!)

The return taxi was also on time and Christine then had the walk back to the boat - arriving shortly before one o'clock.

In the meantime Mike had checked the weed hatch. In the event, there was not much rubbish around the prop but the uxter plate had worked loose. This in not a problem as this does not have to be watertight (indeed it has holes in it to relieve undue pressure) but might well have given us some concern one we were out on the Avon and could open up the throttle, wondering what the rattle might mean. (We always forget this cause when it occasionally happens!)

He then set about cleaning as many of the windows has he could reach. For some time we have not had a good bank mooring when there has been time (and inclination) so the glass was rather mucky. He was just packing up and finishing the last one when he spotted Christine coming down the towpath.

After lunch we set off, unsure where we might moor. Bath is notoriously busy with many boats staying longer than they ought to under continuous cruising rules. Some stretches from Dundas were tightly packed but these were designated permanent moorings, quite lengthy in places. There were a few 48hr visitor moorings but even there we suspected that the time of stay had been rather stretched. However, there were few signs of the colonies that were causing problems when we last came here, often taking up quite a bit of the towpath to store their belongings.

We soon arrived at the first swing bridge which was fairly easy to open (except for unscrewing the restraint pin)

We noted several offside works of  outdoor art - some are now becoming rather overgrown.

After the better part of an hour of slow tick over, with only a couple of places where we could pick up a 'proper' speed, we rached Bathampton Swing bridge. This was considerably more reluctant to open and shut but at least we managed it.

Alongside the canal at the bridge was what looks like a canal cottage. Perhaps this crossing had once been sufficiently busy with boats that it was worth stationing a keeper here. Old maps do not help much other than to confirm that this building has been there for some time.

We arrived at Bathampton and decided that if we found a space we might not risk trying to get closer to Bath Locks. Just after passing under the main bridge by the George Inn and the parish church there was room on a good mooring. 

T

he only down side is that these are Quiet moorings - see notice - and we will have to be a bit careful with the batteries until we can get a good charge going on the river run from Bath to Bristol.

Later, Mike took a walk to look at the nearby church but alas it is only open 10 to 3 and it was now well after 4!

One of the church's points of interest - at least to Aussies - is the memorial to Arthur Phillip, founder of Australia and first governor of New South Wales. Although Cook had claimed to be the discoverer of Australia and declare it to be part of the British empire, not a lot of development took place until Phillip was sent out with a small fleet of 11 ships and several hundred male and female convicts. His mission was establish a permanent colony and create an administration with himself as the first Governor. (A wikipedia page about the life and career of Arthur Phillip is quite comprehensive)

He immediately found that Cook's Botany Bay was not a great place to develop a colony, especially as the soil was poor and they needed quickly to start growing their own crops - supply from elsewhere was slow and unreliable. He explored a bit further and opted for a site which later became known as Sydney!

Three other elements of Bathampton's history: firstly it was, in canal history, an important wharf where stone quarried from the hills above was brought down to be loaded onto canal boats for transportation to its markets. There is little evidence we could see for just where this took place.

Secondly, the George Inn, next to our mooring, was from medieval times a became, until the dissolution by Henry VIII. However, the present building dates back to 17C with a lot of later additions.

Thirdly, Bathampton was for 50 years the home of Plasticine. It was invented by an art teacher, William Harbutt, who wanted something for students that would not dry out quickly and so that they could try different ideas. In recent times, this property was used by Nick Park in establishing his famous Aardvark animation studios. The product was made in a factory close to the canal until it was transferred to Thailand in 1983. The site is now a retirement complex.

3.6 Miles - 0 Locks