Bradford on Avon (Almost)

Today's Canal - Kennet and Avon

As we set off we immediately passed Semington Dock on the off side. They have two dry docks (where the water is pumped out to allow work on the the parts of a boat normally below the waterline, and one slip dock where above the water work can be done, such as re-painting the outside of the cabin. All three were in use - a boater yesterday said that they have been told that there is a year's waiting list!

Another 100 metres we arrived at the second Semington Lock. From the bridge at the tail of the lock we had a good view of what was once Semington Junction.

Here the former Wilts and Berks canal joined the Kennet and Avon. Both were closed through lack of traffic, the former in 1906, but the other struggled on until the 1950's. That fifty year gap allowed much more of the W and B to be built over and the current restoration plans, show a route close to the original but a little further from Melksham. 

Only one swing bridge today. as we neared it a tractor and trailer passed over so we wondered whether it might be harder to open (ones used regularly by farmers do seem to be more difficult. However, after a slight reluctance to get moving, it then opened and closed easily.boat approaching slowly and    

In the distance we saw a very wide boat approaching remarkably slowly. It turned out to be the hotel boat Wessex Rose and we had quite a wait for them to pass by. Even though we have more draft than most wide beams, they should realise that we need as much of the main channel as they do! If you  happen to have a good magnifying glass you can see it not much further on than where we passed.

We then had an uninterrupted stretch until we reached The Boatyard at Hilperton where we filled up the diesel tank. They have a reputation (unchanged since we were here last in 2014) for the best price around the area and also for a friendly operation.

We had hoped then to make good progress to the other side of Bradford on Avon with only the single lock in the centre to contend with. The number of longer stay moored boats increased and although there were plenty of spaces, few of them looked suitable for mooring with our draft ie enough depth of water to allow us within gangplank distance of the towpath.

Not long after leaving Hilperton we caught up with a wide beam hire boat with an evidently inexperienced and nervous crew. Our tick over speed was much faster than theirs - even drifting out of gear we caught them up, espcially whent they went into reverse at the sight of a bridge!

When we were greeted warmly by a boater that Mike had met on the towpath near home it was a no-brainer to pull alomgside and have a good chat! Alas, just before we set off we were passed by a narrowboat that seemed to have been to the same school as the wide beam!

The official visitor mooring just before the Marina was full (one large boat left huge git gaps!) and most looked rather rooted to the bank. We pulled in for what was meant to be a lunch stop just after - although our stern is quick a way from the bank, we are just behind a wide beam so we are not any more of an obstruction.

After lunch, Christine needed to sort out a medical appointment - this proved very time consuming with several very long waits on hold (how is it that large corporations, especially insurance companies, can get away with treating their customers with such disregard?) but in the end she was successful in fixing an appointment in Bath on Thursday. Unless there are more unplanned delays that should not be a problem so long as we can find a suitable mooring to meet up with a taxi (no useful bus services connect with where she has to see the consultant). However, by now it was fast approaching half past three and we also need to pay a visit to Sainsbury on the way through. No knowing whether we would be able to moor we took the safer option and stayed put until tomorrow.

5.2 Miles - 1 Lock