Today's Canal - Kennet and Avon
We knew that we could not make and early start and Lock 61 (20 m ahead of us) was not scheduled to be unlocked until 9.30. In addition, th boat we shared the last couple of lo ks with was moored on the o k landing and expected to move off as soon as they were able. They wanted to turn around above the lock (they thought it wide enough even though not marked) and then come back down. At one stage it looked as if they were going to be stuck right across the canal with each end tight against the bank. Eventually they found a way (when we stopped looking at them!)
It was just after 10 when we started off - another boat also joined us and we shared all 9 locks today as we were both heading towards Pewsey Wharf (they probably made it, we did not - see later!) Alas, we were so diverted by the casting off etc that we forgot to take any photos until the third lock.
At the second lock we encountered the reason for the additional towpath closure - the works on the water supply have run late and are still not yet complete.
At the third lock, Mike decided to walk to the next lock and set it - it was not far. Just as he reached the next lock landing, his way was barred by a strong fence with signs saying that the towpath was diverted and closed. The only signs that any of us had seen related to the towpath between the first two locks! There was no way to push behind the fence next to the hedge and by the water the bank had crumbled and Mike did not fancy swinging himself from the fencing. Eventually Christine managed to manoeuvre the boat stern close enough to step around.
This next lock is called Sam Farmer's Lock. We had not really given much thought to the reason for this but a bright, shiny new sign explains all.
J
Just below Adopters Lock there are the remains of what appears to be a former railway bridge. looking later at old OS maps confirmed this and also that it was a late addition to the network and then one of those closed a few decades later. The line, the Midland and South Western Junction Railway, linked with the GWR line (which is the one that still remains), towards London.
At the next lock the photo shows just how close the main line comes to the canal.It was remarkably quiet today as there is a rail strike. Apart from one main line passenger service in each direction,all the rest were freight trains - the drivers and signallers were not on strike.
Below the summit lock another former railway bridge carried a matching link from the earlier one to the opposite direction. Further along there was a link to Marlborough.
We were now on the summit, the section of the canal that has always had problems with water supply and for which the present works are meant to help maintain. The pound also has one of the very few tunnels on the canal - named after Thomas Bruce, early of Aylesbury who, with his son Charles championed the construction of the canal to link the earlier Avon and Kennet river navigations.
As we neared the tunnel portal we could see an obstruction which turned out to be a poorly tethered work boat. Fortunately we were able to wiggle around it at slow speed without it crashing into our side.
The next section is well-wooded and, as the sunshine seeped through the leaves, was very pretty.
We passed Burbage Wharf (see here for more info) which was built by the Earl to be as close to his estate as possible (He owned much of Savernake Forest). The crane has been restored t ice, the more recent in 2012. The site has been cleared and much improved since we came by 9 years ago.
And now for something different - a downhill lock! The last time we has this experience was just before we left the Thames a full four weeks ago.
After the second lock we took a rather late lunch break - we opted for another trip in the reeds although the bank had armco so was a bit easier to identify firm territory. Still not close in and the gang plank was needed yet again! We suspected that nearer to the next two locks there would be competition for space.
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