24th September
14 locks today of which I managed just 5! We followed a wide beam all the way, which meant the locks were against us, but we still made Wootton Rivers by 3 which was fine. It was raining a little when we set off, but soon cleared to be another warm and sunny day, if a little windy.
Whilst waiting for the lock to empty at Crofton, where there is a pumping station with 2 19th C steam engines (a visit on the way back, we hope), there was a distinct train whistle and a Great Western steam train came hurtling through with several Pullman coaches, cosy lamps at their tables in the windows - gorgeous and going at a hell of a lick, with the driver and guard clearly enjoying themselves. I wonder why these old engines give you such a thrill. Sadly I didn't have the camera on deck, although it would have been hard to capture it.
I walked between two locks and stood by to let an elderly gentlemen through on his bike. As he approached me, he wobbled as he saw the towpath narrow where there was a chunk out of the bank. He gracefully and in slow motion toppled towards the hedgerow and laid down - you couldn't call it a fall really. It was almost slapstick. However, I was alarmed to see that he didn't immediately right himself and he had gone very pale as I lifted his bike for him. Thank goodness, just as my mind was racing with "can I remember my resuscitation training?", he just as slowly got to his feet, saying he'd feared he was going to fall in the canal. Poor chap - not surprisingly, he wheeled his bike from there. Best he gets back on some tarmac I reckon.
Pumping station
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
14 locks today of which I managed just 5! We followed a wide beam all the way, which meant the locks were against us, but we still made Wootton Rivers by 3 which was fine. It was raining a little when we set off, but soon cleared to be another warm and sunny day, if a little windy.
Whilst waiting for the lock to empty at Crofton, where there is a pumping station with 2 19th C steam engines (a visit on the way back, we hope), there was a distinct train whistle and a Great Western steam train came hurtling through with several Pullman coaches, cosy lamps at their tables in the windows - gorgeous and going at a hell of a lick, with the driver and guard clearly enjoying themselves. I wonder why these old engines give you such a thrill. Sadly I didn't have the camera on deck, although it would have been hard to capture it.
I walked between two locks and stood by to let an elderly gentlemen through on his bike. As he approached me, he wobbled as he saw the towpath narrow where there was a chunk out of the bank. He gracefully and in slow motion toppled towards the hedgerow and laid down - you couldn't call it a fall really. It was almost slapstick. However, I was alarmed to see that he didn't immediately right himself and he had gone very pale as I lifted his bike for him. Thank goodness, just as my mind was racing with "can I remember my resuscitation training?", he just as slowly got to his feet, saying he'd feared he was going to fall in the canal. Poor chap - not surprisingly, he wheeled his bike from there. Best he gets back on some tarmac I reckon.
Pumping station
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
This all sounds brilliant!
ReplyDeleteWe think the lock at Fenny Stratford has a swing bridge in the middle! We also encountered one on the Lee Navigation when Hunters Moon nearly did get crunched! Luckily I realised my mistake in time!!!
Hope the Caen flight went well! Now you have practised perhaps we will try and join you on your return!!